Page 220 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

town extraordinaire,
with a tightly packed
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE: core of ancient colleges
SCOTLAND’S CRAFT GIN and riverside ‘Backs’ (col-
lege gardens), which you
Scotland is famed around the world for its whisky, can stroll around (p292).
but Scottish craft gin (http://ginclubscotland.com) The colossal neoclas-
is also fast gaining ground. Over 70% of UK gin is sical pile containing the
produced in Scotland – there are more than a dozen Fitzwilliam Museum
gin distilleries in the country, and no fewer than (www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk;
five in the Edinburgh area. Bars all over the capital Trumpington St; donation
are offering cocktails based on brands such as NB, requested; h10am-5pm
Pickering’s, Crossbill and Strathearn. Tue-Sat, noon-5pm Sun) was
built to house the fabu-
lous treasures that the
before closing). Built mainly through the Treas- seventh Viscount Fitzwil-
between 1220 and 1480, urer’s House (NT; www. liam bequeathed to his
it encompasses all the nationaltrust.org.uk; Chapter old university. Standout
major stages of Gothic ar- House St; adult/child £8/4; exhibits include Roman
chitectural development. h11am-4.30pm Apr-Oct) to and Egyptian grave
The transepts (1220−55) manifestations in pubs goods, artworks by many
were built in Early Eng- including the Old White of the great masters and
lish style; the octagonal Swan (www.nicholsonspubs. some quirkier collections
chapter house (1260−90) co.uk; 80 Goodramgate; such as banknotes and
GREAT BRITAIN 15 THE BEST OF BRITAIN
and nave (1291–1340) in h10am-midnight Sun-Thu, to literary autographs.
the Decorated style; and 1am Fri & Sat); even shops For the full Cambridge
the west towers, west like the Antiques Centre experience, rent a river
front and central (or (www.theantiquescentreyork. boat from operators such
lantern) tower (1470−72) co.uk; 41 Stonegate; h9am- as Scudamore’s Punting
in Perpendicular style. 5.30pm Mon-Sat, to 4pm Sun) (%01223-359750; www.
Don’t miss a walk on are said to be haunted. scudamores.com; Granta
York’s City Walls, which Place; chauffeured punt per 45
follow the line of the 4 p219 min per person £16-19, 6-per-
original Roman walls The Drive » From York, it’s son self-punt per hr £22-28;
and give a new perspec- 156 miles to Cambridge. Take h9am-dusk).
tive on the city. Allow 1½ the A64 southwest to join onto
to two hours for the full the A1 heading southeast. 4 p219
circuit of 4.5 miles. The Drive » Hop on the M11
York is considered for the 55-mile zip to London.
England’s most haunted f Cambridge
city, from the ghosts of Surrounded by meadows,
Roman soldiers marching Cambridge is a university

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