Local Attractions

With so much to offer, Cambridge is a wonderful place to stay at any time of year. Some guests may wish to borrow our Dutch bikes to explore the city and surrounding area at leisure. There is no extra charge for this but there are only two bikes and we cannot guarantee that they will be available – please advise when you book your room and we will do our best to have them ready for you.

The colleges provide a scenic backdrop to any visit and you can arrange a walking tour to discover some of their history. The best known museum must be the Fitzwilliam and it offers a variety of exhibitions that change regularly throughout the year. The university departments also have some fascinating museums including the Scott Polar, shortlisted for European Museum of the Year 2012.

Among the galleries, a personal favourite is Kettles Yard House. The former home of a retired curator of the Tate Gallery, Kettles Yard houses his personal collection. After over two years’ closure for refurbishment, this wonderful gallery reopened at the beginning of 2018. Changes include a new educational wing, better galleries, a larger shop and a cafe. These are welcome additions but the highlight is still the house, which is truly unique.

A visit to Cambridge is not complete without a punting trip and you have a choice. Take a tour and sit back to hear an entertaining history as you glide past the famous Backs or, for the daring, hire the boat and punt yourself up and down the river. Several companies offer tours and one of the best is Let’s Go! Punting. Book online to save money and ensure your place in a boat on busy days.

Cambridge has a lovely shopping centre, with global brands represented alongside independent stores, as well as a bustling daily market in the city centre.

For evening entertainment, Cambridge Arts Theatre has a varied and exciting programme. Cambridge Corn Exchange and The Junction put on live acts throughout the year. There are also various cinemas including the Picturehouse in the city centre.

Outside Cambridge

Further aﬁeld, there is Ely with the famous cathedral. Ely is also home to Peacockʼs which, in our opinion, is one of the very best tea rooms in the country. Then there are the attractive towns of Bury St Edmunds and Saffron Walden: both have fascinating histories. Newmarket , world-famous for its horse- racing, is also nearby. Cambridge is within easy reach of the Norfolk and Suffolk coast, so you can make a day trip to the seaside and be back for dinner in one of our excellent restaurants.

The villages around Cambridge are also worth a visit. Grantchester, home to the WW1 poet Rupert Brooke, is the best known and you can get there along the river by either walking or punting. It also has some friendly local pubs and the famous Orchard Tea Rooms. The village of Fen Ditton is a short walk from 5 Chapel Street and boasts a ﬁne old church and a lively riverside pub.