Travel Guide To Cambridge

Traditionally Autumn is associated with getting cosy and hunkering down. But it is a great time to go on a weekend getaway or an inspiring day trip. We think it is in fact the perfect time to plan an adventure, experience something new and explore nature at its finest. The waters are warm from the summer, the conkers are bursting, the trees are turning amber and gold and there is that ‘back to school’ feeling: time to learn something new. We think Cambridge is the place to go. The city is rich in history, creative thinkers, big brains, interesting collectors, ancient artefacts, architecture and very good pubs.

We have teamed up with two of our makers and Cambridge residents: Sophie Fletcher and Lucy Welton, to bring you all the best bits. From a friend to a friend, a travel guide full of a locals favourite places to visit and the best spots to rest and refuel.

Places to Visit: 

Kettle’s Yard House, gallery, shop & café: an absolute must see. A beautiful house filled with beautiful objects. Once the private home of  Jim Ede and his wife Helen. Their collection of twentieth century British and European art is displayed alongside found and natural objects, ceramics, glass, textiles and furniture. You will never want to leave, in fact you will wish you could move in.

There is a new gallery to the side of the house which hosts some brilliant exhibitions. If you are lucky enough to be nearby, do go catch the latest exhibition of Palestinian Embroidery, closing on 29th October. It looks amazing. 

All Saints Church on Jesus Lane: For all you ceramic lovers, the annual Anglian Potters Christmas Exhibition at All Saints Church is running from November 18th to December 10th this year. Sophie says a visit to this church is ‘like being in an illuminated manuscript’  –  yes please! 

The Cambridge Central Mosque is Europe’s first eco-friendly mosque and a wonderful piece of modern architecture. You could take a guided tour or simply go for a cuppa in their lovely cafe. 

Cambridge is a colossal sweet shop for literature lovers, as many writers have studied, lived, spoken and written here. If literary legends’ legacy tickles your fancy, then Newnham College grounds are worth a visit. Virginia Woolf’s renowned lecture, which later became part of A Room of One’s Own, was given here, and Sylvia Plath studied here, wrote her Cambridge Notes (found in Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams), and made some beautiful drawings (see Sylvia Plath: Drawings).

The David Parr House is a beautifully preserved terraced house full of hand-painted wall decorations, Gothic carvings and stained glass panels. It’s open to the public for guided tours in small groups and it is the perfect destination on a rainy day. It may not look like much on the outside, but do not be fooled – the inside is a marvel. David Parr was a working class Victorian decorative artist who worked for clients such as William Morris. Don’t Google it in advance, let yourself be surprised by its unusual character in person! 

The Fitzwilliam Museum: an impressive building with an impressive collection. We recommend you take a sketchbook and get a bit lost.

The Botanic Garden: Botanic gardens everywhere have a magical feel to them; This one in Cambridge is no exception. It is a haven. Free tours are held on the first Sunday of the month from February to April and October to December, so plan accordingly or simply go for an unguided wander and explore.

Go to The Cambridge Observatory at the Institute of Astronomy for some stargazing. It is open on a Wednesday evening between October and March! 

Little St Mary’s Church graveyard is a good place to escape the bustle and stop for a breather. A great place to take your  book and a sandwich.

Places to Eat & Drink: 

The little pubs around the backstreets of Mill Road are great to hop between. The modest backstreet houses were built in the unique local light stone bricks, and once served the more working class folk of Cambridge. The backstreet pubs give an idea of going back in time. A few noteworthy pubs are The Free Press (our favourite) The Devonshire Arms (run and supplied by Milton Brewery), The Geldart, The Kingston Arms and The Empress (decorated in a crazy Christmas theme!). 

Gardenia Restaurant: this is a local food institution located just off the market square that’s been serving traditional Greek food since 1924. Great kebabs! 

There’s a street of really good food and drink next to the Cambridge Arts Theatre; go to Pho for Vietnamese street food, Pint Shop for a cosy interior with great drinks, Aromi for Sicilian sourdough pizzas, and of course the famous Watson and Crick pub, The Eagle, where Francis Crick announced that he and James Watson had discovered the DNA double-helix.

Places to Shop:

David Bookseller is a very interesting little bookshop with lots of twists and turns inside.

Go to Cambridge Market on Market Square for a stroll through the stands filled with world cuisine, Polish ceramics, plants and flowers, locally sourced fruit and veg, fresh fish, second hand books, and lots more. Open seven days a week from 10-4. 

Pick up goodies from Cho Mee Supermarket or Arjuna Wholefoods, both on Mill Road.

Fopp stocks CDs, records, DVDs and books. Do as Sophie does and go on a hunt, she says you can usually find some very interesting indie films there. 

Places to Walk & Swim: 

Castle Mound is very near Kettle’s Yard and has a great view of Cambridge. Bring beers and go see the sun setting over church towers!

Grantchester Meadows & Orchards: Over two miles of meadows and swimming from Sheep’s Green down to the Orchard Tea Gardens in Grandchester. There can be long queues at the tearoom so we recommend you take a picnic. This green space on the edge of the city has had lots of famous visitors, most notably the Bloomsbury group. For literature lovers, note that Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes recited poetry to the cows while punting this way. If your kids fancy a dip, there is also a hidden children’s outdoor pool here called Sheep’s Green, located just next to the river. 

Jesus Green Lido is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year! It’s an original Edwardian public lido that has been in constant use by locals and keen outdoor swimmers ever since. The pool is known for its unique long shape; 100 yards long and only 15 yards wide. It was built in this shape to emulate the River Cam which it runs parallel with, so a visit here also includes a look at the historic Jesus Green field and river lock. It is unheated but there is also a sauna!

Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits is about an hour’s hike, 20 minute cycle or 15 minute drive away from the centre, but a really fun landscape to walk through. When you’re there you wouldn’t believe you’re in the city.

Lace up those walking boots, layer up the knitwear, pack a notebook and pen and get out there. There is so much to discover.