What a tourist needs to do in Cambridge
- Walk down the main historic street of Trumpington, an admirable tourist attraction. There are some incredibly beautiful buildings here – the Fitzwilliam Museum, the University, Peterhouse College, and St. Mary’s Church. Note the city’s oldest gateway, Pembroke College, which is located at the crossroads.
- Walk around the grounds of the famous Cambridge University. This complex is an incredibly beautiful sight: ancient castle-like buildings rise above green landscapes reminiscent of old rural England. Lovely footbridges, cobbled streets and ivy-covered mansions add a pastoral touch to the surrounding landscape. The university has 31 colleges, over 100 libraries, and dozens of research centers.
- See the university’s delightful King’s College. Its building was built in the 15th century. Its fame comes from the amazingly beautiful chapel, which is considered a “gem” of late Gothic architecture. The elegant wooden altar barrier, the large ceiling with complex fan ceilings, the wonderful stained glass windows – make the chapel a masterpiece of architecture. Don’t forget to see Rubens’ priceless painting “Adoration of the Magi”, which is in the chapel.
- Admire the oldest building in the city, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Another name of the temple is the “Round Church”. It is among the four round churches of England that have survived to this day. It is believed that the church was built in the XII century by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, who took part in the Crusades. During the nine centuries, the structure was repeatedly rebuilt. But today the church can be seen in its original appearance – with Norman windows and a roof made in the original style.
- The noble exterior of St. Mary’s Church can be admired for its grandeur. The beginning of construction of the building dates back to the second half of the 15th century. The temple is a vivid example of perpendicular Gothic, which attracts with its strictness, but at the same time, with the lightness of forms. The arrow windows, battlements along the upper edge of the walls, gray brick and light stone cladding are harmoniously supplemented with the graceful relief compositions. If you want to admire the beautiful panorama, go up to the observation deck of the church. But beware, you have to climb 123 stairs.
- Admire the building and exhibits of the famous Fitzwilliam Museum, built in the late 19th century. The exterior of the incredibly beautiful construction in the classical style is harmoniously supplemented by details of the architecture of ancient Greece. The museum has five exhibitions: Ancient art from Greece, Rome, China and the Middle East; applied arts; paintings and graphics; medals and coins; books and manuscripts. See priceless works by Rubens, Van Dyck, Titian, Monet and Picasso.
- Discover the unique exhibits of the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Here you can find historical artifacts from all over the world, starting from the Paleolithic Age. Valuable collections of early civilizations, archaeological exhibitions, collections of photographs of XIX and XX centuries acquaint visitors of the museum with the development of mankind.
- Take a tour of the magnificent Anglo-Saxon Ramsey Abbey, built in the 10th century and located northwest of Cambridge. For 500 years it flourished, developing the sciences and writing manuscripts. Some of them, as well as the books of one of the largest libraries of the Middle Ages, have survived to this day. Now a college is housed in the beautiful building, and young student voices can be heard within the ancient walls of the abbey.
- Relax in the university’s Botanical Garden, a favorite stroll spot for students and visitors to the city. Founded in the 19th century by a team of faculty members that included Charles Darwin’s mentor, the magnificent park presents visitors with more than 800 plant species. See the historic greenhouse, water gardens, and stone gardens. Stand beneath an apple tree, a descendant of the one under which Newton discovered the laws.
- Go on a fascinating shopping spree. If you’re a book geek, don’t miss the oldest bookstore in the country, the Cambridge University Press Bookshop. In Market Square you can buy anything you want – antiques, clothes, food and books. For authentic souvenirs, browse the little shops and boutiques.
- Taste the local dishes – British cuisine is not very sophisticated, but it’s cooked only with quality products. Try the classic English roast beef, Cornish pasty (an oval puff pastry with several fillings), or Cottage pie (casserole of mashed potatoes and minced beef). For dessert you can enjoy caramel pudding or apple pie.