Cambridge
Cambridge is a university city about 55 miles (89 km) north of London, known for its colleges, King's College Chapel and punting on the River Cam.
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Cambridge is a university city and the county town of Cambridgeshire, in eastern England, on the River Cam about 55 miles (89 km) north of London. The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209, and its colleges still shape the centre. King's College Chapel, begun in 1446 and completed under Henry VIII, is one of the city's best-known landmarks. The Fitzwilliam Museum, founded in 1816, is the largest museum in the city, with antiquities, paintings, coins and manuscripts.
Many of the best views of the Backs, the stretch of river behind the colleges, are from a punt on the River Cam. A punt is a shallow boat that a driver moves along the water with a long pole. Several central streets are pedestrianised, so walking covers the historic core. The Cambridge Beer Festival runs for one week in May on Jesus Green.
Cambridge in five
- Check King's College opening times firstKing's lists its visiting hours and tickets on its official visit page. Colleges can close to visitors for exams, services and private events, so check each one before you walk across town.King's College visit page
- Visit the Fitzwilliam MuseumThe permanent collections are free, and the museum is closed on Mondays except bank holidays. Allow a morning, and keep ticketed exhibitions for a second visit.Fitzwilliam Museum
- Choose chauffeured or self-guided puntingA chauffeured punt adds commentary and removes the effort of pushing the pole. Self-hire is more flexible but harder than it looks, with busy river traffic in summer.
- Landing at Stansted? Sort your UK ETA before flyingStansted has direct trains to Cambridge. If you need an ETA, apply before you board your flight, then take the train straight to the center.UK ETA explained
- Walk the Backs and the river meadowsThe Backs run behind several colleges and are free to walk. Use them to see the chapel and bridges without entering every college.
Things to do in Cambridge
See all attractions in Cambridge
Need to know
- Airport
- Stansted (STN), with direct trains; Heathrow or Luton via London
- Getting there
- Direct trains from London King's Cross and Liverpool Street
- Getting around
- On foot and by bike; the center is small and flat
- Best base
- Near the center or the river
- Time needed
- A long day, or one night
Weather by month
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchCool, dry
- AprilMild, blossom
- MayMild, green
- JunePunting season
- JulyWarm, busy
- AugustWarm, busy
- SeptemberMild, calmer
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberShort days
- DecemberCarols
Festivals: Jul Cambridge Folk Festival · Aug Cambridge Folk Festival
Right now in Cambridge
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 18 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 4%
Cambridge
12:04 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today13°8°4%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Wed11°7°4%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Thu10°7°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri10°4°8%Friday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sat10°3°14%Saturday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sun9°7°8%Sunday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 8%.
Updated 09:47 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Coming up
Every year
- JunMeltdownLondon, a day trip
- Jul–AugCambridge Folk FestivalCambridge
- Jul–SepBBC PromsLondon, a day trip
- JulWireless FestivalLondon, a day trip
- JulPride LondonLondon, a day trip
- AugGreat British Beer FestivalLondon, a day trip
- NovLondon to Brighton Veteran Car RunLondon, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Elyby trainA cathedral city on the fens, good for a half day.
- Norwich and Norfolkby train or carThe Broads and the coast lie beyond Norwich.Read the guide
- Duxfordby car or busA large aviation museum site south of the city.
Before you go to Cambridge
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Rules for Cambridge, checked
- Fitzwilliam Museum: collections free; open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sundays and bank holidays 12 to 5pm.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Cambridge
University towns, cathedral cities and rail routes
Read the guideLondonKing's Cross and Liverpool Street have direct trains
Read the guideNorfolkBroads, beaches and Norwich to the north-east
Read the guideYorkAnother cathedral and university city, further north
Read the guideUK ETA explainedWhat to check before a trip from abroad
Read the guideTrains and buses in BritainRail tickets and day-trip planning
Read the guideCambridge FAQ
Is Cambridge worth a day trip from London?
Yes. Direct trains make it easy, and the colleges, river and museums fill a full day. Stay a night if you want evenings on the Backs and quieter streets after the day-trippers leave.
Can you visit the Cambridge colleges for free?
Policies vary by college: some charge, some are free at set times, and several close in exam season. Check each college's own site the week you travel.
Is punting worth it in Cambridge?
It is the classic way to see the Backs from the water. Choose a chauffeured punt if you want commentary and no effort, or self-hire if you are confident with the pole and happy to share the river.
Which is better, Cambridge or Oxford?
Both are university cities with colleges and rivers. Cambridge is flatter and more compact for walking and punting; Oxford is larger with more museums. Pick by transport and the colleges you most want to see.
What is the best time to visit Cambridge?
May to September is punting weather, with June the busiest. Autumn is quieter and good for the Backs, and winter is cold but has carols in the college chapels.