Catherine Thompson of Propertyads gives her insight into one of her favorite cities in the UK.
Punting on the river Cam.
By CATHERIN THOMPSON
Although Cambridge is the infamous city where scholars leaving Oxford set up a new study base, the city has a lot to offer besides tours of old university buildings. We have compiled a few ideas of different places and things to do whilst visiting this historic university city.
One cannot leave Cambridge without trying their hand at punting on the river Cam. Punting is the act of moving a small flat boat across the river propelled by a pole. This traditional activity of punting is continued in one of only a handful of cities in the UK. It is a great way to explore the city without tiring yourself out and is a must do for tourists. However, watch out for students – when you aren’t looking, they might steal your pole!
Kettle’s Yard is an art gallery worth visiting, as it holds some very distinct collections of art from the 20th century, as well as more modern and contemporary art. Music is also performed here, so look out for the lunchtime concerts. Another art gallery worth checking out is the Primavera Gallery, which hosts many up and coming artists’ work. You will not only find the usual paintings, but also ceramics, sculptures and even furniture.
Afternoon at the Strawberry Fair.
Visiting Cambridge in the summertime is perfect for festival goers. One of the most popular and free music and arts festival in Cambridge is the Strawberry Fair, which usually takes place in the beginning of June. It is a very family friendly festival and music lovers will enjoy a diverse range of performers. Mid-June sees the arrival of the Midsummer Festival, with plenty of rides and a special market, and there is also a folk festival taking place in July. One major highlight of the festival scene is the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival from July through to August, which attracts over 25,000 visitors. Various Shakespeare works are performed outside and spectators can picnic in the gardens of the performance before watching the plays.
Nighttime in Cambridge can become cosy with an abundance of both old fashioned to new and stylish pubs. If you want to experience local cider, take a visit to The Champion of the Thames, which is great in the winter due to the roaring fireplace. Many pubs boast serving real ale and it is a real ‘local’ thing to do.
Cambridge is surrounded by other historical towns and villages worth a visit. These include the market town of Ely, the country village of Grantchester, and the medieval town of King’s Lynn.