Discovering Tudor Fantasy, Cambridge on a budget

On arrival in Cambridge, visitors may be forgiven if they feel that they have wandered into a Tudor fantasy.

A quick look at the prices in this fabled place though, and spirits can be punctured as swiftly as one of the city’s many bicycle tires.

The prime attraction of Cambridge is the university, which essentially means the thirty odd colleges that pin the city together. Unfortunately, the colleges are well aware of this fact. It may be possible to enter the ivory tower these days, but not without paying around £5 for some of the most famous colleges.

Cambridge at dawn cc alexbrn

But if you do want to dodge the men in purple robes, here are a few things to bear in mind. Firstly, a great many colleges don’t charge. Enclosed within the brick walls of Newnham is a jewel of a garden – it was also one of the first women’s colleges in the university.

Just down the road is Robinson, a modern college that nevertheless has an atmospheric chapel and wonderful, rambling grounds.

Secondly, it’s a university. If you are vaguely interested in studying there you have the right to introduce yourself as a prospective student (though be prepared to meet the Admissions Tutor). If that’s too much trouble, why not see if you can find a friendly student to take you, as a guest, inside their college? Be discreet though, and remember that the college is a working environment.

If you’re flying solo, remember that the vigilance with which colleges are guarded depends upon the season. Taking a walk along ‘The Backs’ (Queens Road) any time from autumn to early spring is likely to reap rewards. It also offers one of the best views in Cambridge: Kings College Chapel across the meadow and this, at least, won’t cost a penny.

cambridge kingscollege cc seier+seier

End your day with something that, for many visitors, is one of the most memorable parts of a trip: attending evensong. It’s absolutely free! Although Kings College holds the most famous evensong, it is far from the only one. Trinity, Selwyn, St. Johns and many other colleges also have crisp-voiced choirs.

How to get there

The best way to reach Cambridge is to take the train. For cheap train tickets check out the CrossCountry website.