Cambridge Day Out
Colleges, punting & hidden gems
From punting on the River Cam to famous colleges and hidden gems, Cambridge is one of England's most rewarding day trips.
Cambridge is one of those rare places that feels both grand and peaceful. With beautiful colleges, leafy riverside walks and punts drifting along the River Cam. It feels like you’ve stepped into another world, yet it couldn’t be more English. Nowhere else are straw boaters and giant time-eating insects feel equally at home.
Best for
ages 10+
College entry
required
Don't miss
Jack's gelato
Allow a
full day
Easy to explore
on foot
What to expect from Cambridge
A day in Cambridge combines world-famous colleges, punting on the River Cam and beautiful riverside walks. it’s one of one of Britain’s most picturesque university cities. Watching the punts drift beneath the college bridges, it’s easy to see why generations of students have fallen in love with Cambridge.
Most of Cambridge’s attractions are within walking distance, making it an excellent day trip for families with older children and teenagers. Whether you’re visiting a Cambridge college or watching the bikes go by, it’s a city that rewards slowing down.
Which Cambridge college should you visit
If you’re only visiting one college, I’d choose St John’s College. It’s home to the famous Bridge of Sighs and, once inside, you can enjoy some of Cambridge’s most iconic riverside views and beautiful courtyards..
Trinity College is closely associated with Sir Isaac Newton and Winnie-the-Pooh, while King’s College Chapel is Cambridge’s most famous landmark. Whichever college you choose, once you go beyond the porter’s lodge, Cambridge feels less like a tourist attraction and more like a place where people live and study.
Explore the Backs by punt
Punting is a time-honoured Cambridge tradition and no visit is complete without spending some time on the River Cam. However, the river can become surprisingly busy and punting is trickier than it looks, so I’d recommend taking a guided tour.
You can book a private punt or join a shared tour to enjoy the same entertaining stories at a much lower price. If your children don’t enjoy sitting still or history, watching the punts from the riverside with an ice cream can be just as enjoyable.
Meet the clock that eats time
One of Cambridge’s most fascinating hidden gems sits in plain sight opposite Kings College. The Corpus Clock is topped by Chronophage – a time eater. Instead of clock hands, blue LED lights denote the time..
Every minute it snaps its mouth shut, devouring time. It sometimes runs fast, sometimes slow, reminding us our perception of time isn’t constant It’s wonderfully eccentric and worth seeking out for a Cambridge-style debate about what makes time speed up or down.
Jacks Gelato and more things to do in Cambridge
Cambridge has plenty to discover beyond its famous colleges. Don’t miss Jack’s Gelato, one of the city’s best-loved independent ice cream shops. We tried the salted treacle and the Cambridge elderflower sorbet and both were delicious.
If you have a little longer, hire a bike and cycle to Grantchester, meadows. Its apple orchards have inspired generations of students, writers and artists. Or spend an evening at the ADC Theatre, where you might catch the next Olivia Coleman, Emma Thompson or Stephen Fry before they become a household name.
Where to stay in Cambridge
One of the most memorable ways to experience Cambridge is to stay in a university college. During the summer holidays, several Cambridge colleges open their rooms to visitors. It’s a rare chance to stay somewhere normally reserved for students, for great rates.
If a college room isn’t available, there are plenty of hotels and apartments within walking distance of the city centre.