The name Cambridge may be written all over everything we create here on the World of Better Learning, but how much do you actually know about Cambridge? In this article we’re taking you on a tour of the city, sharing our top activities in Cambridge. Keep your eyes peeled for some quirky Cambridge facts thrown in there too!
1. Explore 1 of the world’s top universities
The University of Cambridge is one of the best and oldest universities in the world. The university is made up of 31 colleges dotted all over the city, each with their own college rules. Most of the old colleges are built along the river to inspire students, creating a cosy channel of walkways behind these called the Backs. Rambling around the Backs is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
2. Take 100s of photos
Photo opportunities are everywhere! Cambridge is famous for wonderful architecture all over the city. Whilst Cambridge is known for it’s impressive colleges, the city started out as a small village and so has a quaint British look to it with greenery and churches around every corner. One of the best places to get a true Cambridge country photo is on Midsummer Common where you can find Cambridge cows grazing along the River Cam just 2 minutes away from the city centre.
3. Go punting along the River Cam
Putting the Cam in Cambridge, punting is the best way to see the city. Sitting back and taking in the sites can be a welcome break from walking the cobbled streets of Cambridge. The river used to the be called the ‘Granta’ and the city ‘Grantabrycge’, meaning ‘bridge over the Granta’. Overtime ‘Grantbrycge’ changed to ‘Cambridge’ and so the river was renamed ‘Cam’ to match the city. Signs of the old Granta can be spotted all along the river which flows through to the village of Granchester.
4. Visit some iconic landmarks
A city steeped in history, Cambridge is full to the brim of iconic landmarks. Bene’t Street is the home of The Eagle, the pub where Watson and Crick exclaimed that they had ‘discovered the secret of life’ after theorising the double helix structure of DNA. The home of football, Parker’s Piece, The Cavendish Library where the electron was discovered and the iconic King’s College are all just a 5 minute walk away.
5. Spot some famous Cambridge antics
Cambridge alumni are known for their antics as much as they are their talents. Lord Byron famously kept a bear in his dorm room in protest of the no dogs rule of the college. Whilst you won’t see Byron you might spy pranks such as cars on the roof of Senate House, santa hats on King’s College chapel or the famous Night Climbers. You never can tell what Cambridge students will be up to next.