Charismatic Cambridge: The best hotels to experience the buzzing culture of this classy little city
Cambridge is far from just a city with a famous university; boasting a calendar jam-packed with interesting annual events, excellent shopping, top class food & drink and some of the most beautiful architecture in the world, this is a city that knows how to keep a visitor entertained. Choose from a variety of hotels in Cambridge which reflect this city’s multi-faceted holiday experience. Situated in East Anglia, on the River Cam, the quaint city of Cambridge is a hugely popular city break destination with tourism playing a major role in the area’s economy. Visitors to the city have an excellent range of accommodation to choose from to suit all preferences and budgets; from luxury city centre hotels such as The Varsity & Spa and the Doubletree Cambridge Garden House, to cheaper budget hotels and Bed & Breakfasts such as the Express by Holiday Inn Cambridge.
Getting to Cambridge and around
The city’s popularity with tourists, both nationally and internationally, is hardly surprising: besides its plethora of attractions, its excellent transportation links make it very accessible. A non-stop train from London’s King’s Cross will drop you at Cambridge Station in under an hour, meaning you can easily take advantage of last minute hotel offers. The close proximity of London Stansted Airport also makes international arrivals very simple. Hotels in Cambridge that can be found near the train station include the affordable Holiday Inn Express Cambridge Duxford or the more luxurious Best Western Plus the Gonville.
Once in Cambridge, you may want to do as the locals do and get yourself a bicycle. Known as the cycling capital of the UK, the city is a hive of pedal-powered activity, especially during the summer months, and you’ll find plenty of places offering rentals for your weekend away. However, if cycling to and from your Cambridge hotel isn’t your thing; there are various excellent alternatives to get you out and about and seeing the city, such as the ever-popular punt boats or open-top city bus tours.
Historic Cambridge: Explore the city’s famous treasures
Cambridge has long been famed for its university, which consistently ranks as one of the top five academic institutions in the world and can count names such as Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking and Sir David Attenborough as alumni. The sheer volume of beautiful architecture of the university buildings, perhaps the most renowned being King’s College Chapel, would alone be reason enough to take a weekend break in a Cambridge hotel. Other extraordinary historical sites include the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the newly opened Parker Library, home to many rare and unique titles, and the magnificent Great St Mary’s Church. Centrally located hotels, such as the stunning De Vere University ArmsDe Vere University Arms, and the Du Vin Cambridge make for perfect access to many of the city’s must-see buildings.
Cambridge: A small city with a big personality
Besides its wealth of breathtaking architecture, it is in fact the variety of other attractions which really sets Cambridge apart from other historical cities. Making excellent use of its beautiful green spaces, the Cambridge festival season seemingly offers something for everyone. Summer in the City, running from June until September, offers a whole host of events: the highlights being the Midsummer Fair, Jazz and Brass in the Parks and the much anticipated Big Weekend. Get your laughs at the Cambridge Comedy Festival, where some of the biggest names in comedy come to sharpen their acts in preparation for the Edinburgh Fringe. With plenty of other things happening, from the university’s Festival of Ideas, to the Buskers & Street Performers Festival, your weekend away is bound to feature a few fun surprises. However, it is not just during the summer months that Cambridge comes alive: a thriving arts scene can be enjoyed throughout the year by visiting the city’s many theatres, galleries or music venues, such as the fantastic Cambridge Junction.