Cambridge break

sarah69696pink

Hi All,
Going to Cambridge for 1 night (2 days) and just after any tips anyone may have to save some money and do things on a budget.

On top of that I wondered is it worth getting bus tickets or is it a small city where we'll mainly walk? It's cheaper to add plusbus tickets on to our train than buy when we're there which is why we're asking.
Thanks in advance for any tips!

keithdc

Train station is about a 10-15 minute walk to centre, so you may wish to consider bus to city centre.
Otherwise, Cambridge is a very easy city to walk around. The centre is largely pedestrianized, so often public transport takes longer than walking.


Fitzwilliam used to be free and worth a visit.


If visiting colleges, it used to be the case that if you looked student-like and walked in confidently, you could pretty much visit them all for free.

ampersand

All as above, Sarah,

Love the Fitzwilliam[have mthly e-news}
http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/news/newsletters/enews/20150901.html

Love Kettles Yard[Friend of], currently closed, but I leave these to whet your appetite.
http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk/
http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk/collection/jim-h-s-ede/

CUBG, too:
http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Home.aspx

Lost an earring there, during the rare blooming of http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/NewsItem.aspx?p=27&ix=104&pid=2820&prcid=4&ppid=2820

Are you about on a Sat or Sun?

Red Polls and other cattle graze the Commons throughout the city,take the eye of visitors. You'll wander through them as you walk about.

There are 4 P&Rs, requiring £1 to park:mad: [recent change]and more to ride.
http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/info/20149/park_and_ride

I use freebie buspass if not compelled to drive in from Fen village and don't know how much plus bus add-on is. If your 'we' is family, look here:
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/1dayrider-cambridge.aspx
- dayrider £7.20.

Central Library in the Grand Arcade is excellent Not a holiday target, but v.useful and there if you need it/computers.

The local rag is just that, o.k. for events maybe, but dreadful otherwise
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/

YH recently refurbished -
http://www.yha.org.uk/school-trips/hostel/cambridge

Bring your My Waitrose cards for your daily free drinks:D - Little Waitrose here:
http://www.waitrose.com/bf_home/bf/552.html

Biggie at Trump[ington]
http://www.waitrose.com/content/waitrose/en/bf_home/bf/651.html

with great Sun a.m. carboot early in P&R nearby.

Market's not bad.. Antiquarian and 2nd-hand books? Pure Heaven:D.

sarah69696pink

Thanks so much everyone - really helpful

Carfal

There are often events on Parkers Piece, near the centre. Mill Road is has interesting shops and both are good for people watching.

Lots of good pubs. Not much else worth doing at night.
Plenty of things to see in the day - Chronophage clock, the awful Snowy Farr statue, umpteen colleges, the river, Kings College Chapel, Mathematical bridge, round church. Science Centre if you have children with you. Go to Fitzbillies for a bun, or Tatties for baked potatoes and hot chocolate.

Do a bus tour and see much more than from ground level. Sit downstairs for the drive out to the American Cemetery though as it's a bit draughty. The tickets are valid for 24 hours so do the tour then use it as a hop-on, hop-off to get around.

Don't ask where the university is, as someone may delight in sending you on a wild goose chase to find it. Similarly, don't bother looking for the castle.