day trip to cambridge itinerary

The Best 1 Day Cambridge Itinerary: Things To Do (2024)

Planning a 1 day Cambridge itinerary in 2024? Cambridge is an incredibly historic city with interesting museums, picturesque streets, charming boat rides and plenty of great restaurants! Spending one day in Cambridge is the perfect day trip from London and an easy getaway to a cosy walkable city. Let’s plan your Cambridge 1 day itinerary!

Cambridge is located just north of London in the United Kingdom and is well-known for it’s reputable University of Cambridge . Browsing around the buildings that date back to 1209 is one of the best things to do in Cambridge on a day trip or more.

The streets of the city are incredibly beautiful with both mainstream and local shops spread out throughout the wandering lanes. The iconic Kings College and River Cam are the most popular spots in the city and definitely worth a visit during any Cambridge itinerary .

Although the city is small, there’s honestly too much to see with 1 day in Cambridge but it’s the perfect day trip from London or nearby cities. One day is also enough time to experience the main highlights!

In this guide, we’ll show you how to plan your 1 day Cambridge itinerary with the best things to do, how to get around and a few food recommendations . There’s also some activities that cost money and you can also book in advance.

This post may contain affiliate links. We will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no additional cost to you .

Table of Contents (Skip to a section!)

Quick Tips for a 1 Day Cambridge Itinerary

• Currency  – Pound Sterling GBP (compare your own currency  here )
• Cuisine  – British with a variety of cuisines  (Chips, pies, Indian, Chinese & pizza)
• Apps  – GoogleMaps, Uber,  Booking.com  &  Hostelworld
• Where to stay – YHA Cambridge – Book your stay here !
• Power Voltage  – Plug G, 240V

Activities to book in advance:   Cambridge Punting Tour & Cambridge University Tour !

Best time to visit Cambridge

Cambridge is a year-round destination that experiences all four seasons. However, we recommend visiting Cambridge between April and October when the days are longer and there’s more chance of warmer weather.

July and August are the busiest months to visit Cambridge due to the summer holidays, although it’s usually the best weather. Christmas is also a great time to visit for festive decorations around the city! We visited in September and the UK had a mini 30°C heatwave!

Also check for  bank holiday weekends , as these days can get very busy with most of the country off of work.

Visiting more of the UK ? We have itineraries to London , York , Bristol , Edinburgh , Brighton , the Scottish Highlands and hiking in Snowdonia !

How to get to Cambridge

Cambridge is located in Eastern England very close to the capital city, London! There are excellent transport links into the city and we highly recommend getting the train from London. Find more tips for travelling in London in our travel guide.

• By train:  Trains to Cambridge take you to  Cambridge train station  which is only a 20-minute walk to the city centre.
• By bus:  Check out Megabus, National Express and FlixBus for journeys around the UK. Although they’re not as fast as trains, they’re usually a lot cheaper!
• By vehicle:  Cambridge has free parking overnight, but you’ll likely have to pay for parking unless you park somewhere residential. Park at Queen Anne Terrace Car Park or use the Park & Ride .
• By flight: London Stansted is the best international airport to arrive at for a trip to Cambridge.

The best way to get to Cambridge from London is by train ! Head to London King’s Cross station to get a direct train to Cambridge in less than 1 hour. There are also other trains from around the city, but it’s best to catch the underground or bus to King’s Cross. We have a travel guide on how to spend 4 incredible days in London !

How to get better prices for trains in the UK?   Book your train tickets in advance ! Advance singles save so much money compared to a normal off-peak return. Also if you’re from the UK, check if a Railcard is worth it and you’ll save 1/3 of your fare!

1 Day Cambridge Itinerary: Best Things To Do

Now we’re going to share the best things to do in Cambridge during a one day itinerary. Feel free to mix these activities around depending on the weather.

We’re writing this Cambridge itinerary starting from the train station which is only 20-25 minutes from the city centre.

See the Corpus Clock

As you walk into the city from the train station, you’ll pass by a variety of cafes, restaurants and shops before seeing the most unique clock in Cambridge.

The Corpus Clock is a large golden clock with a grasshopper sitting on top . There are no hands or digital numbers, but the time is shown with swirling LED lights. The grasshopper opens its mouth every 30 seconds and it’s also known as the time eater.

The Cambridge physicist Stephen Hawking revealed the fascinating clock to the public in 2008 and now it’s a popular place to take a photo in Cambridge!

Visit the Eagle

Right around the corner from the Corpus Clock is the famous Eagle Pub. We noticed a few Guided Historic Walking Tours around this area of Cambridge, as there’s a lot of history to learn!

As well as being one of the oldest pubs in Cambridge , The Eagle Pub  was the place where Francis Crick and James Watson announced their discovery of DNA (double helix structure DNA).

They were both researchers and scientists at Cambridge University . It’s one of the best scientific discoveries of the 20th century and they won a Nobel Prize in 1962.

Honestly, if you didn’t research what to do on your 1 day Cambridge itinerary, you would easily walk passed this Greene King pub . Although there is a sign to celebrate and remember the day the scientists discovered the ‘ Secret of Life’ .

Go on a Punting Tour

As you’re getting started with learning about Cambridge, it’s time to explore the beautiful River Cam and take a boat trip!

Once you head to the waterfront, you’ll notice lots of companies offering punting tours . You can book online in advance to guarantee a spot or find a boat when you arrive.

A punting tour is one of the best ways to see the famous colleges of Cambridge and your guide will tell you interesting facts as you float past. We recommend joining a shared Punting Tour instead of hiring your own, as it looks so hard! Our guide told us a lot of people fall in.

The boats used for punting are long and wooden with flat bottoms! The punter uses a pole to push the boat along in the river and it’s a work of art! Cambridge is the most popular place in the UK to go punting !

Visit Wren Library

Next on your Cambridge 1 day itinerary, visit the Wren Library (part of Trinity College). The Wren Library is notable for its extremely invaluable books such as Isaac Newton’s text and the first manuscript of Winnie the Pooh . It’s also home to the oldest manuscript of Shakespeare’s plays.

The library has very short opening hours usually around lunch from 12 pm to 2 pm. It has been closed for 3 years from 2020 until late 2023, but it’s finally open to visitors as of September 2023.

As a big fan of Winnie the Pooh, it was incredible to see A.A. Milnes’s early work from 1926 and it’s actually the only piece that you’re not allowed to photograph. Milne was also a student at Trinity College (Cambridge University).

The library is also free to enter ! A lot of monuments and buildings cost money to enter in Cambridge.

Grab lunch in Cambridge

There are many great places to eat in Cambridge! We recommend grabbing a bite from the local market in the centre of the city or taking a short walk to Urban Butterfly or The Tipsy Vegan .

At Cambridge Market Square , you can find Africfood , noodles, falafel and juices! This 1 day Cambridge itinerary is pretty packed, so you’ll want to take some time to rest before starting your afternoon!

Climb to Great St Mary’s Tower

Right next to the market is an Anglican church named Great St Mary’s . Visiting the church is a beautiful experience, but the main reason to visit is to see scenic views of Cambridge from the University Church Tower .

There are 123 steps leading to the top with a viewing platform. The church is free to enter and it’s £6 to climb the tower. Check the website for updates.

Explore Cambridge University

Cambridge University is one of the best and oldest universities in the world , ranking amongst well-known schools such as Oxford, Harvard and Stanford. It was established back in 1209 after Oxford University.

There isn’t just one building at Cambridge University , in fact, they’re spread out all over the city. The historic beauty of the buildings and colleges is one of the main reasons visitors come to Cambridge on a day trip from London.

What are the colleges at Cambridge University?

Cambridge is a ‘ collegiate university ‘ made up of 31 colleges with different subjects, facilities and funding. When applying to the university, a student chooses a college to be accepted and that’s the college they will study with, live and also eat!

Some colleges also have different admittance rules such as Wolfson, Hughes Hall and St.Edmund’s only accept students over the age of 21. Newnham and Murray Edwards only accept female students, and Kings College used to only admit boys from  Eton College  until 1865.

The best way to learn more about the colleges and history of the university is on a Cambridge University Walking Tour ! The most popular colleges to visit are Kings College, Trinity College, Queens College and Pembroke College .

Visit Kings College if you only have 1 day in Cambridge

After your morning punting tour , you will have seen King’s College Chapel and the grounds surrounding it. The chapel is one of the oldest surviving buildings at the university and it has an incredibly unique ceiling.

The fan vault ceiling in the chapel took 3 years to create and it’s the reason why the chapel is so popular along with its well-known choir. Tickets are around £13 to enter.

King’s College Bridge is also one of the most photogenic spots on your Cambridge 1 day itinerary.

Eat a famous Chelsea bun

Head over to Fitzbilies Cafe during your Cambridge day trip to try one of their famous Chelsea Buns. This lovely artisan bakery creates the most syrupy and soft Chelsea buns we’ve ever tried! Fitzbillies have been going since 1920 and you can find two of them in Cambridge city.

We also recommend Jack’s Gelato for their amazing ice creams! They had three vegan flavours when we visited, including dark chocolate!

Wander the beautiful streets of Cambridge

Amongst all of the history during your Cambridge 1 day itinerary, Cambridge is still a city with mainstream shops and beautiful cobbled streets. Our favourite streets in Cambridge are:

• Rose Crescent
• Trinity Lane
• Green Street
• Portugal Place
• Orchard Street

Cambridge is full of photogenic streets as the city dates back so far. There’s also cute bunting along some of the streets in the summer months.

If you like the sound of Cambridge, spend 3 days exploring Edinburgh, Scotland !

Visit the Round Church

Close to Portugal Street is the Round Church built in 1130. There are only four Round Churches in the UK and Cambridge is home to one of them. The architecture inside is remarkable and a great place to visit if you’re a fan of medieval times. There’s a small fee to enter.

See the views at Castle Mound

Located on the west side of River Cam , Castle Mound is another great place in Cambridge to see panoramic views of the city . The best part is, it’s free!

It only takes 1 minute to reach the top of the mound and you can see faint remains of Cambridge Castle that was built around 1068.

The best time to visit is at sunset , but on a 1 day Cambridge itinerary, there may not be a sunset while you are visiting.

Visit the Fitzwilliam Museum

There are numerous museums in Cambridge, too many to visit with 1 day in Cambridge! However, if you’d like to visit one, we recommend the Fitzwilliam Museum .

It’s a free museum to enter and it’s filled with Egyptian, Greek and Roman history along with huge oil paintings from all over the world. The building itself is pretty impressive and you can easily get lost in the maze of artefact s!

Find the Old Bicycle Shop

The Old Bicycle Shop is another place to visit on your one day in Cambridge and it’s also on the way back to the train station.

It’s actually now a restaurant serving delicious food, but its name comes from its past. The Old Bicycle Shop used to be named Howes Cycles and it’s been said that Charles Darwin bought a bicycle from here back in the 19th century .

You can really see the transition from the retro bike shop it used to be!

Explore the Botanical Garden

As you get closer to Cambridge train station you’ll notice a huge park called Cambridge University Botanic Garden . If you have time left on your 1 day Cambridge itinerary, visit the gardens for a lovely stroll.

The garden is filled with beautifully unique plant species and you can visit all year round, although summer is when the flowers are most colourful!

We ran out of time during our Cambridge itinerary because there’s so much to cover, but it was on our list! Now it’s on our list for our next Cambridge day trip from London!

Stem & Glory is a great option if you’re looking for dinner in Cambridge.

Alternative ideas for a Cambridge 1 day itinerary

Although we’ve created a jam-packed Cambridge one day itinerary, there’s always going to be more things to do in the city! Here’s a few more ideas if you have more than one day in Cambridge or some extra time!

• Polar Museum
• Walk over the Mathematical Bridge
• University of Zoology
• Relax on the Jesus Green – a beautiful park near the river!
• Visit more colleges at Cambridge University
• Kettle’s Yard – an art Gallery!

Where to stay in Cambridge

The best area to stay in Cambridge is in the  Cambridge City Centre ! Cambridge is small, so anywhere within a 20-30 minute walk is a good place to stay.

YHA Cambridge £-££ – One of the most budget-friendly places to stay in Cambridge, near the train station – Find YHA on Booking.com here !

Gonville Hotel ££-£££ – This high-quality hotel is in the centre of Cambridge –  Book Gonville Hotel here on Booking.com !

University Arms, Autograph Collection ££-£££ – Another luxury hotel in the heart of Cambridge –  Book here on Booking.com !

Best Restaurants in Cambridge

There are some incredible places to eat around Cambridge, here’s a few of our recommendations:

• Stem & Glory ££ – are a well-presented plant-based restaurant near the train station in Cambridge!
• Tipsy Vegan ££ – The perfect place for lunch after Punting or for evening drinks.
• Fitzbillies £ – Famous Chelsea buns! yes, there’s a vegan option!
• Urban Butterfly £-££ – A delicious vegan cafe in Cambride!
• Africfood £ – At the local market in Cambridge!

How to get around Cambridge

Cambridge is a walkable city , so it’s easy to get around! There are multiple bus routes and even two train stations if you are staying overnight in the city. A Punting Tour is another great way to spend 1 day in Cambridge browsing some of the best sights from the water!

What to do in Cambridge at night

• Go on a Ghost Punting Tour
• Visit Cambridge Observatory (October to March)
• Relax, drink and dine at The Tipsy Vegan restaurant
• Have a cocktail at the Hidden Rooms
• Head to a pub!

How many days in Cambridge

Cambridge is a small city and it’s definitely possible to spend 1 day in Cambridge seeing the main highlights and learning about the history of the city. We recommend spending at least one day in the city, as an afternoon or half a day would be too rushed.

It’s also a great idea to spend a weekend in Cambridge as there’s enough activities to keep you busy! Most of the colleges cost money to enter, so bear that in mind when creating your Cambridge day trip.

If you’re staying more than 1 day in Cambridge, consider taking day trips to other cities in the UK such as a visit to Norfolk , Peterborough and Northampton.

What to pack for a 1 day in Cambridge

Here’s a few travel essentials that we bring on our trips, especially in the UK!

• A reusable water bottle  – a must when travelling anywhere!
• Wireless earbuds  – the best for long journeys in the UK.
• Comfortable day backpack  – this one has so many compartments for organising!
• Portable power bank  – charge your phone on the go.
• A compact umbrella  – another must-have when visiting the UK.
• A raincoat  – for the unpredictable UK weather.
• Packing cubes  – if you’re staying more than one day in Cambridge, these are so helpful.
• A padlock  – for any lockers.

Planning a 1 Day Cambridge Itinerary

Here are some helpful links to plan your Cambridge one day itinerary:

• Check for any  public holidays  on your date of visit ( Find out when the public holidays are )!
• Book your train tickets in advance  on  Trainline !
• If you’re taking the train, double-check for train strikes!
• Get Travel Insurance –  Find out more here !
• Book your accommodation on  Hostelworld here  or on  Booking.com here !
• Where to stay in Cambridge:  YHA Cambridge – Book your stay here !

More guides in the  United Kingdom :

• The Best 1 Day York Itinerary: Things To Do
• Edinburgh Itinerary: The Best 3 days in Edinburgh
• 1 day Highlands Road Trip from Edinburgh
• How to Climb Snowdon in Wales
• Top 20 Vegan Restaurants in Edinburgh, Scotland
• Brighton Itinerary: Weekend Itinerary
• Browse more  English   or  Scottish  posts!

Don’t forget about Travel Insurance! –  SafetyWing  Nomad Insurance

SafetyWing  is a flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay safe on your trip anywhere in the world.

That’s the end of our  The Best 1 Day Cambridge Itinerary: Things To Do (2024) ! Enjoy your one day in Cambridge and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!

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Amy & Dan are the founders of The Sunrise Dreamers. They are travellers from the UK who have been on the road since 2017 whilst living in places like England, Canada, Thailand and the Canary Islands. They share their knowledge of travelling the world with detailed travel guides and tips. They're experts in vegan travel and show their audience how to travel on a budget.

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Adventures of Alice

Cambridge Day Trip: The Perfect 1 Day Itinerary

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If you’re planning a Cambridge day trip, you’re in for a treat! I’ll say this time and time again, but Cambridge is one of my favourite cities in the UK. It’s also right around the corner from where I live, so I’ve been able to visit over and over again and really explore the city in depth.

However, many visitors to the historic city do so as a day trip from London or elsewhere in the UK. So, I’ve put together the perfect itinerary so you can see the best of Cambridge in a day. 

My favourite travel resources for Cambridge

✅ Here’s my favourite hotel in the city . ✅ Here’s t he best punting tour in Cambridge ✅ Don’t forget your travel insurance .

Is Cambridge worth a day trip?

100% yes, Cambridge is worth a day trip. I live less than an hour from the city and take a day trip to Cambridge multiple times a year. I love sightseeing in Cambridge.

It’s a great place to act like a tourist for a day and explore sights that I’ve seen countless times before but never seem to lose their charm.

If you’re a first-time visitor to Cambridge, you can quite easily fall in love with it. It’s much calmer than London and much prettier (in my opinion).

I also love how green it is and how stunning the architecture is. It’s pretty easy to spend a day in Cambridge and you’ll most likely end up wishing you had more time!

✅ If you’re coming from London, this is the perfect way to see Cambridge in a day.

How do I spend a day in Cambridge?

I won’t lie to you – there are quite a lot of things you shouldn’t miss in Cambridge . Whether you want to visit the historic colleges, explore the river, or go for a walk in one of the many parks and green spaces that surround the city, there are many things that you can do during your stay.

For a day trip to Cambridge, I’d recommend staying in the city’s centre. The colleges are Cambridge’s top attractions and the beautiful River Cam also runs right through the middle of the city.

As well as this, you can explore the market stalls, museums, and much more in the city centre. Plus, it means you don’t need to travel far the get around, as this entire itinerary can be done on foot.

The perfect Cambridge day trip itinerary

So whether you make this trip by car or as a train trip from London ; whether it’s your first time in Cambridge or your fourth, here’s my perfect itinerary for spending a day in Cambridge.

9:00 – Visit King’s College

Cost : £14.50 per adult on weekdays and £15 on weekends

Start your day trip to Cambridge at the city’s most famous attraction. King’s College is easily one of Cambridge’s top attractions. Located in the heart of the city, the beautiful building has hosted welcomed people such as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles.

When you arrive, you’ll first explore the main college and then walk around to the exterior and the grounds. You can see a range of different things including paintings, sculptures and the architecture of the building. It’s great for imagining what Cambridge’s life was like in the past. 

My personal favourite part of visiting King’s College is the chapel and the grounds outside. The view across the river of the collage and the interior of the chapel is stunning.

✅ This is a great way to learn more about the history of Kings College .

10:00 – See the Corpus Clock

Cost : Free

Located right next to King’s College, the Corpus Clock is a beautiful piece of engineering. Also known as the Grasshopper clock, it was designed by artist John Taylor and given to Corpus Christi College in 2008.

It’s a really eye-catching feature of the college and is worth seeing if you’re in Cambridge. It also has an interesting symbolism with the grasshopper representing the passing of time. 

10:15 – Visit the Fitzwilliam Museum 

This is one of my favourite places to visit in Cambridge for free and great if you love history. 

I can still hardly believe that the Fitzwilliam Museum is completely free to visit. It honestly shocked me when I first visited because of how interesting it was. I fully expected to be charged to visit a place like this!

The building itself is also beautiful with towering columns outside and a grand staircase inside the entrance hall. Then, there are lots of interesting exhibits from artistic paintings to artefacts from ancient Egypt. 

All in all, it might take you a couple of hours to properly look around the museum (longer if you want to read all the information). It’s well worth it and one of the best museums in Cambridge.

13:00 – Head to the Market Square for Lunch

Cost : Depends on what you purchase!

The Market Square in Cambridge is one of the best places to stop for food – in my opinion of course! There are so many wonderful places to eat in Cambridge, but if you want a great selection and a range of stalls that are all very close to one another, you can’t go wrong with street food. 

Every time I visit the Market Square in Cambridge, I get something different. You can choose from authentic Spanish paella, Thai noodles, Greek souvlaki, Indian curries, Brazilian stews, and much more. It’s a treat for the tastebuds and a great stop for lunch. 

Fun Fact : Some people actually travel from surrounding towns specifically to try the food here – one lady told me she’s travelled an hour to visit one of the market stalls!

14:00 – Climb Great St Mary’s Church for Views over the City

Cost : £6 for adults and £4 for children

For the best views in Cambridge, you have to climb this tower. Located right next to Kings Collage and Market Square, this is the next stop on your Cambridge day trip itinerary.

The inside of the church is beautiful in itself, but the views from the top are some of the best you’ll see of King’s Collage. 

There’s a very tight winding staircase you’ll need to climb to reach the top of the tower. This isn’t too bad as it’s only 123 steps, but can still get you a little out of breath. But the views from the top are well worth it.

Top Tip : The staircase is too narrow to let people up and down at the same time so there is a traffic light system in place. You wait for the light to go green before you can start climbing down the tower again to let those coming up reach the top. 

15:00 – Explore Trinity College and Wren Library

Cost : £5 per adult for the guided tour

Another of Cambridge’s beautiful colleges (and trust me, there are plenty) Trinity is a stunning building. The architecture is a mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles, but the highlight for me was Wren Library. The college was built in 1546 and was founded by Henry VIII.

Before you leave Trinity, be sure to check out the Chapel with its stained glass windows, which are absolutely stunning. Also, although the college itself requires a guided tour ticket to enter, the Wren Library is completely free and definitely one of the best free things to do in Cambridge . 

This absolutely beautiful library contains many world-famous books such as Isaac Newton’s Principia Mathematica or Charles Darwin’s Origin Of The Species.

You can also explore exhibitions on display about college life in Cambridge over the last few hundred years to find out more about campus history. Easily one of the best things to do on a Cambridge day trip, the College and the Library are must-sees.

16:00 – Visit St John’s College

Cost : £12 per adult

Just a 1-minute walk from Trinity College, St John’s College is one of the oldest and most famous colleges in Cambridge. Founded by Lady Margaret Beaufort, Queen Elizabeth I’s godmother, some of the best academics in the world, such as Stephen Hawking, have studied within its walls.

The college offers a range of things for visitors including tours around its grounds (I suggest booking ahead), lectures from leading professors, concerts at its chapel, or their free evensong events. It’s another of Cambridge’s prettiest architectural gems and well worth a visit.

17:00 – Go Punting on the River Cam

Cost : Rent a punt from £32, go on a group guided tour from £20, or go on a private tour from £79

Finally, finish your Cambridge day trip with a sunset punting trip on the River Cam . Possibly one of the most iconic things to do in Cambridge you simply cannot visit the historic city without adding this to your itinerary. 

The river meanders through all sorts of picturesque spots – with both town and university buildings lining its banks. You’ll pass the Mathematical Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs, the Backs, Kings College, and many other top sights in Cambridge.

Plus, if you pick the guided tour option , you’ll also learn a few facts about the city on the way!

It’s a great way to spend an afternoon and is available all year round as well, so don’t be put off if you’re visiting Cambridge in the colder months. The punters simply wrap you up in a blanket and provide warm drinks to keep you toasty.

Punting is one of my favourite things to do in Cambridge. It’s not only a fun activity but also allows you to explore this stunning city from an entirely different perspective and is the perfect way to end your day in Cambridge.

✅ For the views, the facts, and a laugh with the guides, I recommend this tour!

If you have more than a Cambridge day trip

If you’re lucky enough to be spending more than one day in Cambridge, here are some other wonderful ways you could spend your time.

1. Go for Brunch

Cambridge is a city known for good food – brunch being pretty high on the list! Featuring some of the best restaurants in the entire country, including the Michelin-starred Midsummer House, it’s a must to enjoy some of England’s favourite meals.

Known for their delicious and creative avocado toast dishes, speciality coffees, yummy homemade pastries such as the walnut brownie, and pizza weekends,

I recommend Hot Numbers for brunch in Cambridge. You’ll find two venues, one on Trinity Street and the other on Gwydir Street.

Also, be sure to check Fitzbillies as they sell the best and stickiest Chelsea buns in the city!

2. Wander the Streets

One of the top things to do in Cambridge is to simply wander the historic streets. Cambridge has many beautiful, winding alleys, cobbled pathways, and picturesque lanes in the centre of this busy city.

Some of the prettiest streets in Cambridge include Rose Crescent, Orchard Street, Trinity Lane, and Senate House Passage. My personal favourite is Trinity Lane as it’s lined with turrets from the adjoining colleges and has a lovely Tudor feel.

As you wander the streets, you’ll pass many of Cambridge’s most iconic sites. For example, if you walk through Trinity Lane towards Trinity College, then make your way to King’s Parade before heading out past Clare College on St John Street (a gorgeous cobbled lane) and onto Gonville Place, there is a beautiful row of Georgian houses overlooking Parker’s Piece.

England doesn’t get more beautiful better than this!

3. View the Mathematical Bridge

One of the most beautiful bridges in Cambridge, the Mathematical Bridge is a photographer’s dream.

You will almost certainly pass by it on a punting tour of Cambridge , but you can also see the bridge on foot by walking to the bridge on Silver Street – that was where the photo above was taken and is one of the best views in the city.

The bridge was designed in 1748 by William Etheridge and built a year later. It is made entirely out of straight timbers, which is strange considering its arched shape. The clever engineering is what ultimately gave it its name.

It’s worth bearing in mind that there are always lots of tourists here, so it might not be ideal if you’re looking for some peace and quiet.

However, I love this spot because the views are just gorgeous – plus there’s plenty of space to get creative with your photography techniques on both sides.

4. Visit the other museums

Cambridge has a lot of museums . And if you have more than a Cambridge day trip, it’s well worth checking out some of the other museums in the city. These include:

• Kettle’s Yard – a unique art museum inside former houses, 
• The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences – a museum of geology located on the University of Cambridge’s Downing Street Site,
• The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology – Another Cambridge University Museum, you’ll find a fantastic collection of antiques and archaeology here from around the world.
• The University Museum of Zoology – A museum dedicated to the zoology research of the University of Cambridge.
• The Museum of Cambridge – A folksy museum dedicated to the history of the city of Cambridge itself.

5. Take a trip to the surrounding villages

I love exploring little villages and the areas surrounding Cambridge are home to some of the prettiest towns and villages in England . I particularly love Grantchester, St Ives, and Fenstanton, but there are lots of places here to see. 

You can wander through the villages themselves, explore the nearby nature reserves and go for a walk, or head to the pubs for a drink and a bit to eat. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon and a wonderful way to see the outskirts of the city.

How to get to Cambridge

Cambridge is an easily accessible city from many places around the UK. Here are some of the easiest ways to get there. 

The city is located around 60 miles north of London and will take about 2 hours to drive there from the capital. However, driving to London can mean a fair bit of traffic. 

It’s also worth mentioning that parking in Cambridge isn’t cheap. I’ve paid over £20 for 4 hours before, so I advise against parking in the main city centre car parks like the Grand Arcade or the Grafton Centre.

If you are planning on driving, either use Queen Anne’s Terrace car park which is a little cheaper, or use the park-and-ride service . 

By Public Transport

Cambridge is well-connected by train. Direct trains run regularly from London King’s Cross and Liverpool Street stations. The journey from London King’s Cross takes around 50-60 minutes. 

If you’ve flown into the UK and need to get to Cambridge, there are also plenty of easy ways to do this. The nearest major airports are London Heathrow (LHR) and London Stansted (STN).

From Heathrow, you can take a train to London King’s Cross or Liverpool Street stations and then transfer to a train to Cambridge. From Stansted, there’s a direct train to Cambridge.

You can also easily get to the city by bus. National Express provides long-distance bus services to Cambridge from a range of cities in the UK including Birmingham and Bristol .

✅ This is how I book all of my train travel in the UK

Is Oxford or Cambridge better for a day out?

Both Oxford and Cambridge are historic and beautiful cities with rich cultural and academic traditions and there’s usually a lot of competition between the two. 

Oxford is known for its stunning architecture, including the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, and various colleges. It’s also somewhat more historic, with the Ashmolean Museum and the Oxford Castle. Plus, if you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll love it as so many Harry Potter filming locations are in Oxford. 

Cambridge also boasts impressive architecture, including King’s College Chapel, the Mathematical Bridge, and various beautiful college buildings. It’s famous for punting on the River Cam which is a popular and picturesque activity, especially in the summer months .

Plus, the market square in the city centre is vibrant, with a variety of shops, cafes, and street performers.

When trying to choose between the two, I’d consider your interests. If you’re more inclined towards Harry Potter and diverse museums, Oxford might be more appealing. If you’re interested in punting, the great outdoors, and gorgeous architecture, Cambridge might be a better fit.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Cambridge for a Day

Overall, I think Cambridge is the perfect UK day trip. It’s a compact city, meaning you can explore most of it on foot and see many of the popular attractions within a day. Yet, it’s also diverse enough that you could come back time and time again.

It’s also an incredibly interesting city with lots to see and do from history to natural attractions, and also plenty of places surrounding the city for you to explore. Overall, it’s one of the best cities in the UK and a Cambridge day trip will not leave you disappointed.

👉 Planning a trip to Cambridge? Here are my favourite places to stay and my guide to punting in Cambridge .

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Alice Smith is a travel blogger, content creator, and founder of Adventures of Alice. Following an unexpected redundancy, she embraced her passions and turned her hobby of travel blogging into a full-time career.

Based in the UK, she's ventured to over 30 countries since 2016. With a passion for the outdoors and going off-the-beaten-path, Alice is on a mission to show that budget travel can still be luxurious and that every destination, no matter how touristy, holds hidden gems.

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Thank you so much for all of this helpful information. We are traveling to London for a week in early June. I convinced everyone that it was worth taking a day trip to Cambridge before I’d done any actual online research. Then I found your blog and am happy to see your enthusiastic confirmation that Cambridge is well worth a day trip.

Haha, I’m glad to hear! 🙂 Its definitely worth it. Cambridge is one of my favourite cities in England and there’s just so much to see and do! I hope you have a wonderful time when you visit and fingers crossed for good weather! 😀

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Cambridge Day Trip Itinerary: What to Do in Cambridge For a Day

• May 5, 2023

There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. As ever, all opinions are my own.

There are a million reasons why a Cambridge day trip from London is a must-do!

It’s no secret that Cambridge is one of the dreamiest places to visit in the UK. From punting along the River Cam, to exploring Cambridge University’s many sprawling colleges, to getting your knowledge fix in the Fitzwilliam Museum, there are so many interesting things to do.

Luckily, Cambridge is also a fairly small city, so it’s definitely possible to see the highlights in a day.

With hundreds of years of history, over 30 colleges, and countless other attractions to visit in the city, though, narrowing down all the things to do in Cambridge into a one day itinerary can be a challenge!

That’s where I come in.

I visit Cambridge five or six times a year because my boyfriend’s family lives there, so I’ve been spoilt for choice when it comes to opportunities to get out and explore Cambridge. Recently, I had a whole day to spend exploring the city. I decided to take full advantage of it! 

After so many great visits I decided to create the perfect guide to what to do in Cambridge for a day.

In this itinerary, you’ll visit the most beautiful colleges of Cambridge University, check out some fascinating historical landmarks, and even come face to face with a really bizarre clock.

Let’s begin! 

Table of Contents

Day Trip to Cambridge from London – How to Get There

One of the many perks of living in London is the many day trips you can do! A Cambridge trip is one of the easiest day trips from London since you can reach it on a direct train that takes just 54 minutes !

Trains depart multiple times an hour from Blackfriars, Liverpool Street, St Pancras and Kings Cross Stations in London.

The cheapest time to take a London to Cambridge day trip is, surprisingly, at the weekend. This is because on the weekend you can purchase the “ super off-peak day return ” train ticket, which costs just £15 . 

During weekdays, you’ll have to catch a peak train in the morning to get to Cambridge at a decent time, which will make your train tickets much more expensive!

Let’s move on to the itinerary. If you’re wondering what to see in Cambridge I’ve got you covered in the next section.

Cambridge Day Trip Itinerary

The earlier you can get to Cambridge on your day trip, the better! Most attractions open at 10am, so I recommend arriving at 9.30am since the train station is about a 15-minute walk away from the centre of Cambridge. 

There’s also another reason I recommend getting to Cambridge early…

Stop 1 – Hot Numbers Coffee 

This coffee shop is on the way from Cambridge train station into the city, and it’s THE BEST COFFEE EVER! Seriously. Every time I visit Cambridge, I insist on visiting Hot Numbers . They play jazz music, the coffee is awesome and their breakfast offerings are second-to-none. 

What’s not to love?!

If the weather isn’t on your side you can enjoy your coffee inside Hot Numbers, but if it’s lovely, I recommend getting your coffee to go so that you can sip as you stroll.

Since it’ll be so early this is a unique opportunity to get your first glimpses of the city before the tourist madness descends. Make the most of the peace and quiet whilst it lasts!

Stop 2 – Christ’s College

The first real stop on your Cambridge day trip is just a12-minute walk from Hot Numbers. This is Christ’s College , the perfect introduction to visiting Cambridge colleges – and what’s even better is that it’s free to visit!

The gardens are open from 9am , so even if you arrive super early in Cambridge you’ll be able to spend some time at Christ’s College. It’s hardly the most beautiful college in Cambridge, but it’s certainly not bad to look at!

You won’t find any information here to guide you around, so I recommend just having a stroll before heading over to the meeting point for the next stop on this itinerary, where you’ll learn much more about Cambridge’s colleges.

Stop 3 – Walking Tour of Trinity and Pembroke with a Graduate

You can’t visit Cambridge without going on a walking tour ! Trinity and Pembroke colleges are two of the most visited colleges at Cambridge University . That’s because they’re both super impressive, and downright gorgeous! Trinity college has the most Nobel Prize winners of any Cambridge college – 34!

Visiting these colleges independently comes with its challenges. You have to pay to enter both colleges, and once you’re inside there isn’t any information around teaching you about what you’re looking at or the history of the college. 

Some colleges give you a little map with some brief information, but you really are going into the college blind if you visit independently. It’s far better to have some information to bring the colleges to life!

That’s why I recommend joining this guided walking tour , which is run by a Cambridge University graduate . The tour lasts 90 minutes , includes your entry tickets to both colleges (as well as a guided walking tour of the surrounding areas) and a guide who has been there and knows everything there is to know about the colleges! 

You can ask your guide anything , from the history of the colleges, to what life is like as a student, and they will be happy to share their knowledge with you.

The tour costs £20 , and there are three departures per day: 11am, 1pm and 3pm . I recommend booking onto the 11am tour so that it can act as your introduction to Cambridge, and you’ll be equipped with all the information you learnt on the tour to help you explore Cambridge throughout the day.

Click here to book!

Stop 4 – The Corpus Clock

Okay, so the Corpus Clock will only take you a few seconds to visit, but it’s just so freaking bizarre that I couldn’t resist including it on this Cambridge day out itinerary. It’s been in its position outside the Taylor Library of Corpus Christi college since 2008 and is basically a huge grasshopper sat on top of a golden ticking clock. 

Weird, right??

The grasshopper’s mouth repeatedly opens and closes in a super grotesque way, which supposedly symbolises our time being eaten away, which is, uh… slightly unnerving.

The clock is also only accurate once every five minutes, which is supposed to be a reminder that time is relative to us all. 

As I said, it’s super weird, but definitely worth checking out during your day trip to Cambridge – even if only to witness its bizarreness.

Stop 5 – Visit Corpus Christi College

Founded in 1352 , Corpus Christi is one of the oldest colleges in Cambridge, and, unsurprisingly, it’s totally beautiful. It has one of the smallest student populations of all the Cambridge colleges, so the students here are very tight-knit.

The entrance to the college, like many of the Cambridge colleges, is very unassuming, so keep your eyes out for it! 

Corpus Christi is open for the public to visit in summer, although you’ll have to pay £5 to do so. If you don’t want to pay, though, you’re able to walk up to the entrance where you’ll be able to look and take photos of New Court for free.

I paid the £5 to enter, but I personally don’t think it was worth it. New Court is probably the most beautiful spot in the college and you can see it for free .

Since you’ll have already visited Trinity and Pembroke colleges in depth on the tour earlier in the day, I recommend just taking the free visit option for Corpus Christi college and saving yourself some money.

Stop 6 – Lunch at Aromi

An Italian deli may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you picture lunch in Cambridge, but this place is a Cambridge institution , and it always has queues outside!

Luckily, if you’re happy to take away, the queue moves pretty quickly – and there’s no reason to sit inside a restaurant when you could eat at the park or in front of one of the beautiful colleges!

They serve up pizza by the slice and mouth-watering sandwiches, so I recommend grabbing some lunch on the go to maximise the time you have to spend exploring. Expect to pay around £6-7 for lunch here.

If you have extra time to spare, pick one of the many places to get afternoon tea in Cambridge and enjoy this English tradition.

Stop 7 – Heffers Bookshop

This huge, independent bookshop is the perfect refuge from the crowded Cambridge streets. Plus, since you’re in Cambridge it’s pretty much a requirement to indulge your inner academic and stock up on reading material during your day trip. 

As a bookworm, I could have spent hours perusing the never-ending shelves at Heffers!

This bookshop has been trading in Cambridge since 1876 , so it has definitely stood the test of time. They have a huge range of titles and genres, multiple floors, and one of the most comprehensive selections of travel guides I have seen in a long time. 

Across the street and to your right, you’ll find the Sir Isaac Newton Apple Tree . This is supposedly the tree that Newton was sitting under when an apple dropped on his head and he discovered gravity. This has been pretty thoroughly debunked by now, but it’s still a Cambridge tourist attraction.

Stop 8 – Punting along the River Cam

A trip to Cambridge wouldn’t be complete without going punting, and this uniquely Oxbridge (Oxford and Cambridge) experience is the best way to take in the beauty of the city. Keep your eyes peeled for the famous mathematical bridge!

Plus, going punting is super relaxing – all you have to do is sit back and watch as you pass by some of the most iconic landmarks of the city. 

There are a ton of punting providers who will try to convince you to join their punting tour whilst you’re sightseeing in Cambridge, but if you book face-to-face like this, it’ll cost you a small fortune. The best way to go punting in Cambridge on a budget is to book online in advance.

For example, the average on-the-day punting price is £30 per person. However, if you book online in advance here , £30 will get you a punting tour for up to three people. Those are some crazy savings!

Punting tours usually last for around 45 minutes , and your punting guide will be a local who can share the history of punting in Oxbridge, point out the sites you pass, and answer any questions you have about life in Cambridge.

Although punting is infinitely better on sunny days, the punting boats contain cushions and blankets to keep you warm if it’s slightly chilly when you visit, so it’s not *completely* weather dependent. 

Click here for the best deal on punting tours .

Stop 9 – Climb the Tower of Great St. Mary’s

Great St Mary’s is the church of Cambridge University as a whole, and, like most other things in Cambridge, it’s ancient. The foundations of the church itself date back from 1010 , although the original church burnt down in the 13th century and was rebuilt in the 14th century .

Although the church building itself is impressive, it’s the church tower we’re visiting for. After climbing up the tower’s countless stairs you’ll find the very best views over Cambridge. You’ll be stunned by just how many spires the city has!

If you’ve packed your camera, now is the time to get it out, since this is the best opportunity you’ll get to snap photos of Cambridge without people constantly walking in front of your lense.

Entry to the tower costs £6 .

Stop 10 – The Round Church

This 900-year old church was built by the mysterious Knights Templar in 1130 , and its striking exterior is what makes it an essential stop on this one day in Cambridge itinerary.

I have only ever visited the Round Church from the outside, but inside you’ll find the “ Cambridge Story Exhibition ”, which details the story of the city from Roman times to the present day. It gets great reviews, so I definitely need to make it inside the round church on my next visit! 

Even if you choose not to go inside, though, chances are you won’t have seen a building quite like this in England before, so it’s worth stopping by to snap some photos.

Entry costs £3.50 .

Stop 11 – The Fitzwilliam Museum

The Fitzwilliam Museum is easily the best museum in Cambridge! It houses over half a million historical objects and art pieces, so you could even spend half a day here without getting bored. 

If you’re visiting Cambridge when it’s raining, the Fitzwilliam is my top recommendation for the perfect place to shelter from the weather whilst learning at the same time.

Entry to the Fitzwilliam Museum is totally free , making it easily one of the best free things to do in Cambridge!

Stop 12 – Drink at The Eagle Pub

The Eagle is the second-oldest pub in Cambridge (the oldest is the Pickerell Inn), and first opened way back in 1667 . Its astonishing age may be a good reason to visit, but there are plenty more! Let’s skip straight over its charming interior and talk about The Eagle’s history.

Francis Crick walked into this pub at lunchtime on 28 February 1953 to announce that he and his co-worker, James Watson, had “discovered the secret of life” after they had come up with their proposal for the double-helix structure of DNA .

This discovery had staggering consequences in the world of molecular biology and genetics, and the pub prides itself on being the venue for such an important announcement.

As well as the main pub, The Eagle also has an annexed “ RAF Bar ”. It’s called this because, during a refurbishment in the 1990s, graffiti was uncovered on the ceiling.

Further scrutiny revealed the graffiti to be the names, squadron numbers and doodles of allied airmen who were stationed nearby during WW2 and drank here regularly. The graffiti is now preserved for you to see on your visit to the pub!

Although it’s not super cheap, The Eagle has a wide variety of beers on offer and it’s certainly cheaper than London! The average pint will set you back around £5 .

Stop 13 – Evensong at King’s College

The essential way to round off your day trip to Cambridge is by attending Evensong at the King’s College Chapel . 

Evensong is a tradition that’s been held at King’s College for over 470 years , and it’s still going strong! Whilst attending the ceremony you’ll get to hear the songs of the choir and the haunting music of the Chapel’s famed organ. 

The ceremony only takes place during term time, when it’ll begin at 5:30pm Monday-Saturday and 3:30pm on Sunday . It’s totally free to attend and you won’t need a ticket. Just turn up half an hour before it begins and join the queue of visitors filing into the Chapel.

Getting around Cambridge

You may notice a red Hop-On-Hop-Off tour bus circulating Cambridge, but in my opinion buying a ticket for this bus is a complete waste of money. If you’re spending a day in Cambridge, most of the sights are all in the city centre, which is walkable and totally flat.

For this reason, you won’t need to worry about public transportation during your time in Cambridge at all. Provided you have no mobility issues, it’s very quick and easy to walk from attraction to attraction.

Half the charm of Cambridge is coming across unbelievably pretty buildings and streets completely by accident as you’re on the way to somewhere else, and you wouldn’t get that on the bus!

Best Time to Visit Cambridge on a Day Trip

There isn’t really a best time to visit Cambridge – it’s great in autumn, winter, and summer. 

Yes – even in the January cold and rain Cambridge retains its charm. Plus, what’s better than cosying up in a Cambridge café in winter with a good book and pretending that you’re a student?

My favourite time to visit Cambridge is in autumn when all the students have returned to university because there’s such a buzz in the air. Cambridge’s dark academia vibes lend themselves perfectly to the gloomy autumn weather. If you’re in London for Halloween Cambridge is the perfect day trip.

If you’re wanting to take a punting tour or see as many attractions as you possibly can during your Cambridge day trip, summer is undoubtedly the best time to visit. Much like summer in London , summer in Cambridge is lovely but can get HOT!

Not only is summer the best time to go punting (since you won’t freeze on the boat) but the longer daylight hours give you much longer to explore and check more attractions off your Cambridge bucket list. Plus, opening hours are often longer in summer!

Although there’s not a best time to visit Cambridge, there is certainly a worst time to visit, which is spring. 

Between April and June the university students sit their final exams, which means most colleges close to visitors. It would be a real shame to visit Cambridge and not get the chance to wander around a few colleges, so I definitely recommend avoiding this time of year for your day trip.

Is Cambridge Worth Visiting?

Cambridge is definitely worth visiting, even if you only have one day to spare. It’s one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the U.K., full of history and fun things to do!

How Many Days Should I Spend in Cambridge?

One day in Cambridge is the perfect amount of time to spend in the city. Although there are plenty of fun things to see and do here, you can easily cover the highlights in a single day. The city’s attractions are in a compact area making it easy to see them all quickly.

Is Cambridge a Day Trip from London?

Yes – Cambridge is one of the easiest and most popular day trips from London. You can reach Cambridge from London in just 54 minutes on a direct train.

Is Oxford or Cambridge Better for a Day Trip?

Both cities are well worth visiting on day trips. I personally prefer Oxford, because the university’s colleges are less spread out and located right in the city centre, but everybody is different. You’ll have a good time no matter which city you choose!

Is Cambridge University in UK or USA?

Cambridge University is in the city of Cambridge, in the UK. The reason you may be confused is because there is a town called Cambridge in Massachusetts, USA, that’s home to another famous university – Harvard.

What is Cambridge famous for?

Cambridge in the UK is famous for Cambridge University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. Cambridge university was founded in the year 1209.

Is Cambridge UK a Safe City?

Yes, Cambridge UK is a safe city, especially in the city centre where you’ll find the university and all the Cambridge tourist attractions. Like many cities, there are a few areas outside of the city centre that are slightly less safe, but as a tourist you won’t need to worry about these.

Is Cambridge in US or UK?

There are towns called Cambridge in both the US and the UK. Cambridge US is near Boston, in Massachusetts, and Cambridge UK is around an hour away from London.

Is Cambridge Walkable?

Yes, Cambridge is very walkable. Unless you have mobility issues, there is no need to use taxis or public transport on your day trip to Cambridge.

What are Some Cities Similar to Cambridge?

If you loved Cambridge, then there are plenty of other UK towns and cities that give off similar vibes that you can visit! These include Oxford, Canterbury , Bath, Windsor & Eton , York, and Stratford-upon-Avon .

Want more UK travel tips and inspiration? Head over to my UK travel page!

Ella Moore is the founder of Many More Maps. Growing up just 45 minutes away from Liverpool, Ella has spent years exploring the city inside out. In her teenage years, she was introduced to the music of The Beatles, and the rest, they say, is history! Today, she stands as a leading authority on Beatles tourism in Liverpool, helping over 40,000 people a month to plan their dream trip to the city.

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Thanks so much for this!! I know Cambridge well as a shopper but have never been as a ” tourist”. I’m taking my American friend here in July and figured he rather see the sights than the shops!!!

Thanks Sara! Cambridge is so much more fun with a “tourist” hat on. Enjoy!

Sounds great Ella, we are spending a day there next week so super helpful! We are visiting with two kids (7 and 11), so if we had to skip something to take it a bit easier, which bit would you lose? thank you

Thanks for the kind words Sandi!

If you’re visiting with kids I totally recommend the approach you’re taking and cutting down on this itinerary. I would probably cut out the walking tour with a graduate as it might be a bit hard to follow for your kids! I would also cut the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Round Church and probably Evensong.

If you can only focus on a few attractions, make sure you walk around a few colleges, go on a punting tour (the kids will love it) and see the Corpus Clock, which is also a fun attraction for kids. You can then add a few other things in depending on how you’re doing for time.

Have a lovely trip!

Wonderful tips and advice, we are visiting Cambridge in August for a couple days on our exploration of UK,thanks Ella.

Thanks for stopping by Mark, let me know if you have any questions!

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One Day In Cambridge Itinerary – Top Things To Do In Cambridge, England

If you know one thing about the city of Cambridge in England, that will probably be the fact that it is home to one of the most famous universities in the world. And sure enough, the University of Cambridge is quite a sight to behold, but it would be a mistake to spend your whole day on it. The city really has a lot to offer, and thanks to its university there is a very special vibe permeating its streets. Plan your visit to Cambridge with the help of this itinerary and you will discover an absolutely fascinating place with an incredibly captivating history. Enjoy!

Cambridge Itinerary Video Preview

What’s the best time to visit Cambridge, England?

When it comes to the weather, the best time to visit Cambridge is summer . The temperatures are warm, but usually not too hot, so you can enjoy your day out. Keep in mind that you will encounter typical British weather here, so rain is to be expected. Spring usually sees less rainfall, although this is, of course, accompanied by lower temperatures.

As for the events you can visit in Cambridge, Strawberry Fair is a festival dedicated to music and arts that is held on every first Saturday in June. Then there’s also the Big Weekend, with loads of musicians and games for everyone to enjoy. Cambridge Folk Festival is another big event around here, and all of the festivals mentioned here have a long and proud history, too. There are many other events throughout the year too, but even if you aren’t lucky enough to visit during one, you will still have an amazing time during your one day in Cambridge.

A few facts about Cambridge

The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209 and as such is the third-oldest university in the world – only Bologna and Oxford are older! There are approximately 24,500 students there, which means that approximately 20% of the city’s population (125,000) are students!

The city itself started out as a Roman settlement Duroliponte in the first century AD.

Cambridge is also home to what is today the most popular sport on Earth: the first game of football, also known as soccer in the US, was played right here in Cambridge! Not only that, but the rules created by the Cambridge University Football Club were adopted by the English Football Association and became the first official rules of the game.

Pink Floyd members Syd Barrett, Roger Waters and David Gilmour all come from Cambridge.

Obviously, the city is named after the River Cam that flows through it, but long ago, Cambridge was known as Grantabridge, and the Granta is actually a source of the Cam.

At the moment, the University of Cambridge has 121 Nobel Prize winners. More will follow in the years to come, you can be sure of that!

Isaac Newton developed his theory of gravity as a student of Cambridge.

More than one half of people living in the city use a bicycle as a mode of transport on a regular basis. You may want to rent one to blend in or just keep an eye out for cyclists if you decide to walk.

One day in Cambridge Itinerary

Y ou are in Cambridge, one of the most famous university cities in the world! Given the city’s long history and the incredible impact its university has had on the whole world, you have a lot to see and explore during your one day here. Don’t worry; this itinerary has got you covered and you will be able to experience this amazing place in its full glory. Let’s get started!

Start with King’s College…

If there’s one place you have to visit when exploring Cambridge University, it has to be King’s College . Founded by King Henry VI in 1441, this place has a long and glorious history, but it also looks stunning too, with the sprawling lawns and wonderful architecture surrounding it.

However, coming here and not visiting King’s College Chapel would be a huge mistake because this piece of architecture will take your breath away. The ceiling, the stained windows, the altar made by Ruben… the church is exquisite in every sense of the word and an absolute must when in town.

… and move on to Queen’s College

The next stop on your one day in Cambridge is, naturally, Queen’s College . Apart from being so very well preserved and beautiful, this college has quite a lot to offer if you’re the exploring type. The wonderful gateway, the Erasmus Tower , the Cloister Court and many other places like that will make time simply fly by.

But the biggest attraction of Queen’s College is the famous Mathematical Bridge . Built in the middle of the 18th century and thanks to the laws of geometry, the bridge looks curved although it was made completely out of straight wooden planks. It is quite a feat of engineering, so much so that there is a copy of the bridge in Oxford.

Explore Fitzwilliam Museum

Just a bit south of Queens College stands Fitzwilliam Museum , a very respected institution within whose halls you have plenty to see. There are items here originating from all the most important ancient cultures such as Greece, Rome and even Egypt. But there are also works from some of the most illustrious artists inside, including the likes of Rubens, Rembrandt and others.

It’s worth mentioning that just east of the museum is Parker’s Piece , the venue of the very first official football match ever played, so if you’re a sports enthusiast, you might want to take a look. In any case, do make some time and visit the museum – it will be well worth it!

Enjoy the Botanic Garden

After all that walking, you may want to visit a more serene place where you can recharge your batteries a bit. Cambridge University Botanic Garden has been around for almost two centuries (since 1831) and has plants from literally all over the world.

You are free to roam around on your own as much as you want, and you will surely see some amazing things in the process, but it should be noted that there are free guided tours organized every Sunday. A wonderful place to visit on a sunny day.

Choose a nice place for lunch

You will probably be quite hungry by now, so it’s time to sit down and grab a bite to eat. And in a town as vibrant as this one, you have plenty of excellent choices. The Oak Bistro absolutely belongs to this category, and its charming walled garden adds so much to the whole experience. Of course, the food is excellent too, with plenty of British dishes available. Tu Casa Tapas Restaurant is a much more easy-going place where you can relax and enjoy this delicious Spanish finger food.

Little Petra might be a gem waiting to be discovered, though, and Jordanian food and drinks certainly sound like a very interesting lunch choice. But there are many other options around – steakhouses, Italian restaurants, Indian restaurants… plenty to choose from. So, do go and explore a bit; not only will you get to know the city a bit more, but you also might find an excellent eatery.

Climb St. Mary’s tower

Once you’re done with your lunch, it’s time to burn those calories! For that, head to St. Mary’s church , an absolutely beautiful piece of architecture with an imposing tower. Yes, you can climb that tower, a feat that will reward you with an incredible view of the city.

However, what really makes the church stand out is its interior which is just jaw-droppingly beautiful, especially the galleries that were added in the 18th century. This is a real gem, no doubt about that, but don’t forget to visit Little St. Mary’s , either – it’s right next to its bigger sister and boasts some of the most beautiful stained windows you have ever seen.

Punting is extremely popular in the city, and for anyone who’s here to spend one day in Cambridge, it’s a fantastic way to see places that would otherwise probably stay hidden.

You simply hop on a punt and flow down the River Cam and just enjoy the scenery a bit. It may remind you of Venice and its gondolas a bit, but punting for pleasure started in Cambridge at the beginning of the 20th century. It’s a fantastic idea if you’re in town with your significant other, but larger groups can also easily fit on a punt and enjoy the ride. You can book the tour here .

Plan out a lovely evening

After a day like this, you deserve to relax and unwind in the evening. Restaurant recommendations have already been mentioned (but you’d do well to explore on your own!), and you have plenty of options here for a delicious dinner, but what if you fancy a drink? 196 makes excellent cocktails, for example, while The Elm Tree is considered by many to be the best pub around, although The Free Press would certainly have something to say about that.

But if you really want to end your day in Cambridge in a memorable way, head to Cambridge Junction for a show! Music, theater, comedy and much more can be found there, and you will really have a great time no matter what you choose. It’s a whole new way to get to know the town.

Where to stay in Cambridge?

Gonville Hotel

Gonville Place, Cambridge, CB1 1LY

When it comes to hotels in Cambridge, Gonville Hotel is at the very top. The interior is beautiful and luxurious, plus the rooms are fantastically equipped, with a range of free toiletries, coffee machines and plenty of other details that make your stay here nice and comfortable. A spa and a wellness center are also a part of the hotel’s offer, there’s car parking for the guests, pets are allowed, and you will be located just a few minutes’ walk away from the historic center. All in all, great location and a great stay!

BOOK A ROOM HERE

The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton

33a Milton Road, Cambridge, CB41UZ

Apart from having a very British name, The Fellows House Cambridge has a whole lot of other things that will make your stay here quite pleasant. You can relax in the pool or in the sauna, sit down for a nice drink in the bar or munch on one of several breakfast options. The rooms are all very well equipped, and some even come with a whole kitchen! The interior is absolutely lovely and gives you a warm feeling of comfort, there is a garage under the hotel, and you can get to the city center in about 15 minutes. A hotel very much worth the price!

41 Regent Street, Cambridge, CB2 1AB

The Regent is an aparthotel that provides an excellent value to every guest, and its apartments’ modern take on the classic interior is bound to leave a very positive impression. You will find a kitchenette in each of them (with a Nescafe Dolce Gusto machine!), and the building itself is a very charming Georgian building located right in the center of Cambridge. So, it’s ideal for sightseeing. Add to that the incredibly kind and helpful staff, and you get a place that is bound to help you feel welcome in this city.

Madingley Hall

Madingley, Cambridge, CB23 8AQ, 

It wouldn’t be much of a student city without a hostel, now would it? Madingley Hall is an absolutely wonderful place to stay at because it’s surrounded by acres of beautiful gardens. Not only that, but we’re talking about a house from the 16th century here! It has a terrace bar, free parking, coffee and tea-making machines and plenty of other stuff to offer. And while you’re not in the city center here, the heart of Cambridge can be reached in 15 minutes by car.

Day trips from Cambridge

While the city of Cambridge is quite beautiful in and of itself, it also provides several amazing opportunities to organize wonderful day trips. There’s something for everyone here, from old cities rich with cultural heritage and marvelous architecture to stunning nature where you can enjoy a day far away from the buzz of everyday life.

Norwich was an important city in the Middle Ages, and you will be able to see why when you visit it. A huge number of historical places have been incredibly well preserved, including Norwich Castle and Elm Hill, one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful street in the UK. A stroll through Norwich will take you back in time, and coming here is an amazing day trip from Cambridge to take.

Thetford Forest

If you’re looking for a destination where you can spend an active day out, Thetford Forest is just perfect. It’s a huge man-made forest that’s been declared a national forest by the government. You can hike, ride a bike or even go horseback riding, and the charming town of Thetford is also nearby whenever you need a break.

Woburn Safari Park

Approximately one hour from Cambridge is an amazing safari park. I bet you didn’t expect to find elephants, rhinos, lions and other animals like that in this part of the world! There’s a Road Safari and a Foot Safari you can take, and they both offer amazing opportunities to see some truly fascinating animals. Definitely a day trip you won’t soon forget!

This is the most obvious choice on the list, but if you’ve never visited it, spending one day in London is nothing short of magical. You can take a ride on the London Eye, walk along the Thames, see Big Ben, check out Westminster Abbey, visit numerous museums and so much more. And all that less than an hour and a half from Cambridge!

Extra tips for visiting Cambridge

• As always when visiting England, be mindful of the weather and pack accordingly
• Many surrounding villages are connected to Cambridge via cycling paths, so you can enjoy a scenic bike ride and explore charming places at the same time.
• Thinking of coming to Cambridge by train? That could be a great choice because the railway station is very close to the city center and is well connected by buses to other parts of the city.
• If you’ve read the whole article up to this point, you know that a car isn’t a necessity around here. Still, if you have one with you, you’ll be happy to know that parking is extremely cheap – you can park for 1 GBP per hour!
• Since Cambridge is a university city, you might want to consider coming here when the students are on a break. There are few people in the city, and you can even get a student room as accommodation if you’re looking for something simple.

Make sure you have everything you need

What to pack for your next trip.

Make your next trip as simple and as enjoyable as possible by packing smart. It’s amazing how much stress top travel items can save you, so choose carefully. Things like lightweight travel backpacks, for example, are ideal for short trips and allow you to move around with ease, and a passport holder will make sure you keep your documents safe at all times. Check our travel checklist guide for 2021 to make sure you haven’t missed anything, and travel to your next destination in style and with maximum comfort.

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• Destinations

Best Cambridge Day Trip Itinerary: By a Local (2024)

• 9 July 2024

A Cambridge day trip is a great way to spend 24 hours. But deciding where to go and what to see can be difficult with only one day. 

I’ve lived in Cambridge for over thirty years and experienced all it has to offer, allowing me to curate a packed itinerary for you. In this guide I’ve included not just the historic sights but also my own local secrets, so that you can have a perfect day in Cambridge

The city is a beautiful, historic, destination , full of green spaces, cobbled streets and bucolic riverside scenes. It makes the perfect day out from London and beyond.

This one day itinerary for Cambridge includes the main sights, plus my insider tips for the best local places to eat and drink, the most interesting Cambridge colleges to visit, charming streets, and activities that you can’t miss whilst in Cambridge . 

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Is cambridge worth a day trip, what’s cambridge famous for , cambridge day trip itinerary, start the day punting, mid-morning café break, late-morning museum visit, afternoon itinerary, pre-dinner drinks, evening entertainment, map for your one day cambridge itinerary, best time for visiting cambridge, how to get to cambridge, how to get around cambridge, where to stay in cambridge.

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It’s definitely worth a day trip to visit Cambridge, UK.  The city radiates charm with gorgeous architecture, cute little independent shops and quirky museums.  Whilst there’s enough to do in Cambridge to keep you busy for a week, its compact size means you can easily experience plenty of one of the UK’s most beautiful cities with just a one day itinerary. 

I’ve curated a list of the best Instagram spots in Cambridge to help all my fellow content creators get to the most picturesque places quickly.

Cambridge is responsible for a whole bunch of incredible stuff, with over 120 Nobel Prize winners hailing from the university. 

Theories such as gravity and evolution sprang from great Cambridge minds.  The Venn diagram, jet engine and the first webcam – yes, you guessed it, all the originators were at Cambridge.  

It’s not just a hotbed of clever inventor types who made their mark in Cambridge though, oodles of writers, comedians and actors also cut their teeth in these hallowed streets.  Then there’s Stephen Hawking who created the world-famous ‘A Brief History of Time’ whilst residing in Cambridge. 

For a petite place, Cambridge sure packs a punch on the world stage and you’ll be spoilt for choice for what to do in Cambridge .

Planning a trip to Cambridge? Check out these key services

🚉 How to get to Cambridge without a car?

Let the train do the work with thetrainline.com .

📌 What’s a great site to find tours and experiences?

Check out the best tours and activities in and around Cambridge with Viator .

🚗 How to hire a car?

Explore Cambridge at your own pace with a rental car from Discover Cars .

🛌 How to find hotels?

Find a great deal for your accommodation in Cambridge with Booking.com .

🚖 How to get around?

You can use Uber in Cambridge to travel in and around the city.

The first item on your Cambridge itinerary has got to be punting on the River Ca m . This iconic Cambridge activity has been entertaining visitors and townsfolk for over a century. 

There’s only one important decision to make when going punting in Cambridge ; will you book a chauffeured punt or be brave and attempt to punt yourself?   

Self-hire is cheaper and although it looks complicated, the flat-bottomed boats are surprisingly hard to capsize and simple (ish) to steer.  If I can do it, then it can’t be that hard.

However, if that seems like too much of a recipe for getting wet then opt for a guided punting tour instead.  Both private and shared tours are available and you’ll need to book in advance for either of these options to get the best price.

Check out my guide to tipping in the UK for information on how much to tip at the end of your punt tour. It includes a helpful calculator to make the process even easier.

Punting l ocation: Quayside, off Bridge Street, the Mill Pond or Trinity College for self-hire.

For more details on the cheapest punting price and specialist tours check out my article on punting in Cambridge .

My Local Secret:

Whilst punting is one of Cambridge’s most well-known activities, if you want to do something a bit different on your trip but still enjoy a glide down the River Cam, you can rent a canoe, kayak or even a Stand-Up Paddle Board from Scudamore’s .

I’ve kayaked towards Grantchester village and it’s a lot quieter than the busy central punting route.

After all that activity (or just the excitement of being a passenger), a pit stop at one of Cambridge’s cafés is next up on the itinerary for the day.  There are loads of great places to choose to get your coffee fix from. 

Fitzbillies is a Cambridge classic , order one of their Chelsea buns for a real Cambridge treat.  If hot chocolate is more your cup of tea then head to new kid on the block, Knoops, on Green Street.  This is my idea of chocolate heaven, with all the different percentages and origins of hot chocolate a person could ever need.  I love it.

For a less well known but real Cambridge institution, head to the Copper Kettle .  A visit to this wonderful café is a rite of passage if you live or study in Cambridge and it’s got the photo wall of the great and the good to prove it.  It’s also one of the best seats in the house for views of King’s College.

Having re-fuelled for the day, it’s time to get your intellectual on.  Cambridge is a seat of learning after all.  Unsurprisingly, when considering what to see in Cambridge, there’s a wealth of museums and galleries to choose from. 

The most famous of all is the Fitzwilliam Museum , complete with two imposing lion statues next to the entrance.  My favourite parts of the collection include the armoury and, as a counterpoint to all that weaponry, the exquisite and delicate fan room.

Entrance to the museum is free.  It’s closed on Mondays and doesn’t open until 12 on Sundays.

The Fitzwilliam is a wonderful museum but my personal best place to visit in Cambridge, and my favourite of all the museums in Cambridge , is the  Polar Museum .  It’s much smaller in size than ‘the Fitz’ but the fascinating exhibits leave an incredible impact. 

Items include original food rations and clothing from polar adventures, along with the heart-wrenching letters home written by Scott and his fellow explorers as they froze only a short distance away from vital supplies.

The Polar Museum is one of the best free activities in Cambridge . It’s open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 4pm. 

Stopping for lunch in Cambridge means you get to choose from one of many independent restaurants to eat at.  The Olive Grove on Regent Street is one of my personal favourites. 

This Greek restaurant serves quality dishes in a relaxed atmosphere.  Try their signature moussaka or kleftiko for a taste of the Mediterranean.

For a whole street brimming with international restaurants, take a short walk over to Mill Road.   Here you’ll find Jordanian, Spanish, Indian and North African cuisine, to name but a few.

Explore a Cambridge College

One of the most common questions visitors on a trip to Cambridge ask is ‘where’s Cambridge University?’ The short answer is: all around you. 

Many of the historic buildings in the city centre are owned by the university and, as Cambridge is a collegiate university, there are also 31 colleges that, although independent, also form part of the university experience for the students who live and study in them.  You won’t have time to visit all 31 colleges on a day trip to Cambridge so I’ve narrowed down the list for you.

King’s College

The quintessential Cambridge College.  If you only visit one college, make it King’s College .  Don’t miss the fan vault roofing in the King’s College Chapel .

St John’s College

For a view of Cambridge’s very own Bridge of Sighs (and one of the biggest of all the colleges), visit St John’s College.

Trinity College

Former home to Sir Isaac Newton and current location of the Wren Library, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1676.  At Trinity College you can see Newton’s tree, which was grafted from the original legendary apple tree.

Queens’ College

Take a look at the mythical Mathematical Bridge at Queen’s College .  As the (apocryphal) tale goes, the bridge was built without anything to hold it together, taken apart as a bet, and, of course, was impossible to reconstruct afterwards.  You can decide for yourself whether or not this tall tale could be true.

Peterhouse is one of the smaller colleges but no less beautiful.  It’s also the oldest Cambridge College.  A visit provides the opportunity to stroll down the adjacent Little St Mary’s Lane, with its dinky doorways and picturesque houses and lamps.

Christ’s College

Do as Charles Darwin did and stroll the hallowed ground of Christ’s College .  The famous alumnus studied here and the Darwin garden hosts a statue in his honour.  Whilst here, visit the peaceful Fellows’ garden and the Old Library.

For another fantastic UK city break destination, check out my guide to the top 27 Things to Do in Eastbourne .

Grab a Delicious Gelato

At some point during your day in Cambridge , you’re going to find yourself craving something sweet and the city has got you covered with Jack’s Gelato and Aromi . 

These two independent outlets both sell delicious dollops of the cold stuff and they’re conveniently located around the corner from each other, on Bene’t Street and Peas Hill. 

If I absolutely had to choose a favourite I’d go for Aromi, the bitter-sweet taste of the lemon gelato transports me back to the sun-dappled streets of Sicily every time. 

My insider tip is that both gelaterias have second shops which often have shorter queues (Jack’s Gelato is particularly Insta-famous with the snaking line of ice cream-hungry fans to match). 

To beat the crowds, head to Fitzroy Street for Aromi or All Saints Passage to visit Jack’s Gelato (afternoons only).

If you do go to Bene’t Street, take a one-minute de-tour to view the Corpus clock at the end of the Street.  It’s a highly creative interpretation of a timepiece.  To go and visit Corpus Christi College itself, you’ll need to walk a short distance further along Trumpington Street until you reach the main entrance, on your left. 

Visit an Architecturally Interesting Religious Site

Cambridge has a surprising number of churches for a relatively small area.  One of the biggest draws is the self-explanatory, does what it says on the tin, Round Church .  You can go inside but a walk around to view the outside is enough.

To get a glimpse of an incredible church interior make sure ‘ The Painted Church ’ (All Saints Church, Jesus Lane) is on your itinerary.  The artistry of the Arts and Crafts-movement decor is a sight to behold and is one of Cambridge’s best-kept secrets.  Opening hours are irregular and for specific events only so check before you set off.

If ‘The Painted Church’ isn’t open, visit the Cambridge Central Mosque on Mill Road instead.  The timber building is based on eco-friendly principles and was shortlisted for the prestigious RIBA Sterling Prize for architecture in 2021.

Go Shopping and Wander Picturesque Cambridge Streets

If you’ve followed this itinerary there should still be time to check out some of the shops before you head off for an evening meal. 

As a book lover, I have to give a special mention to two bookshops you must visit even if you’ve only got one day in Cambridge; Heffers (Trinity Street), a huge cavern for book lovers, and, at the opposite end of the scale, the minuscule but marvellous Haunted Bookshop (St Edwards Passage). 

Other streets to head to for independent shopping are:

• Bridge Street
• Trinity Street, All Saints Art and Craft Market
• Green Street
• Rose Crescent

Alternatively, for picturesque photo opportunities wander along:

• Trinity Lane
• Senate House Passage
• Portugal Place
• Orchard Street

Cambridge Travel Resources

Ready for more Cambridge inspiration and information?  Read and favourite my posts below, so you have them to hand when you’re in Cambridge.

37 Things to Do in Cambridge for Free

Punting in Cambridge: Prices and Local Guide

Museums in Cambridge: 5 of the Best

After an action-packed day visiting some of the best sights in Cambridge , take a moment to relax and enjoy an early evening drink.  The expansive views out across the city make the Varsity Hotel rooftop bar one of the best venues for a sundowner.  Alternatively, for a buzzy atmosphere, head to Cambridge Wine Merchants on Bridge Street.

Finish off your day in Cambridge with a trip to an independent restaurant.  The family-run La Margherita on Bridge Street serves delicious Italian meals and puddings that deserve to be savoured. 

For luxurious surroundings, head to the Orator Brasserie And Bar.  The building is actually part of the Cambridge Union Society, so you can soak up some history whilst you dine.

Not ready to end your day yet? Then extend your day in Cambridge with a show at the Arts Theatre or the more intimate Town and Gown.  Time it right and you might even be able to catch the famous Cambridge Footlights at the ADC Theatre.

If there’s nothing that takes your fancy at the theatres, in the summertime, when the evenings are long, finish the day off with a walk along ‘The Backs’ for picture postcard views of the Cambridge Colleges.  At other times of the year, end the day at one of Cambridge’s traditional pubs like The Pickerel Inn or The Eagle.

I’ve created a map showing the places covered in this one-day Cambridge itinerary . Click the arrow icon to the left of the map heading to view the names of each place and to toggle on/off the different map layers.

Summer and spring are gorgeous times of the year to spend a day in Cambridge.  Crocuses line the ground in spring and the river shimmers and shines throughout hazy summer days.

However, due to being one of the driest cities in the UK, Cambridge also makes a great winter day trip destination . 

Note that the colleges are closed to visitors during exam periods. 

A Cambridge day out is a great choice, particularly if you’re visiting from London.

When travelling by train to Cambridge from London there are two options; the quick and the cheap.  Direct trains from Kings Cross will have you in Cambridge in 50 minutes , with no stops.  The Liverpool Street option is cheaper but stops on route.

If you’re looking for help with the best things to do in London, check out my London 2-day itinerary .

Train to Cambridge Duration

• London Kings Cross direct to Cambridge: 50 minutes
• London Liverpool Street to Cambridge: 75 minutes+

Cost of Train from London to Cambridge

• Super off-peak day return , eligible for the direct Kings Cross train – from £21.70
• Super off-peak day return , eligible for Greater Anglia trains (not the direct Kings Cross train) – from £17

It takes 20 minutes to walk from Cambridge train station to the heart of the city or you can take one of the frequent buses (journey time is 10 minutes, £1 per ticket, bus #1, #3, #7 or Park and Ride 4). 

Voi e-scooters and e-bikes are also available for hire outside the station.  Use my Voi link to get £5 credit when you sign up.

It’s also possible to get to Cambridge from London by coach but the journey time is usually significantly longer than the train.

If you’re pushed for time and want a hassle-free way to see Cambridge’s highlights, book tickets for the hop-on-hop-off bus tour . The bus stops at the train station along with other key sites, including the Polar Museum, Botanic Garden, Fitzwilliam Museum and central Colleges.

This option also enables you to visit the American Cemetery at Madingley, a moving memorial to those who died in World War Two.

As a compact city, you can walk around all the sights mentioned in this itinerary for what to see in Cambridge in a day.  However, if you want to really blend in with the crowd, you could do as much of the rest of Cambridge does and rent a bike for the day. 

Cycling is a big activity in Cambridge, you’ll see bikes everywhere.  Although many of the quaint old streets might seem like they’re pedestrianised, they’re also bike routes so stick to the pavements rather than wandering down the middle of the road – the residents of Cambridge will love you for it.

There’s so much to see in Cambridge, why not make a weekend of it and check out some of the 37 free things to do in Cambridge whilst you’re here.

I recommend you reserve your hotel in advance, as places book up fast.  I regularly use Booking.com as they offer great prices.

Gonville Hotel  – I love spending a relaxed evening at the fabulous bar here. The hotel is home to a garden terrace and gorgeous boutique rooms, book a feature bedroom for an extra special stay.

This hotel is all about luxury and sumptuous surroundings. You can even be taken for a complimentary spin around Cambridge in a silver Bentley car . This level of luxury does come at a price though. A more budget friendly option is the Ibis.

Ibis Cambridge Central Station – if the Gonville is not in budget, the Ibis offers a great alternative. It’s situated right next to Cambridge train station , so perfect if you want to turn your day trip into an overnight stay. Ibis is a highly rated chain and won’t break the bank.

Christ’s College Cambrid ge  – if you don’t want to go for a chain hotel and want a stay with a difference , book a night at Darwin’s College. The rooms themselves are basic but the central location and unique Cambridge College surroundings more than make up for it.

University Arms  – has a beautiful hotel bar and offers gorgeous aromatherapy experiences . Voted the  smartest place to stay in Cambridge  by Vogue magazine. Located right on Parkers Piece, this landmark hotel knows how to do luxury. It’s also perfect if you want to be right in the city centre.

Varsity Hotel and Spa  – situated close to the river and with amazing views out across Cambridge from the rooftop terrace, the Varsity is a great choice if you want to be in the centre of it all.

Check out my guide to places to stay as part of a spa weekend in Cambridge .

If you’re looking for other great day trips in East Anglia, check out my guide to the best things to do in Cromer , on the Norfolk coast.

More Cambridge Resources

37 Things To Do In Cambridge For Free In 2023

Cambridge At Christmas: A Guide

Cambridge Spa Day: 15 of the Best

Grantchester Village: A Day Out From Cambridge

Hotels In Cambridge With A Pool

Museums In Cambridge: 5 Of The Best

Walks In Cambridge: 5 Of The Best

I'm Katie and although I'm based in the UK I spend my spare time travelling the world. I've visited countless countries, from South America to Australia and many places in between. A meticulous travel researcher and organiser I can often be found working out the best way to get from A to B via public transport.

What an amazing city! We would love to visit for the architecture and to see and learn more about the colleges.

My husband and I visited Cambridge on a rainy day. It wasn’t ideal for doing all that we wanted to do, but it sure did give us a glimpse at the beauty of this city. I like your “local secrets.”

Every time I hear Cambridge I immediately think of the university. But there’s so much more to see as you show in this blog post. 🙂 Really wanna go there one day, thanks for sharing.

What a lovely itinerary – it made me reminisce on my time spent in Cambridge many years ago! I’ll definitely scope out Aromi next time I visit!

With this well-planned itinerary, you’ll be able to experience the best of Cambridge, savoring its history, culture, and delightful ambiance.

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1 Day Guide to Visiting Cambridge

• Published on April 20, 2015
• // Updated on May 2, 2023
• // in England , Travel Guide
• // This post may contain affiliate links, read our disclaimer.

A few days after  visiting Oxford , it was time for Cambridge to also give us some insight into its university history. Founded in 1209 and consisting of 31 constituent colleges, Cambridge University is consistently ranked among the Top 5 Universities in the World.

Apart from visiting the colleges, there are plenty of other things to see and do in Cambridge. Read on to see what we’ve been up to on day one of our visit to Cambridge.

Keep exploring: → One-day guide to visiting Oxford → Dipping into history: a day trip to Hastings and Battle → London Hidden Gems: Discover the city’s lesser-known spots → A different kind of holiday : How I joined an archaeological dig as a volunteer

How To Get To Cambridge

Day trip to Cambridge from London

The main station in London, which caters for Cambridge, is King’s Cross. King’s Cross St Pancras is one of my favourite stations in the world, mainly because it’s the home of Eurostar, which can take me to Belgium to see my family in just two hours, but also because it’s such a beautiful piece of architecture.

The station has two areas: St Pancras International and King’s Cross.  St Pancras International  holds the departure halls for the Eurostar, as well as East Midlands Trains, Southeastern and ThamesLink. Inside, there are many shops and restaurants for you to enjoy while you wait for your train to arrive.

King’s Cross  has seen a complete overhaul, and also offers trains to North England and Scotland. While it used to be a cramped, ugly and confusing train station, it’s now airy and spacious, and a fusion of old and new architectural beauty too.

London to Cambridge by train

The London to Cambridge train is serviced by Great Northern from King’s Cross and take around 47 min to 1h on the direct train. Return tickets cost £19.50 (Super off-peak ticket on the weekend) or £28.60 (off-peak ticket during the week). Trains also leave from Liverpool Street and are served by Greater Anglia. The trip from Liverpool Street takes around 1h13 min. to 1h26 min. Return tickets cost £15 (Super off-peak ticket on the weekend) or £22.20 (off-peak ticket during the week).

Check here for trains

Unlike the train ride to Oxford, the journey to Cambridge was quiet. We were able to secure a 4-seater coach with a table without any problems, and most of the seats in the carriage were empty. It made for a  more relaxing journey  wherein we could enjoy our (not-so-healthy) breakfast of croissants and hot chocolate purchased earlier in King’s Cross.

Looking to stay in Cambridge? Book your stay in Cambridge now

The train itself did feel a bit old and did not appear to be very well maintained. There are no power sockets anywhere, but, since the journey is only 45 min, you don’t really need it.

London to Cambridge by bus

National Express has routes to Cambridge, but the price is not necessarily cheaper than the train (if you leave it late, you’ll end up paying more than the train) and it takes over 2 hours to get to Cambridge. I did find a one way for £1.55 so if you’re lucky, you can buy a cheap ticket.

However, I do not recommend the bus, as the train is much faster and depending on the time you want to travel, the bus prices go up quite a lot.

Click here for more info

What To See In Cambridge

We bought a  hop-on-hop-off ticket  to get a quick overview of the city. The tour lasted 90 minutes (if you stayed on the bus). If you are not too bothered about exploring the American WOII cemetery, which is situated outside of Cambridge, I wouldn’t recommend the hop-on, hop-off for Cambridge. The city is quite small, and  you can easily walk to each site .

Cambridge is small, but there is still plenty to see. The city has a very medieval feel, with its old buildings and small cosy streets.

Our favourite Cambridge activities

In one day, you’ll be able to see

University Colleges

Cambridge has some stunning colleges, and most are open to the public. You’ll have to pay a small fee to visit them, but most of them are worth the fee. My favourites were: King’s College, St. John’s College and Queens’ College. You can also opt for a guided walking tour around the colleges with a graduate .

Punting on the river Cam

Punting is a must in Cambridge. Buy a ticket for a guided tour, and see the beautiful colleges, whilst enjoying a relaxing boat trip on the river Cam. If you like, you can hire your own punt, but after seeing how many people appeared to be struggling with this, I was happy that I had opted for a guided tour instead. We loved our punting trip with Scudamore, which you can book here .

There are also many museums in Cambridge, such as the Fitzwilliam Museum and the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. I would have loved to visit those two museums, but the weather was too nice to stay indoors for that long.

Cambridge University Botanic Gardens

Not too far from the centre, you can find forty acres of beautiful gardens where you’ll find plants from all over the world on display. It is the perfect place to visit when the sun is out.

If You Have A Few Days In Cambridge

Apart from visiting the colleges and enjoying a punting trip, there are a few other things you can enjoy outside of Cambridge:

There are many  nature reserves  around Cambridge. You can join events and guided walks throughout the year and discover the variety of animals that call the reserves home. There are twelve designated areas around Cambridge serving as nature reserves to protect the animals’ natural habitat(s).

If you like cycling, try the  Bikebus Explorer  service. This is a bus service that pulls a bike trailer. The bus leaves from the train station four times a day, and will take you to Wimpole Hall, as well as historic villages and woodlands too.

If you like to visit  stately homes , there are two near Cambridge that are a must: Wimpole Estate and Anglesey Abbey. There, you can explore the inside of both estates, as well as the gardens, which surround the homes.

Our 1 Day Cambridge Itinerary

9:15 am – leaving london.

We left on the 9:15 am train, and arrived in cambridge around 10:05am. We ate our breakfast on a very quiet train.

10:10 am – Arrival and Hop on-Hop off

I couldn’t see any tourist centre in or around the train station. Luckily, I had bought my hop on-hop off tickets online, as a combined ticket with a punting tour included, so we could go straight to the sightseeing bus. After 5 minutes, the bus departed. We were the only ones on the bus,

10:30 am – Enjoying the sightseeing bus

We decided to stay on the bus for the first part of the tour. It was a very sunny and somewhat warm day and enjoyed sitting on top.

10:55 am – First stop: Punting

We jumped off the bus at the punting office. We booked ourselves on a tour. Luckily we didn’t have to wait too long, so we just strolled around, taking photos and enjoying the sun.

11:30 am – Punting on the river Cam

The start of the punting trip. I loved it! It lasted around 45 minutes and we saw the back of 4 of the main colleges while our guide was giving us all the important information as well as funny and secret stories about the colleges and the rivalry.

12:14 pm – Visiting our first college

After our punting trip, we immediately decided to visit a few colleges. The first one on our route was Queen’s college. I really liked this college with its medieval buildings. Queen’s College is also famous for its mathematical bridge, a bridge only built with straight pieces of wood.

12:50 pm – A quick coffee break

Before continuing, we decided to have a quick break at Benets, opposite King’s College. After a tasty hot chocolate and some cake, we were ready to visit the next college.

13:15 pm – Visiting King’s College

Our second college of the day. King’s College has a beautiful chapel and costs £8 to see the chapel and grounds. This is one of the more expensive colleges to visit. You are able to stroll all the way to the river Cam and watch the punts.

14:00 pm – Meandering through Cambridge

After King’s College, we strolled around the centre of Cambridge, through the outdoor market where you can find items such as books, CDs, jewellery as well as fruit, vegetables and food stalls perfect for a quick lunch. We made our way through small shopping streets towards Trinity College.

14:15 pm – Trinity College

The entrance fee is £2 and gives you access to the grounds, chapel and the Wren library at certain times. Our visit to Trinity College didn’t take long, as there was not much to visit. I wish I could have seen the Wren library, but because it’s only open to the public between 12pm-2pm from Monday-Friday and 10:30am-12:30pm on Saturday, we weren’t able to visit the library.

14:35 pm – St John’s College

My favourite college in Cambridge: St John’s college. The entrance fee is £7.50 The grounds are huge and you’ll be able to see the Bridge of Sighs up close.

15:10 pm – A quick visit to Holy Sepulchre, the Round Church

The unusually shaped church is situated not too far from St John’s college. The entrance fee is £1.50. There’s not too much to see inside, but we did watch a 20-minute movie about the history of the church and Cambridge.

16:30 pm – Lunch

After walking through Cambridge for a bit, we found Browns where we finally had some lunch (we always seem to have lunch very late).

17:11 pm – Back on the sightseeing bus

After lunch, we walked back to the punting bus stop where we got off at the start of the day. We decided to finish the bus route and make our way to the station this way.

18:15 pm – Returning to London

On our way back to London, on a relatively quiet train.

THE COST OF 1 DAY IN CAMBRIDGE PER PERSON

Train ticket from London : £16.50 Hop on-Hop Off ticket + Punting: £26 Colleges visited: £20.50 Food: Around £15 Coffee break: £8

THINGS TO DO IN CAMBRIDGE

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22 responses.

What a great guide! Extremely useful for travelers that do not plan spending more than one day in Cambridge. This city has such an impressive architecture!

Thank you Jeremy! You’re right, Cambridge has plenty of lovely medieval buildings, it definitely deserves its own photo essay 🙂

Cambridge looks absolutely gorgeous! Great guide. I really liked how you set up your itinerary and showed how much a day here would cost! 🙂

I’m glad you like my guide and the cost breakdown Shelly. I’ll probably keep this layout for future city guides. You can probably enjoy Cambridge on a smaller budget, but since I’m not a budget travel blogger, I’m just showing how much I spent without going over the top 🙂

Love the day guide, itinerary format and the cost break down. Really good for planning day trips.

Thank you for such an informative guide! I am taking my son on a trip to London, and Cambridge is on my bucket list. By far, yours finally allows me to plan a trip there within my budget. Thank you soooo much!

Oh, cool, we’ve just started searching for one-day tips in English towns! Thanks 🙂

Thank you so much for this post, it is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. We are visiting England this summer and I’m planning day trips now. Excellent information Cheers

OMG! Beautifully constructed itinerary for those who are eager for a day trip to Cambridge. Thanks a bunch for this in depth guide. Keep it up! Love from Bangladesh..

Sounds like a great time! We actually wrote a post about the best town to visit, Oxford vs Cambridge. Both are beautiful, but it’s hard not to have a favourite. 😉

Hi, i found your itinerary useful, thanks for sharing! BTW, can you still remember which hop on and off bus + punting tour you took? Appreciate if you can share the website link as well.

Just to say that this post has been very helpful to me.. thanks! 🙂

This is one of the most helpful guides to day trips that I’ve read online. The cost and time breakdown are brilliant. I’m planning my day trip to Cambridge in a few months and I can’t wait! I just wanted to ask you if you had to visit just one college, which would you choose and why? Thankyou!

Visited Cambridge last week and used your itinerary – thanks so much and the day worked really well Thanks particularly for the tip to visit St Johns (wasn’t on m original list). Being a bit of a coffee snob it was nice to get the recommendation for Bennets.

I’m glad you had a great day in Cambridge and that our itinerary helped plan your trip!

Hi! Thank you for the thorough breakdown of the Cambridge day trip!

I’m currently planning the day trip, would you mind sharing which website did you purchase the Hop On Off & Punting tickets?

I’ve googled punting tickets but apparently there are many different tours & companies, so I’m scared I choose the wrong one.

I owuld really appreicate it if you still remember the web or company you booked the hop on off & punting tickets from 🙂

Cheers! Rouline

Hi Rouline! We booked a punting+bus tour combo ticket through Scudamore’s. You can also just book the punting trip. Have a look here: https://www.scudamores.com/college-backs-punt-tour

I’m planning on going to Cambrige and I want to buy a sweat-shirt of the university like to one for Oxford, do you know if one of the college have a shop where I can buy the official shirt ?

Amazing post, thank you so much for the information provided. I will visit London in January. Warm regards from Argentina

Glad you had a great trip to fabulous Cambridge! Another great punting tour operator is Cambridge Punt Company.

They even do a Halloween themed tour in October – so if you’re in town then I highly recommend it.

Thanks for the recommendation Lorien!

I’ve spent a few weeks in Cambridge over the past couple years. It’s beautiful. One of the stands at City Center sells incredible waffles. Fitzbillies (a diner) is very quaint, as well. A must-stop is Fudge Kitchen (across the street from King’s College). They offer taste tests, and they do not disappoint.

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The Perfect Day Trip to Cambridge

By: Author Laura

Posted on Published: 22nd October 2019  - Last updated: 16th July 2023

Categories Cambridge , Travel , UK

Cambridge has been on my bucket list for a long time so when the opportunity arose to spend the weekend in Cambridge, I was really excited.

It’s a university town, home to the University of Cambridge, a world-famous institution. Cambridge University was founded in 1209 when a group of disgruntled Scholars broke off from Oxford University to form their own institution.

These two traditional universities have a lot in common so as a former Oxford student, the town felt somehow very familiar and very new all at the same time. They’ve both got beautiful colleges, narrow passageways, cute coffee shops and more.

Cambridge is a very small town, which makes it the perfect place to visit as a day trip from London. Keep reading for the perfect Cambridge day trip itinerary!

Disclosure This post is sponsored by National Express, who kindly provided return coach tickets to Cambridge. I paid for all the activities mentioned in this post and, as always, all opinions are my own.

How to Get to Cambridge

A day trip to Cambridge from London couldn’t be easier. Cambridge is between an hour and a half and two hours from London. The cheapest way to travel is by coach , which depart regularly from Victoria Coach Station in London.

London to Cambridge Coach

National Express coaches travel to Cambridge every day at regular intervals so you’ve got plenty of travel options. The earliest coach is at around 6am with the latest return from Cambridge departing at around 11pm so you can choose to spend as long or as short a time in Cambridge as you like.

To make the most of your Cambridge day trip, I’d recommend taking the 8:30am coach , which arrives in Cambridge at 10:35am. You’ll want to book your tickets to Cambridge Parkside (City Centre).

The London to Cambridge coach via National Express is usually the cheapest method of getting to Cambridge. If you’re booking in advance. Tickets can be as low as £5 per journey!

The coach is comfortable with leather seats, air conditioning and plug sockets in front of every seat. What more could you want? There’s even some entertainment onboard via VUER, which offers films, television programmes and magazines for free via their wifi.

Brunch at the Old Bicycle Shop

There are plenty of wonderful coffee shops and brunch locations in Cambridge but in the end, I chose the Old Bicycle Shop. It’s a quaint restaurant with a rustic and homely feel. Think wood structures, exposed brick, fairy lights and more.

The decor is lovely and, if you can, I’d try to get a table in the courtyard area, which is outside the main restaurant. It’s covered over and there are heaters and blankets but it’s just that little bit extra cosy in here.

I stopped by for brunch as soon as I got off the coach – I was ravenous! At weekends you can choose from the brunch, which has all the classics you’d expect – with a twist.

Sure, you’d expect to see pancakes on a brunch menu. But how about sweet potato pancakes with dried apricot, coconut yoghurt, oat crumble and banana powder?

You’d also expect a full English to be on the cards, but their version is a smoked bratwurst & red onion hash with roast tomatoes, field mushrooms and a fried egg. I opted for this and it was delicious . It was honestly one of the best brunch dishes I’ve ever had and it was super filling, which is important ahead of a full day of exploring!

With large sharing tables as well as intimate booths, this is the perfect place for a large group of friends or a date. It’s also vegan and veggie-friendly so it caters for all.

Address : 104 Regent Street, Cambridge, CB2 1DP Opening Hours : 9.30am – 11.00pm Monday to Sunday Website : www.oldbicycleshop.com

Visit Kings College Chapel

Kings College is the most famous of all the Cambridge colleges and the silhouette of its chapel is the very symbol of the town. If you’ve got just one day in Cambridge then make sure King’s College is on the list.

You’ll need to purchase tickets from King’s College visitor centre across the road from the college’s entrance. There’s usually a queue but it moves quite quickly.

Tickets are quite pricey at £9 for adults and £6 for children and students so it’s definitely worth factoring in college entrance fees into your budget. Whilst some are free, the bigger ones are much more expensive so you may need to pick and choose which of the grand colleges you want to visit.

You’ll enter King’s College into a magnificent quad with different styles of architecture. On the right there’s the exterior of King’s College chapel, straight ahead there’s the Gibb’s building dating back to the 18th century. As you walk around towards the chapel’s entrance you can look back and admire the beautiful gate too.

The chapel was built over hundreds of years and features the world’s largest fan vault ceiling. You’ll find yourself craning your neck to take it all in as you walk through the heavy wooden doors. Enormous, tall and beautiful stained glass windows line the chapel and in the centre, there’s a giant organ.

In smaller side rooms there’s some information on the history of the chapel including how and when it was built. The chapel was finished off by the infamous Henry VIII and started by his forefathers. There’s plenty to read!

Visitors are also allowed to wander in the grounds down to the river. As you walk along the river you can watch punters float on by, which should whet your appetite for your afternoon punting trip!

Address: King’s College, King’s Parade, Cambridge, CB2 1ST Opening Hours: 9:30am – 3:30pm Price: £6-9

Admire the Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs in Cambridge was copied from the bridge of the same name in Oxford, which in turn was a copy of the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. It crosses the River Cam and connects two buildings of St John’s College so you’ll have to pay to enter the college in order to see it.

It was built in 1831 and is one of the most beautiful features of Cambridge. You’ll no doubt see plenty of punts drifting by underneath it as you stare and take your photos.

The bridge is around halfway through the visitor’s path at St John’s and there are plenty of other spectacular buildings to see too. There are cloisters, ivy-covered walls, the oldest building in Cambridge and more.

What’s more, the porters (the men in uniform and hats at the doors) are incredibly friendly, a rarity for very large and touristy colleges. Want to read more about what I mean? Check out this post I wrote about being mistaken for a Chinese tourist at Oxford University .

NB . If you think that don’t have time for all the items on this list or you don’t want to pay to enter another Cambridge college, then skip straight to the next item on the itinerary: punting down the River Cam. This tour will include this beautiful bridge but, of course, you’ll be viewing it from down below!

Address: St John’s College, St John’s Street, Cambridge, CB2 1TP

Punt Down the River Cam

The River Cam is one of Cambridge’s best features and you simply must book a punting tour of the city when you visit.

But what is punting?

Punts are long, wooden pleasure boats with flat bottoms, which are propelled forward by pushing against the river bed with a pole. Generally, the punter stands on the back of the punt and uses this enormous pole to both steer the boat and push it forward.

Punting is an incredibly fun summer activity, but I’d recommend booking a tour with one of Cambridge’s punting services on your first visit so you can just sit back and enjoy the view.

Each tour lasts for 45 minutes is a great way to get a feel for the city if you’re on a day trip to Cambridge. You’ll go past seven different colleges and other important Cambridge sights including the back of Kings Collge, the Bridge of Sighs and the Mathematical Bridge.

Punting in Cambridge is very popular and it is thought that the River Cam has the most punts operating on it compared to all other UK rivers. There are certainly more punts on the River Cam than any other vessel. So what I’m saying is… If you’re going to try punting anywhere, it’s got to be in Cambridge!

Whilst punting is the most fun in the summer, I’d recommend punting in Cambridge all year round. The boats come with cushions, blankets and umbrellas so even when the weather is acting up, you can enjoy your tour.

NB. If you book online, you can get tickets for around 50% of what they would be on the day so I would recommend booking in advance. There are a number of different punting companies in Cambridge to choose from, one being:

Book: https://www.letsgopunting.co.uk/cambridge-punting-tours/shared-tour-tickets/ Price: ~£14 (concessions available) Address: La Mimosa Landing Stage, CB5 8AG

Indulge in a Chelsea Bun from Fitzbillies

By this point in the afternoon, you may be feeling a little peckish. Head to Fitzbillies for a pick-me-up and sweet treat in the form of their infamous Chelsea buns.

The original shop on Trumpington Street opened way back in 1920 and proved to be so popular that people would queue outside in order to get their hands on these Chelsea buns.

A Chelsea Bun is a current bun made in a soft of square swirl. It’s incredibly sweet and syrupy but it’s also soft and doughy. You’ll have to try one for yourself to find out just how great they are!

NB. A second Fitzbillies opened on Bridge Street in 2016 if you fancy popping into that one instead. However, the Trumpington Street location has a beautiful Art Nouveau facade, in the style of the original bakery that stood here a century ago.

Address: 51-52 Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1RG

Explore the Fitzwilliam Museum

The Fitzwilliam Museum is a beautiful building both inside and out and a must-visit on a day trip to Cambridge.

I was surprised by how extensive the collection is here and the breadth of material it covers. Whether you’re interested in ancient Egypt, Rembrandt’s paintings, fine China or shiny armour, there really is something for everyone.

I spent a number of hours here and I still didn’t manage to see everything so you may need to pick and choose which collections to focus on.

Personally, I’d recommend starting on the bottom floor with ancient Rome and ancient Egypt. Then you can head upstairs, via the gorgeous marble stairway, to the art collections.

And the best part? It’s completely free!

Address: Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1RB Website: www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

Dinner at The Pint Shop

The Pint Shop makes it onto this list for one main reason – this grade II listed building was once home to EM Forster, and for a literary traveller, that’s too cool an opportunity to pass up.

The Pint Shop has an extensive range of beers on offer, with traditional British dishes making up the menu. Think steak and chips, pie, kebabs. It’s comfort food and the perfect accompaniment for beer.

It’s fairly meat-heavy but they’ve also got some veggie and vegan-friendly dishes too with beyond meat burgers and plenty of vegetable small plates.

I’d recommend booking in advance if you’re going at the weekend as it can get very busy.

Address: 10 Peas Hill, Cambridge, CB2 3PN Website: pintshop.co.uk/locations/cambridge/

Grab a Pint at The Eagle

There are many English pubs to visit in Cambridge, but one firm favourite seems to be The Eagle. It’s definitely the Cambridge pub with the coolest back story in any case!

This is the pub where Francis Crick ran in to announce that he and James Watson had discovered the structure of DNA. There’s a blue plaque on the wall outside to commemorate the occasion and two inside too where Watson and Crick used to lunch.

Aside from that, it’s also one of the oldest pubs in Cambridge and dates back to the 14th century. You’ll also find the wall and ceiling at the back of the pub covered in graffiti from WWII RAF men. You’d be hard-pressed to find a pub in Cambridge with more history.

Address: 8 Bene’t St, Cambridge, CB2 3QN Website: greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/cambridgeshire/eagle/

It’s probably quite late in the evening by this point so it’s time to hop back on the National Express coach and make your way back to London! I’d recommend taking the 9:30pm coach so you can enjoy a leisurely dinner and visit a pub or two.

Want to extend your day trip to a weekend in Cambridge? Stay at the University Arms ! A beautiful literary hotel in the heart of Cambridge. Full review of The University Arms here.

Pin now, read again later!

If you liked this post, check out these: The University Arms Hotel Cambridge A Guide to Cambridge Bookshops A Day Trip to Oxford 48 Hours in York Best Free Things to Do in Oxford Most Beautiful Oxford Colleges Best Things to Do in Norwich Best Norwich Bookshops

Founder & Editor of What’s Hot?

Tuesday 22nd of October 2019

Such a great post! I spent a couple of weeks in Cambridge over the years and this post brings back lots of memories. Especially The Eagle pub! Also, Cambridge looks so beautiful in your autumn photos it makes me want to book a trip back.

Sunday 1st of December 2019

Thanks so much, Dominika! You'll have to go back soon :)

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A Perfect Cambridge Day Trip Itinerary

As the world started to open up again, in the summer of 2021, my thirst for travelling has made me book several destinations to visit, close to home. And one of them was Cambridge. In this Cambridge day trip itinerary I will tell you what I have done during my trip here, as well as my personal recommendations on how to best organise your time here. 

Cambridge is iconic for several reasons, from punting down the canals to the colleges and vast historic buildings. The stunning city is the perfect place to get away, if only for the day. Cambridge makes a great day trip destination from nearby cities like London and Peterborough.

While Cambridge is small, it is mighty and still has plenty to offer anyone looking to visit; whether you are into history and architecture or simply just exploring a new city, there is something for you. I spent my one day in Cambridge exploring what it had to offer, and I quickly realised it was somewhere I would come back to. Initially I was planning to spend two days here, but due to my cat falling ill just before I left, I cut my trip short. 

Since I enjoyed my trip so much, we decided to put together this helpful one-day Cambridge itinerary to help you get around the town and have time to take in all the top sights. 

How To Get Around Cambridge

Cambridge is a great city to explore and perfect for a long weekend or even just a day trip due to the ease of getting around. Cambridge is packed full of things to see and do. While you might think this means you will have to spend all your time walking from place to place or even getting taxis between museums, you’re mistaken.

The top sights I will talk about in this itinerary are all very close together and easy to navigate. The city itself is easily walkable and may only require a car/bus if you are staying outside of the city or if you wish to visit the Botanic Gardens.

Cambridge is a very walkable city, so it is no surprise that the best way to explore the stunning city is on foot. So whether you like to cram a lot into your day or take it slow, you can take advantage of the close proximity of places within the city to do both.

Many of the attractions are streets away from each other or even located on the same street, making hitting all the attractions much easier. I also found many more beautiful places when walking between the main sights; this was one of the biggest bonuses of walking around the city.

I drove to Cambridge but left my car in the “Park and ride” car park, and took the bus into the town centre. Alternatively, you can either get a taxi from destination to destination. However, I would only advise this for long journeys as the traffic within the city can get a little hectic and so you may find you spend more of your time sitting in the taxi rather than seeing the historic sights themselves.

An alternative way of getting around Cambridge, which is popular with students and commuters, is by hiring a bicycle. There are plenty of bikes dotted around the city that you can hire for the day and explore that way. Cycling is quicker and can be a fun way of seeing the city, especially if you want to pack in plenty during your day trip.

Alternatively, you can find companies that do tours you can join if you prefer. Finding a tour company to take you around the city by bike may be more your style as you know you will get to see all the main attractions and even learn a little more about each one along the way.

Electric Scooters

Something relatively new to the UK is electric scooters. I first saw and used these in Paris and have seen them used as a mode of transport in several other cities. Cambridge has electric scooters available to hire on the streets, and you can use the app on your phone to pay and track where to find one.

Though this is an excellent way of seeing the city, I would personally stick to walking or cycling if you have never been on one before. Cambridge also has several cobbled streets, which can be dangerous or tricky to navigate on electric scooters.

Cambridge Day Trip Itinerary

Cambridge is slow to wake up, making having a long relaxing breakfast even better as you don’t need to rush. So whether this is in your hotel or you go out and find somewhere in the city, take your time and enjoy. There is a wide range of places to eat in or grab something to go from pastry shops to delectable cafes.

I found a delightful cafe opposite King’ College called Benet’s that served hot sandwiches, pastries, coffee and best of all, gelato. Other places you might enjoy are The Ivy or Fitzbillies plus many more.

King’s College & St John’s Chapel

One of the most iconic places within Cambridge is King’s College and St John’s Chapel , as they are both steeped in history and are so grand in scale and design.

St John’s Chapel dates back to 1866 and 1869; Sir George Gilbert Scott constructed it. The chapel is open to visitors and has plenty to see, whereas the college is restricted as it is a working college. However, visitors are permitted to explore some of the grounds and the stunning views of the River Cam.

Once within the grounds, explore the beauty of St John’s Chapel, and don’t forget to visit the Bridge Of Sighs, now one of the most photographed places in Cambridge. The Bridge Of Sighs is very similar to that of The Bridge Of Sighs in Venice, though it doesn’t have the same story behind the name.

Entry Cost : £10 per adult

Opening Times : Thursday – Tuesday 1.30 – 5.00 pm

Address : 11 St Johns St, Cambridge CB2 1TW

Great St Mary’s Church

One of the most underrated attractions in Cambridge is Great St Mary’s Church , as it offers up such beautiful views over the neighbouring King’s Church and St John’s Chapel as well as the rest of Cambridge. In addition, the church is stunning and quite monumental as an architectural piece both inside and out.

The church is often referred to as the University Church as it was the first church to be used to hold meetings and such when the colleges first started. The most magnificent part of the church is the tower which creates a panoramic view of the city.

The church tower is 123 steps to the top through a tiny and narrow winding staircase in which only one person at a time can fit. However, the climb to the top is definitely worth it, especially in the spring and summer months when the weather is at its best.

Entry Cost : Free to the Church itself – Climbing the 123 tower stairs is £4

Opening Times : 10am – 4pm Everyday except for Sundays

Address : The University Church, Senate House Hill, Cambridge CB2 3PQ

Check The Time At The Corpus Clock

The Corpus Clock is a long-time admired piece within Cambridge and is popular with tourists. The wonderous clock is also known as the grasshopper clock due to the grasshopper which sits on top. The clock itself does not have any hands or numbers in which to tell the time.

Instead, the clock has LED lights that symbolise the time of day. The significance of the grasshopper on top of the clock is known as a ‘Chronophage’, meaning ‘time-eater, which is what the clock does.

Address : 58 Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1RH

For lunch, head to The Ivy, where you can enjoy an elaborate three-course meal, a light bite or a cocktail at the bar. The Ivy is an iconic brand known for fine dining, ornate decor and speciality cocktails.

The Ivy brand first started in London and has since spread to other cities such as Harrogate, Leeds and Cambridge, along with many more. The restaurant and bistro serve up meals from breakfast through to lunch and dinner with a wide range of meals.

Entry Cost : Booking may be required to have a table for drinks or dining

Opening Times Monday – Sunday 9am – 10.30pm

Address : City Centre, 16 Trinity St, Cambridge CB2 1TB

The Round Church

After a luxurious lunch, head to The Round Church , located on Bridge Street. The church isn’t hard to find as it looks like a little hobbit cottage-style building on the edge of a crossroads. The Church is an Anglican church with an around structure, has been a Grade II listed building since 1950 and is currently managed by Christian Heritage.

You may also enjoy visiting the church from an architectural point of view as the church has a beautiful ceiling where you can see the bare beams and the gothic gargoyles sitting on the doorways inside. The round church is mainly set up as a museum but still has a small chapel-like area for worship.

If you have driven to Cambridge, same as I did, you should know that the Round Church is opposite the bus station to the “park and ride”. 

Entry Cost : £3.50 for adults and £1 for teens & students

Opening Times : Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 11am – 4pm

Address : Round Church Vestry, Bridge St, Cambridge CB2 1UB

Trinity College & Chapel

Once you have visited the Round Church, head to Trinity Street to see Trinity College . The college was founded by Henry VIII and is the most prominent and wealthiest college in Cambridge. The main highlight for many visiting the college is the Wren Library which contains 12th and 13th-century manuscripts.

When visiting Trinity College, take the time to explore Trinity Chapel. The chapel is a Grade II listed building and dates back to the mid-16th Century. The Church is an Anglican church and is open to visitors and worshippers year-round.

Entry Cost : Free

Opening Times : Everyday 10am – 4.30pm

Address : Trinity College, Trinity St, Cambridge CB2 1TQ

Grab A Treat At Fitzbillies

If you didn’t overdo it at lunch and are looking to indulge in an afternoon treat, head to Fitzbillies for the famous Chelsea buns. Fitzbillies serve everything from breakfast, lunch and the famous buns and cakes on offer.

There are 3 locations of Fitzbillies cafes around Cambridge, so you are likely to stumble upon one while exploring the city. The buns are baked fresh every day for 362 days of the year and have been doing this since 1920.

Entry Cost : Free unless eating or drinking at the establishment

Opening Times : Monday – Friday 8am – 6 pm & Saturday – Sunday 9am – 6pm

Address : Bridge Street, Trumpington Street and Clifton Road.

Browse The Unique Shops

Spend the rest of your evening before heading home or heading back to your hotel, browsing the shops within Cambridge. While there are many big-name shops, plenty of unique independent shops exist. My favourite was the wizarding shop selling Harry Potter goodies from perfumes, sweets and apparel.

Walking amongst the shops is also a fantastic way of seeing more of the hidden streets, passageways and lanes around the city, which hold their charm. I found so many on my visit that I thought we were in a Harry Potter film.

Head Out On A Punt

After having a full day of exploring, why not sit back and relax on a different mode of transport to see the sights. Gondolas were made famous in the early 1900s and were initially made popular on the non-tidal Thames, but then it quickly spread across the UK.

A Punt is similar to a Gondola in Venice but less decorative but just as fun, romantic and relaxing. You can find several companies offering punts around Cambridge, so you can find something to suit your budget and schedule. It is definitely a must-do on a day trip to Cambridge. 

It is also a great way to explore the hidden areas of Cambridge and the parts of the colleges not open to visitors. One of the most spectacular views is floating by King’s College and St John’s Chapel, which are stunning in size and architectural design.

It is recommended to book a tour ahead of time, especially if you visit Cambridge during summer. You can click here to see the options .

End The Night With A Beer At The Eagle Pub

One of the most famous sights is the Eagle Pub, also known as the RAF Bar. The bar is famous due to a former RAF Chief Technician who found the names of WWII soldiers written, scratched and carved into the walls and ceilings of a room in The Eagle pub.

The owner uncovered this in the early 1990s and has since been a landmark where you can enjoy a drink under the names of many WWII soldiers and airmen.

Opening Times : Every day, 11am – 11pm, except Friday, Saturday and Sunday, are open until 12am.

Address : Bene’t St, Cambridge CB2 3QN

For more similar articles, check out my recommendations below:

• A day trip to Windsor from London
• A day trip to Arundel from London
• A day trip to Canterbury from London

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Why Cambridge is the perfect day trip from London

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Cambridge is perhaps the perfect day trip from London.

A Cambridge day trip is a treasure trove of historical locations, quaint streets and beautiful buildings made famous over the centuries.

And with excellent transport links from central London, you can be punting along the River Cam past the world famous Cambridge University colleges in around an hour.

Cambridge, England

Though Cambridge was an important trading centre from Roman times,  the town rose to prominence in the middle ages when the famous university was founded.

One of the most celebrated seats of learning in the world, Cambridge University was established in 1209 when some scholars from Oxford University fled after a dispute with the townspeople.

The university, its students its many beautiful college buildings are now the heart of the city.

This is a place where scholars weave through cobbled streets on bicycles, lounge by the river and make some of the world’s most profound discoveries.

Former alumni include Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Sylvia Plath.

Tour the famous colleges and enjoy punting on the Cam River when you join this popular walking tour led by a former student

Cambridge day trip – what to see and do

Cambridge is a small city and easy to walk around. If you arrive by train it’s a half hour walk into town and the main tourist attractions down Station and Regent Streets.

You could also take the Citi 1 or Citi 3 bus from outside the station.

Tower at Great St Mary’s

Start your tour of Cambridge by climbing the 123 steps of the tower at 800 year old Great St Mary’s church opposite King’s College.

The view over King’s College Chapel is the best in Cambridge and extends over the colleges and the river Cam. The tower is open from 10am Monday to Saturday and from 12.15 on Sundays. Cost – £4 for adults – more information

King’s College Chapel Cambridge

Many people visit Cambridge just to see this extraordinary building – the King’s College Chapel . As you walk inside the huge space, you can’t help but be impressed by the largest fan vaulted ceiling in the world.

The light refracted from the medieval stained glass windows creates incredibly beautiful light inside the chapel.

The chapel is a Tudor masterpiece. Henry VIII ensured the work his father, Henry VII, commissioned at the chapel was completed.

If you look closely you will notice the Tudor roses that adorn the chapel walls and evidence of Henry’s marriage to the ill-fated Anne Boleyn – initials entwined in emblems that were not removed.

The chapel is open to the public at varying times throughout the year. Adult tickets cost £5 or you can join a guided tour for £16 (adults) – check opening times and more information

Cambridge punting tours

Of course when you’re in Cambridge you must go punting. You can try to navigate the River Cam on your own but I strongly recommend doing a punting tour .

Sit back and relax in the punt while your guide does all the hard work with the boat and tells you stories about the city and its famous residents.

A highlight of your punting experience is gliding under the city’s famous bridges including the Bridge of Sighs and Mathematical bridge.

Head to the Quayside Punting Station near Magdalene Bridge and you will find tours leaving regularly from 09:00am to dusk. In winter blankets are provided so you stay cosy on your tour.

The punting boat tour of Cambridge lasts 45 minutes.  The cost for a shared boat tour (around 8-10 people in total) is £19 per person but you can get a decent discount if you book your tour online – click here for prices and more information

Cambridge University colleges

The Cambridge boat tours take you past many of the city’s famous colleges. The 31 colleges at the University of Cambridge were founded over its 800 year history and each have unique histories, architecture and stories.

It is possible to visit and tour many of the colleges year round although restrictions often apply in May when students are sitting their final exams.

Here are some of my favourite Cambridge colleges:

St John’s College

One of the oldest and largest colleges in Cambridge, St John’s was founded by Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII, in 1509. Her crest appears over the main entrance to the college.

Claiming William Wordsworth (and my grandfather!) among its alumni, the college flanks both sides of the River Cam.

The buildings are linked by the impossibly beautiful Bridge of Sighs, named after the bridge of the same name in Venice.

St John’s College Chapel was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott who it is thought took inspiration from Sainte Chappelle in Paris.

You can visit and take tours of the college throughout the year – more information

Trinity College

Trinity College also has residences on both sides of the Cam and is famous for its Great Court (pictured above), Wren Library and illustrious alumni.

No fewer than 32 Nobel Prize winners attended Trinity as undergraduates. The poet Lord Byron and Jawaharlal Nehru  Prime Minister of India were also students at Trinity.

The Wren Library is one of the country’s great library collections and is home to two of Shakespeare’s first folios.

The grounds at Trinity and Wren Library are open to the public with some restrictions throughout year – more information

King’s College

Apart from its Gothic chapel, King’s College is also worth visiting to wander the beautiful grounds. These are the same stones and grass where the first Prime Minister of Great Britain Robert Walpole walked.

Literary greats E. M. Forster and Salman Rushdie, and brilliant mathematician Alan Turing were students at King’s.

Queens’ College

The Mathematical Bridge at the end of most punting tours is part of the Queens’ College buildings. Wrongly attributed as the work of Isaac Newton, the bridge was built after his death but remains one of the iconic landmarks of the city.

Queens’ College is one of the oldest colleges of the university and claims the Dutch Renaissance scholar Erasmus among its alumni.

You can visit the college – do check their website for visitor information .

Cambridge guided tours

Cambridge is a city with so much history and stories lurking behind every wall. It is a place that really should be explored with expert knowledge so you can fully appreciate its beauty and impact on history.

This walking  tour of Cambridge offers visitors highly qualified and experienced guides (often former students at one of the colleges) who can take you behind the scenes of the 800 year old university and the city.

A traditional pub lunch

Stop for lunch in one of the many Cambridge pubs. There are several that lie on the riverbank including local favourite The Anchor.

On our last visit to Cambridge we ate at The Punter as it was recommended by our punting guide and close to the end of our tour. The seasonal menu of British pub classics and a few surprises were enjoyed by all so I double down on that recommendation.

The Punter – 3 Pound Hill, Cambridge, CB3 0AE

Stroll along “the Backs”

After your lunch there is lots more to see. Your tour of Cambridge would not be complete without a stroll along the River Cam in the area known as “the Backs”.

This beautiful spot is where the city’s most picturesque colleges back on to the river stretches from Magdalene Bridge to Silver Street bridge.

On sunny days it is great for people and duck watching. And you can stroll along the path in any weather.

The Round Church

One of only four remaining medieval round churches left in England, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre (known as The Round Church) is an important landmark in Cambridge not associated with the university.

It is worth stopping by just to admire the symmetry of the building made of the same chalky limestone used throughout the city.

Fitzwilliam Museum

The museum building is fabulous and worth a visit in its own right.

Address: Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1RB | Open Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00 Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays: 12:00 – 17:00 | More information

How to get to Cambridge

The London to Cambridge train journey is about hour and even quicker if you take the express train. Trains depart from Kings Cross or Liverpool Street stations with around 4 departures per hour.

Note – most trains leave from Kings Cross. If you book in advance an open return ticket will cost you less than £20 > find train tickets to Cambridge

Driving from London is easy too via the M11 motorway. I recommend parking in the very central Park Street car park on the corner of Round Church Street.

If you prefer, this guided tour of Cambridge with commentary leaves from London Bridge via coach – check prices and information

Exploring the area beyond Cambridge

If you have added Cambridge to your UK road trip itinerary, there is so much to do in the surrounding area I recommend stopping for a few days.

We enjoyed visiting the Imperial War Museum at nearby Duxford – more for its collections of planes including a Concorde which you can walk inside, than for the tanks.

History buffs will enjoy a trip to Sutton Hoo where you can visit one of England’s most important archaeological sites.

For a picture perfect English market town you can’t beat Bury St Edmunds an hour east of Cambridge. You will also find one of the best preserved half timbered towns in England close by at Lavenham.

The perfect day trip from London

I think Cambridge is a perfect day trip from London. After a short train ride you are transported to another place where, over the course of 800 years, some of the world’s greatest minds have experimented and created the most amazing things.

Combined with riverside strolling and a leisurely lunch in a proper English pub, a cultural adventure in Cambridge is bound to be a highlight of any trip in England.

To be honest, I think you could linger much longer than a day in Cambridge and still have stories to uncover.

Have you visited this beautiful English city? And do you have a favourite college in Cambridge?

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The creator, writer and photographer behind Untold Morsels , Katy has been travelling and tasting the world since she was a teenager.

Now the proud mum of twins, she hopes they grow up to share her passions of great food, wine and travel. Favourite destination: Italy

The Ultimate Day Trip to Cambridge

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Do you fancy a day trip to Cambridge? From exploring the old colleges to punting on the River Cam, these are the best things to do in Cambridge for the day.

Nothing can quite beat a cheeky little day trip to Cambridge.

Coming from Colchester in Essex, I used to go on day trips to Cambridge all the time, and it is a city I know and love.

From exploring the old colleges to punting on the River Cam, there’s something so romantic about Cambridge that I absolutely adore. And unlike London and Manchester, it is a city you can easily get around making it perfect for exploring on foot.

So, if you’re looking for some of the best things to do in the city, this is the ultimate day trip to Cambridge.

Looking for another weekend break in the UK? Then check out my guides to Bristol , Cambridge , Durham , Norwich , Windsor and York .

The history of Cambridge

One of the things I love about Cambridge is you get such a sense of history and prestige while walking around the place. I can’t imagine what it would’ve been like going to uni here, let alone going to uni here 800 years ago!

Yes, if you didn’t know, Cambridge is the second oldest university in the UK (after Oxford) dating back to 1209. Visiting all the different colleges is one of the reasons why this is such a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

For me, it’s all about the architecture in the city. As a landscape photographer it’s rare for me to take photos solely of the architecture and buildings alone. However, on this trip to Cambridge that was my focus, to capture the essence of the city through its brickwork.

So, if you’ve only got a day in Cambridge (and a camera in your hand!) this is what you should get up to while you’re there!

Also, if you’re short on time, then I’d really recommend going on a walking tour with a university graduate – it’s such a unique way of seeing the city!

Explore all the different Cambridge colleges

Home to 25,000 students, you’d expect Cambridge to be like most other university cities in the country (i.e – where tourists don’t walk into the place where you’re studying!)

However, as this is Cambridge, everywhere is open to the students and almost everywhere is open to tourists. Seriously, if you want to walk into the grounds of a college, you can (within reason, of course!)

With 31 different colleges to choose from you’re almost spoilt for choice on a day trip to Cambridge, but the three most famous are King’s College , St John’s College and Trinity College . You can visit all three of these colleges, but each one has a small admission fee. With sites such as King’s College Chapel and Trinity College Square you’ll soon understand why (let’s just say swank…)

Cambridge University has produced 90 different Nobel prize winners, among them being Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawkin and Sir Isaac Newton, and it blows me away that you can go and visit the places where they once worked and studied. To me, this is the beauty of Cambridge.

Go punting on the River Cam

You can’t come to Cambridge and not go punting on the River Cam . It is one of those things that’s synonymous with the city, you just have to do it on your day trip to Cambridge.

With the River Cam dissecting the heart of the city, punting gives you a great opportunity to see behind the main façade of the colleges and into their back gardens so to speak. I find it humanises the colleges – from the front they seem so austere and imposing, yet when you look at them from behind you can see that they’re just places where people study and have fun.

Also, with punting, you get to see Cambridge’s famous bridges such as The Bridge of Sighs (Queen Victoria’s favourite spot in the city) and the Mathematical Bridge (a bridge that appears to have an arch but is built from entirely straight lines). Unless you’re a student, the only way you can see these bridges is from the water punting, so it’s well worth it!

You can check out some of the best Cambridge punting tours here.

Discover some cute cafes and food stalls in Cambridge

Don’t worry, it’s not all about history and architecture at Cambridge.

Probably due to the fact that the city’s sprawling with 20-something students looking to get on the WiFi there are some cracking cafes dotted around the place. I’ve been to a few but I’d recommend Fitzbillies for their cakes and pastries (the mushroom and goats cheese tart I had is to die for). Whenever I’m on a day trip to Cambridge, this is the spot I always keep going back to.

Also, one thing I noticed this time around was there were a number of amazing food stalls in the city centre. I had to say no to the sausage man, the ramen girl nearly got me, but my resolve eventually wilted and broke at the falafel stall of the Taste of Cambridge . Worth. Every. Penny.

If that’s not your thing though, I can’t recommend going to The Eagle pub enough. Not only do they serve some mean ales here, this is also the place where Watson and Crick announced that they had “discovered the secret of life” to a load of boozed up patrons.

Today the pub serves a special ale to commemorate the discovery, dubbed “Eagle’s DNA” (and it’s goooooood!)

Climb to the top of St Mary’s Tower for the best view around

One of the things that I really wanted to do while I was in Cambridge was climb up St Mary’s Tower .

This doesn’t sound like much, but if you want the best views in the city then this is the place to go.

It only cost £3.90 to climb up to the top (you get a good leg workout included in the price), and the views of King’s College Chapel and the surrounding buildings are astounding. The photos speak for themselves!

Tours in Cambridge

Where to stay in cambridge.

If you’re looking at staying in Cambridge for the night then here are a few hotels I’d recommend for you!

Budget – Helen Hotel – this is a lovely little hotel just a short 20-minute walk into the centre of Cambridge. Prices are around £70 per night and includes a traditional breakfast in the morning.

Mid-range – Hotel du Vin & Bistro Cambridge – in a grade 2 heritage-listed building, Hotel du Vin Cambridge is a gorgeous property right in the heart of the centre. Prices are around £140 per night and there’s a delicious bistro restaurant on site too.

Luxury – The Varsity Hotel & Spa – this is one of the most luxurious hotels in Cambridge with the best 5* service. The views from the rooftop bar are incredible and the spa is amazing too. Prices are around £225 per night to stay here though!

Travelling to Cambridge

To get to Cambridge I travelled from Ipswich with National Express & Omio . I’m not going to lie, it was nice being able to edit some photos on the way home!

Every time I go on a day trip Cambridge I’m always taken aback by just how opulent and prestigious the place is. Walking around here it’s almost like you can feel the history, as if it’s embedded in every stone you walk on.

And for me, it was great doing something different and taking some photos of the amazing architecture in the city. As far as days out go, visiting Cambridge is always one of my favourites.

Alternatively, if you’re travelling from London to Cambridge , you can find out all about this route by clicking on the link!

Have you ever been on a day trip to Cambridge before? If so, what are some of your favourite things to do in the city? Let me know in the comment box below!

Like this blog post? Then make sure you Pin it!

About the Author

Macca Sherifi is the founder of the multiple award-winning blogs An Adventurous World and the Great British Bucket List. Every month he inspires over 200,000 avid readers to travel the world.

2 thoughts on “The Ultimate Day Trip to Cambridge”

Thank you for a very good tips before my trip to Cambridge. I have a great day there. Only one thing: “Cambridge University has produced 90 different Nobel prize winners, among them being Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawkin and Sir Isaac Newton, and it blows me away” It blows me away too. Didn’t know that Newton and Darwin got Nobel prizes. Every day you learn something new. Especially in Cambridge 😉

Exactly! That’s what I love about travelling to new places – learning about something new. Cambridge is definitely one of the best places around for that!

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1 June 2023

The Perfect Day Trip to Cambridge from London (Itinerary + Tips)

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Cambridge, a charming university town just an hour from London, is the perfect destination for a day trip. If you have time, take a day trip to Cambridge from London or any other place you’re visiting.

Cambridge has something for everyone, from beautiful buildings to world-class museums and galleries to quiet green spaces.

In this post, I’ve compiled an itinerary to help you make the most of your day in Cambridge. From visiting historical colleges to punting on the River Cam, I’ve got you covered with tips and recommendations to ensure that your day trip is unforgettable.

So sit back and read on to discover how to plan the perfect day trip to Cambridge from London!

Table of Contents

How to get from London to Cambridge

Day trip from London to Cambridge: St. Pancras station, London

Day Trip from London to Cambridge by Train

Cambridge is about 100 km (or 64 miles) north of London. It’s a great day trip from London, and you can get there by train, bus, or car.

For this trip, we decided to take a train, which is the fastest way to get from London to Cambridge. Trains leave from either London’s Kings Cross or Liverpool Street train stations and take about 45 minutes to get to Cambridge train station.

Great Northern Rail runs the majority of trains that go from London to Cambridge. You can get your train ticket from Trainline , and it is my favourite UK train service. It is a one-stop platform for train and coach travel in the UK and Europe.

It sells train tickets and railcards and provides free access to real-time train times and information about train stations through its website and a mobile app that works on both iOS and Android.

Return tickets cost either £19.50 (a super off-peak ticket on the weekend) or £28.60 (an off-peak ticket during the week). We went during a bank holiday at the end of May, and despite our last-minute planning, we got a great deal.

PRO TIP: Don’t worry about booking in advance; the prices are standard for this kind of trip in the UK. Just ensure you get a super off-peak ticket to save you some money.

Day Trip from London to Cambridge by Bus

National Express offers regular bus service between London and Cambridge. Buses run all day, starting in the morning and going until just before midnight. The trip on the bus takes about 2 hours. Taking the bus can be cheaper, especially for a day trip.

We found some very cheap tickets, but we opted for the train because it was faster and we wanted to get the best of our time in the city as we just did a day trip.

We were fortunate to travel by bus and train, though. A rail replacement bus between Royston and Cambridge was available when we travelled. This was because of the bank holiday and the rail strikes. So it was a great experience, and the trip wasn’t delayed.

Day Trip from London to Cambridge by Car

Driving from London to Cambridge is also an option for those who prefer the flexibility and convenience of having their own car. The distance between the two cities is about 97 kilometres or 60 miles.

How long it takes to get there by car depends on the traffic and the route you choose. I suggest making plans ahead because parking in Cambridge may be difficult to find and expensive.

Itinerary for a Day Trip to Cambridge

Take a stroll through the University of Cambridge Botanic Garden.

Just a 10-minute walk from Cambridge’s main train and bus station and not too far from the city centre are forty acres of beautiful gardens with plants from all over the world.

Visiting the University of Cambridge Botanic Garden is a unique way to learn about plants, get experts’ advice, and appreciate nature’s beauty. Whether you like plants or art or want a peaceful place to relax, this garden is sure to captivate your senses and leave you with lasting memories.

We didn’t stick around for too long, though, as we had a few places and things to see on our itinerary. Children don’t have to pay for tickets, but adults do at the cost of £8.

I would suggest it as the ideal location to visit and sit without worrying about breaking any rules or, worse yet, getting asked to leave for failing to observe what is allowed and prohibited. More on this later in this post.

Explore the Fitzwilliam Museum

Cambridge is a city that can be explored on foot. After roaming the Cambridge Botanical Garden, as you head towards the centre, don’t forget to explore and admire the Fitzwilliam Museum.

Amazing collections and a long history can be found at the Fitzwilliam Museum. It serves as the University of Cambridge’s art and antiquities museum.

All visitors can get into the museum for free, making it a good place for art lovers, students, and tourists alike. Unfortunately, we had already visited so many UK and European museums that we had to skip seeing this one inside.

We gazed from the outside before leaving to wander around Cambridge. For more details on how to visit the Fitzwilliam Museum, you can click here to read more about how to make free reservations to visit the museum.

Climb the Tower at Great St Mary’s

After admiring and exploring the Fitzwilliam Museum, don’t miss out on climbing the Great St. Mary’s Tower. Great Saint Mary’s Church is the official university church. It is close to the market square in the city’s centre and not far from the Fitzwilliam Museum.

With its panoramic view and exciting history, the Tower at Great St. Mary’s is a captivating place to visit. You can get a 360-degree view by ascending the tower’s 123 steps. Yes! 123 steps sound daunting, but it is worth it. We have climbed more steps than this in Paris (the Arc de Triomphe’s 284 steps). So this was easy for us this time.

From this spot, you can look out over Cambridge and its beautiful surroundings and be amazed! The tower is a great place to see the city’s beautiful architecture, including the famous Cambridge colleges, historic landmarks, and charming city views.

More info on Great St Mary’s Hours & what is included in the entry ticket

Walk around Cambridge Market Square

Another way we made the most of our day trip to Cambridge was by walking around the lovely Cambridge Market Square. Located on the east side of the Great St. Mary’s Church. So it’s best to go to the market right after climbing down from the tower; trust me, you’ll need some energy.

Cambridge Market Square is a famous old market in Cambridge. It has been an important part of the city since the Middle Ages when stalls were set up there to sell goods. It is a must-see place because of how lively it is, how many things it has to offer, and how it is connected to the area.

I would highly recommend it if you’re travelling, especially if it’s your first time in Cambridge. You can learn about the city’s past, get to know the locals, and find out about a variety of goods and crafts by exploring the market. You can also grab a quick bite to eat or go to any of the restaurants for lunch. There are a lot of them in this area.

Visit a college (or a few of them)

Cambridge is home to the famous University of Cambridge, and its beautiful colleges are a must-see. Most of them are open to the public. They charge a small fee to visit, but most are worth it.

Pick one or two from the list of great colleges to learn more about their interesting histories and beautiful buildings. Trinity College, King’s College, and St. John’s College are well-known. Another option would be going on a guided walking tour around the colleges.

Go Punting on the River Cam

People often say that punting on the River Cam in Cambridge is a must-do for first-time visitors . I agree after experiencing it. It is a unique and beautiful experience that lets you see Cambridge’s beautiful sights and colleges from the water.

I enjoyed punting, mainly since we chose to do it as our last activity on our day trip. So here’s why I would highly recommend you add this to your day trip to Cambridge:

Punting Options

Cambridge has two punting tours: the lower Cam and the upper Cam. Most punting is done on the lower part of the River Cam. Both options offer a similar experience, but the scenery and routes may vary. This is what our punting guide told us.

See the Most Scenic Views of Cambridge

When you go punting, you can see Cambridge from a different angle. Floating down the river, you can admire the colleges’ stunning architecture, picturesque bridges, and green riverbanks. It’s a peaceful way to enjoy the beauty of the city.

Duration and Cost

Punting trips in Cambridge usually last about an hour. This length lets you enjoy the experience without wasting time. As for the price, it depends on which punting company you choose and what other services they offer. We took a shared punt and paid £50 for both of us, which was reduced from £70.

I would recommend checking with the punting companies directly or on their websites for the most up-to-date pricing information. We booked through Scudamore’s , which I recommend.

PRO TIP: Don’t book in advance! Just go before the sun sets. If you visit in late spring or early June and book directly, you will be able to negotiate the price, and it will be less crowded.

Tips for Visiting Cambridge

If you’re planning a day trip to Cambridge from London or from elsewhere, there are many tips and resources to help you make the most of your visit, including opening hours, ticket prices, discounts, and more. Here are some ways that made the most of our day enjoyable, and I hope you will also find them useful:

Advice on navigating crowds and lines at popular attractions

Since Cambridge is a small city, Regent Street and the city centre are likely to be crowded. It’s not overly crowded, though, unlike, say, London. It’s mostly students and a few tourists. Which makes it a great day trip destination escape from London.

PRO TIP: When touring some of the top colleges, be on the lookout for signs of what is permitted and prohibited because some colleges have strict rules that you may not like.

What to bring on a day trip to Cambridge

Don’t bring too much with you on this special trip. Ensure you have the basics: a good camera or phone to capture the beauty of the city, a power bank, comfortable shoes for walking around, and a sense of wonder to enjoy the magic of Cambridge.

Recommendations for places to eat or drink in Cambridge

There are many places to eat and drink in Cambridge. Since we hadn’t eaten breakfast before leaving, the first thing we did when we arrived was eat one to give us the energy to start exploring. We ate at Greggs , which was right outside the train station. Usually, you’d be disappointed in London, but Greggs Cambridge was surprisingly good and cheap.

After we walked around the city centre, we took a short break to refuel. We ate a quick bite at Cambridge Market Square and then went to Smokeworks for a pint. You could also think about eating lunch at the Anchor.

Going Back to London

By 7 p.m., we had finished our last activity of the day and were on our way back to London along the same route, changing to a bus and train in Royston.

A day trip from London to Cambridge is a great way to get away from the busy city. This old town has much to see and do, thanks to its beautiful buildings, world-famous universities, and charming streets. Cambridge has something for everyone, from punting on the Cam to visiting museums.

I hope my itinerary and tips will help you make the most of your visit and make memories. So the next time you’re looking for somewhere to visit for a day trip from London, make Cambridge your top pick!

Thanks for reading! 😊 Sharing is caring; kindly share with anyone who may find this helpful!

Happy Exploring!

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What to see and do in Cambridge: 2-day itinerary

January 12, 2020 by Gretta Schifano 2 Comments

Cambridge is known around the world for its ancient university. The compact city centre is packed with beautiful and interesting historic buildings, and it’s a great place for a short break. Cambridge is in the East of England, around 50 miles north east of London. I’ve been to Cambridge to visit relatives many times over the years, but I’d never taken the time to explore the city as I would do if I were travelling abroad. So, in October, when a friend from Italy wanted to visit her student son there and see the sights, I was happy to go with her.

King’s College, Cambridge. Copyright Gretta Schifano

We drove to Cambridge from where I live in Surrey, and went straight to The Gonville Hotel , our city centre home-from-home for two nights. Here’s my suggested two-day Cambridge itinerary, based on our trip. Obviously you can mix up the order of these activities, depending on the weather and on how you feel.

Cambridge Itinerary – Day One

Morning: walking tour.

When first arriving in a city, I find it helpful to do some kind of tour, to get an idea of where everything is. We went on a self-guided walking tour of Cambridge’s historic city centre, using a Visit Cambridge map which we picked up at the hotel. The city is an atmospheric place to explore, especially if you think about the great scientists who have lived and studied there over the centuries – luminaries such as Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking. We followed the walking route on a sunny Sunday morning when the streets were quiet. It was a good way of taking in the sights of this beautiful place, in particular some of the university’s oldest colleges – although this isn’t the best time to explore if you want to actually go into any of the colleges or museums, as most places are shut on a Sunday morning.

University of Cambridge colleges

The University of Cambridge dates from 1209, when scholars fled there to escape riots in Oxford. Today the university is made up of 31 individual colleges, 16 of which were founded between 1284 and 1596. Most of the colleges are open to visitors at certain times, with restrictions to protect students’ privacy and studies. If you’d like to go into any of the colleges, it’s best to check times in advance, as each college has its own arrangements, and for some you need to buy an entry ticket.

Walking route

The walking route which we followed starts from the Visitor Information Centre in the Guildhall, and takes you past peaceful St Benet’s Church, which dates from the reign of King Canute, as well as 11 of the university’s oldest colleges.

Old Cavendish Laboratory

We strolled on past the site of the Old Cavendish Laboratory, where the electron, the neutron, and the structure of DNA were all discovered. It’s not possible to visit the laboratory, but there’s a virtual Museum at the Cavendish Laboratory online, showing apparatus which was used in some of the Laboratory’s most famous researches. We continued to Peterhouse, founded in1284, and Cambridge’s oldest college. Pembroke College, opposite is home to the first chapel designed by Sir Christopher Wren. We passed the university’s imposing art and antiquities museum, the Fitzwilliam and then a punting station on the River Cam (both of which we returned to later on). After passing St. Catharine’s and then Corpus Christi colleges, we stopped at the intriguing Corpus Clock.

Corpus Clock

The Corpus Clock has no hands or digital numbers, but has instead three rings of LEDs, which show hours, minutes and seconds. On top of the clock sits a monster, known as the ‘time-eater’, which snaps its jaws as each minute passes. It’s quite a thing to see.

Corpus Clock, Cambridge. Copyright Gretta Schifano

King’s College

Our next stop was King’s College , which was founded by King Henry VI. King’s College Chapel has the world’s largest fan vaulted ceiling and is known in particular for its choir and its Christmas Eve carol service which is broadcast by the BBC every year. You can visit the Chapel and grounds at certain times (you have to buy a ticket to do so), but we chose to admire the Chapel’s soaring gothic architecture from the outside.

Fudge Kitchen

If you’re feeling hungry at this point, I suggest that you pop in to Fudge Kitchen, across the road from King’s College. We chose a bag of delicious dark chocolate and sea salt fudge to help us on our way. You can watch the fudge being made and you can try free samples of different flavours before you buy, and there are some vegan options available too.

Trinity College

We continued on to Trinity College, which was founded by Henry VIII and is where Isaac Newton studied. The college’s beautiful Wren Library, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, is a working library but it’s open to visitors at certain times, free of charge. You can also see some of the library’s collection online via the Wren Digital Library .

Trinity College, Cambridge. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Heffers bookshop

I was delighted to come across the excellent Heffers bookshop , opposite Trinity College, as my grandmother worked in the art section there when I was a child, and I have happy memories of her taking us there. Heffers has been trading in Cambridge since 1876 and, besides books, is known for its huge range of board games.

We continued along the route to St. John’s College. When we reached Magdalene (pronounced ‘moored-lin’) Bridge, we stopped to look across to Magdalene College, where Samuel Pepys studied, and which is now home to his famous diary.

The remainder of the route took us past Sidney Sussex College, which was attended by Oliver Cromwell, Christ’s College, where Charles Darwin studied, and Emmanuel College.

Lunch: The Granta

For lunch we headed to The Granta pub, which was recommended by my friend’s son, who lives in Cambridge. The pub is at the edge of Mill Pond and it has its own pontoon for punting. It serves food all day and was so busy on the sunny Sunday lunchtime when we visited that if you hadn’t booked ahead – which we hadn’t – there was a two-hour wait for food. So we just had a drink there, but if I was visiting Cambridge again I’d book to have lunch here.

Afternoon: Fitzwilliam Museum and punting

Fitzwilliam museum.

The Fitzwilliam houses an astonishing collection of more than half a million of the university’s beautiful works of art and historical artefacts. The neoclassical building opened in 1848, and was one of the country’s first public art museums. Highlights include works by Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Monet, Rembrandt and Picasso. I especially enjoyed the Impressionist section. You could easily spend a few hours here. Check opening times before you visit – when we were there it was closed on Sunday mornings and all day on Mondays.

Cost : Admission to the museum is free.

Walberswick, Children paddling by Philip Wilson Steer, The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. Image by Gretta Schifano

We went on a College Backs Punting Tour along the River Cam with Scudamore’s , starting from the Mill Lane punting station. In case you don’t know, a punt is a long, narrow, flat-bottomed boat, which is moved through the water using a long pole. The tour was very relaxing and took us along the Backs, a peaceful stretch of gardens and pastures behind some of the colleges. The 45-minute tour was led by a knowledgable and engaging guide who punted the boat while giving a sightseeing commentary. The punts seat up to 12 people and are equipped with cushions and blankets. I was expecting to be splashed during the tour but that didn’t happen at all.

Cost : Guided punt tours with Scudamore’s start from £19 per adult, from £11 for under-16s, and are free for under-fours.

Punts, Cambridge. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Dinner: The Gonville Hotel

We had dinner at the Atrium Brasserie at our hotel, The Gonville, and it was good. You can read more about this in my separate post, Review: The Gonville Hotel, Cambridge .

Cambridge Itinerary – Day Two

Morning: polar museum.

We didn’t manage to visit the Polar Museum , but it’s definitely on my list for next time. The museum is part of the university’s Scott Polar Research Institute, founded in memory of Captain Scott and his men. The museum shares stories of survival from the Arctic and the Antarctic, with artefacts from the early days of British Antarctic exploration by explorers such as Amundsen, Shackleton and Scott. Displays also include beautiful clothing and artwork from communities living in the Arctic.

Cost : The Polar Museum is free to visit.

Afternoon: IWM Duxford museum & lunch

IWM Duxford is Britain’s best preserved WWII airfield and it’s around 10 miles from the city centre. It took us about 20 minutes to drive there from The Gonville. The nearest train station is Whittlesford Parkway Station, with direct trains from Cambridge. Built in 1917 and used as an RAF training station, the base played an important role during the Battle of Britain. We spent a few hours at IWM Duxford, but we could have easily spent a whole day there as there’s a lot to see and it’s spread over a large site. A highlight is the vast Airspace hangar which houses many famous aircraft, including a Concorde (which we went on board), a Spitfire and a Tiger Moth. We saw some historic aircraft take off from the airfield while we were at the museum. Duxford’s original 1940 Operations Room has been recreated at the site, but sadly it was closed when we visited. We had a decent lunch at one of the museum’s cafe’s, the Armoury Café and Kitchen. I chose homemade leek and potato soup, and it was very good.

Cost : If booked online in advance, from £18.90 per adult, from £8.55 for under-16’s, under-fives free.

Plane taking off, IWM Duxford, Cambridge. Copyright Gretta Schifano

We had dinner at lively Las Iguanas, a Latin American restaurant and cocktail bar by the river. The food, the cocktails and the service were all good, and this would be a great place to come on a family trip with teenagers. If you’d prefer a different kind of cuisine, the city centre has a wide range of restaurants and bars to choose from, as well as some excellent traditional pubs.

Where to stay: The Gonville Hotel

We stayed at The Gonville Hotel, a stylish boutique hotel in the city centre. This excellent four-star hotel has a luxurious country house feel, and is in a great location for exploring the city on foot – or you can use one of the hotel bikes, or take a tour in their Bentley. I’d definitely recommend The Gonville, and you can read my full review here .

Cost : We stayed at The Gonville Hotel in a Classic King/Twin with Walk-in Shower for two nights, and we paid £323 for the room plus £17 per night for parking and £15.95 per person per day for breakfast.

Classic Twin room, The Gonville Hotel, Cambridge. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Getting to Cambridge

By train, Cambridge is about an hour and 15 minutes from London or around half an hour from Stansted Airport. We drove to Cambridge from where I live in Surrey. It was an easy journey of about 80 miles around the M25 and M11, and it took a couple of hours. Once we arrived we didn’t use the car in the city at all, we just walked everywhere (apart from when we drove to Duxford).

More on Cambridge

For more information on things to see and do in and around Cambridge, check out the official Visit Cambridge tourism information website.

I really enjoyed exploring Cambridge, it’s a beautiful and fascinating city. My trip there has made me determined to visit some of the many other historic and beautiful places in England and in the rest of Britain which people from other parts of the world are drawn to, but which I usually don’t think about   exploring.

Disclosure: This was not a working press or blogger trip, and we received no discounts or free of charge services.  This post contains some affiliate links, which means that if you click through and make a booking I may receive a small commission, but it will make no difference to the price that you pay.

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About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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February 25, 2020 at 8:14 pm

February 26, 2020 at 1:25 pm

I think I need to go back there another time just to visit the Polar Museum!

[…] on from my post about a things to see and do in Cambridge (read it here – What to see and do in Cambridge: 2-day itinerary) I wanted to write a separate post about the excellent boutique hotel that we stayed at in […]

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The Perfect Cambridge Day Trip from London Itinerary

Last Updated on January 30, 2024

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

As one of the most popular destinations in the UK, doing a Cambridge day trip from London is a great option if you’re visiting or living in the British capital.

Over 400,000 tourists visit Cambridge every year and there are plenty of good reasons for it. Cambridge is one of the most well-known universities in the world, with famous alumni including Sir Isaac Newton and Steven Hawking.

The city of Cambridge is built around the university and colleges, creating a buzzing atmosphere filled with students, beautiful architecture, fascinating history and plenty of places to eat and drink!

Table of Contents

How to Get to Cambridge from London

If you’re staying in London and are planning to take this trip in advance, I highly recommend buying train tickets online to save money.

A return ticket from Kings Cross bought at the train station on the day will typically cost more compared to if you buy your ticket in advance online.

Regardless of whether the fares are cheaper or not, it is also more convenient to buy online as the lines can be quite long at Kings Cross particularly during rush hour and on the weekends. Click here to browse train schedules and book online.

The train is undoubtedly the most convenient and fastest way to get from London to Cambridge. The journey time varies depending on which train you end up on how the fastest trains take approximately 50 minutes.

If you want to save a few more pennies and aren’t concerned with the journey taking a bit longer than you can also choose to get to Cambridge by bus.

Buses to Cambridge leave from London Victoria Coach Station and take approximately 2 hours one way. The bus might, in fact, prove to be more convenient if you are staying in South London or near Victoria Station. Click here to browse bus schedules and book online.

While visiting Cambridge from London as part of a guided tour is certainly not the most budget-friendly way to see the city, it is a popular option for many travellers.

If your London budget allows it, it’s also a great way to combine visiting both Oxford and Cambridge in one day. This guided tour and this day tour includes visits to both cities with a walking tour and free time included in both Oxford & Cambridge.

Alternatively, this guided tour is perfect for travellers that only want to visit Cambridge and also includes a guided walking tour as well as free time to explore yourself. You can also book a private tour.

If you are planning a longer itinerary through England (and possibly Scotland, Wales or Ireland!) , then renting a car is a great option to see the UK!

If you are renting your car from London and heading north it might make sense to head to Cambridge on your way out of London rather than visiting as a day trip.

When renting a car in the UK or anywhere in Europe, we recommend browsing RentalCars.com to compare prices.

Cambridge Day Trip Itinerary

Walking tour of cambridge.

Cambridge University has been around since the 13th century and being on a budget shouldn’t be an excuse to not finding out more about its fascinating history during your one day in Cambridge.

There are a number of tours that you can take through Cambridge, however, one of the best ways to save money is to go on a free walking tour with Footprint Tours. 

All their tours are run by knowledgeable local guides who will not only take you around to all the main sites in Cambridge but also share fascinating history and amusing anecdotes about the city and university life. Their tours run daily at 11 AM and 2 PM and go for approximately two hours.

Our guide was a PhD student at Cambridge who brought the city to life through his stories and he clearly had a passion for showing people around the city he has called home for a couple of years. While these tours are technically free, please leave a tip at the end if you enjoy the tour as the guides don’t otherwise get paid.

If the timing of the free walking tour doesn’t work out, then another affordable option is to take this paid walking tour. It is run by Cambridge Alumni Tours and takes you on a similar route of the free walking tour. It runs several times per day and goes for approximately 90 minutes.

Cambridge Market

After touring the city and learning about its history and some interesting anecdotes about Cambridge, it’s likely that you’ve worked up quite the appetite. And there is no better place to grab a quick and unique bite to eat than at the Cambridge Market.

Located at Cambridge Market Hill in the centre of the city, this area has been home to markets and operating as a market square since the Saxon times and today is no different.

An open-air market runs daily here from 10 AM to 4 PM. On Monday through Saturday, the general market runs where you can get everything from fresh fruits and vegetable, a food truck meal and even things like clothing, jewellery or records.

On Sundays, the market focuses more prominently on local crafts and food, though you do get an assortment of that all week long.

Browsing the market is not only a great idea for everyone in your party to get exactly what they want to eat but it is also a fantastic way to support local farmers, chefs and artisans.

If the weather is fine, it can be an even better idea to pick up some various items from the vendors and make yourself a little picnic to eat along the Backs while watching the punters along the River Cam.

Fitzwilliam Museum

If you’re looking for a renowned museum to visit in this historic town, there is no better place to visit on a day trip than the famed Fitzwilliam Museum.

Run by the University of Cambridge, this museum is filled with fascinating antiquities and art ranging from ancient Egyptian artefacts to impressionist paintings.

There are lots of collections to visit in the Fitzwilliam Museum and you likely could spend an entire day in this museum if you’re not careful, so it’s recommended to prioritise what appeals to your interest most.

The Fitzwilliam is home to a collection of Eqyptian artefacts that is rivalled only by the British Museum in London. Or, if you’re more interested in paintings, the museum houses collections from artists ranging from Monet to Picasso to Rembrandt to Cézanne to Degas to Van Gogh.

Like the majority of the wonderful museums in England, entry into the Fitzwilliam is free of charge, however, you do need to book a ticket in advance for some special exhibitions. You can do that online through their website .

Visit the Colleges

There are 31 colleges in Cambridge which are the residential halls of all the students studying in Cambridge. Some of the most famous colleges, including King’s College and Trinity College, are steeped in tradition, making them popular tourist destinations and hence charging admission to visit.

One way to get around this is to just visit the grounds of places like King’s College which lets you get a close look at the colleges without paying admission.

Alternatively, for Trinity College, there is a secret entrance to see the colleges by entering through the small gate on Trinity Lane which doesn’t charge admission.

If you do decide to visit the colleges during your day trip to Cambridge, please be mindful that these are people’s homes and be respectful. Also during exam season, the colleges are closed to visitors so please respect that and don’t sneak into the colleges!

One of the most popular tourist activities is to go punting along the River Cam. The cheapest option to go punting is to share a boat with a number of tourists. You can also rent your own boat if you have the budget

If both these options sound too expensive, follow the lead of local students who sit along the banks of the River Cam and enjoy watching all of the tourists and amateurs who may not be the most adept at this activity.

The River Cam is quite narrow so on a warm sunny day when there are a number of boats in the river, there is plenty of carnage to watch as dumbfounded tourists struggle to navigate.

The highlight is undoubtedly watching some amateurs get their poles stuck in the river and then having to paddle backward to retrieve it.

If you want to go punting on the River Cam but don’t want to do the hard work yourself, then I recommend booking this affordable guided shared punting tour . It’s a 45-minute tour along the River Cam where you will learn more about the history of Cambridge.

Dinner at a Student Favourite or Cosy Pub

There is nothing students like more than cheap food and as Cambridge is predominately made up of students, there are several cheap restaurants where you can get a bite to eat.

In particular, there is some great cheap, tasty and filling Asian food. We can highly recommend Yippee Noodle Bar, for example, which is located in the centre of town and is extremely popular with students.

If you want to experience a traditional British pub during your one day in Cambridge then it’s best to head there during lunchtime if you are visiting England on a budget.

Some pubs that offer significant discounts on meals during the rush hour which while probably won’t be as cheap as a meal deal or Asian food, can be incredibly good value for the price you pay.

Cambridge offers countless pubs to choose from. The Eagle , for instance, has been open since 1667 if you’re looking for a bit of history with your pint. The Cambridge Brew House is also a great option, which serves out local craft beer if you’re after something a bit more trendy.

If you’re in Cambridge on Sunday, you can also choose to indulge in a classic British Roast. For those of you not familiar with this quintessentially British tradition, on Sundays, pubs serve a roast lunch where you choose your roast meat (many pubs will also have a vegetarian option!) and it is served with potatoes, vegetables, gravy and a Yorkshire pudding.

A trip to Cambridge from London is a fascinating day out and certainly doesn’t need to be expensive if you follow these tips!

Have you been to Cambridge? What is your favourite part of the city? Let us know in the comments below!

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About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

Thanks for the detailed post and useful information, Maggie!

Thanks! Happy you found it helpful 🙂

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A Lady in London

And Traveling the World

Lady’s Cambridge Day Trip Guide

I love a good day trip. Whether it’s a jaunt to the seaside or a visit to a famous cathedral city, there are a lot of good options . But one of my favorite day trips from London is a university city. If you love heritage architecture and pretty streets, read on for A Lady in London’s guide to a Cambridge day trip.

Cambridge Day Trip

I’ve been to Cambridge many times, and I discover more to love about it on every visit.

A friend who was born and raised in Cambridge is traveling with me today, so I know I’m going to be introduced to some new places on this trip. I can’t wait.

How to Get to Cambridge

There are a lot of ways to get here. The most popular way to travel to Cambridge from London is by train. Trains depart from King’s Cross and Liverpool Street stations regularly, and the journey time is less than an hour on faster services.

The train station in Cambridge is a bit of a walk from the city center, but there are buses if you don’t want to make the journey on foot.

You can also get from London to Cambridge by bus. Services leave from Victoria Coach Station.

The station is not only easy to get to from Victoria station, but also conveniently located on Elizabeth Street , one of the prettiest streets in London. If you arrive early you can photograph some of the pretty floral facades before you go.

The drive from London to Cambridge takes around 2 hours. While it’s a longer journey time than the train, the coach drops passengers off in the center of town on the edge of Parker’s Piece park, which is closer than the train station.

Whatever way you choose to travel, it’s easy to get out and dive right into all Cambridge has to offer.

And it has a lot to offer.

Regent Street in Cambridge

To that end, we start on Regent Street, one of the main streets in Cambridge.

There are shops and restaurants everywhere, one of which belongs to a relative of my friend’s. Cambridge Farmers’ Outlet has all kinds of produce and prepared foods for sale in a sweet historic setting.

Down the street, we snag a table by the window at the Old Bicycle Shop, a restaurant and cafe housed in a space that once claimed to be Britain’s oldest bike store.

Coffee and croissants give us energy for our Cambridge day trip, and soon we’re off to explore.

Cambridge Market

We head to Cambridge Market, a lively cluster of stalls by Great St Mary’s Church. This daily market has everything from decadent brownies to wicker baskets for sale, and we browse the wares and sample fresh falafel as we go.

We’re tempted to stop for everything from ramen to chocolate cake, but we hold back given we’re on our way to lunch next.

Lunch on a Cambridge Day Trip

From the market we head to the Eagle, one of the most famous pubs in Cambridge. Dating back centuries, it’s known for its connections to Watson and Crick of DNA fame, as well as to the Royal Air Force.

The Eagle’s warren of wood-paneled rooms makes it a quintessential British pub, which is just what my friend and I want for our lunch.

The bartenders are friendly and the place buzzing. We settle into a round table by a window and feast on vegan burgers and fries.

Things to Do in Cambridge

After lunch, we continue our Cambridge day trip with a walk around the town center . The historic college buildings and their chapels awe us with their beauty, and little lanes like Portugal Place are perfect spots for photos.

The 12th-century Round Church is as eye-catching as ever, and the views from Magdalene Bridge are classic Cambridge.

We walk around King’s College, with its stunning chapel and manicured lawns. It’s one of the most famous colleges in Cambridge, and for good reason. The architecture alone makes it worth a visit.

From King’s College we stroll down Trumpington Street, with its busy shops and cafes.

Turning off, we weave our way through side streets to Queen’s College. Eventually we make our way to Silver Street, where we watch the punts go under the Mathematical Bridge.

Pub in Cambridge

And just like that, it’s pub o’clock. We grab a table on the terrace of The Anchor, a famous pub on the River Cam. Rose lemonade goes down a treat as the boats glide by beside us.

The Backs and The Cam

Leaving The Anchor, our Cambridge day trip continues as we head to The Backs. This green space behind some of the colleges is peaceful and quiet, and it’s a great place for an afternoon walk.

From The Backs, we cross the river again and sit on the banks by Scholar’s Lawn at Trinity College. Watching the punts is fun here, as we can hear the tour guides telling their passengers Cambridge legends and lore.

Cambridge Day Trip from London

As the sun starts to sink, we know our time is coming to an end. We make our way back to London and arrive in the UK capital just before dark.

Our Cambridge day trip has been everything we hoped, and it’s also reminded me how easy it is to get out of London and explore more of the UK for a day.

Now that I’ve remembered, I hope to bring you more day trips from London soon.

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6 Comments on Lady’s Cambridge Day Trip Guide

I spent my 40th birthday in Cambridge and had lunch at the Eagle. The RAF room with all its signatures reminded me of my Grandfather who flew night reconnaisance in the RAF. It was indeed lovely day. Do you have any shots of Kings College Chapel? That ceiling is jaw dropping!

That’s great! I have shots of the chapel in previous blog posts about Cambridge if you’d like to take a look.

Thanks for sharing this amazing post.

You’re welcome!

What a beautiful idea for a day trip! Cambridge looks ideal for that.. it offers enough to keep you interested, but it doesn’t overwhelm either.

Yeah, it’s a great one!

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3-Day Cambridge Itinerary

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• Cambridge in 3 days
• 1-Day Cambridge Itinerary
• 2-Day Cambridge Itinerary
• 4-Day Cambridge Itinerary
• 5-Day Cambridge Itinerary

Table of contents

Day 1: most popular attractions, day 2: center of town, day 3: off the beaten path, grand arcade.

Parker's Piece

The Fitzwilliam Museum

University of cambridge, the grafton, beehive centre, milton country park, where to eat, cafe milano, bella italia - cambridge grafton centre, parker's tavern, doppleganger burger, cambridge university botanic garden, king's college chapel, university museum of zoology, great st mary's, kettle's yard, nanna mexico, michaelhouse cafe, ittou noodle bar, the ivy cambridge brasserie, jesus green, bridge of sighs, the corpus clock, sedgwick museum of earth sciences, the cambridge chop house, savino's, trinity restaurant, restaurant twenty two.

Attractions

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Explore nearby places

• Grantchester
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London Day Itineraries , Travel , UK Travel · June 10, 2024

How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Cambridge from London in 2024 (+ Itinerary)

Here’s how to plan the perfect day trip from Cambridge to London. So you can trade the London hustle for a day of wandering cobblestoned streets, lazy punting and perusing one of the best university grounds in the world, enjoy!

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Dripping in ancient pubs, cobblestoned roads and one of the most prestigious universities in the world — Cambridge is one of the best places to escape London for the day.

In this post, I’ll be sharing all the deets on planning the perfect day trip from the Big Smoke to the historic university town including how to get from London to Cambridge, what to pack and the best things to do in Cambridge to make the most of your day. Let’s get into it!

How to get from London to Cambridge

The best way to get from London to Cambridge is by train, taking just 1 hour and 16 minutes! Just be sure to book your train ticket in advance .

What to Pack for a Cambridge Day Trip from London

As it’s only a day trip to London from Cambridge you won’t need to pack much. But here are the essentials:

• Layers: the weather in Cambridge is quite similar to London, so you’ll want to be prepared for random weather changes; i.e bring a light jacket

• Comfortable Walking Shoes: you can’t do a day trip without them!

• Umbrella: because you can’t escape UK weather

• Power Bank: you’ll definitely need your phone to handle bookings and tickets throughout the day so make sure to keep charged up ( here’s the one I use! )

• Camera: to capture all your memories in one of England’s most aesthetically blessed cities

• Snacks and Water: great for snacking on the coach and keeping hydrated with all that exploring you’ll be doing!

Cambridge Day Trip Itinerary: Best Things to do in Cambridge

Walk along regent street.

As soon your coach arrives in Cambridge you’ll be dropped off smack in the city centre.

Take a walk past the famed Reality Checkpoint (the oldest lampost in the city) and peruse down to Regent Street.

Dotted with cafes, pubs, restaurants and cosy shops it’s a great starting place to get a feel for the area and take in Cambridge for the first time.

Visit the Fitzwilliam Musuem

After walking through the city centre for a bit we decided to head to a true Cambridge gem — The Fitzwilliam Museum .

The University of Cambridge’s art and antique museum houses millions of paintings, artefacts and statues from around the world, all under one roof.

Museums (for me at least) can tend to mesh into one over time, but this one didn’t disappoint. The stories behind each of the pieces were fascinating, so much so that we almost forgot we had to get moving — more day trip activities await!

Tour the University of Cambridge Colleges

Of course, if you’re in Cambridge you’ve got to visit the University of Cambridge’s campuses.

The most renowned are King’s College (home to the beautiful King’s College Chapel) and Trinity College , both of which you’ll need to book to visit.

But as all their campuses are splattered across the city you’re bound to pass by a few whilst you’re out and about exploring either way 🙂

Roam the Cambridge Botanical Garden

Once you’ve had a good lay of the Cambridge land you can roam and relax in the Cambridge Botanical Garden .

Associated with the University of Cambridge’s plant science department the garden covers 40 acres of over 8,000 plant species.

Tickets are free for children and £6.30 for adults (100% worth it). We spent around an hour or so walking along the lush green spaces and dripping fountains, wandering through lily pads in the Glasshouse Range and trying to remind ourselves that we were still in Cambridge!

Have a Bite & a Pint at Anchor Cambridge

All this exploring is sure to leave you hungry (we were!) so once you leave the Botanical Gardens, walk back to the city centre and have a bite and a pint at the Anchor Pub .

It’s right along the riverside so you can watch the punters go by and soak in the Cambridge sun like a local.

Browse through Cambridge Market Square

It’s not every day you can browse through markets that have been kicking it since the middle ages — which is exactly why you’ll want to visit Cambridge Market Square .

Everything from international foods to second-hand books and vintage clothing is on offer here. So spend some time supporting the lovely independent traders and grabbing a cake or pastry.

See the View from Great St Mary’s Church

One of the best things to do for a day trip from Cambridge to London is take the views — church style. The Great St Mary’s Church holds one of the best views in Cambridge with 360° of the city right at your fingertips.

Tickets are £6 for adults (which goes towards the church) but there’s a catch…it’s 123 steps to get there.

I’ll admit, that climb was not fun . But worth it? Yes. Triple yes.

Go Punting…Cambridge Style

Of course, you can’t end a day in Cambridge without some good ole punting.

Along Silver Street you’ll see tons of punting companies prying for new customers, but I suggest booking your tour in advance.

If you find yourself short on time or not keen for the punt (is that a phrase?) I still suggest saving some minutes to sit along the riverside and watch the punters go by.

Cambridge in a Day Map

Happy Londoning,

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24 Hours in Venice: Your Perfect One Day Itinerary in the Floating City

Mon 09 Sep 2024

We love Venice, and think that the more time you can spend here the better. Although the city is more compact than Italy’s other must-see metropolises like Rome, Florence and Naples, Venice fits so much into its moderate size that you could easily spend weeks wandering amongst its labyrinth of canals and alleys without seeing the half of it. Ideally, you’d spend several days exploring this extraordinary city. 

But what if you don’t have that long, and are only making a one-day visit?

Well, don’t let a tight schedule put you off! With a bit of smart planning it’s certainly possible to experience the essence of this magical city in a short time. But in order to do so, you’ll really need to do your homework. That’s where we come in! 

We’ve created this one day self-guided itinerary of Venice based on many of our own whirlwind visits to the city. You’ll be able to hit the highlights, soak up the atmosphere, and create memories that will last a lifetime - without changing your travel plans. So, whether this will be the first of many visits to the Serenissima (we hope so!) or a once-in-a-lifetime visit to Venice, read on to discover how to make the most of every minute you’ve got in the Floating City. 

MORNING 

08:30 - breakfast.

Regardless of how many days you are planning to spend in Venice, the city tends to be at its best in the morning, so we recommend making an early start! Breakfast in Venice means the normal Italian fare - freshly baked croissants (known as cornetti ) alongside a milky coffee like a cappuccino or a caffe latte . 

Where you go will depend on what neighborhood you’re staying in - more on the best areas to stay in Venice here - but if you’re in the area we recommend you stop at Pasticceria Bar Rosa Salva, located on the picturesque Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo. If you’re coming to Venice at Carnival time, you’ll be able to sample sweet seasonal treats like castagnole and frittelle - a house specialty.

09:00 - Saint Mark’s Square 

With only limited time in Venice, you need to hit the ground running. And so what better place to begin our day of sightseeing in the Serenissima than St. Mark’s? Located right in the heart of Venice, St. Mark’s Square is the largest and most important public space in the city - and arguably Italy’s most iconic piazza. 

Napoleon called it ‘the drawing room of Europe,’ and nowhere better encapsulates the unique blend of high art, beautiful architecture and vibrant street culture that’s the calling card of Venice. Lined on each side by elegant arcaded buildings, the square is dominated by important monuments: the imposing 99-meter high campanile, or bell tower, and magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica itself. 

The square is typically lovely at this time of the morning: the day-tripping tourists have yet to arrive, the air is fresh, and the only sounds puncturing the silence are the peels of the campanile’s bells and the screech of seagulls overhead. 

09:30 - Saint Mark’s Basilica

After exploring the square, it’s time to enter the fabulous church of San Marco itself. In the 9th century, Venetian sailors daringly smuggled the relics of Saint Mark from Egypt, sparking the creation of a church grand enough for the city's new patron saint. 

The resulting structure is breathtaking—its domes, spires, arches, and intricate details merge Eastern and Western styles, reflecting Venice's cosmopolitan past.

Inside, over 4,000 square meters of mosaics glitter across the walls and ceilings, casting the church in a golden glow that has earned it the nickname "chiesa d’oro" (church of gold). It’s these mosaics, crafted over centuries from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, that make St. Mark's such a must-see. 

While it's free to visit the church, lines to get in are often long. It makes sense to book your timed entrance in advance, or join a tour of St. Mark’s that includes expedited entrance. It’s also more than worth it to buy a ticket that includes the Pala d’Oro, a stunning Byzantine altar adorned with precious gems, and a climb up to the terrace, where the basilica’s iconic horses preside over great views of Venice. 

10:30 - The Doge’s Palace 

The next stop on our day in Venice is only a hop, skip and jump away from St. Mark’s - and it’s scarcely less important in the history of the city. You’ll hear a lot about the doges when in Venice, and for good reason.

These fearsome potentates ruled over Venice for 1,000 years, and for most of that period they called this opulent marble palace located on a sweeping curve of the city’s southern bank home. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see a stunning arcade of Gothic arches tinged in pink marble.

You really feel as if you’re walking in the footsteps of history when you explore the sweeping Doge’s Palace complex: a series of fabulously decorated chambers seemingly frozen in time were once home not only to the Doge but also the massive government and bureaucracy of Venice: running one of the world’s most fearsome city states required a lot of manpower! 

The palace is seriously impressive inside; every wall and surface seems to be covered with frescoes glorifying the power and just rule of the Doges, painted by great artists like Titian and Verones. The Doge’s private apartments, meanwhile, are reached via a spectacular decorated staircase. 

When visiting the Doge’s Palace, you’ll also get a glimpse of the darker side of Venetian history: the dark warren of tunnels and cells that make up the squalid prisons jail where prisoners of the republic (like Cassanova) were held. The prisons lead us to the next stop on our whirlwind day in Venice.

12:00 - The Bridge of Sighs

Also part of the Doge’s Palace complex is what might just be the world’s most famous bridge. The stunning Bridge of Sighs was designed at the beginning of the 17th century to connect the dungeon of the Doge’s Palace with a new prison across the canal, and owes its evocative name to the despairing sighs of prisoners as they glimpsed one last slice of Venice’s beauty through the narrow slits in the stone on their way towards confinement in the new prison. 

Thankfully a stretch in the Doge’s slammer is no longer a prerequisite for those wishing to cross the bridge - it’s part of the visitor itinerary at the Doge’s Palace!

After leaving the Doge’s Palace, make sure to walk around the corner to the Ponte della Paglia, just south of Saint Mark’s Square. From here, you’ll be able to admire the Bridge of Sighs from the best angle. 

 MORE FOR YOU: A DAY IN VENICE

Can Venice live up to its reputation? Find out with us!  

12:15 - Rialto Bridge

As lunchtime approaches, it’s time to head towards another of Venice’s most famous bridges - the Rialto. There are around 400 bridges traversing the waterways of Venice, and the Rialto is probably the most important of the lot. It’s the oldest crossing of the Grand Canal, and the bridge that we see today was built by Antonio da Ponte in 1591. It’s a lovely 10-minute stroll through the historic heart of the city from the Doge’s Palace to the Rialto Bridge. Make sure to stop at the top for a magnificent view down the Grand Canal!

12:30 - Rialto Fish Market

Cross the bridge, and walk straight down the road on the other side for a couple of minutes until you reach the Rialto Fish Market. Picturesquely located beneath the neo-gothic arches of a 19th century arcade that features fish-shaped gargoyles, this bustling market has been the city’s hub for fresh seafood for centuries. Every morning, the air fills with the lively banter of vendors hawking all manner of fishy delights straight from the lagoon. Admire the stalls brimming with the day’s colorful catch, and, appetite whetted, get ready for lunch.

13:00 - Lunch at a Traditional Bacaro

After our busy morning of sightseeing it’s high time we started thinking about our stomachs. Although you could plump for a sit-down restaurant meal, we think you’d be better off heading to a traditional Venetian bar known as a bacaro - traditional hole-in-the-wall wine bars that serve up an array of small-plates piled high with meat, vegetables and all manner of seafood, as well as mini-bruschette known as cicchetti alongside generous pours of local wine. 

The area around the Rialto market is probably the best in the city for superb bacari , so you’ll be spoilt for choice. Three reliable addresses within a 2 minute walk are Osteria all’Arco, Al Mercà and historic Cantina do Mori. Check them out, alongside other top recommendations, with our guide to the best bacari in Venice here.

14:00 - Walk through San Polo

Appropriately fed and watered, it’s time to stretch our legs. Venice is divided into six neighborhoods known as sestieri , and we’re headed to the heart of San Polo district, home to many of Venice’s most important museums and churches. A picturesque 15 minute walk through a tangle of canals, hidden piazzas and bridges (including the Ponte delle Tette, a notorious site of prostitution in the early-modern era) will take us to our next stop, the gargantuan church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. 

14:30 - The Frari

There’s so much to see in this beautiful basilica that it’s hard to know where to start! Look out for neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova’s incredible pyramid tomb, Giovanni Bellini's lovely Madonna and Child triptych, and Baldassare Longhena's grand monument to Doge Baldassare Longhena. The real show-stopper, though, and the reason why you need to visit the Frari even if you only have one day in Venice, is the huge Assumption altarpiece painted by local Renaissance master Titian.  

Commissioned in 1518 by the wealthy Jacopo Pesaro, the painting depicts Jacopo kneeling in profile before the Virgin Mary as St. Peter makes his formal introduction to the mother of God. The action takes place in a spectacular architectural setting, where a banner flutters in the sky decked out with the coats of arms of the Papacy and the Pesaro family. 

15:30 - Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Just two minutes walk from the Frari is another of Venice’s most spectacular artistic treasures. Even if you have only one day in Venice, we think that a visit to the Scuola Grande di San Rocco is a must.   

Founded by a prosperous confraternity devoted to the plague-busting Saint Roch, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco is decorated by a series of more than 60 massive paintings depicting religious themes by local master Tintoretto, each of which shimmers with the unique light effects and dizzying perspectives that made the artist famous. Tintoretto spent more than 20 years decorating the building between 1564 and 1588, and for good reason San Rocco is widely known as Venice’s answer to the Sistine Chapel.

17:00 - Squero San Trovaso

Gondolas are, of course, a quintessential part of any visit to Venice. But before hopping into one of the city’s iconic flat-bottomed boats, why not learn a little bit about how they are made? Gondolas require literally hundreds of hours of labor to create and just as many to maintain over their lifetimes, and the magic happens in workshops known as squeri . 

It’s fast approaching aperitivo time, so our next stop will allow us to kill two birds with one stone. Osteria al Squero is a great spot for a canal-side spritz in its own right; even better, it’s located right across the canal from the Squero San Trovaso - you’ll get to watch the gondola artisans at work whilst you enjoy your drink!

17:45 - Gondola Ride from the Accademia

Make the 5-minute walk from Osteria al Squero to the Ponte de’’Accademia. The Accademia gallery itself is one of Venice’s finest museums, but today you won’t have time to visit - pencil it in for your next trip. Instead, as twilight begins to lengthen it’s time for us to hit the water. Conveniently the Ponte dell'Accademia is one of the best departure points for a gondola ride in Venice. 

Hire a gondolier here and you’ll be able to enjoy a great route down the Grand Canal as well as some more hidden waterways - the perfect way to conclude your one day in the Floating City. After your gondola tour, your gondolier will be able to drop you off back in the heart of the historic center. Head back to your hotel to freshen up, and ready yourself for dinner and the night ahead - where a whole new Venice adventure awaits!

We hope you enjoyed our in-depth guide to visiting Venice in a day! With careful planning and an open mind, discovering the magic of Venice in just one day is entirely doable. If you want to take the stress out of planning your 24 hours in Venice and make the most of your time in the city, consider our Essential Venice tour - the perfect way to explore the city in a limited time with the expertise of a knowledgeable local guide!

MORE GREAT CONTENT FROM THE BLOG:

• Everything You Need to Know to Visit Venice
• Where to Stay in Venice
• What to Do on Your First Trip to Venice
• How to Visit St. Mark's at Night
• 10 Romantic Things to do in Venice
• The Amazing Islands of Venice
• All You Need to Know About Gondolas in Venice
• 10 Dishes You Need to Try in Venice

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Venice Art Tour: The Colours of the Floating City

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