City guides : Cambridge

On first impressions, Cambridge may seem like a twee time warp more suited to camera wielding tourists than young students. However, for those who give the time to exploring the narrow medieval streets and further reaches of town, there lies a host of magnificent pubs, eccentric shops and unique surprises.

Bars and clubs

Cambridge’s collegiate system means there are over 25 different student bars across town. For cheese and unashamed good times, Ballare (inexplicably known amongst the students as ‘Cindies’) is a perennial favourite. For those with more alternative tastes, Kambar offers indie, dubstep and reggae with entry around £3. If you are looking for the more sedate environs of a pub then Cambridge is the perfect destination. Highlights include the tiny St Radegund on King’s Street and the historic Eagle where the roof is decorated with graffiti from World War Two fighter pilots and Crick and Watson supposedly discovered DNA.

Shopping

In the centre of town, the recently developed St Andrews Street is good for fashion, as is the spanking new Grand Arcade shopping mall. For those willing to search for something a bit more unusual, Burleigh Street near the Grafton Centre has some excellent charity shops. Even further a field is Mill Road, the most vibrant part of Cambridge and a Mecca for quirky shoppers with a bevy of foreign foods, second hand stores and trendy shops. The historic Market Square is a popular place for trinkets and food and don’t miss the Sunday Arts and Crafts Market in All Saints Garden.

 

 

Eating out

For the best curries in town, head up Castle Street to Cambridge’s little India, hosting three excellent establishments Café Naz, Cocum and the Maharaja. Mill Road has a host of fantastic and affordable foreign restaurants including Al Casbah and Café Adriatic. For those looking to splurge, the double Michelin starred Midsummer House is nationally renowned, and the newly established organic specialists Cotto are quickly gaining a glowing reputation.

Entertainment

The Junction normally has a good selection of artists, recently hosting the Rileys, and Public Enemy. The Corn Exchange has the occasional highlight, in particular the annual NME tour. Cambridge really comes into its own in theatre. The famous ADC where Peter Cook, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Mitchell and Webb and Tilda Swinton have all trodden the boards, is a hub of student theatre. Cambridge has the museums of a capital city, including the internationally renowned Fitzwilliam and many more niche options such as the Wipple Science Museum. When it comes to galleries, Kettle’s Yard is an excellent source of contemporary art.

Accommodation

The great majority of students live in college accommodation for all three years of the degrees, so the stress of renting houses does not exist. Most offer comfortable accommodation very near to the centre of town, with prices varying between £70 and £90 a week.

Top 3 places to visit

• Parker’s Piece
• Kings Parade and Trinity Street
• The Backs

As one of the most historic university towns in Europe, Cambridge effortlessly mixes the cultural grandeur of old with a young and dynamic student population. Whether you are attending a dubstep night, watching Blues Rugby or listening to a Cabinet Minister speak at the Union, there is never a moment with nothing to do.