The streets of Cambridge are a seamless mix of towering spires and hallmarks of almost every period of grand English architecture, practically oozing heritage with every cobbled stretch of pavement. For a day trip, it’s an ideal city to wander and explore, compact enough to wander around on foot, and boasting more than enough attractions to fill a day’s adventures. A leisurely walk along the city’s famed wide avenues and historic squares reveals a series of attractions, some of which have helped shape the landscape for centuries, for British science, literature, politics, and art.
The River Cam runs through the centre of the city, reflecting the stone buildings and the trailing green of willow trees on its surface. Life in Cambridge is punctuated by the tolling of college bells signalling the commencement of lectures and the soft swish of oars and punts in the water. A city with palpable aura and unbridled charm, Cambridge is an ideal day trip for those wanting to explore the allure of one of the world’s oldest and greatest university cities.
King’s College Chapel
Arguably Cambridge’s most famous landmark, rising above the Backs with its immense fan-vaulted ceiling and medieval stained glass, King’s College Chapel was founded by Henry VI in 1441, and is a shining example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Taking over a century to complete due to interruptions caused by the Wars of the Roses, inside, the light pours through panels of 16th-century glass depicting biblical scenes in striking colours and clarity.
Walking beneath the ceiling’s intricate stonework feels like stepping into the heart of England’s craftsmanship heritage. Visitors arriving on Mondays during the semester will be treated to the world-renowned King’s College Choir rehearsing, as the sound of their harmonies carries through the space and transfixes those lucky enough to attend. Outside, the manicured front court contrasts with the wilder, open meadows along the river at the back, offering scenic views that have been replicated by artists for centuries.
The Backs
Speaking of scenic views, stretching along the west side of the river, The Backs is a sweeping green expanse where the rear gardens of several colleges meet the Cam, coining the area’s name as the literal backs of some of the University’s most famous colleges. St John’s, Trinity, Clare, and King’s facades are all viewable along the stretch, reflections shimmering on sunny days in the Cam’s water. In spring, the lawns are scattered with wildflowers, whilst autumn sees the trees along the river turn to deep amber and gold, covering the pathways in leaves of similar tones.
A stroll along The Backs offers a look at the most picturesque side of Cambridge. Famed for its multiple crossing points, from the stone-built Clare Bridge, the romantic Bridge of Sighs at St John’s and the intricate Mathematical Bridge at Queen’s, each providing a very different setting and ambience, as well as wonderful framing for a beautiful snapshot of the city.
Punting on the River Cam
No visit to Cambridge is complete without a lazy afternoon punting along the Cam. Gondola-style boats that are found in Oxford (and inspired of course, by the waterways of Venice) allow visitors to elegantly glide along the river past college gardens, hidden beauty spots, and keep pace with the ducks and swans that bob along the river. Guided boat tours are sensational for learning more about the city’ history, with expert punters regaling their charges with in stories of the city’s scholars, eccentric traditions, and riverside legends.
From the water, the knock of the pole on the riverbed, the rustle of leaves, and the laughter from nearby boats offer a truly serene escape from the city’s winding streets. Punting is especially atmospheric as the sun begins to dip, with low light glistening off the college’s stone walls and the air growing more still. Punting, it should be noted, is much harder than it looks for first-timers, but that shouldn’t dissuade visitors from partaking in one of the most popular pastimes Cambridge has to offer.
Fitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum boasts a collection of art that’s capable of rivalling a national gallery. Established in 1816, it houses works by Titian, Monet, Turner, and Gainsborough alongside ancient Egyptian artefacts, medieval manuscripts, and fine decorative arts from every corner of the world. Located on Trumpington Street, stepping inside reveals grand marble columns, sweeping staircases, and a thoughtful layout that offers easy exploration for visitors.
The museum is free to enter, something of a rarity outside London and especially for art museums with pieces of the Fitzwilliam’s calibre. For those on a day trip, the galleries offer a brilliant alternative should the weather not be agreeable, but are also ideal places to avoid the throngs of tourists during the summer months, offering a quiet place for reflection surrounded by masterful works of art that span millennia.
Cambridge University’s Botanic Garden
Founded in 1846, the Botanic Garden covers 40 acres and houses over 8,000 plant species from around the world. Its design balances formal gardens with naturalistic landscapes, which change seamlessly with the seasons. In spring and summer, the gardens burst into wonderful, vibrant colours, while in winter, they take on a more muted, frosted look.
One of the main highlights of the gardens is the impressive glasshouse, home to tropical and desert plants that are a delight to behold, thriving within it despite the much less agreeable climate outside. The garden is a delight to visit throughout the year, even during winter, with the glasshouse offering warm respite from the crisp and chilly air. For keen gardeners and flower lovers, it's one of the most underrated spots to visit in Cambridge.
Midsummer House
As no trip is ever complete without a meal to savour the visit, Midsummer House offers one of the finest dining experiences in Cambridge, and is a shoe-in selection for a delicious lunch or early dinner to cap off the day. Holding two Michelin stars, it sits in a Victorian villa on the edge of Midsummer Common, just a short walk from the Cam, with large bay windows that look out over the green. In summer, the front garden blooms with lavender and climbing roses, whilst the dining room is understated yet refined, with crisp white linens, polished wood floors, and an unhurried atmosphere which diners will find themselves settling into comfortably.
Chef Daniel Clifford’s tasting menus are a celebration of the seasons across the British Isles. From Cornish turbot with smoked eel and caviar, to hearty roasted quail paired with truffle and artichoke, diners should leave room for desserts that often surprise, from delicate Yorkshire rhubarb, to a chocolate and salted caramel sphere that reveals hidden layers when cracked open. With exemplary service and a fantastic setting, there is no better place to finish a day trip to Cambridge than with a flourish and thoroughly satisfying meal.
