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A day in Cambridge: free and cheap attractions

Blog post author - Robin

Robin Hamman Freelance journalist, consultant, and university lecturer

Discover Cambridge on a budget

A city steeped in history and academia, Cambridge is a treasure trove of free and inexpensive attractions including World class museums, picturesque colleges, historic cathedrals, and more . This article traces the itinerary of my own day-trip to Cambridge where I explored the best free things to do within a 15-minute walk from the station.

What's in it for me?

  • Cambridge offers a mix of free and inexpensive attractions, including museums, colleges, and markets, best explored on foot or by bike
  • Key highlights include the Botanic Garden, Fitzwilliam Museum, University colleges, and Kettle’s Yard art gallery
  • The city provides a budget-friendly experience with picturesque locations like The Backs and Market Square, perfect for a day trip

I’ve been visiting Cambridge regularly for almost thirty years and still manage to discover something new on every visit. The roads leading into the centre can become very congested, with one way systems and bus only lanes adding to the whoas of drivers - leave the car at home and arrive by train, you’ll be glad you did.

Top Tip: Cambridge is best explored by foot, with each step, twist or turn revealing something new to explore. Alternatively, if you prefer to do as the locals do, pick up the pace a bit by bicycle, which you can take on the train.

Two bikes leaning against a fence

Start: Cambridge Station

Begin your day at Cambridge Station. Walk straight out of the station and stay on the right side of the street, passing modern office buildings, until you get to the end which should take around 5 minutes. You'll see a large statue commemorating those who fought and died in the World Wars. Cross over and your first stop, Cambridge University Botanic Gardens, is immediately to your right.

View through a train window of a person riding a bike on the train platform at Cambridge

Stop 1: Cambridge University Botanical Garden

A haven for plant lovers, this historical garden was created by Charles Darwin’s mentor, no doubt influencing the great explorer and botanical collector. Here you’ll find over 8,000 plant species from all over the World, attractively planted in the extensive grounds or within one of a cluster of greenhouses found on the site. The Garden Cafe offers a range of plant based meals, as well as baked goods and drinks but can get crowded on a busy day - bring your own and turn your visit into a picnic. Cost: £7.70 for adults.

Top Tip: The Gardens have two exits, the second being closer to the city centre and other sites.

A man standing in an indoor garden

Stop 2: Fitzwilliam Museum

The Fitzwilliam Museum of the University of Cambridge houses an impressive collection of artefacts, antiquities and artwork from around the World. You’ll find everything from Egyptian coffins to Impressionist masterpieces by the likes of Cezanne and Monet. The architecture is pretty impressive too. Entry is free but tickets (paid) may be required for special exhibitions.

The Fitzwilliam Museum is 10 minutes from Botanical Garden 15 minutes from station.

Two people sitting on a bench in Fitzwilliam museum

Stop 3: Traditional Pub Lunch

Upon exiting the main gate, the one in front of the building with the impressive columns, and across the road from the Fitwilliam you’ll find The Rose. This is a traditional ale house turned gastro-pub. Although not the cheapest option, the food is good and, on a nice day like the one on which I visited, the cosy courtyard garden offers a great place to settle in for a bite. Items on the lunch menu are priced  between £11-13.50 and mains are £16-19.00. I went for The plant burger drizzled in the chef's own sauce garnished with smokey pickles and fries.

Top Tip: The Rose has two excellent non-alcoholic beers, one from Estrella Galicia and the other a Bavarian style lager. Either one is a great choice.

Outdoor courtyard of a pub

Stop 4: University of Cambridge

Next, head to the University of Cambridge. I call this a stop, but it is better described as a meander with lots of short stops along the way. This is your chance to wander around the beautiful colleges and soak up the academic atmosphere. Don’t miss the chance to see the iconic King’s College Chapel and the Bridge of Sighs. The University is a living historic site but, with buildings in use for academic purposes, some colleges are closed to visitors or restrict access to those holding entry tickets. I took the free option.

Top Tip: Even those colleges that are closed to visitors will usually let you step up to the gate to catch a glimpse and snap a few photos of what goes on behind the walls. Ask politely if it’s not immediately clear that this is the case.

Scenic view of Cambridge University

Stop 5: The Zoological Museum

The University of Cambridge Zoological Museum is full of specimens collected by Charles Darwin, amongst others. Here you’ll find skeletons, creatures large and small preserved through all manner of methods, as well as informative displays. Whilst I did learn interesting facts on my visit, I have to admit that it also gave me the heebie geebies. Like most other museums in Cambridge, it’s free.

Various bird exhibits at a museum

Stop 6: Market Square

After lunch, make your way to Market Square. It’s a bustling hub of activity. Here you’ll find a variety of stalls selling everything from fresh produce to vintage clothes. It’s a great place to people-watch, browse the stalls, and snap some photos. It’s also right in the heart of the shopping district where you’ll find winding cobbled streets full of big label shops, independent boutiques, as well as pubs and cafes.

Top Tip: I much prefer wandering the historic streets of Cambridge as opposed to hard-core shopping, but if the latter is your thing there’s always the Grand Arcade and The Grafton, two covered shopping malls in the centre.

People walking down a street

Stop 7: Kettle’s Yard

15-minute walk from Bridge of Sighs at the top end of The Backs

A short walk from The Backs is Kettle’s Yard, an art gallery and historic site that’s free to enter. Once the home of H.S. ‘Jim’ Ede, a former curator of the Tate Gallery, Kettle’s Yard houses a unique collection of modern art. It’s a hidden gem that’s well worth a visit.

Top Tip: From your way from the Market Square (or thereabouts) you’ll pass the Bridge of Sighs. I recommend heading straight past to Kettle’s Yard as you’ll be coming back this way later.

Stop 8: The Backs

Next, set your map to the Bridge of Sighs and head to The Backs. As the name implies, this scenic area runs along the river at the back of many of the better known colleges, giving you a unique perspective. Punting is a popular activity here, but walking is free. This picturesque landscape has been an inspiration for many artists and photographers.

Top Tip: Punting - trips on the river in small, long boats propelled with a long stick that is used to push it along, are a Cambridge tradition. Expect to pay £20-£35 per person or £60 or more for a family. A low cost alternative is to hire a punt and push yourself, using a map and google to find out about the sites you’ll pass.

A boat full of people punting on a river

Stop 9: Mathematical Bridge

The Mathematical Bridge is a famous wooden bridge that offers great photo opportunities. The bridge that runs immediately parallel is where you’ll get the best view and the pubs and cafes of Pumps Court offer ample opportunity to toast a great day out before your return to the station.

A boat full of people punting on a river underneath a wooden bridge

Cows in Cambridge

You wouldn’t expect to find cows grazing in fields at the heart of a city centre, but this is Cambridge. On the bridge that offers the best views of the Mathematical Bridge, you’ll find cattle grates and, in the pasture that begins a few feet away a herd of cows can often be seen grazing or resting. Watch your step to avoid nasty surprises.

Cambridge is a city that’s rich in history and culture. Despite its magical buildings, the exclusivity of the university, and the heady weight of history on its shoulders, Cambridge remains a great location for a day trip with much of what it has to offer accessible entirely for free.

Cows laying down and grazing in Cambridge

Getting There

Thameslink and Great Northern trains to Cambridge operate from Blackfriars, Farringdon, London King’s Cross, St Pancras International, Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City and other stations. The author travelled by bus from St Albans City station to Hatfield, where he joined the service. Peak and Off-Peak services can be purchased on the Thameslink or Great Northern apps, websites and stations and money saving railcards are accepted.

View through a train window of a person walking on the train platform at Cambridge

Robin travelled to Cambridge courtesy of Great Northern. All other costs incurred (e.g. lunch) were paid for by the author.

About the Author: Robin is a former BBC Journalist now working as a freelance consultant, author, photographer and university lecturer. His interests include photography, travel, and reading about architecture. Robin has visited Cambridge regularly for thirty years and the city is firmly established on his list of places to take the occasional “once in a lifetime” visitor to England from abroad. Based on past experiences, including the only road traffic violations he’s ever received, Robin wouldn’t dream of getting to Cambridge by any way other than by train.