Situated along the tranquil River Cam, the University of Cambridge stands as a timeless symbol of knowledge and tradition, drawing scholars and visitors for over 800 years. Since its founding in 1209, this institution has not merely witnessed history – it has written it, serving as the intellectual heart of the United Kingdom and a source of inspiration for the world's most brilliant minds.
This guide invites you to explore Cambridge's living legacy, with recommendations of things to see and do in and around the University. From the majestic spires of King's College Chapel to hidden corners buzzing with student life, you’ll uncover must-see landmarks, cosy retreats and MICHELIN Guide culinary gems.
Must-See Colleges & Chapels
The first item on your agenda when visiting Cambridge should be a stroll through the University's cobbled courtyards and its medieval chapels, where centuries of academic pursuits and debates have unfolded. Every college holds a story, every stone marks a moment of groundbreaking discovery.The University of Cambridge's 31 colleges form a tapestry of architectural wonder, each with its own distinct personality and treasured traditions. The largest of them all by student population is Trinity College, which offers a grand introduction to Cambridge's scholarly heritage. Founded by Henry VIII in 1546, its imposing gateway leads to the magnificent Great Court – the largest college courtyard in the world. Science enthusiasts can peek at the legendary apple tree that supposedly inspired Sir Isaac Newton's gravitational musings, while bibliophiles shouldn't miss the atmospheric Wren Library, home to 55,000 pre-1820 books and thousands of precious manuscripts.
If Trinity is the biggest of the University’s colleges, then King’s College Chapel is its most recognisable landmark, a masterpiece of late English Gothic design. Its soaring fan vault – the largest in the world – creates an awe-inspiring canopy above, while the ornate stained-glass windows paint the interior with medieval storytelling. Pre-booked tours allow visitors to marvel at its Tudor motifs and ornate wooden chancel screen, considered among the finest of their era.
For a dose of both architectural drama and literary history, St. John's College delivers in spades. This sprawling college complex – the alma mater of poet William Wordsworth, abolitionist William Wilberforce and no fewer than three saints – spans both banks of the River Cam. Its crowning glory is the Bridge of Sighs, a stunning covered bridge of intricate stone tracery that has encouraged countless Instagram posts and even some notable student pranks. The bridge's best views are reserved for punting tourists and college visitors, while the college’s neo-Gothic grandeur makes it the second largest and perhaps most photogenic of Cambridge colleges.
Scholarly Sights & Museums
If you’re looking to delve a little deeper into the centuries of human knowledge that Cambridge has seen, make for its numerous libraries and museums. The magnificent Cambridge University Library stands as a testament to intellectual pursuit, housing a collection that began in 1416 with a modest chest of manuscripts. Today, its shelves stretch across millennia, from ancient Sumerian clay tablets to scientific manuscripts by the likes of Newton, Darwin and Hawking. The library welcomes those aged 16 and above, offering glimpses into its treasure trove of nearly 10 million items spanning over 2,000 languages.Within Trinity College, the elegant Wren Library beckons visitors with its extraordinary collection, including Newton's original copy of Principia Mathematica and two of Shakespeare's earliest folios. The space enchants with its scholarly atmosphere and artistic beauty, featuring sculptures, portraits and a striking enamel-painted window. For art enthusiasts, The Fitzwilliam Museum presents a feast of creativity through the ages – from Egyptian antiquities to masterpieces by Titian and Picasso, all available to explore free of charge.
Those fascinated by human culture and natural history shouldn't miss the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, where artefacts tell stories of diverse civilisations and their encounters with globalisation. Just steps away, the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences invites visitors on a 4.5-billion-year journey through our planet's history. Its galleries showcase everything from imposing dinosaur skeletons to the world's oldest intact geological collection, the Museum Woodwardianum – offering a peek into Earth's ancient past.
Where to Eat and Stay Near the University of Cambridge
Cambridge's culinary landscape centres around Midsummer House, a Two MICHELIN Starred restaurant housed in a Victorian villa at the edge of the expansive greenery of Midsummer Common. Chef Daniel Clifford’s outstanding seasonal dishes don’t hold back on either invention or lavish ingredients. The vegetarians among you – or just those who enjoy delicious plant-led cooking – should seek out Vanderlyle, where locally farmed and foraged ingredients are allowed to flourish in each imaginatively conceived dish. The tasting menu allows for plenty of vegetables, from carrots to mushrooms, to have their moment in the sun.
The second of Cambridge’s MICHELIN Starred establishments, Restaurant Twenty Two is a Cambridge institution that has evolved over the years and today goes from strength to strength. An attentive team guide diners through each carefully crafted dish that demonstrates the kitchen’s high level of detail and precision. For a change of pace, Mercado Central brings Spain to East Anglia, focusing on quality ingredients prepared simply and honestly. Here, uncomplicated dishes let the natural flavours of each component shine through, proving that sometimes less truly is more.
When it comes to accommodation, Cambridge has three MICHELIN Guide recommended hotels that all pay homage in their own way to the University itself. The University Arms Hotel originally opened in 1834, which seems a long time ago but was still over 600 years after the University itself. Today, its understated chic and modern comforts ensure it’s firmly in the 21st century – plus some rooms come with balcony views over Parker’s Piece common.
The Varsity Hotel & Spa, meanwhile, was actually founded by former Cambridge graduates. Encasing old-world design inside a modern building, it boasts bedrooms named after colleges and walls adorned with portraits of alumni. Finally, we have The Fellows House, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, which also weaves in plenty of scholarly references among its colourful décor. Many of the rooms are apartment-style, with most featuring a full kitchen – ideal if you’re staying for a while.
Beyond the Colleges: River Life & Local Charm
Cambridge's soul lies as much on its waterways as in its lecture halls. A punt down the River Cam is one of the city's most cherished traditions and offers unmatched views of university grounds. These flat-bottomed wooden boats, guided using long poles, glide past college gardens and beneath historic bridges, offering perspectives of Cambridge impossible to find on foot. Whether you choose to master the pole yourself or relax while a skilled professional punter shares tales of college life, this gentle river journey remains the quintessential Cambridge experience.
Away from the water, the heart of local life beats in Market Square, where a daily market has operated for centuries. Here, among some 50 stalls, Cambridge shows its contemporary face. Students browse through vinyl records and vintage clothing, while locals shop for fresh produce and street food from around the world. Between the incense sellers and crystal vendors, paperback treasures and household goods at bargain prices, the market captures both town and gown life in equal measure.
Address Book
Bridge of Sighs, St John's College, St John's St, Cambridge, CB2 1TPCambridge University Library, West Rd, Cambridge, CB3 9DR
King's College Chapel, King's Parade, Cambridge, CB2 1ST
Market Square, Market Hill, Cambridge, CB1 0SS
Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Downing St., Cambridge, CB2 3DZ
Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, University Of, Downing Pl, Cambridge, CB2 3EQ
St. John's College, St John's St., Cambridge, CB2 1TP
The Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington St, Cambridge, CB2 1RB
Trinity College, Cambridge, CB2 1TQ
Wren Library, Trinity St, Cambridge, CB2 1TQ
Hero Image: Punting outside King's College, Cambridge. © AlexKozlov/iStock
