Home to one of the top universities in the world, meandering rivers with the occasional boat peacefully punting along the river, thousand-year-old buildings that capture your attention without even trying, green willow trees and meadows, Cambridge is a beautiful town to visit when in the UK. While the UK can be expensive, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit. In fact, there are many things that you can do with minimal cost, and some of them are even free! Listed below are 10 budget-friendly things to do in Cambridge; you can now explore the university city without blowing a hole in your pocket!
1. Explore the city on a bike tour
What better way to start your Cambridge visit than by bicycle? Getting around this beautiful university city on a two-wheeled vehicle gives you the right pace to fully immerse yourself in its history and surroundings. While feeling the light breeze brushing softly against your face, you get to observe the beauty of this city and occasionally pause to appreciate its exquisite architecture. While bike tours are available, where a tour guide will lead you and share with you interesting facts and the history of Cambridge, you can alternatively rent your own bike and just explore on your own. Not only is it a cheaper alternative, it’s also better if you prefer to go at your own pace!
City Cycle Hire
Address: 61 Newnham Rd, Cambridge CB3 9EY, United Kingdom
Price: from 9 USD
Opening Hours: 9 am - 5.30 pm
Duration: around 4 hours required
Contact: +44 1223 365629
Website: City Cycle Hire
2. Wander around the university grounds
A city where ancient prestigious colleges abound, the University of Cambridge is essentially the highlight of visiting Cambridge. Wander around the university grounds and be breath-taken by the magnificent buildings and vibrant culture. Several of the college campuses are not open to the public, unless on a private tour, but there’s so much to explore outside of the colleges. The grand buildings with their old-world charm will captivate you almost instantly; you won’t be able to resist taking pictures of them! And, don’t forget to buy the signature “Cambridge” shirt!
University of Cambridge
Address: The Old Schools, Trinity Ln, Cambridge CB2 1TN, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 1223 337733
Website: University of Cambridge
3. Admire a true masterpiece of English craftsmanship
While you’re exploring the university grounds, the King’s College Chapel will have easily caught your attention. Standing tall and decked in late gothic architecture, featuring ornate stained glass windows, and even consisting of the largest fan vault in the world, it indeed is a true masterpiece. There’s something magical about it that leaves you enchanted almost instantly. While its exteriors are impressive, you’ve got to take a step into its grounds to feel its magic. Even if you’re on a shoestring budget, you can still take several pretty photos of this architectural wonder!
King's College Chapel, Cambridge
Address: King’s Parade, Cambridge CB2 1ST, United Kingdom
Price: from 12 USD for adults; 8 USD for children & students
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat: 9.30 am - 3.30 pm. 1.15 pm - 2.30 pm on Sundays
Contact: +44 1223 331212
Website: King’s College Chapel
Tip from tour guide
Discover the splendor of King's College Chapel, a place where history and architecture come together. The soaring ceilings, intricate stained glass, and rich history make it a captivating experience. The play of light adds a spiritual touch, making your visit both visually stunning and culturally enriching
Tip from tour guide
Just to see the inside of King's College Chapel is worth your visit to Cambridge. Think of it like this: would you go to Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower? Would you visit Rome and not see the Colosseum? I can guarantee your jaw will drop when you look up and take in the majestic beauty comprised of 1,000 square meters of vaulted stone.
Charles Darwin was at Cambridge University in the early 1800s. You can admire his statue as a young man at Christ's College, located in a quiet spot with a wooden bench next to it. Sit down on it and imagine how young Darwin would have felt when told he was indeed going aboard the HMS Beagle for a two-year voyage around the world. The rest, as they say, is history. Part of his ongoing legacy is his moth collection at the Zoology Museum. Don't miss it!
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Punt along the River Cam
Punting is an absolute must-do when in Cambridge. It is arguably the best way to view the campus grounds and bridges, not forgetting the famous college “Backs” that serve as the perfect backdrop for a photo of the day from almost any angle. It’s the epitome of tranquility and serenity as you move slowly along the waters with so much greenery in sight. Through the ride, your boatsman / boatswoman will share with you interesting facts and history of Cambridge and its famous alumni. You can also rent your own boat and punt yourself, but we discourage that because punting is actually harder than it looks!
Note: do not buy your punting tickets from people selling them on King’s Parade or Market Square as illegal punt operators sell tours from these locations!
Scudamore's Punting Company
Address: Granta Place, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RS
Price: from 21 USD
Opening Hours: 9 am - 8 pm
Duration: around 50 minutes
Contact: +44 (0) 1223 359750
Website: Mill Lane Punting
Tip from tour guide
The view of King's College alongside the beautiful River Cam is truly stunning. With the college's charming architecture and the river's natural beauty, it's a picturesque scene that captures both history and tranquility. A must-see spot for anyone looking to enjoy a serene and captivating view.
Cambridge Tour Guide
Rosemary Engelmann
I am a member of the Institute of Tourist Guiding and have been working as a guide in Cambridge for seven years. I really love showing visitors around this beautiful, historic city with its University buildings, student traditions and wide open spaces. There is always something going on which makes it such an exciting place to visit! When not working, I enjoy exploring the museums and markets of Cambridge, playing tennis and badminton, and travelling abroad. I am looking forward to meeting you and providing you with an interesting, informative and fun-filled tour of Cambridge! Have a look at my suggested tours or, if you prefer, I would be very happy to customize a tour specially for you.
Tours by Rosemary
Cambridge Tour Guide
Manuel Serrano
I retell the history of Cambridge through stories. Stories of some well-known (Isaac Newton), some not (John Harington) men and women who have influenced many fields of human activity, be it education, politics, sport, science, art, religion, etc. I do walking tours in Spanish (my native language) and also in English. I am allowed to guide inside several colleges of Cambridge University.
Tours by Manuel
5. Pack your lunch and soak up some rays at Mill Pond
After punting, lay out your mats at Mill Pond (at the bottom of Mill Lane) for a picnic! Featuring picture-postcard views of elegant bridges, green lawns, and graceful willows, Mill Pond is popular among tourists and makes for a perfect picnic space. Imagine just enjoying the sunshine in the cool breeze, with delicious food, lots of lush greenery in sight, and peaceful waters alongside. It’s waterside sophistication at its finest! While you’re at it, don’t forget to take some pretty shots here!
6. Skateboard around the skate park on Jesus Green
Featuring a good open-plan plaza with varying obstacles of different sizes for all kinds of abilities, the skate park at Jesus Green is a great place to spend an afternoon! Just grab your skateboard and flaunt your funky moves and abilities that will make the crowd gasp in awe and amazement. The skate park isn’t just for those who skate though. Even if you don’t skate, you will have a wonderful time watching the skaters doing all sorts of skateboarding tricks and showing off their skills!
Jesus Green Skate Park
Address: Jesus Green, Victoria Avenue, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB4 1EH
Website: Skate Park
7. Explore Anglesey Abbey
Anglesey Abbey is an absolute haven for all nature junkies; it’s unspoilt nature at its finest here! With several huge tranquil gardens to explore, you’ll simply fall in love with this place. There are, indeed, gardens for all seasons. During the summer it’s packed with colour, and the heady scent of the Rose Garden, combines with dazzling dahlias and the effortlessly beautiful wildflower meadows, is sure to entice you. During the winter, the spectacular Winter Garden brightens up even the coldest of winter days. Anglesey Abbey is also home to its historic Lode Mill, where you can watch grain being turned into wholesome wholemeal flour before your eyes, and a charming house that is home to several interesting artefacts.
Anglesey Abbey
Address: Quy Road, Lode, Cambridge CB25 9EJ, United Kingdom
Price: from 11 USD
Contact: +44 1223 810080
Website: Anglesey Abbey
8. Expand your mind at the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
If you’re thinking that this is just another museum, you’re half right and half wrong. Yes, it’s a museum. But Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences is not ordinary. It houses one of the world’s largest collections of fossils, bringing you all the way back to 500 million years ago to the ice age, to recent topological displays of new finds. Geography buffs will love it here; it’s like a great cabinet of curiosities! You can expect to open your mind, and marvel at nature’s diversity. It’s also a great way to keep your mind occupied for a few hours!
Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
Address: University Of Cambridge, Downing St, Cambridge CB2 3EQ, United Kingdom
Price: Free
Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 am - 1 pm. 2 pm - 5 pm. Closed on Sundays
Contact: +44 1223 333456
Website: Sedgwick Museum of Earth Science
9. Have a pint of real ale in The Eagle pub
Cambridge is full of pubs, and really, you just wont be able to resist a pint when in this city. (And we don’t blame you!) The Eagle is one of the larger pubs in Cambridge, and it’s no random pub along the streets of Cambridge. Overflowing with great vibes, and with a vibrant atmosphere, superb and reasonably priced food and beer, and the right mix of tourists and locals, The Eagle offers you an experience like no other. Despite it being always packed and noisy, it’s a happy and relaxing place to be. Add to that its fair share of history, and it’s simply a must-visit.
The Eagle has many interesting features to look out for, including the RAF bar with its world famous ceiling showing US and British airmen inscriptions from during the Second World War, which serves as a memorial of men who fought for freedom during WWII. Not without its science connections, the pub was also the place where Francis Crick and James Watson announced the discovery of the helix structure of DNA!
The Eagle
Address: 8 Benet Street, Cambridge CB2 3QN, United Kingdom
Opening Hours: 8 am - 11 pm
Contact: +44 1223 505020
Website: The Eagle
10. Discover lovely artisans and authentic yummy treats at the Market Square
Up for some local street treats and souvenirs to buy? Or just looking for some hidden gems? Market Square is the place for you! Selling almost everything you could ever ask for, from books to clothes, and from fresh flowers and plants to even electronics, it’s in full swing on Sundays, when the local food stalls and arts and craft market will be open. Be sure to grab a bite of the ostrich burgers and visit the Jamaican food stall, which sells cakes and authentic patties. Do expect it to be crowded though! Although the hustle and bustle may be a turn off, the crowded atmosphere does add to the whole experience, so embrace it!
Market Square
Address: Market Square, Cambridge, Cambs, CB2 3QJ
Opening Hours: 10 am - 4 pm
Contact: 01223 457467
Website: Market Square
Not just for the bookworms
It won’t take you long to fall in love with this university city extraordinaire! Just give it a day or two and you’ll find yourself in love with its peaceful streets, friendly locals, and unique culture. This small city definitely deserves a visit when you’re in the UK. Several day tours are organised from London, so check those out and put a visit on your list when visiting the UK!
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