Scrolling through photos of people in boats punting, stroked an unquenchable interest in making a trip to Cambridge. It reminded me of the gondola ride that I experienced a couple of years back in Venice with my sister. I was longing to see what else Cambridge had in store for us in a few hours.
Cambridge is widely famous for its university that has been standing still for more than 800 years, its academic vibrancy, rich history, architecture and heritage.
Getting There!!
From London, you can brace yourself for an hours drive however if you opt for a train from London Liverpool street/Kings cross st pancrass stations, you can be sure of arriving approximately about 45 minutes to an hour later. We decided to buy our train tickets on the Trainpal app a few days before our travel date as this proved cheaper. We spent £13 on a return ticket.
What to do in Cambridge?
Eat.
We arrived just in time for brunch. The first thing that came to mind was to re fuel. We needed the energy to get through the day’s activities. I would definitely recommend Bills restaurant, which not only has an alluring feel but spacious as well. You don’t need to queue as you can get a free table right away. There is a variety of mouth watering meals on their menu such that it gets so hard to pick and they make the most delicious eggs benedict .
Gin Tasting.
Just a few meters from Bills restaurant is Cambridge Gin Distillery. If you are a gin lover then this place will feel like home. You can pre book a £30 gin tasting which guarantees you an hour long experience and informative class hosted by gin lab experts uncovering the history and production methods of gin and some tips on how to taste it like a skilled professional.
Punting.
If like me, you are probably dumbfounded trying to figure out what this is all about. It is an adventure you do not want to to miss for the world. It entails boating in a punt along the river. I highly recommend it, if you are up for some sight seeing of Cambridge university colleges in the comfort of a boat, sipping on an ice cold drink and basking in the sunlight .While on board you can expect an in-depth lesson on the history of Cambridge from punters while gazing at its famous bridges that are part of the sight attractions. This was no doubt the highlight of my trip.
Walking Tour.
After getting off from punting.you can join a free tour guided by students. They of course accept tips in return. If you want to explore on your own or get lost in the city then be my guest, excuse the pun however make sure you have a bottle of water on hand just for rehydration or some coins to buy ice cream on your way.
The city is vibrant, lively and buzzing with locals and visitors like us , some of whom are celebrating their nuptials, visiting for stag dos and hen parties.
Sunset drinks and beautiful views
As per usual, the universe or lady luck was on our side that day. We came across the Varsity Hotel and Spa which looked very appealing because of its illuminating floral display. We couldn’t help but pop in for some drinks only to discover the breath taking views of Cambridge from the roof top. It was scorching hot but totally worth every drop of sweat . If you don’t want to literally rub shoulders with strangers but hungry for a beautiful scenery, you can head to the Great Mary’s church and buy yourself a ticket to climb to the top of tower. The views from there are magnificent and rewarding.
After a quintessential British day out, we wound up our trip with a not so British dinner from Nandos.
My heart was filled to the brim with joy which the day had brought. I was quite elated to have experienced the beauty of this city and I wouldn’t mind doing it all over again.
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