My husband and I will be in Cambridge in late September and we're trying to decide whether to book a guided walking tour. We will be there for two nights but have only one full day for the city. We want to visit the Wren Library (12-2 only!) and spend time exploring on our own, and since we'll be meeting friends for dinner later that evening, we want to make sure we spend our time wisely. Are the tours through the TI (Kings and Queens College, particularly) worth committing the time to?
Posted by
Lawrence, KS
5 posts
Hi Diane,
I made a day trip to Cambridge a few years ago and really enjoyed the tour I took. It was through the visitor's center at https://booking.visitcambridge.org/tours and I did the "Official University and City Tour including Kings College." It was only 2 hours but I felt I got to see and learn a lot, and when it was over the guide dropped us off at the Wren Library as it was open. I was really hoping to go punting too but it started raining rather hard so I opted out. Next time!
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I've taken a couple of tours in Cambridge. If you are there outside term time you can tour a college which is very interesting. Either Queens or King's would be good choices. I doubt that you need to book the tour in advance. Both times I took one, I did it as a walkup. Once was a Sunday in June and the other was midweek in July. You can tour King's Chapel separately.
I do like the market. My Cambridge routine has been to fly in Saturday and then get up on Sunday and walk down to the market after breakfast. I have bought several scarves there. I then usually wend my way over to Waterstones as it reminds of what bookstores were like before Amazon.
Pam
Posted by
Washington DC
28249 posts
I believe I took the same tour as Nicole. I think the tour is very worthwhile. I appreciated the background info, and if you take a tour arranged by the tourist office, you can be sure of getting inside colleges even if you visit at a time when they are generally closed. Just ask them where the day's tour is going before you sign up and you'll get an honest answer.