Information on Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England

King's College

A Historic Tour of Cambridge

Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Cambridge

The name “Cambridge” breathtaking images - the “Backs” carpeted with spring flowers, Kings College Chapel, punting on the river Cam, and of course the calm of the College buildings. The City known worldwide as a centre for academic excellence, retains much of the
atmosphere of a bustling market town, with its narrow streets, and cobbled market place. Home to 100,000 people, it is also a centre for technological expertise, has a varied arts programme, and many good shops, including fine book shops.

Cambridge was however important long before the advent of the University; as the lowest reliable fording place across the river, there has been a settlement here since the first century B.C when an Iron Age Belgic Tribe is known to have settled at the point now called Castle Hill, followed by the Romans, Saxons and Normans.

The first Scholars arrived in 1209, fleeing from riots in Oxford; 75 years later, Hugh De Balsham, Bishop of Ely, founded the first College - Peterhouse. In the fourteenth Century, Clare, Pembroke, Gonville, Trinity Hall and Corpus Christi were founded, followed by 10 more Colleges in the fifteenth century including Christ’s and King’s.

Henry VI took over nearly one quarter of the medieval city
to make way for King’s College and Chapel. In the 19th century Girton - the first Women’s College, Newnham and Selwyn were founded, followed this century by New Hall, Fitzwilliam, Churchill and Robinson.

The City, is richly served with museums and galleries, from the Fitzwilliam Museum, with a fine collection of paintings and works of art, Folk Museum and many collections of scientific and classical interest, available in the University Museums.

Close to the city centre, the Cambridge University Botanic Garden is well worth a visit. A forty acre paradise of plants, the garden includes a lake, tropical glasshouses, Systematic Beds and Winter Garden.

Cambridge with its’ winding streets and splendid architecture has much to offer at any time of the year; it is also the ideal centre for visiting the surrounding country side - the historic houses of Wimpole Hall and Audley End are close by, Ely Cathedral - the “Ship of the Fens”, peaceful villages with riverside pubs; the rolling wooded countryside made famous by the artist John Constable, are all a short drive away.

For more Information please contact:
Cambridge Tourist Information,
Peas Hill
Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
England
CB2 3AD
Web: www.visitcambridge.org
Tel: +44 (0)1223 464732
Fax: +44 (0)1223 457549

Where to stay and things to do in Cambridgeshire

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