My quaint city is one of UK’s most popular tourist destinations – here are the spots only locals visit & places we avoid
CAMBRIDGE is one of those rare tourist destinations that's great for holidaymakers and great for locals.
Along with being one of the most popular destinations for holidaymakers in Britain with more than 7 million visitors a year, Cambridge was also crowned the "UK's best city for living" last year.
The city ranked sixth overall in the 2024 Vitality Index and topped the category for “living” - based on education, lifestyle, and consumption.
Having lived in Cambridge most of my life, I couldn't agree more - it's the perfect place to live and without a doubt, the best city in the UK during the summer months.
However, like any popular holiday destination there are plenty of tourist traps to avoid and hidden gems that go unnoticed by most.
Here are my tips for making the most out of Cambridge - and experiencing the city like a local.
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When to go and where to avoid
I recommend visiting in May or June to avoid the crowds, plus the students are still around at this time if you fancy seeing them in their element.
A particular tourist hot spot is Kings Parade, beautiful yes, but I tend to avoid it if I can.
Kings Parade attracts the masses due to its central location, facing Kings College; the Senate House; the Corpus Clock, while being plastered with gift shops and quaint cafes.
Instead, I am going to take you away from the crowds of Kings Parade - down Laundress Lane to Scudamore's Boatyard Punting Station.
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Here, you can rent kayaks, canoes, paddleboard or punts.
We’re going to rent kayaks as they’re speedy (and I’m saving punting for later).
Kayaking along the River Cam toward Granchester is a glorious experience, especially early in the morning - so make sure to get there when they open at 9am.
Trees overhang the still water, the swans meander with their cygnets and cows graze along the bank.
Once at Granchester Meadows, if time permits, you might choose to moor up and sit for a moment with a breakfast picnic, before heading back to the boatyard.
Now it's time for a midday punt.
Punting
Take it from an ex-river tour guide trainer, summer on the river is chaos.
Well-meaning tourists try their hand at punting their own boats without any experience, resulting in regular collisions on the waters.
After ten minutes or so, everyone is completely fed up.
I would recommend leaving the actual punting to the locals and consider getting yourself a tour - these aren’t hard to find, if anything tour guides are hard to avoid.
Tours last 45 minutes, you see eight colleges and nine bridges and you can bring your own food and drink.
You are also dropped off back at the starting point.
It is a beautiful way to see Cambridge and learn about punting, the city, and the university.
You can either start your tour from Millpond or Quayside - it's exactly the same tour with the same sites.
If going from Millpond, you could grab a pint afterwards from The Mill pub and sit on Laundress Green, a site once used to wash laundry.
Admire a greener view of the river and catch a glimpse of the beautiful Darwin College.
Or, start/finish your tour at Quayside, my personal favourite, because it's closer to my favourite pub and cafes.
Cafe wise, you’re right next to Cafe Foy which offers terrific views of the boat crashes and the competition between the different punting companies.
Pubs
Now for my pub recommendations. Pickerel Inn has a place in my heart.
It’s not only around the corner from Quayside, but it exudes history, dating back to 1608.
Ask the bartenders about its ghosts, flamboyant past and malting house legacies, you won’t be disappointed.
Other nearby pub recommendations include The Punter, Castle Inn, and The Carpenters Arms.
Further into Cambridge, some of my favourite pubs include The Pint Shop, Brewhouse, the Maypole, and the Eagle.
The Eagle is where Francis Crick and James Watson burst in to announce they had discovered the DNA double-heli, and it's still a popular pub.
The ceiling of the bar is still adorned with graffiti left by airmen when they gathered here during World War II.
Other activity recommendations
Once you've sunk a few pints, it's time for a couple of wholesome activities.
Christ’s Piece holds four tennis courts. You need to reserve a court before you can play, but I highly recommend it - it's situated right next to the river.
Secondly, Cambridge’s Botanical Gardens are beautiful - holding over 8,000 plant species.
David Attenborough also studied Natural Sciences at Clare College - need I say more.
Shopping wise, tourists swarm to the Grand Arcade and market square.
Admittedly this area holds popular shops such as Oliver Bonas, M&S, New Look, Vans, etc.
However, I prefer to shop off Sidney Street, down Green Street where you can find vintage stores, Free People, Lucy and Yak.
Cambridge's nightlife
Finally, Cambridge’s nightlife. What an experience.
Over the years I’ve heard university students refer to our Wetherspoons, The Regal, as “danger spoons” as all the locals go there.
However, from experience, it's popular with 18-year-olds and that's about it.
Young people, both townies or gownies, like Lola’s, Mash, Vinyl and Revolution - these are Cambridge’s “nightclubs”.
Some alternative options I would recommend are Town and Gown, 2648, and Ta Bouche.
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All in a similar spot, down Market Passage, it's where us locals enjoy a pint or a cocktail.
Just be sure to keep an eye out for cyclists.
UK 2024 Vitality Index: Top 10 locations
- Watford
- Woking
- High Wycombe
- Hemel Hempstead
- Windsor and Maidenhead
- Cambridge
- Bath
- Milton Keynes
- Chelsford
- Edinburgh