we will be in cambridge england for several days in spring. (visiting family in the evening). on our own during the day.

how many days should we allow for sightseeing?

the highlights include?
punting, fitzwilliam museum, botanical gardens, on off bus? and ???

The American cemetery at Madingley, the colleges, the market, the backs, Great St. Mary's Church, Duxford -- the air museum. You'll run out of time before you run out of things to do.

If you want to get out of Cambridge and visit some other places, Ely might be worth a trip. You could go for part of a day and see the cathedral amongst other things...
Also I liked Saffron Walden, a very pretty town close by. You can get there on public transport.

Hi Joanel.

I wrote a long trip report on Cambridge and spent the summer there again this year. There is so much to do..it is hard to narrow some choices without knowing more about your preferences. You may want to check out my report, but it is long.

http://tinyurl.com/kag6j

Ely is only about 15 mins by train from Cambridge and worth visiting for the cathedral alone. I remember there were a number of ticket options, including different things, but this wasn't made clear when you entered. It would be worth checking it out online before you visit.

The day we were there, there was a small market in the centre of town and some nice shops.

There is a great tearoom down by the river (5 mins walk from the cathedral). It won the top tea place in 2007.

http://www.peacockstearoom.co.uk/

Kay

will probably stay just in cambridge.

Ely has my favorite English cathedral - the lantern dome is unique and the stained glass is lovely - absolutely worth a side trip.

Cambridge - wander around the Colleges and the Backs - it gives you a real feel for the place.

Sorry you don't want to explore out, however, perhaps, once you spent 1/2 day seeings what on your list, you will change your mind. Enjoy your your stay.

hi joan,

i just moved to cambridge and its great here!

i agree with everything people have said so far... just to re-iterate.

punting is a a great experience, especially around dusk when the old street lights and college lights come on.

fitzwilliam museum is fantastic, the collection is small, but very interesting, the building is stunning as well

as for the colleges - don't miss:

the pembroke courtyard,

king's chapel,

trinity (chariots of fire was filmed in the courtyard) (and newton's tree),

st john's and the bridge of sighs (try to climb st. john's tower for fantastic views),

queens' and the mathmatical bridge

also in the main city square near kings and st. mary's church there is gonville and caius (pronounced 'keys') college which is stephen hawking's college

down the street from gonville there is a new million pound clock dedicated by dr. hawking himself that is interesting to see. this is also near the eagle pub - very historic and decent pub grub as well. (historic = the discovery of the double helix, structure of dna was accounced at the eagle in the 50s)

other - parkers piece (large park in the center of cambridge) is where the rules for football (soccer) were originally decided.

granchester - a great walk along the river for about 45 mins will take you out to 'the orchard' which is a tea room in granchester that is beautiful and historic - old acedemics/poets used to hang out there to enjoy the 'camp' life... including the likes of rupert brooke, virginia woolf and maynard keynes (the famous economist). if you get a nice day it makes for a great picnic.

also in trinty is the wren library, designed by christopher wren - inside there are medieval manuscripts,early Shakespeare editions, Isaac Newton work and even Milne's winnie-the-pooh manuscripts.

a walk around the backs as mentioned will give great views of kings - typical post card views... and you could stop at the university library

thats about it... hope it helps, have a great time in cambridge!

j.

J. how long do you think it would take to do all you suggested? 2 days? or ????

Bury St Edmunds (sp?) is, along with Ely, another neat old market town near Cambridge

Lincoln - i would also day trip to London if you've naught been there - take in a play at night, etc. about one hour by train each way.

we will be in london first for several days. have been there many times. have family there as well.

looking for info on cambridge. thanks all.

hi joan,

you could easily do all that was suggested in 2 days...

have a good trip!

Joanel, I read everything suggested by JMWF and agree...all is doable in 2 days and they are great suggestions. The Orchard is so neat, a must see if the weather is nice and you are up for a stroll. Also, try and climb the stairs at St. Mary's, which is caddy-corner to the central market, it is a few GBPs, but so worth it, for the best views in the world!!!!