What are the best restaurants in Cambridge?
Cambridge has an impressive food scene to go along with its historic scenery. From Michelin-star restaurants to modern vegetarian dining it has plenty to keep you busy.
First off, if you're looking for fine dining, Midsummer House is a standout choice. It has two Michelin stars, offering contemporary French cooking in a peaceful setting, with a signature 10-course tasting menu.
If you prefer something a bit more intimate, Restaurant Twenty Two also has an elegant tasting-menu experience of contemporary British dishes. Fancett's on Mill Road is also a cosy choice for French-inspired food and seasonal ingredients.
For a more relaxed meal in the heart of the city, The Cambridge Chop House is a popular option near King's College, particularly if you're after classic British dishes and a range of steaks.
Mercado Central brings Spanish flavours to Green Street, while Vanderlyle on Mill Road offers a creative, entirely vegetarian fine-dining experience.
And finally if you're after something lively and informal, Dishoom Permit Room Cambridge serves Bombay-inspired food in the city centre.
Things to do in Cambridge
There’s plenty to see and do in Cambridge, whether you’re visiting for a day or staying for a longer break.
From exploring its historic university colleges to punting along the River Cam, the city is easy to explore at your own pace.
Cambridge colleges and historic sights
Cambridge’s university colleges are at the heart of the city and are well worth exploring. King’s College Chapel, completed in 1536, is one of the most recognisable sights, particularly for its spectacular Gothic architecture and famous fan-vaulted ceiling.
Trinity College, known for its Great Court and historic connections to figures such as Isaac Newton, is another popular stop.
For a different perspective, take a traditional punt along the River Cam, passing landmarks including the Bridge of Sighs and the Mathematical Bridge.
The Backs, the green spaces running alongside several colleges, are also ideal for a walk and offer some of the best views of Cambridge’s historic buildings.
What are the best museums and galleries in Cambridge?
Cambridge has an impressive collection of museums and galleries, so there’s plenty to do when you want a break from sightseeing.
The Fitzwilliam Museum is a particular highlight, with collections from paintings and sculpture to ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artefacts.
For something more focused on local life, the Museum of Cambridge explores the history and traditions of the city and surrounding area.
Art lovers can also visit Kettle’s Yard, a former home filled with modern and contemporary art.
The Cambridge University Botanic Garden offers a chance to enjoy the city’s green side, with thousands of plant species spread across its gardens.
Best pubs and bars in Cambridge
Cambridge has no shortage of pubs and bars. The Eagle on Bene’t Street is one of the city’s best known historic pubs and is famous for its links to the University of Cambridge.
For a classic pub experience, The Cambridge Blue is popular for its extensive selection of real ales and ciders, while The Pickerel Inn near the River Cam offers a more traditional setting and is one of the city’s oldest pubs.
If cocktails and a more modern atmosphere are more your thing, head towards the city centre for places such as The LAB, or enjoy a drink with views across the river at The Anchor.
Green spaces in and around Cambridge
Despite its busy city centre, Cambridge has plenty of green spaces. The Backs is an obvious choice with riverside paths and views across some of the city’s most famous colleges.
For a more relaxed local walk, Jesus Green stretches alongside the River Cam and is a popular spot for picnics, while Parker’s Piece provides a large open space close to the city centre.
Just outside Cambridge, Wandlebury Country Park offers woodland, grassland and walking trails, making it a good option if you want to escape the city for a few hours.
Public transport connections
Getting to and around Cambridge is relatively straightforward, with regular rail and bus services connecting the city with London and destinations across East Anglia and beyond.
Cambridge railway station is around a 20-minute walk from the city centre, while Cambridge North provides another useful rail connection, particularly for journeys from the north and east.
The city's bus network makes it easy to reach different neighbourhoods and surrounding villages, with the central bus station on Drummer Street providing a major hub for local and regional services.
For shorter journeys, cycling is also a popular way to get around, with Cambridge’s relatively compact centre and extensive network of cycle routes making it convenient for visitors.
Shared Ownership homes near Cambridge
For buyers looking to get onto the property ladder near Cambridge, Shared Ownership can offer a more accessible alternative to purchasing a home outright.
At Heather Fields in Kennett, Cambridgeshire, Peabody is offering a collection of new-build three-bedroom houses through Shared Ownership, with homes ready to move into now.
Prices start from £91,250 for a 25% share of a £365,000 home, with deposits starting from £9,125. Each property is around 1,026 sq ft and comes with a private garden, private driveway and integrated kitchen appliances, while residents also have access to a communal park and children’s play area.
Living in Kennett, Cambridgeshire
Kennett offers a peaceful village setting on the edge of the Cambridgeshire countryside, giving residents space to enjoy a quieter pace of life without feeling cut off.
The surrounding landscape includes formal gardens, woodland, wetlands and wildlife reserves, with plenty of options for walking.
Chippenham Park Gardens is particularly close, with seasonal planting and generous parkland that make it well suited to quiet weekend visits.
Further afield, Brampton Wood and the reserves at Wicken Fen, Fulbourn Fen and Kingfishers Bridge offer wildlife habitats, walking routes and changing scenery throughout the year. Anglesey Abbey and Trumpington Meadows also provide varied landscapes for longer trails and riverside walks.
The nearby town of Newmarket is approximately four miles away and brings a wide choice of culture and entertainment within easy reach.
Its racecourses host a year-round calendar of race days and open-air summer events. Nearby Palace House, home to the National Horseracing Museum, combines local heritage with exhibitions.
The Ark and Kings Theatre offer music, comedy and community-led performances close to home, while Coopers Croft Vineyard, outdoor cinema events at Anglesey Abbey and the Cambridge & Newmarket Polo Club provide more relaxed ways to spend time outdoors.
For commuters, Kennett railway station is around a 15-minute walk from Heather Fields, with direct trains to Cambridge taking around 30 minutes and journeys to Ipswich taking around 50 minutes.
Kennett Community Primary School is also just 200 metres from the development, adding everyday convenience for families.
Why buy through Shared Ownership
Shared Ownership allows eligible buyers to purchase an initial share of a property, usually from 25% to 75%, while paying rent on the remaining share.
This means buyers can potentially purchase a home with a smaller deposit than they might need when buying the whole property on the open market.
With five three-bedroom homes currently available at Heather Fields, the development could be worth considering for first-time buyers looking for a new home within commuting distance of Cambridge.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cambridge
Cambridge’s top attractions include King’s College Chapel, the Fitzwilliam Museum and punting along the River Cam, where you can see the historic college backs from the water.
Other highlights include the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Kettle’s Yard, and the city’s museums.
Cambridge is best known for the university, founded in 1209, and its historic colleges. The city is also famous for landmarks such as King’s College Chapel, punting on the Cam, cycling and its strong links with science.
Travelling from Cambridge to London is straightforward, with frequent direct trains to stations including London King’s Cross and Liverpool Street.
The fastest services can take around 50 minutes, while journey times vary depending on the route and stopping pattern, making London accessible for commuting.
