South Cambridgeshire in a Day: University Charm & River Serenity

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by Penelope

March 29, 2024 · 1 min read

South Cambridgeshire District 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a delightful one-day journey through the heart of South Cambridgeshire, where the prestigious University of Cambridge awaits to enchant you with its scholarly atmosphere and architectural grandeur. Spend your day wandering through the university's historic halls and lush courtyards, soaking in the academic excellence that has shaped this institution for centuries. After immersing yourself in the intellectual vibe, take a leisurely 45-minute stroll along the serene River Cam. Here, you'll witness a picturesque parade of historic buildings, churches, and monuments reflecting in the gentle waters. This compact itinerary is designed to offer a blend of educational inspiration and peaceful relaxation, all within the span of a single day. With Trip.com, experience the unique charm of South Cambridgeshire's top attractions in a well-paced, memorable visit.

Top 6 Hotels in South Cambridgeshire District
TOP 1
Turing Locke Cambridge
Turing Locke Cambridge
hotelStar
4/5
72 reviews
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TOP 2
Hilton Cambridge City Centre
Hilton Cambridge City Centre
hotelStar
4/5
151 reviews
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TOP 3
The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton
The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton
hotelStar
4/5
45 reviews
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Ibis Cambridge Central Station
Ibis Cambridge Central Station
hotelStar
3/5
128 reviews
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Arundel House Hotel
Arundel House Hotel
hotelStar
3/5
69 reviews
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University Arms Hotel, Autograph Collection
University Arms Hotel, Autograph Collection
hotelStar
4/5
112 reviews
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Itinerary at a Glance
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Day 1: Academic Excellence and Scenic Riverbanks in South Cambridgeshire

1

University of Cambridge

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Kicking off our South Cambridgeshire adventure, we delve into the heart of academic prestige at the University of Cambridge. With a full day dedicated to exploring this iconic institution, visitors can immerse themselves in a milieu of intellectual history and architectural grandeur. Stroll through the hallowed halls where luminaries once roamed, absorb the scholarly atmosphere, and marvel at the time-honored buildings that make up this bastion of learning. The University of Cambridge isn't just a campus; it's a journey through centuries of knowledge and tradition.

Attraction Info

  • The Old Schools, Trinity Ln, Cambridge CB2 1TN, United Kingdom
  • Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 day

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Carluccio's
Carluccio's
3.5/5 · 19 reviews
0.5 km from attraction
Browns Cambridge
Browns Cambridge
3.7/5 · 15 reviews
0.8 km from attraction
Hotel du Vin & Bistro
Hotel du Vin & Bistro
/5 · 0 reviews
0.9 km from attraction
Midsummer House
Midsummer House
4.8/5 · 14 reviews
1.3 km from attraction
The Green Man Trumpington
The Green Man Trumpington
4.1/5 · 12 reviews
2.6 km from attraction
Eagle
Eagle
4.3/5 · 20 reviews
0.4 km from attraction
6 min,3.2 km
2

River Cam

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Following the scholarly pursuits, a 45-minute interlude awaits along the serene River Cam. This picturesque waterway is flanked by historic buildings, churches, and monuments, each with a story to tell. Glide by punt or meander along the banks to witness the living history and architectural splendor that Cambridge offers. The River Cam experience is a tranquil counterpoint to the morning's academic exploration, providing a reflective escape amidst the beauty of South Cambridgeshire's most cherished landscapes.

Attraction Info

  • United Kingdom
  • Suggested tour duration: 45-60 minutes

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Carluccio's
Carluccio's
3.5/5 · 19 reviews
2.6 km from attraction
Hotel du Vin & Bistro
Hotel du Vin & Bistro
/5 · 0 reviews
2.2 km from attraction
Browns Cambridge
Browns Cambridge
3.7/5 · 15 reviews
2.2 km from attraction
The Green Man Trumpington
The Green Man Trumpington
4.1/5 · 12 reviews
1.4 km from attraction
Midsummer House
Midsummer House
4.8/5 · 14 reviews
3.6 km from attraction
Eagle
Eagle
4.3/5 · 20 reviews
2.5 km from attraction
0/50 Reviews
Cambridge
|1.84km from River Cam
4.6/584 Reviews
4.6/5Outstanding84 Reviews
Cambridge City Center
Cambridge
|2.08km from River Cam
4.1/5100 Reviews
4.1/5Very Good100 Reviews
Cambridge City Center
Cambridge
|2.18km from River Cam
4.1/5115 Reviews
4.1/5Very Good115 Reviews
Cambridge
|2.18km from River Cam

Top Things to Do in South Cambridgeshire District-2024

TOP 1
University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
4.7/5 · 562 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 829 review
Highlights:
The University of Cambridge has a total of 31 colleges, which are almost integrated with the urban area of Cambridge. This prestigious school has trained scientists such as Newton, Darwin, Hawking and dozens of Nobel Prize winners. Xu Zhimo and Jin Yong also studied here. The colleges were built in different periods and have different architectural styles, but most of them retain the style since the Middle Ages. The porches and walls of the school buildings are still decorated with simple and solemn statues and seals, which is really pleasing to the eye. Several colleges that are popular with tourists include King's College, Trinity College, St. John's College, Queen's College, Peter's College, Christ's College, Clare College and more. Tourists can choose the ones they are interested in and visit them in turn, but they need to check their opening hours in advance. To appreciate the beauty of Cambridge University, of course, you can't miss the Cam River cruise. Take a gondola to cruise the Jianhe River, pass under 7 elegant bridges such as Mathematical Bridge and Bridge of Sighs, and enjoy the scenery of the back gardens of 6 colleges including King's College, Trinity College and Queen's College, which are traditional, romantic and beautiful. Pickup can be found on Silver Street or Bridge Street. Visitors can choose to row on their own or join a guided river cruise.
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TOP 2
Trinity College Chapel, Cambridge
Trinity College Chapel, Cambridge
4.5/5 · 132 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 519 review
Highlights:
Trinity College was founded by King Henry VIII in 1546. Whether it is academic achievement, economic strength, or college scale, it ranks among the best among the 31 colleges of Cambridge University. What the world admires is that it is also the alma mater of the great scientist Newton, the philosopher Bacon, and many royal aristocrats including Prince Charles, six British prime ministers, and many Nobel Prize winners. There is a statue of Henry VIII at the entrance of the college gate. It is hilarious: the majestic king holds a golden ball with a cross on the top of the throne in his left hand, and a chair leg in his right hand. It is said that Henry VIII originally held a golden scepter symbolizing kingship in his right hand. Not long after the statue was completed, some mischievous student quietly climbed up, pulled out the scepter, and replaced it with the current chair leg. What's even more strange is that for hundreds of years, no one has bothered about it. Cambridge people not only let nature take its course, but also constantly introduce this "wonderful" story to new students and tourists. In the middle of the green lawn to the right of the gate, an inconspicuous apple tree is planted. It is said that an apple from the ancestors of this tree fell on Newton's head, which inspired him to discover the law of universal gravitation.
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TOP 3
Tyrrell's Punting
Tyrrell's Punting
4.7/5 · 29 review
Highlights:
When you come to historic Cambridge, a Cambridge cruise is the best choice. For most tourists, visiting Cambridge is a rare experience. It would be a great pity if you don't experience the Cambridge cruise, which is a classic local tourism project. During the cruise, guests can enjoy about 3/4 of the entire length of the Jianhe River, and truly feel a complete historical, cultural and natural journey. Along the way, the cruise passes 7 colleges, the Mathematical Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs, as well as the iconic building of Cambridge University, the Chapel of King's College. The cruise ship is generally 6 people per boat, but it can also be adjusted to a large boat that can accommodate 12 people according to the number of groups. Experienced local guides are arranged on each boat. The pleasant scenery along the way and the explanation of professional guides will make your trip to Cambridge an unforgettable experience.
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TOP 4
Bridge of Sighs
Bridge of Sighs
4.6/5 · 148 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 360 review
Highlights:
The Bridge of Sighs is located in St John's College and was built in 1831. According to legend, every exam season, students who come back from the exam room pass by this wall and lie will always sigh in frustration. The Neo-Gothic style of the Bridge of Sighs and the elaborate carvings can not help but make people admire. If you are on a boat on the Cam River, the Bridge of Sighs is a must.
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TOP 5
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
4.5/5 · 203 review
Highlights:

• Experience the magic of filmmaking - Harry Potter costumes, props and special effects

• Ride the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9 ¾ and buy butterbeer

• Explore Hagrid’s Hut, Dumbledore’s Office, Gryffindor Common Room, and more


Remember the triple-decker in the movie? Ron's dad's modified car? Harry's parents' home? You can reminisce about everything here. In the 14,000-square-meter studio, you can see the large-scale and real shooting sets, costumes, animation production, props, etc. from the eight Harry Potter movies.


△ Arriving at The Making of Harry Potter


△ Walking tour of the sets and behind-the-scenes used in the movie series




△ Get up close and personal with original magic props from the movie series


△ Take a photo with your favorite scene

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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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South Cambridgeshire District 1 Day Itinerary