A local's guide to Cambridge - from art at Kettle's Yard to picturesque picnic spots

[Celerity]

https://www.themodernhouse.com/journal/residents-guide-to-cambridge/



As Zadie Smith, the novelist and a former Cambridge resident, once said: “Cambridge was a joy. Tediously. People reading books in a posh place. It was my fantasy. I loved it. I miss it still.” Arranged around the River Cam and best known for its university, Cambridge is a postcard-pretty city of two parts.



The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209 and was granted a royal charter by Henry III just over 20 years later. Now composed of 31 colleges, its sheer size means, if you’re a teacher or student, it is possible to navigate the city almost solely on college-owned land. If you’re a visitor or resident, however, it is more likely that you will be skirting around it. Either way, the university’s historic buildings are magical to view.

But, as our guide to Cambridge shows, there is more to the city than academia. It also has beautiful architecture, wonderful expanses of parkland, natural swimming spots and is appealingly close to the countryside. And then there’s the wonderful Kettle’s Yard and the Fitzwilliam Museum, where a healthy dose of art and culture awaits.

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[2naSalit]

1. I've been there.

I went to perform there back in '94. It was quite a nice place, I had a chance to go to the market square and several of the sites in the photos shown. Cambridge was the last performance stop on a very brief tour, we also spent a few days at Stafford on Avon, I really liked it there. Spent two days in London but I was burned out by then. I had tickets to see Cats, I went to that but stayed near the hotel until departure for the rest of it.

I loved that the bath tubs are super long so you can lat out flat, and heated towel racks.

I've been wanting to go on another trip there, as a tourist this time, maybe I'll start there and work my way up to Scotland and Wales which I didn't have time or funds to do back then.

[CurtEastPoint]

2. Cambridge is a great town and that museum is wonderful!

[empedocles]

3. Oxford is also beautifully impressive -and older.

The English knew how to build a University.

[bottomofthehill]

4. I thought you were talking Cambridge MA

I am a cultural guy too. I like hanging at Charlie’s Kitchen. Also enjoyed bowling at the Hong Kong.

[bottomofthehill]

5. Being a smart ass aside

Cambridge England looks beautiful. I have been to Trinity College in Dublin but to none of the English Universities. The pictures are stunning. We often forget how new our history is. We are a young country. Thank you for sharing.

[Celerity]

6. yw! cheers