Your Five Minute Guide to the Fair City of Cambridge
Cambridge is so much more than a university town.
50 miles to the north of the Capital City of England, lies Cambridge. Situated in its own shire land, with a substantial population and a history that pre-dates our recorded knowledge, Cambridge is one of those places that we Brits like to present as a tourist attraction. Why? Much like good light in a photograph: it shows off our best side.
People from Cambridge are educated, well bred, and full of good manners. They are polite and respectful… something not all British towns or cities have. We took a Five Minutes Spare glance over Cambridge to accentuate this British good side. Maybe we can bring ourselves a little more tourism in the process.
If there was ever somewhere you ought to visit when in England? It is Cambridge. Let’s find out why.
Early Cambridge Mentions
Cambridge was a settled area even in prehistoric times. The lands lying around Fitzwilliam College harboured evidence of old farmhouses that dated back around 3.5k years. That’s not just before history, it’s before Jesus. We are talking so far into BC that we lost count.
An Iron Age settlement has been recorded in archaeological evidence uncovered on Castle Hill. It is thought there have been forts there since about 1AD. When the Romans invaded circa 40 AD, they built a fort on Castle Hill, probably on top of whatever was there before. The lay of the land in this area makes for an easily defendable place to have a town. The fort was built in wood around 70 AD, and later developed into a town. In the 400s the Romans went home to deal with the Empire’s problems. They left behind empty towns with few inhabitants.
A couple of hundred years after this and historians think that Cambridge was mostly abandoned. There may have been small settlements or farmland in the area. Mentions in the history books refer to it as Cair Grauth. When Anglo-Saxons inhabited the area, they would come to call it Grantebrycge. This later refined to Cambridge – which was officially founded in 875.
The Vikings invaded often throughout the post Roman, pre-medieval era. From around 800 – 1000 AD, the Dutch moved in all along the coastlines. They had ships which could sail up rivers and the River Cam was no exception. They built one of their forts (burghs) here and it would allow them a base from which to invade the surrounding countryside – then later to control it.
The town changed hands circa 950 to the Saxons but was later burned to the ground by the Danes who built it. In 1066 the Normans had come, and they controlled it. The Danes had largely retreated by this point. The first church was built in the town in 1025. Back then, it was already a rich town.
Cambridge in the Domesday Survey
By the time King William ordered the Domesday Survey in 1086 to see what his new lands were worth, Cambridge was one of the largest 40% of settlements. It had 31 households, five owners (four of which were the king), 1 priest, a few mills, and several tenants. The land was worth more than 14 pounds to the king – even in 1086. That’s the equivalent of a few thousand nowadays. King William also built the castle at Castle Hill – in stone.
A hundred years later and Cambridge received its first charter courtesy of Henry I. They were allowed to issue tithes and hold courts. Cambridge University was founded after some of the students of Oxford University had to flee here in scandal. This was in 1209, and although the students were eventually given greater restrictions, Cambridge already existed by then. In 1174 a fire damaged almost all of the town, encouraging the rebuilding in stone. There is a round church in Cambridge that was first built in 1107.
Come the 14th century, the black plague had hit the town and the University. A rumoured 40 scholars died from it in 1349. There was another epidemic in 1361. It is thought that the plague came in three stages… But no matter how many plagues came the population always bounced back. Nevertheless, so many church and clergy members died during this era that new colleges were opened in the area in order to train more.
Around this time trade mainly came up the river and brought grain. Salt, fish and even reeds and rushes that would be used for flooring in construction. By the 15th century a strong leather industry had developed. Wool and fabrics were also dyed and woven here, as was popular at the time. The town would have also had the normal mix of joiners, carpenters, blacksmiths and bakers.
The Dominican friars, the Carmelites and the Franciscan friars were all native to Cambridge in the 13th century. The arrival of Henry VIII would have seen the end of this… but it would also have been the end of any leper colonies or monk-run-hospitals, so it was a double edged sword. In some areas, the monks piping water to their monasteries were the only reason the towns had a fresh water supply. Expelling them was just plain rude.
Fun Facts About Cambridge
Let’s take a little history break (too much knowledge wears you out) and talk fun things. What are the most interesting Cambridge facts? Here are the Five Minutes Spare favourites!
- Trinity College in Cambridge sports a statue of Henry VIII, one of the main benefactors of the building. In the 80’s or 90’s, a window cleaner was working up there and noticed that Henry VIII was missing his sword. They replaced his missing sword with a chair leg. To this day, the great statue of Henry on front of Trinity College sports a chair leg, instead of a sword.
- When Lord Byron attended Trinity College he was forbade a pet dog. So he took his pet bear, instead. We think we would have liked him.
- Cambridge was called Grantabrycge, when it later became Cambridge, the name of the river also changed… but this wasn’t until afterwards. It is probably the only town in Britain that has managed to rename a river because of itself…
- Cambridge University Library receives a free book for every new manuscript published in the UK. As it stands, they have more than 29 million books! We wonder how long this tradition will keep up in the face of the digital revolution. Still amazing though.
- Legend has it that a king had Oliver Cromwell’s body exhumed just so he could decapitate him, after he was already dead. They buried it some secret Cambridge location in 1960 after it spent some years in private collectors’ morbid collections[i]. Eww.
And on that positively disgusting note, let’s go back to the history. The Black Plague was kinder than those facts.
Cambridge in Medieval Times
Back in 1381, the peasants of England got a bit above their station and decided it wasn’t OK to work them until they died. It was led by a man named Wat Tyler and mainly focused on the economic downturn caused after the plague killed everyone. High taxes and not enough bread mad everyone cranky. At one point the University of Cambridge was attacked and some of the Royal officials there were killed.
As a result of this, the town of Cambridge was temporarily punished by the King. They were given diminished rights that were later forgotten.
In 1600 the town was gifted fresh water by way of a dedicated canal. This was known as Hobson’s Conduit and you can visit this waterway to this day. During the English Civil War, the town was in the charge of Oliver Cromwell for a time. The castle was fortified by his troops, but the garrison was relieved in 1645. Luckily, there were no battles here.
The 16th century saw streets cleaned and paved – but this did nothing to prevent disease. There was yet another extensive plague outbreak around the 1630 time frame. A whole load more colleges were opened towards the end of the century. Once a town gained its reputation for being a place of education, it was hard to stop students flocking there.
Industrial Cambridge
At the start of the 18th century, Cambridge had a population a little over 6,000. A newspaper began in 1744 and was followed by a new guild hall, a shire hall, and a senate house. A hospital was added in the 1760’s, with a bank hot on its heels. A commission was set up to light, pave, and clean the streets. The mathematical bridge and the botanic garden followed at the latter end of the century.
By 1801 the population had grown to be more than 10,000. Gas lighting, a museum, and the railway all came next. A Corn exchange, piped water, a sewer system and a canal all added to its size. In 1858 there was even a mental hospital, much to Cambridge’s shame. Towards the end of this century electric lighting was being rolled out. Several new campus buildings were added to the ever-growing university to accommodate the new numbers.
It wasn’t until after the 19th century that the town expanded rapidly. It expanded in 1801, 1807, 1912 and then again in 1925. Each time, it took up more and more of the fields around town. Bricks, cement making, and malt manufacturing were all commonplace in town. In 1951 the town was finally named a city – but not until after it became a military central HQ during the World Wars.
A cinema was added post war, with a museum and several shopping centres fast following. In the late 80’s they turned the old Corn Exchange building into an entertainment complex. In 1901 it had a population of 38 thousand people. By 1951 this had increased to 91,000. Today, Cambridge sports more than a 123,000 people and the University doesn’t dominate industry any longer.
Nowadays, this industrious, well educated city has become a centre for both excellence and intelligence. They have their own dictionary to rival Oxford, and numerous tourist attractions that we will get to in a moment.
First, let’s talk famous people… every town has them, right?
Famous People from Cambridge
There has been a plethora of famous people produced in Cambridge over the years. Some of our all-time best include:
- Olivia Newton John – yes thee Olivia Newton John – is Cambridge born.
- Rosie Day, actress that starred in ‘the Seasoning house’ is from Cambridge.
- David Jon Gilmour – lead singer of Pink Floyd – was born in Cambridge.
- Douglas Adams, the same that wrote the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, was a Cambridge writer[ii].
- Among people born here are a wave of alumni from the University which received international acclaim. Charles Darwin was one, Hugh Laurie another… Robert Oppenhiemer, the scientist behind the nuclear bomb, was a third. Alan Turing… the list is long.
Even though Cambridge is known a s a University town in England, it has produced lots of musical and film talent over the years. We can only watch, wait, and see what they come up with next. Let’s stop speculating then and get down to business. What are the best attractions in Cambridge and what can you do there? We took a closer look to find out…
The Best Cambridge Attractions
The following are some of the top best attractions in Cambridge, as chosen by our readers…
Historic Sights and Landmarks
Top of the list of things to see and do in Cambridge is the University. It sprawls across such a large campus that you could spend a whole afternoon wandering the grounds. Attractions of this location are the amazing examples of architecture, its own botanic gardens, and a variety of open lectures held throughout the year. Any academic will love a day or two here. Even a day at that fabled library…
There are any number of Colleges in the area for you to visit. They have similar benefits if slightly less students. Try the King’s College and make sure to stop by their impressive chapel while you are there. St. John’s College represents a third option and you will find it attached to the University. It is home to the romantically named ‘Bridge of Sighs’. This picturesque bridge across the Cam was built in 1831 by Henry Hutchinson, it is a Grade I listed building. It was named after the Bridge of Sighs in Venice but the two have very little else in common. We think it is named for being beautiful enough to make you sigh.
And let’s not forget Trinity College, either. Another of our favourite landmarks is the Corpus Clock on campus at the Corpus Christi College, as well as the landmark that the Great St. Mary’s Church leaves on the landscape.
There are monuments everywhere in this town… The Mathematical Bridge comes up over and over again in our research. It apparently gets its name for being a clever piece of engineering – but we just love that shape. While you are seeing attractions on foot make sure you seek out the Round Church. We mentioned this in the history – and it is hundreds of years old. Go visit and donate generously.
Museums and Galleries
Part museum, part gallery, and full-on artists paradise: you will find the Fitzwilliam Museum to be to any cultured taste. It features some of the most stunning sculptures in the British Isles, while simultaneously having stood for over a hundred years in its own right. It’s a beautiful building filled with beautiful things and you should visit, if it is open after coronavirus.
Next on our list of galleries is the Kettle’s Yard House and Gallery. This former home of a Tate gallery curator is filled with some astonishing pieces of art history. From the furnishings to the upholstery, this is one of the favoured intimate museums in the country.
In terms of Museums, the University hosts most of them. We would heartily recommend you visit their museum of zoology. It’s great for a glimpse of animals through the ages and historians love it too. They have a Polar Museum that focuses on Scott’s expedition to the far reaches of the north, it is well worth a visit. Those famous last words about going for a walk and being some time bring us out in goose bumps.
The Cambridge Science Centre is a great thing to do in Cambridge with kids. They run numerous interactive exhibits that help them to learn. They are also one of the few learning places in town that aren’t associated with the University. We are rooting for them.
Outdoor Activities in Cambridge
What to do outdoors? We hear you ask. Try any number of riverside walks on for size. All along the River Cam you will find tea shops, cafes and picnic areas. There are parks for the little ones and walk or cycle paths to pass time on. Gardens, yew trees, willows and the odd boat all grace the river. You can enjoy that one for free.
Another free afternoon out is to go to the centre of town and visit Parker’s Piece. This is a lovely open space in the city centre that is best known for cricket and football matches. On a warm day you can hardly move here… remember to socially distance.
Sports and Recreation
Cambridge Football Club are fairly well known and operate their own pages, here. They also have a Woman’s Football Team known as the Cambridge Rangers – and they have a huge fan club. There are five or six stadiums in town, but you will find Cambridge FC at the Abbey Stadium. On the other hand, Cambridge Rugby Union Club are very well known and run several teams. Head over and show your support.
As for recreation you have a wealth of options. Community centres are scattered throughout the town while you have a Tennis and Sports Centre on Hills Road. You can also spend a fun day out at the Ice Arena if you like skating.
Shopping and Retail
If you want the biggest choice in shop the head to Market Street. However, if you want an indoor shopping experience try the Lion Yard Shopping Centre, or the Grafton Shopping Centre, on Grafton Street. Check opening times before you go since, at the moment at least, everything is closed due to the virus. Here’s hoping it won’t be this way for long.
Other Notable Cambridge Things to Do
There are so many activities in this Uni city that we couldn’t fit them all in. However, there is space for an honourable mention – if not a full description. Some of the Five Minutes Spare favourites in this area include:
- The Cambridge Gin Laboratory – this one is for the adults only. If you love a good G & T, then you will love the distillery here. Interactive tours make a great day out.
- The Cemetery – yeah, so, the cemetery has a war memorial and loads of American’s who often come as pilgrims? Did we get that right?
- Grantchester Village – a village within a city? Definitely worth a look.
There’s so much more we just didn’t have time for. Go explore it and see for yourself!
How to Get There?
How do you actually get to Cambridge? That is something that everybody ought to know…
By Road
Head north on the M11 or south on the A14.
By Rail
Aim for Cambridge North Railway Station, or Cambridge Station for the town centre.
By Air
Those who own a private jet can keep it at Cambridge City Airport. If you are travelling in, Head north from London Stansted.
By Sea
Nope! Although you can go down the River Cam if you have a boat.
Got Five Minutes?
Did you enjoy our travel itinerary for Cambridge City? If so, or if you are a glutton for punishment, then head on over to Five Minutes Spare HQ. We have any number of travel guides to towns near you. If you have five minutes, we have the means to amuse… All we require is a little bit of trust.
[i] https://www.instanthome.co.uk/blog/2017/05/05/top-10-interesting-facts-about-cambridge/
[ii] https://www.imdb.com/search/name/?birth_place=Cambridge,%20Cambridgeshire,%20England,%20UK
