This guided walking tour of Cambridge takes in some of the famous colleges and historic sights of the city as you meander down quaint alleyways and tread the cobbled streets. You will hear quirky facts and stories of the colleges and their colourful alumni, all set within the context of English and world history, many fascinating tales of city life through the ages not generally mentioned in the guide books. Get ready for a climb! At the North end of King’s Parade, we will come across Great St Mary’s Church. Where to stay in Cambridge? I recommend staying at the affordable Arundel House Hotel for its excellent location and beautiful setting. For a more refined place you can enjoy The Gonvile Hotel on the southern side of Cambridge’s historical center. You can also find other budget hotels in Cambridge. There are approximately 10 miles of circular trails in all and it’s suitable for anyone to visit, including families and dogs. Since becoming a protected reserve, the RSPB has continued to make the lakes an even richer home for wildlife.

Built over the first 35 years of Queen Victoria’s reign, the Museum was funded by a bequest from Viscount Fitzwilliam of Merrion. After graduating from Trinity Hall Fitzwilliam embarked on his Grand Tour – a journey through Europe’s cultural treasures taken by many an aristocrat of the Victorian age. The museum was originally designed to house the collection of paintings, books, prints, manuscripts and objets d’art with which he returned from his travels. Since then there have been several extensions, the latest in 2003/4, which created a modern wing featuring a beautiful, naturally lit covered courtyard. This all changed when Henry VI planned King’s College in the 1440s. He authorised the clearance of the town between the water and the High Street, now King’s Parade. From this time on most of the older university colleges came to dominate the east side of the river. As the west side was developed for gardens and parkland belonging to the colleges, each was linked to its grounds by a bridge across the Cam. In March, the woodlands, meadows, and marshlands of Castor Hanglands near Peterborough are literally awash with frogs and toads. Up to two thousand amphibians inhabit the reserve, the ponds filled first with clumps of frogspawn, followed by tadpoles then fully-formed adults. It’s sometimes difficult not to tread on them as you wander along the reserve’s pathways, particularly during a wet spell. We offer some of the best guided walking tours in Cambridge. Walking and Punting Tours and Bespoke Tours of Cambridge. Visit famous historic and University sights with an experienced, friendly local historian welcoming visitors from around the world. All our tours are unique as we specialise in small groups and encourage interaction and questions.

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Criss-crossed with pathways that rise and dip with the Teletubby-esque mounds, the otherworldly landscape was created from the spoils of a medieval quarry. Come at Easter to see the rare pasqueflowers, or in June and July when the reserve is scented with fragrant orchid and butterflies flutter through the profusion of wildflowers. Flower meadows, meandering riverside pathways, charming settlements of thatched cottages and historic churches, this flat five-mile walk has it all. Take time to explore the handsome market town of St Ives with its narrow streets and olde world pubs. Stop by at the Norris Museum to find out about the local history of the Great Ouse Valley and the town. Avoid Unpaved - tries to avoid roads and paths with unmade surfaces that may not be suitable for road bikes Is Cambridge UK walkable? Oh yes, very much so. Actually, walking is the best way to experience Cambridge. Cross Hemingford Meadow to Meadow Lane. Continue to a fork in the road, then follow the fingerpost to take a path that skirts the edge of Hemingford Grey (another Love Lane). Turn right on to Church Street and follow the path along the boundary of the graveyard to the River Great Ouse.

It is a particularly special place to visit in the spring, when bright sunlight illuminates hundreds of colorful flowers. A small admission fee allows you to wander the garden at your leisure and engage in scholarly thought – or just enjoy the scenery. It may sometimes be necessary to dismount from your bike. Please observe local laws regarding right of way.

Great St. Mary’s lives up to its name with one of the best vantage points in the city atop its tower. This University Church was completed in 1205 and remodelled in the 15th century, with the west tower being added in the first half of the16th. Many churches have received similar treatment, changing in size and design over the years to accommodate new architectural tastes and requirements. Join as a member today to add your support to protecting the beauty of Cambridge and its environment. Membership includes 1 year free parking at Wandlebury. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Round Church, is a Norman church with a circular nave, the oldest of only five such churches in the UK. Where the Hereward Way meets the Old Great North Road (less romantically known as the B1081), follow the road down towards Stamford, turning left into First Drill Lane and right over a stile to drop through fields into town. Head for the George Hotel for lunch, a historic coaching inn with opulent rooms, and a gorgeous leafy courtyard.

This small example typifies the challenge Cambridge faces today – how should it develop to meet the needs of its population, both students and residents, without damaging the city’s architectural heritage? Coming from London? Book a beautiful Cambridge tour from London. This tour will take you to most important attractions and it’s perfect, especially if you are short on time.A huge shopping centre was originally proposed here in the 1950s to modernise Cambridge’s retail facilities. It was reduced in size following protests and a planning enquiry. Even so, demolitions in the 1960s flattened an enclave of timber framed buildings and narrow yards, including the Red Lion Inn – hence the name Lion Yard. The 1970s shopping centre, refurbished in 1999, replaced a thriving district of discos, clubs, cafes, restaurants, small offices and independent shops. Enjoy Cambridge on our guided walking and punting tour through the eyes of a local historian We start with a short walk that takes in some of the famous colleges and historic sights of the city as you meander down quaint alleyways and tread the cobbled streets.You will hear quirky facts and stories of the colleges and their colourful alumni, all set within the context of English and world history, many fascinating tales of city life through the ages not generally mentioned in the guide books. Grab a pint at The Shed in Lode – you will need it to sustain you over this ten-mile walk. Follow High Street onto Station Road, becoming Fen Road and Lug Fen Droveway, to Bottisham Lode Pumping Station. From here, follow the River Cam southwest to Clayhithe, pausing at Bottisham Sluice to watch any river vessels passing through – and rest up weary feet.

The wonderfully picturesque city, its suburbs and surrounding villages offer the very best of Cambridgeshire walks. Now that you’re ready to get your hike on, here are the 19 best walks in Cambridgeshire. Sun 3 Dec, 1.30-3.30pm at Cambridge Leper Chapel. Your chance to see inside one of Cambridge’s oldest buildings which is not usually open to the public. If that's not enough, you can join the public rights of way network to explore the surrounding Gog Magog Hills. To the north you can walk along the historic Roman Road and to the south you can cross the A1307 to explore the paths at Magog Down. Nevertheless, there is a bigger picture playing out in Cambridge as a whole and the surrounding countryside. Speculative residential and commercial property schemes, fuelled by sky high house prices and rent levels, are having a major impact on the urban fabric. Cambridgeshire’s population is predicted to rise by over 20% in the next 15 years and tens of thousands of new homes are planned on the city fringes, in existing villages and two large new towns throughout the county.The RSPB Bird Sanctuary is located between Fen Drayton, Swavesey and Holywell. The wonderful wetlands are certainly one of the most beautiful Cambridgeshire walks and span about 25 miles along the Great Ouse floodplain. Book a local tour. Enjoy a beautiful guided punting tour on river Cam which will float you behind all the historical colleges and give you a unique perspective of the town. You can also join this beautifully led historical walking tour of Cambridge. Locally led, this tour will take you to the colleges including a visit to beautiful King’s College. Silver Street’s medieval name was ‘Smallebriggestrate’ – Small Bridge Street – to distinguish it from Bridge Street at Magdalene College. The two riverside pubs - The Anchor and The Mill - give you a clue as to what this area was used for. The bridge overlooks the Mill Pool, where corn and flour were loaded onto barges from the bustling medieval wharves beside the mill. Built in 1967, the ‘Grad Pad’ makes no concessions to its setting on the historic Mill Pool. What is your reaction to its ‘brutalist’ architecture, in terms of both size and materials? One disgruntled long time Cambridge resident has described it as ‘a perfect example of a building in the wrong place’!