Sights and landmarks in Cambridge

Sights and landmarks in Cambridge

1. See

   All Saints, Jesus Lane

   Open daily, free. This 19th-century church is no longer used for worship but has been preserved as a rare example of the Arts and Crafts movement, featuring a highly ornate interior by Bodley, and windows and wall decorations by William Morris.

2. See

   Botanic Garden of Cambridge University

   A relaxing way to spend a few hours, away from the hustle and bustle of the colleges and canals. Open to the public since 1846 this garden hosts some important botanic collections amongst its 10,000 or more species. In summer they have concerts on the lawn.

   Nov-Jan: 10AM-4PM, Feb-Mar and Oct: 10AM-5PM, Apr-Sep: 10AM-6PM, closed 24 Dec to 1 Jan·Adult admission £7.70, children, carers and Cambridge University students free

3. See

   Bourn Windmill

   A medieval post-mill, probably the oldest mill in Britain. It's at risk of collapse and stabilisation is under way; it was open for a few days in 2023.

   See website for opening·£3 adult, £1 child

4. See

   Cambridge Science Centre

   An interactive science museum and educational charity which focuses on hands-on exhibits and outreach activities that engage children, families, and schools in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

5. See

   Christ's Pieces

   In the centre of the city, it is bordered by the bus station, Christ's College, Emmanuel Road and King Street. It is of typical Victorian park design with tree lined avenues. The formal seasonal bedding displays planted in the 'petal beds' near Emmanuel Road, provide all year round colour. There are also large ornamental shrub beds around the perimeter to add further year round colour and interest.

6. See

   Clare College

   The 2nd oldest college with pretty gardens, courtyard and the oldest river bridge in Cambridge.

7. See

   Coe Fen

   A beautiful, semi-wild green near the centre of the city, but far enough out to be quiet. Less manicured than some of the college gardens and parks around Cambridge, but nonetheless a great space to be in the summer with cows roaming and the Cam running through.

8. See

   Corpus Christi College

   Uniquely, founded by Cambridge locals (from two town guilds). Its Old Court (to the left of the main entrance, behind St Bene't's church) dates from the 1350s and is the oldest courtyard in Cambridge. Old Court rooms have no plumbing, so you may occasionally be treated to a student walking across the court in their dressing gown to get to the toilet complex.

9. See

   Denny Abbey and Farmland Museum

   Denny Abbey the only religious site in England to have been occupied at various times by three different monastic orders. Museum tells the history of farming in the fens.

   Adults £8.00, children £5.00, concessions £6.50. English Heritage members free

10. See

    Great St Mary's

    GSM

    Open daily, free. This fine example of 15th-century English Perpendicular architecture is on the market square opposite King's College. As well as viewing the beautiful nave, visitors can climb the bell tower (admission £6 adults, £4 children (5-16 years), £16 family (2 adults, 2 children)) for spectacular views over the city.

    Mon-Sat 10AM-5:30PM, Sun noon-5PM (may vary depending on service times)

11. See

    Homerton College

    Homerton College is one of the newer colleges, though it has existed for centuries as an academic institution and is architecturally very pretty, with extensive and tranquil grounds and a picturesque orchard. It is in a beautiful location on Hills Road, about 15 minutes walk from the town centre. The Victorian hall here is one of the most beautiful in Cambridge and definitely worth a visit. Free to enter, so worth the walk to see.

12. See

    Imperial War Museum Duxford

    This World War II airfield south of Cambridge houses the Imperial War Museum's aircraft collection, and is the largest aviation museum in Europe. As well as military aircraft, it houses a large collection of non-military aircraft including a Concorde. There is also a land warfare museum on the site that has many examples of armoured vehicles from the First World War onwards. It really a full day for a proper visit. Flight shows are sometimes held; these days will be very busy.

    10AM-6PM·Adults £31, Child £15.50, Concession £27.90

13. See

    Jesus Green

    Jesus Green was proposed as the site for Cambridge's main railway station, but is now a broad piece of parkland immediately adjacent to Midsummer Common. Provides a quiet retreat away from the city centre, and has grass and hard tennis courts, and an outdoor swimming pool. Plans are underway for redevelopment of this much-loved park in Cambridge.

14. See

    Kettle's Yard

    Kettle's Yard is the former home of Jim and Helen Ede and houses the fine collection of art, from the early part of the 20th century, which they gave to the University. Artists represented include Ben Nicholson, Christopher Wood, Alfred Wallis, David Jones, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and Henri Gaudier-Brzeska. There is a separate gallery for exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, which are widely advertised and detailed on the website. Each exhibition is accompanied by a lively programme of talks, workshops and discussion groups for all ages. Music at Kettle's Yard: Kettle's Yard presents programmes of chamber music concerts and contemporary music concerts.

    House open Tue-Sun and Bank Holiday Mondays 1:30-4:30PM (1st weekend in April - last weekend in September); Tue-Sun and Bank Holiday Mondays 2PM-4PM (1st weekend in October - last weekend in March). Gallery open Tue-Sun and Bank Holiday Mondays 11:30AM-5PM·House Adult £10.50 -25 free

15. See

    King's College and King's College Chapel

    The most visited attraction in Cambridge, the architecture of King's College Chapel towers above the town and its world-famous choir have spread its reputation around the globe.

    College grounds open term-time Mon-Fri 9:30AM–3:30PM, Sat 9:30AM–3:15PM, Sun 1:15PM–2:15PM and 5PM-5:30PM (summer only). Out of term Mon-Sat 9:30AM–4:30PM, Sun 10AM-5PM. Grounds closed during exams (late April to mid June) though Chapel is open. Chapel opening times vary, ring for details·£15 adults, £12.50 children/students with ID. 50p extra for weekend visits, £1 less for booking online in advance (recommended; King's gets extremely busy on weekends and ticket numbers are limited)

16. See

    Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

    The museum contains large and important collections of archaeological and anthropological material from all parts of the world. The archaeological collections from all periods include significant collections from Palaeolithic Europe, Asia and Africa; Precolumbian Central and South America; early civilizations of the Mediterranean; and British archaeology. The world-renowned anthropological collections include important collections from the South Seas, West Africa and the Northwest Coast of North America; historic collections from the 18th century; and extensive photographic collections from the 19th and 20th centuries.

    Tue-Sun 2PM-4:30PM; closed at Christmas and Easter and on most public holidays; possible extended summer opening - please telephone or email for details·Free

17. See

    Museum of Classical Archaeology

    The Museum of Classical Archaeology is one of the few surviving collections of plaster casts of Greek & Roman sculpture in the world. The collection of about four hundred and fifty casts is open to the public and housed in a purpose-built Cast Gallery on the first floor of the Classics Faculty. Although nothing here is an original, nearly all the well-known (and not so well-known) works from the Classical world can be seen together under one roof. The reserve research collections consist of another two hundred plaster casts, Greek vases, pottery sherds, and epigraphic squeezes. These can be consulted by arrangement.

    Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat 10AM-1PM·Admission is free

18. See

    Museum of Technology

    An exhibition of items from Cambridge's industrial past based at the city's old sewage pumping station on Riverside. Exhibits include the working steam and gas powered pumps, printing technology and items from several decades of electronics manufacturing within the city. The museum holds several 'steaming' days a year, usually on bank holidays, when engines and pumps may be seen working.

    Fri-Sun 10:30AM-4PM

19. See

    Newnham College

    Newnham sits a little away from the central colleges and consequently, gets far fewer visitors. The grounds, however, are beautiful, peaceful and simply huge. Walking on the grass is permitted, unusual for Cambridge colleges.

    Variable hours: see website·Free

20. See

    Parker's Piece

    One of the best known open spaces in Cambridge. In the centre of the city, it is bordered by Park Terrace, Regent Terrace, Parkside and Gonville Place.

21. See

    Pembroke College

    The 3rd oldest college in Cambridge, founded in 1347 by the Countess of Pembroke, Marie de St Paul, is well known for its beautiful gardens.

22. See

    Peterhouse

    The oldest Cambridge college was founded in 1284 and has two large gardens, the Scholars' Garden and the Deer Park, both of which students and visitors can walk all over (unusual for Cambridge colleges!)

23. See

    Queens' College

    Founded by two Queens - Margaret of Anjou in 1448 and Elizabeth Woodville in 1465, the College stretches across both sides of the Cam, linked by the famous Mathematical Bridge. The myth goes that it was designed by Isaac Newton without the use of pins, screws, nuts or bolts, but when disassembled, the fellows and students couldn't figure out how to put it back together again. This is sadly false, the bridge dates from 1749, 22 years after Newton's death. The stunning medieval Old Hall is also worth a visit.

    Open approx 10AM-4:30PM, see website or ring for updated times. Closed mid-May to mid-June·£5 (includes printed guide). Free mid-October to mid-March

24. See

    Saint Catharine's College

    St Catharine's College was founded in 1473 by Robert Wodelarke, Provost of King's College. The college was christened in honour of the patron saint of learning and used to be known as Katharine Hall. It was largely rebuilt in the 17th century with work on the Main Court beginning in 1673; the Chapel was completed in 1704. In spite of its modest size, the college's three-sided brick Main Court is almost unique among Cambridge colleges and deserves a short stop while strolling down Trumpington Street. The college is in the very centre of Cambridge next to King's College and facing Corpus Christi College.

25. See

    Selwyn College

    Founded in 1882, Selwyn is one of the newer Cambridge colleges. Its buildings and grounds are excellent examples of Gothic Revival architecture and it has been named one of the “most obviously impressive” of 68 listed buildings in the West Cambridge Conservation Area appraisal. Entering through the Porter's Lodge Gate on Grange Road puts you in the attractive Old Court with its manicured lawn surrounded by red brick, turreted buildings. The gate next to the college chapel leads into the Selwyn gardens. Selwyn College is located less than a ten-minute walk south of the Cambridge Library, and is about 250 m from the Museum of Classical Archaeology.

    Free

26. See

    St John's College

    Formerly the St Johns Hospital (13th century) before being refounded as a college in 1511, this college houses the oldest academic building in Cambridge (the "School of Pythagoras"). It has a number of large courtyards, and has the Cambridge "Bridge of Sighs".

    Adult £15, students and children £8

27. See

    St. Andrew's, Chesterton

    A walk from town, but with an impressive (if somewhat faded) medieval Doom painting around the chancel arch, showing the Judgement and giving worshippers good reason to pay attention to the sermon.

28. See

    St. Benet's

    Tucked away in the lanes is this tiny 11th-century church. Its main attraction is a Saxon arch in the nave. One of several churches in town with bells, this one is a good location to see English bellringing. The times are unpredictable and not published but Sunday afternoons are your best bet. Please be quiet, ringing takes a surprising amount of concentration and the ringers can do without distractions.

29. See

    The Backs

    The gardens by the river behind various colleges. Heading downstream from King's you can pass through the gardens of Clare, Trinity and St John's Colleges (which has the "Bridge of Sighs").

30. See

    The Centre for Computing History

    A small museum dedicated to the field of computing including video game consoles and arcade machines that can be played. The museum is also a hire-able venue for "Gaming Parties".

    Wed-Sun 10AM-5PM·Adults £12, children £8, concessions £10

31. See

    The Fitzwilliam Museum

    The Fitzwilliam Museum is the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge and is on Trumpington Street. It receives around 300,000 visitors annually. The museum was founded in 1816 with the bequest of the library and art collection of the VIIth Viscount FitzWilliam. The bequest also included £100,000 "to cause to be erected a good substantial museum repository". The "Founder's Building" itself was designed by George Basevi, completed by C. R. Cockerell and opened in 1848; the entrance hall is by Edward Middleton Barry and was completed in 1875. The Egyptian Galleries at the Fitzwilliam Museum re-opened in 2006 after a two-year, £1.5-million programme of refurbishment, conservation and research. The museum has five departments: Antiquities; Applied Arts; Coins and Medals; Manuscripts and Printed Books; and Paintings, Drawings and Prints. Highlights include masterpieces by Titian, Rubens, Van Dyck, Canaletto, Hogarth, Gainsborough, Constable, Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne and Picasso and a fine collection of 20th century art.

    Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM·Admission free

32. See

    The Museum of Cambridge

    formerly: Cambridge Folk Museum

    The only local social history museum in Cambridge and is the most comprehensive collection representing life in the South Cambridgeshire villages. Housed in an old Coaching House, the museum is home to some 20,000 objects representing the history of local life away from the University. Staffed by volunteers which may cause unscheduled closures, phone to confirm if required.

    Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 11AM-4PM·Standard £6, students & 16-17 £4.50, -16 free

33. See

    The Polar Museum

    A short walk from the Fitzwilliam Museum is The Polar Museum. It was a finalist for The Museum of the Year Prize in 2011. Its extraordinary collection covers the Arctic and Antarctic, native peoples and the Golden Age of Exploration of heroes such as Scott and Shackleton. It also serves as the National Memorial to Scott and his men, as well as being the public front of The Scott Polar Research Institute which continues their scientific work. Special events, exhibitions, tours, children's activities and behind the scenes Open Days are held quite often.

    Tue-Sat (and Sun on Bank Holiday Weekends) 10AM-4PM

34. See

    The Round Church

    Dating back to 1130, this is one of only four medieval round churches in England, and one of the most visited buildings in Cambridge. Besides the remarkable architecture, the building contains historical exhibitions and hosts occasional concerts and lectures. Included is a 20-minute film that provides an excellent overview of Cambridge's history. Tour guides based there offer walking tours of Cambridge which are highly rated.

    Daily·Adult £3.50

35. See

    The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences

    One of the university's many hidden treasures, and actually its oldest museum, the Sedgwick is packed full of fossils with more than 1 million in its collection. These range from the earliest forms of life from more than 3000 million years ago, to the wildlife that roamed the Fens less than 150,000 years ago. Displays include a gallery of minerals and gemstones, the world's largest spider, rocks collected by Charles Darwin on the 'Voyage of the Beagle', dinosaurs from the Jurassic and Triassic, and fossils from the local area including a hippopotamus from the nearby Barrington gravel pits. The museum organises many activities, so it's always a good idea to check its website..

    Mon-Fri 10AM-1PM and 2PM-5PM; Sat 10AM-4PM; closed on Bank Holidays·Admission free

36. See

    The University Library

    Exhibition of treasures and highlights from the Library's world-class collections of manuscripts and printed books. Two major exhibitions are held each year (roughly January to June and September to December): check website for details.

    Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM, Sat 9AM-4:30PM

37. See

    The University Museum of Zoology

    The University Museum of Zoology displays a great range of recent and fossil animals, emphasising the structural diversity and evolutionary relationships among the animal kingdom. The collections were accumulated from 1814 onwards, and include many specimens collected by Charles Darwin. To find the museum, look for the spectacular whale skeleton, hung above the entrance and visible through the archway from Downing Street.

    Tue-Sat 10AM-4:30PM, Sun noon-4:30PM, and Bank Holiday Mondays noon-4:30PM·Free

38. See

    The Whipple Museum of the History of Science

    The Whipple Museum is a pre-eminent collection of scientific instruments and models, dating from the Middle Ages to the present. Included in this outstanding collection are microscopes and telescopes, sundials, early slide rules, pocket electronic calculators, laboratory equipment and teaching and demonstration apparatus. Visitors are advised to check beforehand by contacting the museum if you have special access requirements.

    Mon-Fri 12:30PM-4:30PM; closed at weekends (ex third Sat per month), bank holidays and occasionally over the Christmas period·Free

39. See

    Trinity College

    Large attractive courtyard and library designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The interior of the Wren Library (M-F noon-2PM, Sa 10:30AM-12:30PM in Full Term) is particularly beautiful and features medieval bibles, items from the possession of Isaac Newton, original manuscripts by Wittgenstein, a Winnie-the-Pooh manuscript by A.A. Milne, and notes by Bertrand Russell, among other things. Even when the college is closed to visitors, the library may still be accessible from Queens Road on the other side of the River Cam. As of July 2022 the college is closed to the public.

    £2

40. See

    Wimpole Hall & Home Farm

    Wimpole Hall is the largest house in Cambridgeshire, set amongst rolling "Capability Brown" landscaped parklands, with a Home Farm hosting many rare breeds.

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Cambridge (CC BY-SA 4.0).