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Cambridge Travel - Pictures, Places,
Itineraries
This
famous university town was founded in the 12th Century on a
site first settled by the Romans. The University of Cambridge
is made up of 31 different colleges, each with their own tradition.
The beginnings of Cambridge can be dated with some exactitude
to the invasion of the Romans in 43AD.
Prior
to the Roman invasion there was no permanent settlement of significance
on the site of Cambridge. The commander of the Roman troops
was one Aulus Plautius. He pushed his men up from their landing
place in Kent towards Colchester, then the most important town
in Britain. The Roman advance was halted by the Thames, and
Plautius was forced to build a bridge to get his men across.
Cambridge's
main sights:
Cambridge Home
| Punting |
| Walking |
| King's college |
| Trinity College |
| Round Church |
| St. John's college |
| Parks |
| Botanic Garden |
| Cambridge Trains |
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Above photo - Punting on Rive Cam
- King's college
| Punting
is a great tradition at Cambridge and one of it's
chief attractions. Punts are flat bottomed boats,
without a keel, steered with a 10-foot-long pole.
Punts were introduced to Cambridge in Edwardian
times. Before that, fishermen and reed cutters
in the fens had used punts. The design itself
dates back to medieval times. Punting is great
fun as well as a good way to see Cambridge. You
can either get someone to do it for you and they
will also point out various colleges and places
of interest, some do their own punting. |
Photo
above: A college in Cambridge. Who wants to study
here? |
Photo
above: Icon of Cambridge. |
King's
is one of the oldest Cambridge colleges, having
been founded in 1441 by Henry VI. It is also Cambridge's
premier tourist attraction, due above all to its
spectacular Perpendicular chapel. |
| One
of my most favourite activities is to go walking
around in Cambridge especially in summer, it makes
me feel young(er). You would see students virtually
from across the globe busy in their own activities
or just chatting anywhere. Don’t miss it. |
Photo
above: Cambridge city center |
Photo
above: Round Church |
The
distinctive round shape of this church originated
in the Holy Land, where early Christians built
circular walls around tombs. English returned
from the holy land with a vivid memory of the
design and the Round Church was built around 1130.
The church was altered in the 15th century when
windows were added, and again in 1841. |
The
Bridge of Sighs in St. John's College is one
of Cambridge's most enduring images. It was
built in the 19th Century and its modelled on
the original Bridge of Sighs in Venice.
The
Botanic Garden is situated less than a mile
to the south of the City centre and only five
minutes walk from the railway station. This
tranquil 40 acre (16 hectares) garden offers
year round interest to visitors. The Garden
has a collection of over 10,000 labelled plant
species in beautifully landscaped settings,
including Rock Garden, Lake, Glasshouses, Winter
Garden, Woodland Walk, and nine National Collections.
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Photo
above: Bridge of Sigh |
| Have
two days planned for Cambridge. If you happen
to be driving to Cambridge, try the Park and Ride
if you want to see the city centre. It'll save
you queuing to park, and the bus drops you right
in the middle of town. Pay
and Park |
Cambridge: I took
this pictures in a college lawn.
 Cambridge:
St John's college
| Suggested
Itineraries |
| Start
your walking tour from the bus station near the
city center. Roam around the city center. Most
of the major colleges can be covered walking.
Round church is also in the city center. Then
take a punting trip from any of the starting points.
You will see most of the major colleges from the
boat. Then head towards the park at the back side
of the bus station to relax (weather permitting)
or have lunch in the city center and then head
towards the Botanical
Gardens (entry charge). Have two days planned
for Cambridge. One day in Cambridge would not
do justice to this beautiful city. If you have
just one day, skip the botanical garden and travel
on the open top hop-on-hop-off
bus. It starts from the rail station every
15-30 minutes and the tour lasts about 60 minutes.
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| Traveling by Train
in England and London - Information
on getting and reading your train ticket, the
high speed and regional train system; a link to
train schedules. |
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