Top Hangout Spots near Cambridge University

Cambridge is a popular city in the United Kingdom on the River Cam in eastern England. The famed University of Cambridge dates back to 1209 and has made the tiny Cambridge city famous worldwide. Cambridge boasts one of the highest concentrations of intact historic buildings in England, reflecting its romantic and mediaeval heritage. The charming squares and cobblestone passageways are ideal for strolling with friends, listening to live music, and popping into bars. Continue reading to learn about the top hangout spots near Cambridge University and how you can spend your day around here.

Cambridge University: Overview

Cambridge University is a well-known university in the UK. Every year, many students apply to the university to study their desired programme at this university. 

The QS World University Ranking 2024 places the university in the 2nd position, which makes it one of the most sought-after Universities in the world. It provides some of the most popular graduate and postgraduate courses in a variety of disciplines. 

This university’s acceptance rate is roughly 20%. Students get admitted to the university based on their GPA and SAT/ACT results. Additionally, the university recognises IELTS (both online and paper-based), TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo English proficiency exam scores.

This university’s average tuition fee is around 9250 GBP (INR 9.60 Lakhs) and for international students, it is somewhere around 21,732 GBP (22.57 Lakhs).

Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, Prince Charles, and Rajiv Gandhi are only some of the notable alumni the University of Cambridge has produced. The university provides its students with the best professors and amenities in terms of education and the entire experience. 

Must Read: University of Cambridge Acceptance Rate for UG & Masters

6+ Top Hangout Spots near Cambridge University

There are a lot of things to do and many places to explore around Cambridge University. While it’s very hard to list all the places since every corner is picturesque, we have listed some of the top hangout spots near Cambridge University.

Market Square

Image Source: Cambridge News

Market Square features an outdoor market with food vendors and souvenirs. However, as the food and craft market stalls close, the area around Market Square comes alive with a variety of taverns, cocktail bars, and nightclubs to select from. This centrally located plaza has been a commercial area since Saxon times, and the establishments surrounding it have entertained Cambridge pupils for ages.

Location: Market Hill, Cambridge CB1 0SS, UK

King’s College Chapel

Image Source: Viator

King’s College, founded in 1441 by Henry VI, is worth visiting for the vast width of its lawn going down to the river and King’s Bridge, with its wonderful views of the Backs, and separate college grounds along the riverfront. Among King’s College’s notable alumni are writer Horace Walpole, poet Rupert Brooke, and economist Lord Keynes, among others.

The 12-bay perpendicular-style interior of King’s College Chapel, as well as the spectacular fan vaulting by John Wastell (1515), are worth investigating to learn about the history and admire the rich architectural splendour. The beautiful tracery on the windows and walls looks fantastic here. 

Location: King’s Parade, Cambridge CB2 1ST, United Kingdom

River Cam

Image Source: Get Your Guide

Cambridge’s lovely River Cam runs through the city centre. As one of the region’s most compelling natural sights, the River Cam serves as the city’s lifeline. The classic local activity for tourists to Cambridge is punting along the River Cam – a chauffeured journey in a flat-bottomed boat or ‘punt’ pulled along by a 5-meter-long pole. A romantic, leisurely punting tour is perfect for sightseeing because you’ll drift downstream with plenty of time to take photos and observe the riverside sites, while the grassy banks offer an idyllic picnic place in the summer.

Must Read: University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine

St. Mary the Great Church

Image Source: Wikipedia

St. Mary the Great Church serves as both a parish and a university. Built-in the 15th century, it features beautiful interiors, and its galleries, which were erected in 1739 by eminent scholars, have drawn large crowds for ages. The views from the tower, which was built in 1608, are legendary. Little St. Mary’s is also worth a visit. This Anglican parish church, known as St. Mary the Less, is noted for its numerous beautiful stained glass windows.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of just four Norman circular churches remaining in England. It was built in 1131, with a rectangular chancel erected in the 15th century.

Location: The University Church, Senate House Hill, Cambridge CB2 3PQ, United Kingdom

Cambridge American Cemetery And Memorial

Image Source: Historic UK

A great number of people visit the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial of the World War II grave cemetery. The University of Cambridge contributed 30.5 acres, which are impeccably kept. 

This cemetery holds the remains of 3,811 war dead, with 5,127 names listed on the Walls of the Missing. The names of those who have been found and identified are marked with rosettes.

 Visitors obtain a greater understanding of this vital campaign that contributed to the Allied triumph in Europe during World War II because of the outstanding outlook of exhibits that incorporate personal accounts, photographs, films, and interactive displays.

Location: Madingley Road, Madingley, Cambridge CB23 7PH, England

Timings: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Cambridge University Botanic Gardens (CUBG)

Image Source: University of Cambridge Museums & Botanic Garden

The Botanic Gardens, which spans 40 acres of parkland and houses a plant collection of over 8,000 species, provides resources such as plant material, horticultural knowledge, and equipment to researchers and lecturers.

Aside from that, the CUBG offers a magnificent calm setting for everyone to enjoy, with glasshouses, chronological beds, rock gardens, mature trees, and even a lake. The gardens are open every day of the year, with the exception of Christmas. 

Location: 1 Brookside, Cambridge CB2 1JE, United Kingdom

Must Read: MBA at Cambridge

The Mathematical Bridge

Image Source: Queen’s College Cambridge

The Mathematical Bridge is a feature of Queens College that connects the ancient and new parts of the campus. One of Cambridge’s most identifiable characteristics, it has been impressively made entirely of straight-segmented timbers while retaining an arched design.

Unfortunately, the Mathematical Bridge is difficult to reach; you’ll need to either acquire entrance to Queens College or – and this is our recommended alternative – board a punt and take a ride up the River Cam for the greatest views.

Location: Queens’ College, Silver St, Cambridge CB3 9ET, United Kingdom

Must Read: University of Cambridge Courses

Top Museums Around Cambridge University

Cambridge is home to many beautiful and unique museums. Here is a list of museums which are among the top hangout spots near Cambridge University that you can explore and get fascinated by their beauty:

National Horse Racing Museum

Image Source: Trip Advisor

Newmarket, located approximately 13 miles east of Cambridge, has been a centre of English horse racing since 1174. The collection comprises paintings of great horses and jockeys, as well as old saddles, tack, and trophies that are interpreted utilising the most cutting-edge interactive and video technology to tell the story of horse racing.

Location: Palace St, Newmarket CB8 8EP, United Kingdom

Phone: +44 1638 667314

Cambridge Museum Of Technology

Image Source: Trip Advisor

The Museum of Cambridge offers exhibitions and exhibits focusing on the daily life of the local people from the 18th to the 20th centuries. The museum, housed in the historic White Horse Inn, houses a significant collection of antiquities, including coins, costumes, medals, toys, and medicine, as well as various interesting artworks.

Location: Entrance on Riverside. The Old Pumping Station, Cheddars Ln, Cambridge 

Phone: +44 1223 500652

Must Read: Courses Cambridge University is famous for!

Fitzwilliam Museum

Image Source: Visit Cambridge

This museum, one of the most popular locations to visit in Cambridge, features illuminated manuscripts, Italian and Spanish paintings, and much more. Its excellent gallery includes paintings by Hogarth, Gainsborough, and Turner, as well as Impressionists and Dutch Masters of the Baroque such as Rembrandt, Van Dyck, and Rubens.

Location: Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1RB, United Kingdom

Phone: +44 1223 332900

Scott Polar Research Institute Museum (SPRI)

Image Source: Scott Polar Research Institute

The Scott Polar Research Institute, founded in 1920, is part of the University of Cambridge’s Arctic and Antarctic research unit. Their purpose is to improve the world’s awareness of the polar regions by housing a comprehensive archive of materials that shed light on the locations as well as the importance of polar exploration.

The Polar Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. The museum is free to enter and is located on Lensfield Road, slightly south of the Fitzwilliam Museum on Trumpington Street.

Location: Lensfield Rd, Cambridge CB2 1ER, United Kingdom

Phone: +44 1223 336540

Cambridge, a magnificent academic town known for its impact on history, is full of stunning architecture and wildlife. Explore the city’s lesser-known stories, and don’t forget to venture beyond the university. The cobblestone alleys are alive with the whirr of bicycle wheels and are crammed with independent eateries, classic British pubs, and a vibrant market, while cows walk over riverbank paths carefree. If you think we are missing something, let us know in the comments below.

FAQs

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