Beyond London
Cambridge: the back story
The back story
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Dmitry Tonkonog · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Cambridge: the back story
Cambridge’s university grew from scholars who left Oxford in 1209. Its colleges line the River Cam, with lawns running down to the water along the Backs.
The university
The University of Cambridge dates from the early 13th century, and its colleges include King’s, Trinity and St John’s.
King’s College Chapel
The chapel’s fan vaulting and stained glass make it one of the great buildings of England, and its choir is world-famous.
In Cambridge, the best view of the colleges is from a punt.
The Backs and punting
Behind the colleges, the River Cam flows past lawns and bridges; punts can be hired or taken with a chauffeur.
Our advice: visit King’s College Chapel and the Fitzwilliam Museum, then take a punt along the Backs before the train home.
Why it's on our list
- The university
- King’s College Chapel
- The Backs and punting
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Cambridge: the back story before you go.