A page for anyone planning to visit Cambridge and the surrounding area.
(this page is in a constant state of revision; this is as far as I've got )
Top places to visit
A list of main visitor attractions with links (click on the green print) to any relevant pages of "By Stargoose And Hanglands".
Cambridge:
The colleges - too many to mention all of them but the main ones to visit are:
Kings College and of course the justly famous Kings College Chapel. There's an admission charge but it's well worth it. If you're short of time (or money) this is the one to visit. Followed by:
St John's College with the Bridge Of Sighs. (admission charge)
Trinity College which includes the Wren Library which can be visited on some afternoons.(admission charge)
Trinity College which includes the Wren Library which can be visited on some afternoons.(admission charge)
Magdalene College
All the above back on to the river, the famous Backs, and can be seen from a punt. Many punt tours are available, often run by students. They do all the hard work and give a running commentary while you sit back and relax.
When you tire of the crowds you might like to explore the grounds of Newnham College , Peterhouse, Jesus College, Sidney Sussex College or Selwyn College.
When you tire of the crowds you might like to explore the grounds of Newnham College , Peterhouse, Jesus College, Sidney Sussex College or Selwyn College.
Many other colleges are open to the public too. PLEASE NOTE THAT COLLEGES MAY BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR, PARTICULARLY WHEN EXAMS ARE TAKING PLACE (Mid-April, May, to mid-June roughly).
Cambridge churches - there are many historic and beautiful churches including:
Great St Mary's where you can ascend the tower for views across the city.(small admission charge for the tower).
Our Lady And The English Martyrs (Always known as "The Catholic Church", if you want to ask the way there).
All Saints - Victorian arts-and-crafts masterpiece in Jesus Lane.
All Saints - Victorian arts-and-crafts masterpiece in Jesus Lane.
The University Botanic Garden - beautiful garden with a good cafe and plenty of places to sit and take it all in. (admission charge).
Museums - there are many including many specialist university collections, such as the Museum Of Archaeology And Anthropology, which are open to the public. But two of general interest are:
The Fitzwilliam Museum which houses many famous paintings as well as historical artefacts from all around the world. There are always exhibitions taking place, check their website for details.
The Cambridgeshire Folk Museum, now known as "The Museum Of Cambridge", which is dedicated to local history and the way our ancestors lived their lives.
The Museum Of East Anglian Life at Stowmarket - buildings, domestic rooms, machinery etc gathered from around E Anglia and displayed on a 75 acre site right in the centre of Stowmarket.
The Shuttleworth Collection - A large collection of vintage aeroplanes and other vehicles housed in six old hangars at Old Warden, Bedfordshire. They also have flying days when some very old aircraft can be seen in flight. Check their website.
The Museum Of East Anglian Life at Stowmarket - buildings, domestic rooms, machinery etc gathered from around E Anglia and displayed on a 75 acre site right in the centre of Stowmarket.
The Shuttleworth Collection - A large collection of vintage aeroplanes and other vehicles housed in six old hangars at Old Warden, Bedfordshire. They also have flying days when some very old aircraft can be seen in flight. Check their website.
Surrounding Area
Lavenham
Anglesey Abbey the house, the gardens and Lode Mill which stands in the grounds.
Hatfield House - a grand Jacobean mansion, one of the treasure houses of Britain.
Hatfield House - a grand Jacobean mansion, one of the treasure houses of Britain.
Wandlebury - woodland walks and some interesting historic remains.
Saffron Walden - a fine old town with a rather grand church
King's Lynn - historic town and port in Norfolk
Castle Rising - an attractive small village with a Norman castle, a ruin but complete enough to inspire wonder.
Castle Rising - an attractive small village with a Norman castle, a ruin but complete enough to inspire wonder.
The North Norfolk Coast
Bury St Edmunds Historic town with abbey ruins, fine gardens and a cathedral church
Lavenham - a beautiful small town full of historic half-timbered houses. Also has a magnificent church.
Clare - a small town/large village with another fine church
Wymondham a small market town near Norwich with a historic abbey church with a remarkable 20th century reredos and an old-fashioned railway station with a nice cafe.
Thaxted - a small, but pretty and historic town in North Essex.
St Albans - a small city just north of London with a lively street market, Roman remains and a fine Cathedral.
Annual Events
Grantchester Barrel Race - merry mayhem, rolling barrels through the streets of this pretty village (Dec)
Cambridge Folk Festival - This is the big one and it's in late July-early August. You'll need to book tickets well in advance.
Strawberry Fair - alternative fair and music event in Cambridge. (June)
Wymondham a small market town near Norwich with a historic abbey church with a remarkable 20th century reredos and an old-fashioned railway station with a nice cafe.
Thaxted - a small, but pretty and historic town in North Essex.
St Albans - a small city just north of London with a lively street market, Roman remains and a fine Cathedral.
Annual Events
Grantchester Barrel Race - merry mayhem, rolling barrels through the streets of this pretty village (Dec)
Cambridge Folk Festival - This is the big one and it's in late July-early August. You'll need to book tickets well in advance.
Strawberry Fair - alternative fair and music event in Cambridge. (June)
St Neots Folk Festival - concerts and Morris and Molly Dancing in the market square.(June)
Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival - traditional dancing through the streets of the town. A concert, a ceilidh, storytelling and children's activities are also part of the merry-making. (January, so wrap up warm).
Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival - traditional dancing through the streets of the town. A concert, a ceilidh, storytelling and children's activities are also part of the merry-making. (January, so wrap up warm).
Thriplow Daffodil Weekend - the village is famous for its daffodils. People come from miles around to see the daffodils, morris dancing and other stalls and attractions.
Ely Folk Festival - a fairly small but friendly festival.
The Bedfordshire Steam And Country Fair at Old Warden, near Biggleswade. One of the country's largest gatherings of traction engines and steam-powered vehicles. (Sept) It wasn't held in 2019, but is expected to be back in 2020, probably in a different venue.
Folk By The Oak - a pleasant afternoon and evening of folk and mostly acoustic music in the grounds of Hatfield House.
Take care and have fun!
Ely Folk Festival - a fairly small but friendly festival.
The Bedfordshire Steam And Country Fair at Old Warden, near Biggleswade. One of the country's largest gatherings of traction engines and steam-powered vehicles. (Sept) It wasn't held in 2019, but is expected to be back in 2020, probably in a different venue.
Folk By The Oak - a pleasant afternoon and evening of folk and mostly acoustic music in the grounds of Hatfield House.
Take care and have fun!
This is excellent John, thank you. My friend and I are hoping to get back to Cambridge later this year and definitely want to visit Kings college.
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