Page 114 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

112 BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

1 Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
This vibrant city – famed the world over for its medieval university –
offers enrapturing architecture, a rich historic fabric, green spaces and
many activities for the visitor. Cambridge stands on the River Cam,
amid beautiful green countryside. Dominated by its 31 colleges, the
city enjoys the buzz generated by a large student population.
A three-hour walking tour sculptures and found objects from
From the Grand Arcade car park, turn Ede’s collection and also has top exhi­
right into Corn Exchange Street and bi tions. Behind is Cambridge St Peter,
left into Wheeler Street to find the the city’s second­oldest church. Next
Tourist Information Centre 1. Turn door is the Museum of Cambridge 5
right, then left onto King’s Parade. (open Tue–Sat & Sun pm), where 20,000
After St Catharine’s College turn right objects and documents recall rural life
onto Silver Street. As you cross in Cambridgeshire. Cross Northampton
the bridge, look right for the Street, turn right onto Magdalene
Mathematical Bridge 2, Street and cross the bridge
Above Gothic cloisters at St John’s College, designed by William (punts for hire here too).
Cambridge University Etheridge and first built by In the Second Court of
James Essex the Younger in Magdalene College 6
1749. Constructed without on the left is Pepys Library
VISITING CAMBRIDGE nails, this wooden bridge (call 01223 332 115 for opening
was the first in the world to times), housing the diaries of
Parking be designed according Samuel Pepys, bequeathed
Cambridge is not car­friendly and much
of the centre is pedestrianized. Park in to mathematical analysis. To to the college in 1703. Back
one of the five park­and­ride car parks the left, next to the Anchor on Magdalene Street by
ringing the city or, for the most central pub, there is punt hire on the Bridge Street, on the right, are
car park, follow signs to Grand Arcade. River Cam. On the far side of Wrought-iron gate, some half­timbered Tudor
Tourist Information the bridge, the walk leads via Cambridge houses – erotic carvings hint
Peas Hill, CB2 3AD; 01223 791 500; a footpath to the right along that one may have been a
www.visitcambridge.org The Backs 3, with rear views of the brothel. At the corner of St John’s
College Opening colleges of Queens’, King’s, Clare and Street stands the Church of the Holy
Visiting times vary from college to Trinity Hall. At Trinity, where the path Sepulchre 7 (closed Sun am), one of
college. Some charge for entrance at ends, continue along Queens Road, four Norman round churches in
certain times. Colleges may be closed to
visitors in the exam period (Easter–Jul). then bear right on Northampton England, dating from the 12th century.
Street. On the left, at the junction with Head down St Johns Street for St
Punting Honey Hill, is Kettle’s Yard 4 (closed John’s College 8, founded in 1511
A plethora of firms offer chauffeur tours
and self­punting. Well­established out­ Mon; www.kettlesyard.co.uk), home to by Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of
fits include Scudamore’s (01223 359 750; Harold Stanley Ede for 16 years, the Henry VII, and enter First Court, the
www.scudamores.com) and Cambridge Tate Gallery’s first modern art curator. oldest part of the college. Signs lead
Chauffeur Punts (01223 354 164; www. The museum is filled with paintings, to St John’s Chapel, designed by Sir
punting-in-cambridge.co.uk)
Below Grantchester church, mentioned in one of Rupert Brooke’s most famous poems
WHERE TO STAY
CAMBRIDGE
Hotel du Vin & Bistro expensive
Choose from 41 rooms in a marvellous
old building at the heart of the city.
Emphasis on creature comforts, and
on bistro classics in the restaurant.
15–19 Trumpington Street, CB2 1QA;
01223 928 991; www.hotelduvin.com
Hotel Felix expensive
This highly regarded hotel offers
Victorian elegance overlaid with modern
chic. Lovely bedrooms and bathrooms,
large grounds, and local produce on the
menu in the Graffiti Restaurant.
Whitehouse Lane, CB3 0LX; 01223 277
977; www.hotelfelix.co.uk
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £150

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