You’ve circled the date, snagged the ticket, and are already discussing in the group chat which beers you’re going to try first. Cambridge Beer Festival 2025 is upon us - but beyond the barrels and beer mats, there’s a city just waiting to impress.
While the beer is obviously the star, Cambridge itself is well worth exploring. Whether you’re pacing yourself between pints or need something to fill your stomach, here are five things to do that’ll remind you: you’re in one of Britain’s most historic and dazzling cities. This is how to experience Cambridge Beer Festival 2025 like a local (or uni student) - with a few insider tips for good measure.
1. Line your stomach at Bread & Meat
📍 4 Bene’t Street
After you’ve enjoyed your first few pints, ditch the soggy chips and make a beeline for Bread and Meat. This independent cafe knows a thing or two about making a seriously good ciabatta. I mean, there are sandwiches, and then there are Bread & Meat sandwiches. We’re talking melt-in-the-mouth porchetta, succulent chicken or slow-cooked brisket, wedged into a soft ciabatta and dripping with homemade sauces. The perfect accompaniment to all that ale and cider.
Local tip: “Nearby Jack’s Gelato always has a queue a mile long, but you can get a milkshake made with their ice cream at Bread and Meat. It’s the best way to skip the queue."
2. Get a famous Chelsea bun from Fitzbillies
📍 51-52 Trumpington Street, or 36 Bridge Street
Make sure you leave room for a sweet treat after that hearty sandwich. Fitzbillies has been making their sticky Chelsea buns since 1920, and their current recipe - gooey, syrupy and packed with currants - is the perfect sugary counterpart to those bitter beers. Make sure you pack one for the train, it’ll taste like heaven on the way home.
Local tip: “Go to the Bridge Street branch to avoid the tourists. Their flat whites are also really good and made using local ingredients.”
3. Channel your inner Stephen Hawking (and grab a photo op)
📍 St John’s College
Okay, so you may be here for the beer, but a stroll to Kitchen Bridge and the iconic Bridge of Sighs is a must. Immortalised in the 2013 film The Theory of Everything, these architectural gems offer a seriously photogenic slice of Cambridge history.
Local tip: “Hire a punt from Scudamore’s to see the bridges from underneath. It’s the best way to see them up close.”
4. Unwind with the locals
📍Jesus Green
Need a reset? Jesus Green is the perfect place. A vibey riverside space perfect for a mid-festival chill, picnic or full-blown nap. Think: willow trees, lazy punts and the occasional open-air jazz session.
Local tip: “Grab an iced coffee from Hot Numbers before you go. If you see dogs in bowties, you’re in the right place.”
5. Browse artisan goods at the market
📍 Market Square, Daily 10am–4pm
Cambridge Market is more than a postcard photo op - it’s where students, locals and artists all come together to share interesting finds. Hunt for rare books, handmade jewellery, or pick up a spicy chicken wrap you didn’t know you needed.
Local tip: “Keep an eye out for The Wandering Yak - their mezze boxes are legendary. And don’t miss Tom’s Cakes if they’ve got their raspberry brownies on.”
The best way to experience Cambridge is on foot, and the city is easily walkable. Hop on a Great Northern train and you’ll be there before you know it. There are direct, non-stop trains from London King's Cross to Cambridge which take less than an hour, every 30 minutes during the day Monday to Saturday. Not to mention, the train is the perfect place for a power nap on the way home.