Cambridge, could you imagine a more idyllic university town?
With its narrow medieval passageways and 801-year-old university
this small English city it packed with history.
But Cambridge is embracing the new, its restaurant scene has moving on from pub grub
And has something exciting, yet still traditional, to offer.
Welcome to Cambridge.
Cambridge is less than an hour from London by train.
And once you’ve arrived, you’re going to want to do what the locals do and get yourself
a bike.
Cambridge is considered the cycling capital of the UK - they're everywhere.
Bike hire shops are peppered around and parking is easy but be warned.
In 2017 the Cambridge district had one of the highest rates of bike theft in England
and Wales - so lock it up.
In the centre of Cambridge is one of the world’s most well known and respected Universities.
Founded in 1208, it's the fourth oldest university in the world
still teaching.
One of the jewels in the university’s crown is its libraries and this is the big one.
Cambridge University Library holds around 8 million books, manuscripts, maps and journals
and it was thought some more salacious material.
For a long time it was undergraduate folklore that the library tower held a vast stockpile
of Victorian age pornography.
But no…
This year the tower’s opened up its secrets and revealed its was used to store books
and other items thought not good enough for the main building.
This material is now regarded as an important resource
One of the best ways to see Cambridge’s hidden spots is by boat, or punt, to be exact.
Punting began in the early 20th century
And remains the best way to explore the River Cam and it’s many bridges - 25 in all.
This is the Mathematical Bridge. Despite looking curved it’s made entirely of straight timber.
Safely on dry land it’s time of a pint.
This is The Eagle
It was there 1953 Francis Crick charged in, interrupting lunchtime service, to announce
that he and James Watson
had "discovered the secret of life". How DNA carries genetic information.
I hope someone offered him a drink.
Keeping with tradition, just a few meters down the road is Chop House.
This no-nonsense steak restaurant has a classic English menu.
Try the Sticky Toffee Pudding - if you have room.
But it not all old England, this is Pint Shop, offering 23-tap craft beer and 100 gin options.
There are plenty of places to stay in the city but if you want to get some country air,
just a short drive out of town is Clopton Courtyard
Here you can rent your own barn, there are six to choose from , and enjoy the quintessentially
English countryside surrounding.
Not a bad spot to finish off your day…