Let's Go Europe 2011: The Student Travel Guide
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Turn left onto Trinity Ln. off of Trinity St. £3, children £1.50. Courtyard open daily 9:30am-4:30pm. Wren Library open M-F noon-2pm. Hall open 3-5pm.
KING’S COLLEGE
King’s Parade
COLLEGE
01223 331 100 www.kings.cam.ac.uk
Founded by Henry VI in 1441, King’s College was originally a partner school to Eton until it slackened its admission policy in 1873 to accept students from other public schools. These days, King’s reputation is significantly changed, and it is one of the more socially liberal of the Cambridge colleges, drawing more of its students from state schools than any other. Many visitors come for the Gothic King’s College Chapel, where the spidering arches and stunning stained glass will stun even the most church-weary tourist. Inside the chapel, the period when Henry’s mason left off and the Tudors began building is marked by a change in color of the stone. Note the roses, dragons, and unicorns repeated throughout the church’s interior, even on its ceiling. These were the symbols of the Tudors, and it’s a good thing for the church’s decor that their coats of arms weren’t all skulls, cross-bones, and vampire bats. King’s alumni include: John Maynard Keynes, EM Forster, and Salman Rushdie.
Trumpington becomes King’s Parade. £5, concessions and children 12-18 £3.50, under 12 free. During term time open M-F 9:30am-3:30pm, Sa 9:30am-3:15pm. Outside of term time open M-Sa 9:30am-4:30pm, Su 10am-5pm. Chapel during term-time M-Sa 5:30pm evensong (enter through the front gate at 5:15pm). Su Eucharist 10:30am, Evensong 3:30pm.
THE POLAR MUSEUM
Lensfield Rd.
MUSEUM
01223 336 540 www.spri.cam.ac.uk/museum
Founded in 1920 to memorialize Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his crew after they died on a return trip from the South Pole in 1912, The Polar Museum has reopened in a sleek, modern renovation packed with memorabilia from various polar expeditions, such as the barrel organ from an 1819 winter trip to the Arctic (it has 40 tunes spread across a five-barrel system) and John Ross’s memoirs and narratives which are written in absurdly fine print. Especially of note is the fantastic gallery of Inuit art at the back.
Head down Regent St. away from the city center and turn right onto Lensfield Rd. Free. Open Tu-Sa 10am-4pm.
THE FITZWILLIAM MUSEUM
Trumpington St.
GALLERY
01223 332 900 www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk
Named after Richard Fitzwilliam, this beautiful museum was opened in 1848. Through the Corinthian landings of the main hall, visitors will find a variety of paintings, antiquities and applied arts. Among the numerous highlights are paintings by Monet, Pissaro and Renoir, and sculptures by Rodin. There is also a beautiful John Constable painting of the Heath upstairs. The museum features Impressionist artwork, Turkish pottery, and objects from everyday Egyptian life on the ground floor.
Trumpington is one of the main roads. Off Pembroke if coming from the east and Silver St. if from the West. Free. Audio guides £3, students £2. Guided tours £4. Open Tu-Sa 10am-5pm, Su noon-5pm. Guided tours depart Sa at 2:30pm from the courtyard entrance.
CLARE COLLEGE
Trinity Ln.
COLLEGE
01223 333 200 www.clare.cam.ac.uk
Though initially founded by the Chancellor of England, it was refounded by Lady Elizabeth de Clare when the chancellor ran out of money. The thrice-widowed, 29-year-old Elizabeth’s pain is bluntly referenced in the Clare coat of arms which features golden teardrops ringing a black border. The college has lush gardens of dangling ivy and weeping willows, and you can regularly hear the sound of punts hitting the riverbed. The elegant Clare Bridge dates from 1638 and is the oldest surviving college bridge. In wandering through Christopher Wren’s Old Court, one can see the University Library, where 150 miles of shelving house eight million volumes.
Turn left onto Senate House Passage off of Trinity St. (a continuation of King’s Parade). £2.50, under 12 free. Open daily 10:45am-4:30pm.
MAGDALENE COLLEGE
Magdalene St.
COLLEGE
01223 332 100
Magdalene (pronounced MAUD-lin) College is housed in a fifteenth-century hostel for Benedictine monks that was, in all probability, nicer than most of the hostels you’ve been staying in. It’s famous for the Pepys Library, which holds several diaries by CS Lewis, who, despite his status as an Oxford man, lived in Magdalene occasionally.
Bridge St. becomes Magdalene St. Wheelchair access in courtyard but not library. Open daily until 6pm. Library open daily Oct 6-Dec 5 2:30pm-3:30pm; Jan 12-Mar 13 2:30pm-3:30pm; Apr 20-Aug 31 11:30am-12:30pm and 2:30pm-3:30pm.
CHRIST’S COLLEGE
St. Andrews St.
COLLEGE
01223 334 900 www.christs.cam.ac.uk
When it was in its original location, Christ’s College was known as “God’s-house,” but it moved in 1448 to the current site where it was known as “Jesus College.” Either way, it’s holy. The Hall pays homage to two of the most famous residents of the college—John Milton and Charles Darwin—in the form of a bust and portrait respectively. New Court is a modern concrete building constructed in 1970.
St. Andrew’s St. is a continuation of Regent St. Wheelchair access in the church but not tower. Free. Open daily 9:30am-noon.
JESUS COLLEGE
Jesus Ln.
COLLEGE
01223 339 339 www.jesus.cam.ac.uk
Visitors walk down a pathway known as “The Chimney” to get to the college. The arms of Bishop Alcock, the man who founded the College on the grounds of an abandoned Benedictine nunnery, are of a cock standing on an orb, a rather regal-looking visual pun. Stroll through the gardens and courts thronged by roses and enjoy the 25-acre grounds.
Go north on Sidney St. and turn right onto Jesus Ln. Wheelchair access in the church but not the tower. Open daily 8am-dusk.
WHIPPLE MUSEUM OF THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE
Free School Ln.
MUSEUM
01223 330 906 www.hps.cam.ac.uk/whipple
This university museum is named after Robert Whipple, who donated a collection of roughly 1000 scientific devices to the university, many of which are on display here, such as the Gömböc (a strangely shaped object that, despite its homogeneous consistency, will return to the same resting position no matter where you place it), and Fred, a 19th-century anatomical model whose parts have been mercilessly scattered across the museum. Several intriguing planetariums, microscopes, telescopes and a wealth of pocket calculators round out the fantastic collection.
Turn left off of St. Andrew’s St. onto Downing St., follow it until it becomes Pembroke and make a right onto Free School Ln. Call ahead for wheelchair access. Free. Open M-F 12:30-4:30pm.
MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY
Downing St.
MUSEUM
01223 336 650 www.museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk
This museum is packed to the gills with fantastic animals (dead, of course). Come for the giant spider crab, and stay for the birds. Some of these guys are enough to make you believe in creationism. Consider the Gorgeted Bird of Paradise: was the Don King hair style necessary for flight? How did the Raggi’s Bird of Paradise fly with wings that look like he got in a fight with a Hoover? These are important questions to ask, best followed by a visit downstairs where there’s a little history of the fateful 1831 voyage of the HMS Beagle.
Turn left off of St. Andrew’s St. onto Downing St. Free. Open M-F 10am-4:45pm, Sa 11am-4pm.
FOOD
Though a student town, Cambridge has a lot of upscale dining. The cafes are nestled in its nooks and crannies and often provide delicious, cheap food and excellent coffee. Cambridge is also something of an ice cream town, so look out for the homemade ice cream and gelato that abound. Late-night food is available in the Market Square area.
INDIGO COFFEE HOUSE
8 St. Edward’s Passage
CAFE
01223 295 688
A student favorite, the Indigo Coffee House has two tiny floors
that are sociable out of necessity. With its popular, inexpensive coffee and sandwiches, the cafe is host to a thousand eager, undergraduate debates.
Head toward Trinity on King’s Parade and turn right onto St. Edward’s Passage. Bagels with toppings £1.75-4. Small coffees £1.40-1.85. large £2.65. Sandwiches on ciabatta £4.80 to eat in, £3 to take away. Open M-F 10am-6pm, Sa 9am-6pm, Su 10am-5pm.
CB1
32 Mill Rd.
CAFE
01223 576 306
Claiming to be the “oldest internet cafe in UK,” CB1 has modern convenience with pre-inflation charm and prices. The sandwiches are delicious and unbelievably cheap, and the creaky wooden bookshelves are bursting with classic novels. Alcohol served with food.
Go southeast on Parkside until it becomes Mill Rd. Sandwiches £2.80. Toasted ciabattas £3.50. Milkshakes £2.60-2.70. Open M-Th 8:30am-8pm, F 8:30am-9pm, Sa 9:30am-8pm, Su 10:30am-8pm.
CLOWNS CAFÉ
54 King St.
ITALIAN CAFE
01223 355 711
This cafe feels like a scene out of an old Italian movie. The effervescent staff playfully jeer at familiar customers and tell regulars they can swing by later to pay the rest of their cash-only bill, while tons of students sit around sipping coffee and tucking into Mediterranean food. There’s outdoor seating on the small but pleasant roof terrace.
Turn right off Sidney St. onto Jesus Ln.; turn right onto Malcolm St. and you’ll hit King St. Entrees £4-6.50. Full English breakfast £6. W 5-10pm penne carbonara with wine £8.50. Open daily 8am-11pm.
BENET’S
20 King’s Parade
ICE CREAM
01223 329 068
With the soul music blaring, the students chatting, and the homemade ice cream slowly melting in the summer heat, Benet’s is a Cambridge summer staple. Their milkshakes are especially delicious.
King’s Parade. Credit card min. £5. 1 scoop £2.20, 2 scoops £3.50, 3 scoops £4.40. milkshakes £3.50. Open daily 8am-9pm.
MICHAEL HOUSE CAFÉ
Trinity St.
CAFE
01223 309 147 www.michaelhousecafe.co.uk
Meals in the Michael House Café are truly transcendent experiences. Between the light that streams through the stained glass and the hearty mains like slow-roasted lamb shoulder with Merguez spices served with oil olive bread, the only thing keeping you from floating with happiness will be the essentially unchanged weight of your wallet.
Go up King’s Parade until it becomes Trinity St. Bread £7-9. Open M-Sa 8am-5pm.
DOJO’S NOODLE BAR
1-2 Millers Yd. (off Mill Ln.)
NOODLES, ASIAN
01223 363 471
Dojo’s boasts noodle dishes from all sorts of Asian cuisines, including Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Malaysian. The quick service, large portions, and low prices make this a popular student haunt.
Turn left onto Mill Ln. off of Trumpington St. and then left onto Millers Yard. Fried entrees £6.45-6.50. Rice dishes £7.15-7.20. Soup entrees £7.20-7.50. Open M-F noon-2:30pm and 5:30-11pm, Sa-Su noon-11pm.
RAINBOW CAFÉ
9A Kings Parade
VEGETARIAN, VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE
01223 321 551 www.rainbowcafe.co.uk
Down a small, white-walled alley and under the rainbow arch, vegetarians find their pot of gold: an affordable, exciting, and fast restaurant. Forego the veggie burgers in favor of Libyan Couscous with spinach, chick-peas, zucchini, onion, garlic, green beans, and carrot (£9) or explore a wealth of vegan and gluten-free dishes. Rainbow Café is a true blessing for any vegetarian roaming the meaty wilderness of British cuisine.
King’s Parade. Entrees £9-16. Open M 10am-4pm, Tu-Sa 10am-10pm, Su 10am-4pm.
CAMBRIDGE CRÊPES
Corner of Sidney and Market St.
CRÊPES
www.cambridgecrepes.co.uk
This popular crêpe stand is packed throughout the day during the summer. With delicious classic sweet crêpes and more inventive fare throughout the menu, Cambridge Crêpes is a solid dining option. Note the finesse with which they make a nutella crêpe: they don’t just lather on the stuff, but fling it on until it looks like a Jackson Pollock and tastes 5000 times better. Trust us.
Sidney St. Sweet crêpes £2.50; savory crêpes £3.50-3.80. Open Tu-Su 11am-5pm.
MASSARO’S
85 Regent St.
ITALIAN GELATO, SMOOTHIES
01223 314 236
Massaro’s specializes in delicious sandwiches that almost live up to the impossible hype created by their exotic ingredients lists. Between the great sandwiches, the homemade gelato, and the delicious iced drinks (iced coffee with vanilla gelato shaken, not blended), we’re sold.
Regent St. Sandwiches: £7-7.50 in-store, £5-5.50 takeaway. Iced coffee £1.20-1.50. Open M-F 8am-6pm, Sa-Su 10am-6pm.
AUNTIE’S TEA SHOP
1 St. Mary’s Passage
BRITISH TEA
01223 870 144 www.auntiesteashop.co.uk
If you’re searching for an authentic British tea, look no further than the calming quietude and lace table cloths of Auntie’s Tea Shop.
Go up King’s Parade toward Trinity St. and turn right onto St. Mary’s Passage. Full tea £7.65. Sandwiches £4-4.50. Panini £5.50. Open M-F 9:30am-6pm, Sa 9:30am-6:30pm, Su 10:30am-5:30pm.
COPPER KETTLE
4 King’s Parade
BRITISH
01223 365 068
A cozy breakfast place with traditionally English fare. Enjoy a full English breakfast (veggie option available) while basking in the beautiful architecture of King’s College.
King’s Parade. Lunch £7.50-8. Full English breakfast £5.
LA MARGHERITA
15 Magdalene St.
GELATO
01223 315 232
Though also an Italian restaurant, La Margherita excels at serving the largest section of delectable gelato in Cambridge. The amaretto is especially fantastic.
Go up Bridge St. Small £1.70, medium £2.50, large £3.80. Open M-F 10am-4pm and 6-10:30pm, Sa 10am-11pm, Su 10:30am-8pm.
CHOCOLAT CHOCOLAT
21 St. Andrew’s St.
GELATO, CHOCOLATE
01223 778 982
Chocolat Chocolat serves, surprisingly, a wealth of delicious, hand-crafted, French chocolate. They also have fantastic gelato. It’s delicieux delicieux!
Go up Regent St. until it becomes St. Andrew’s St. Cash only for ice cream. 1 scoop £2, 2 £3, 3 for £4. Open M-Tu 9am-6pm, W 9am-8pm, Th-F 9am-6pm, Sa 9am-7pm, Su 10:30am-6pm
THE COW
Corn Exchange St.
PIZZA
01223 308 871 www.barroombar.com
Housed in an alternative bar, The Cow provides cheap, delicious pizzas in the heart of the city. If Cambridge weather behaves itself, you can enjoy your slices in the outdoor seating.
Go down Downing St. and turn right on Corn Exchange. 12 in. pizzas £8-8.25. Wraps £5-5. 25. Burgers £8-8.25. Open M-Tu noon-11pm, W-Sa noon-1am, Su noon-11pm.
CHARLIE CHAN CHINESE RESTAURANT
14 Regent St.
CHINESE
01223 359 336
This calm, simple Chinese restaurant is a delicious place for a highly customizable and enjoyable meal. Select from a list of rice and noodles and choose an accompanying meat or seafood dish.
Regent St. Chicken, pork, and beef dishes £5.80-7.50. Seafood £7.80. Rice and noodles £1.80-6. Fried rice £3. Boiled rice £1.80. Open daily noon-11pm.
NIGHTLIFE
THE FREE PRESS
Prospect Row
PUB
01223 368 337 www.freepresspub.com
This small pub is bursting at the seams with character. Cell phones and music are banned, making space for idiosyncratic, pubby conversation that’s missing at many modern establishments. Deriving its name from its former life as a newspaper printing shop, the Free Press is a classic watering hole that’s well worth the visit for any pub culture fanatic. Get some sun (or clouds) in the be
er garden.
Left off Parkside (when heading away from town center) onto Warkworth Terrace. Left onto Warkworth St., right onto Prospect Row. Pints £3. Open M-F noon-2:30pm and 6-11pm, Sa noon-11pm, Su noon-3pm and 7-10:30pm.