The Clooper Guide To Cambridge
Cambridgeshire has a number of interesting locales to visit, but the eponymous Cambridge is by far the most popular.
Cambridge is an intriguing mix of modern and medieval. With research centres for tech powerhouses like Apple & Spotify woven between stunning Georgian architecture, we’d say intriguing is only half of it! Cambridge is also the UK’s cycling capital, which is an extra charming detail. Especially for any cyclists amongst you.
PROPERTIES AND PRICES
TO BUY: Cambridge is popular, picturesque and expensive as a result. To purchase a property prices normally start at around the £80,000 mark for a shared property. With larger properties, boasting more bedrooms and closer to more amenities, for example, starting upwards of around a million.
TO RENT: This area is particularly popular with students. Therefore, house shares and flatshares are common. These are reasonably priced for the area. Beginning at £400 – £500 per month, usually with bills included and sizeable rooms. Apartments start a little higher. For a studio, prices normally range from £800 – £1,000 and go upwards from there.
TO STAY: Typically, luxury serviced apartments in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire start at about £110-£150 per night. You can browse through some of our available properties here.
GREEN SPACES
To start, Cambridge boasts an incredible nature reserve. Wicken Fen is a 254.5 hectare Nature Reserve and Conservation Review site. There are options to visit as a paying and a non-paying guest, also, with several routes running through. Staff are friendly and accommodating, the cafe is well stocked with hot food, and wildlife roams free and protected.
The Midsummer Common is another honorary mention. This open stretch of public green is perfect for many occasions. Sunbathing, jogging, meditating, having a picnic, walking your dog. There is also a regular Midsummer Fair. This event has been going strong for 810 years, taking place on the last week of June every year. Coronavirus has unfortunately meant that it has been postponed several times, but there are hopes for it to continue routinely in the next few years.
Lammas Land features a tennis court for the sportier amongst you. There’s also even a small wading pool, meant for summer. Cambridge is truly beautiful when lit up by the sunshine. With all of these parks and reserves to enjoy, we’re sure even the gloomy days spent here would be bright enough.
THINGS TO DO
There is a rich tapestry of culture, modernity, eccentricity, and excitement to be found in Cambridge. Whether you’re visiting or planning to make a home there. Here are just a few fun things in store for you:
- Cambridge Arts Theatre: there is a lot of respect for the arts in Cambridge, and many who are talented in such find themselves here. The Cambridge Arts Theatre hosts regular performances of varying genres. Comedy, drama, dance, just to name a few.
- The ADC Theatre is another worthy mention. It’s even hosted names as huge as Monty Python, who found their footing in the ADC when they were first beginning!
- Go punting! Punting along the RIver Cam is a popular pastime, even for locals. It’s easy enough to find a tour, too. Whether you’re after a day tour or merely a lunchtime detour.
- Go on a Walking Tour of Cambridge, to be guided through some of the most historic streets, to witness the most historic buildings.
- Explore Mill Road for an adventure through streets laden with quirky, independently-owned vintage stores.
- Tour the city on a bike, whether with a tour, or solo. It is the cycling capital, after all.
- Explore the Fitzwilliam Museum and discover intruiging art and antiquities.
AMENITIES
In Cambridge Market Square, as the name may suggest, there is a daily market. This is a fantastic place to buy groceries, or even a meal, made as you wait. Around this square is a network of streets rich with shopping opportunities. High-street retailers, chain names like Tesco, independently owned coffee stores. You can find all sorts here! With Cambridge’s growing popularity also, more and more interesting venues are cropping up with time.
Cambridge has a high population of vegan restaurants. Restaurants generally, in fact, but specifically vegan and vegetarian. There are also a high number of cafes and family-friendly restaurants. If you’re looking to cook your own meals, you, of course, have the market to regularly visit for fresh ingredients. You can also stroll to your local Co-Op or Sainsbury’s. Cambridge is lucky enough to have basic amenities and supermarkets, as well as an intriguing array of market stalls to choose from. If you’re looking to live there, you’ll be lucky enough to benefit from all of them!
SCHOOLS
Cambridge is of course renowned for Cambridge University, as the name may suggest. Many families and students move here because of its impressive higher education opportunities. More examples include Cambridge College, as well as Trinity College.
This isn’t to say it’s lacking in primary or secondary schools, in fact: most are rated ‘good’ or even ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. There is a large selection of both public and private schools. Additionally, also, there are ample mixed-gender and single-gender options.
