|
Have been persuaded by SWMBO to spend a few or more days exploring Cambridge but from what I see and read it's not a motoring friendly city.Is this the case and do I need my bicycle clips?Coming from Merseyside-I havn't looked at a route plan yet-has anybody any suggestions for not necessarily the quickest route but lets say the easiest route.Finally what's to see?
|
Driving through Cambridge tends to leave you with quite a few dings and dents courtesy of a small faction of the local cycling community, who seem to feel that they can ignore not only the law, but also common sense, and go wherever they please whenever they please. Chief among the spectacularly dumb actions you'll witness are completely ignoring entire traffic light systems, weaving from pavement to road with no observation and cutting up your nearside with their wheels against the kerb, such that you'll be to blame in the event of an accident for not giving them enough room. I stress that this is only a small minority, but that's often all it takes.
I've driven and ridden through it, and probably wouldn't take a car there again
|
|
Looks favourite then to dump the car at the hotel and cycle everywhere.Any suggestions for hotels b&b's etc that arn't going to rip us off that are reasonably central ?And what as tourists should I be looking forward to seeing
|
>>And what as tourists should I be looking forward to seeing
Sadly, the answer at this time of year is - more tourists :-(
|
|
|
I don't know your budget but The Arundel House Hotel and the Ashley Hotel are not too expensive and are both a few minutes from the centre and are close to the river.I have been to functions at the Arundel and the Ashley is under the same ownership.Both have a good reputation.
I used to live and work in the area and will post again with suggested places to visit when I have a bit more time.
|
|
Thanks Maclean I appreciate your help
|
|
|
|
|
Driving through Cambridge tends to leave you with quite a few dings and dents courtesy of a small faction of the local cycling community who seem to feel that they can ignore not only the law but also common sense and go wherever they please whenever they please. Chief among the spectacularly dumb actions you'll witness are completely ignoring entire traffic light systems weaving from pavement to road with no observation and cutting up your nearside with their wheels against the kerb such that you'll be to blame in the event of an accident for not giving them enough room.
This happens in all UK towns and cities, not just in Cambridge.
--
L\'escargot.
|
This happens in all UK towns and cities, not just in Cambridge.
You're right, of course - it's a shame as cycling has a lot going for it in the right environment. I love Cambridge, but history has shown that this particular issue seems to be worse there because of the sheer volume of bikes, largely owned by the student community.
There used to be a lovely little coffee shop in the alleyway next to Kings, that did the best toasties I've ever had and absolutely superb coffee - that combination makes a great morning kickstart and was always an essential dropoff whenever I visited. It was called Indigos, and is well worth remembering. There's also a church just around the corner that allows visitors up onto the roof for a small donation, from where you'll get amazing views across the city, the college grounds and the Cam.
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to East Anglia, Derek, - I moved to Bury St Edmunds from the Midlands in 1976 and a super-charged Hummer wouldn't drag me back now!
Cambridge is a beautiful city and the bits that you will want to see are fairly compact. Best thing would be to leave your car at your hotel/digs and cycle or get a bus in. There are also excellent park and rides - I get the impression that many park their cars and cycle in rather than pay the bus fare, but that's up to you. Car parking in the city is very expensive if you want to leave the car for any length of time. The park and ride buses go into the centre and, with the aid of a street map, you'll be able to find your way around the back streets and into 'the backs'.
I would get booked onto a guided walking tour - I've experienced this when accompanying a group of continental works visitors - and it's well worth it. There's some information on www.visitcambridge.org
Have you spent any time in East Anglia before? If not, extend your break and call in at Bury on your way over to east coast - Aldeburgh, Southwold etc - and make your way along the north Norfolk coast calling at Cookies Crab Shop at Salthouse (make sure you phone first - there is a website).
|
The Colleges are an architectural feast.
Punting isn't everyone's cup of tea, and proper punts are hard to find. River tends to be crowded with tourists crashing into each other. Tiresome, and a bit expensive these days.
Ely Cathedral, not far away, is a favourite of mine, small and in poor repair. Lat time I saw it, quite a long time ago, it had a gauche concrete buttress holding up one end. Very beautiful inside.
|
I work in Cambridge and have to say I drive in every day. Cyclists are no more nightmarish than anywhere else I don't think. But yes, I also recommend either park and ride or leave the car at your hotel. If you're looking for cheap b&b, they're along Chesterton Road.
You can walk around the whole place in twenty minutes flat and it's hard to get lost. Eating out is a little expensive, but good places are Number One King's Parade, or Loch Fyne in Trumpington Street. For a cheaper quick bite the unsalubrious Carringtons (opposite Borders bookshop) does a good selection at reasonable prices. Often heaving in there though at lunchtime.
There are three good independent bookshops if that interests you (I've reviewed those at my own website so squeak if you want the url).
I concur with the guided walk or open top tour bus (just hop on). Punts are expensive - use Scudamores if you want to punt I would think.
There's an evening Ghost Walk sometimes which is good fun and done well.
Shopping is a bit dire - Green Street/Trinity Street for little individual arty/designer shops.
For museums, the Fitzwilliam has some really great stuff, and lots of the Colleges have museums open to the public (like Geology museums etc). Note that at the minute lots of the Colleges are closed as it's exam season. But term ends in a week or two so you'll be all right after that.
|
There's usually some interesting events on at Cambridge Corn Exchange, though i haven't been in ages. The Portland arms has some very good gigs on if you like the sort of gig where there's 100 people crammed into a room only slightly larger than my lounge. (I love it there, I appreciate that its not everybodies taste)
--
I read often, only post occasionally
|
|
Its the Cambridge Strawberry fair this weekend a good day out apparently and free.
|
As I don't want any drugs and would like to keep all my possessions, remind me to stay well clear.
|
Ah the Strawberry fair - what a great event, remember it well...
Used to drink (too heavily at times) in the Tram Depot. Was a nice place, maybe still is. Not been to Cambridge for many years.
|
Newmarket is worth a visit if you are at all interested in things equine to see The Horseracing Museum and racehorses being exercised on the heath.The latter does mean getting up very early.
Check dates for evening or Sunday race meetings.
National Stud also worth a visit - check their website for details.
Also minibus tours including visits to racing stables and an early morning visit to the heath /gallops are available.
Hope this helps.
|
In addition to all the above excellent ideas - from my time in Cambridge in the late 80's - Clowns Cafe - an excellent family (Italian) run cafe, selling properly made quiches, salads, cakes, coffee etc. - the owner a real 'maestro' & character - he also had several gorgeous daughters serving - they've probably all married & moved off now though!'
Outside Cambridge - if you're interested in the Fens, try to get to Wicken Fen - the last natural fen (before the Dutch drained it in the c17-18th )
- true Hereward the Wake country.
The cycling's so easy that leaving the car even 4-5 miles away from centre is no hardship - flat easy (bicycle friendly) roads to all
centre locations & places of interest.
|
Never seen so many people with folding bikes in a single place as I have on Cambridge station on a normal working day.
Would recommend the Stables minibus tour at Newmarket mentioned above. I arranged one for a client a few years back. I have no real interest in the hosses but found it fascinating.
|
|
|
You could call in at Midsummer House for a nice meal after visiting Strawberry Fair - both on Midsummer Common.....
|
|
|
|
|
You can walk around the whole place in twenty minutes flat and it's hard to get lost.
That was my thought, but I've only been to Cambridge once so didnt like to say.
Park in a multistorey and walk round the place, its not that big a place is it? Surely it would be a load of hassle to have to chain your bike up every 10 minutes?
|
Takes ages to get into the central multistorey (Lion Yard), and costs rather a lot. Over 5 hours and it's £20 now.
It's all being developed at the moment too so there's roadworks and restrictions.
Park and Ride is best really if possible.
|
Takes ages to get into the central multistorey (Lion Yard) and costs rather a lot. Over 5 hours and it's £20 now.
Blimey that is a bit excessive, it was some years ago when I visited.
Our visit was cut short by miserable torrential rain all day, so we're due a trip back. Looks like we will be Park and Riding it.
Sorry, I missed Waino's post when I wrote mine, he also explains the benefits of the P&R.
;o)
|
|
Don't forget Duxford Air Museum - more than a full day out if that's your kind of thing. Even on none show days if the weather is good you usually get someone flying something.
|
You don't need a bike for Cambridge centre, two legs are plenty. If you want to explore the surrounding countryside (it's flat; I love it, but it's an acquired taste) then a car will be just fine.
The Fitzwilliam is excellent and free. Madingley American Military Cemetery is worth a trip.
Benson House B&B is just on the edge of town (Google Benson House Cambridge).
Cambridge has no decent restaurants and never has had. (Midsummer House is the exception and is remortgaging territory!)
Try the Tickell Arms in Whittlesford for dining. Or the Queens Head in Newton for superb sandwiches and great beer.
Visit in February and have the place to yourself, and avoid the College's charges.
|
|
|
|
|
|
