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The Essential Guide to Planning Days Out in Cambridge

With roots dating back well over a thousand years, the historic city of Cambridge is one of the most magical places to explore. Beckoning the romantics, the history-lovers and the wayfarers, this city of intrigue has something to inspire all those who wander along its cobbled streets. Home to one of the oldest universities in the world, it is also interlaced with flowing waterways and decorated with manicured gardens and architectural wonders that capture the eye and the lens at every turn.

If you can’t wait to start planning some dreamy days out in Cambridge, here are some of our favourite suggestions for the ultimate adventure in this idyllic corner of the UK.

Morning Moments

For one of the best introductions to Cambridge, pull yourself from super-soft covers and get ready for a day of exploring. To gather your thoughts and enjoy an aromatic start to the day, the first stop on your agenda should be a cute café. Fortunately, Cambridge is home to an abundance of places to pick up warming brews and blends, including Limoncello Delicatessen & Bistro, Fitzbillies (famous for their sticky Chelsea buns), and Café Foy.

On sunny days, you can acquaint yourself with Cambridge’s streets with a relaxed cycle around the city. Just perfect for leisurely adventures and scouting the area at your own pace, we offer hotel guests complimentary use of our Gonville Bikes. These are classic Bobbin bikes complete with bike baskets and one-touch gears, making for a breezy way to wheel around for a few hours or the whole day.

If it’s a little overcast, you can also skip the outdoor adventures for now and make the most of the many museums, art galleries and attractions that pepper the streets. Should you like to indulge in a spot of retail therapy, you can also peruse the array of independent shops too. For the best days out in Cambridge, some of the must-see sites include Fitzwilliam Museum, University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge Science Centre, and Kettle Yard.

A group enjoys punting on a river in Cambridge beneath a large tree, with historic university buildings and spring blossoms in the background.

Afternoon Ambles

To ensure you have one of the best days out in Cambridge, head to a delicious lunch spot to refuel. Urban Larder, Mercado Central, Restaurant Twenty Two, Wrestlers Pub, and Cambridge Cookery School are all particularly recommended. Make sure you leave some room for some refreshing ice cream too, enjoying the best scoops of your favourite flavour from Jack’s Gelato or Aromi.

Suitably satiated, get ready to stretch your legs to continue your day out in Cambridge and enjoy a tour around the city. Available as both self-led ventures or guided experiences, there are a wide selection of tours to choose from which reveal fascinating insights and secrets. One of the most popular options, a Cambridge University Tour leads visitors around some of the city’s most renowned academic quarters and institutions, uncovering the various colleges and detailing intriguing tales and happenings over its long history.

Of course, after all that walking and adventuring, a spot of relaxation is well-deserved. For one of the most quintessentials days out in Cambridge, secure yourself a punting experience. An unmissable way to relax into the afternoon on the river, this traditional pastime leads visitors along the city’s waterways, past its famous buildings and colleges. You can also head over to Cambridge Botanic Garden later on to soak up the last of the afternoon sunshine and absorb the beautiful setting, home to over 8,000 plant species, nine National Collections and a tranquil arboretum.

Evening Entertainment

There’s always something interesting to see and do in Cambridge and the evening is no exception. While many of its galleries and cafés close their doors for the day, the city’s restaurants and bars open theirs ready to welcome new waves of guests. For one of the best meals in the city, enjoy a relaxed dining experience at our new onsite restaurant, The Gonville Kitchen, open between 6pm and 9pm from Tuesday to Sunday. Enjoy a drink in our Long Bar, before taking your table in the restaurant and selecting your favourite dish from the menu of delectable British classics and Mediterranean infusions – all made with the finest, freshest local ingredients.

If you’re not ready to unwind yet, you can also continue your day out in Cambridge with a spine-tingling ghost tour. With a history stretching back over 1,000 years, it’s no surprise that the city is home to its fair share of spooky secrets and strange tales. Delve beneath the picturesque façade of the sun-kissed streets and explore some of its lesser-known chapters with a guided ghost tour once the sun goes down and the moon casts its silvery glow...

Once the tour is over, retreat to the warmth and cosiness of your private room, ready to relax in comfort with your feet up after the ultimate day out in Cambridge.

Great Days Out Start at the Gonville

If you’re planning unforgettable days out in Cambridge, you’ll need somewhere comfortable and relaxing to start and end each day. Located in the heart of Cambridge, our welcoming hotel is perfectly placed for city exploration and offers luxuriation accommodation to cater to solo travellers, couples and families. We also have dog-friendly rooms, so your four-legged companion can join in with you too. Secure your room today or please do get in touch if you have any questions, and look forward to your magical Cambridge escape.