Seeking input about Cambridge

Google to find out when the exam period is, because most of the Cambridge campus is closed to visitors/tourists during the exam period, which lasts several weeks.

Hmmm, Kent, I did just Google that, and found the result very confusing, lots of different zones and exams and dates throughout the year. I am looking at visiting sometime during the period of June 13 to 17. Can you or anyone else tell me if that is a particularly bad time? If I were to visit during the exam period, just what would I be missing out on?

If you contact the tourist information bureau you might get definitive answers. www.visitcambridge.org

Larry,
I was in England in May 2014 and chose not to go to Cambridge because of the closures. But that was in May and you're going in June so you're probably okay as far as the closures go.
The closures were basically most of May.

In my pre-trip research last year, I too found the information available on closures the web to be confusing.
I even e-mailed the wardens at the campus about the extent of the closures in May and got no reply. The impression I got was that the closures were substantial, but that was in May, not June.
The best information I got was in Rick's London book, he includes Cambridge as a day trip option from London.

Cambridge vs. Oxford is purely a matter of taste! My preference is Oxford simply because there is more to see, there are more places to walk to, and I just like the feel of the town. The gardens and grounds of the colleges in Oxford are quite picturesque with a bit more variety and the walk along the river is just idyllic. It feels to me like the Oxford colleges are generally more accessible than those in Cambridge.
Two days in Cambridge is plenty.

I agree, two nights would be enough for Cambridge unless you want to see a whole lot. I've been to both and I like Cambridge's less urban feel, easier access to the river, and Kings College Chapel which has no parallel in Oxford. Visit the Chapel, walk along the river (or ride a boat if you want), visit some of the colleges (Trinity is very good). If you're a climber there's a church tower next to the campus that gives you a view across the city and out into East Anglia. The Scott Polar Institute is good if you're into Antarctic exploration. And not far north, if you're staying longer, is the unique Ely Cathedral.

Nothing wrong with Oxford though, lots of fine sights, pick whichever fits best with the rest of your itinerary. It's probably not time-effective to visit both Oxford and Cambridge, though.

If you do go to Cambridge be sure to go punting. It is a beautiful way to see Cambridge, very romantic and other-worldly. When we went our group included a very old and very frail relative. She was nervous about stepping down into the punt but the man in charge solved the problem by picking her up and gently depositing her in the craft. He lifted her out when we returned, too. Sweet.

Rick Steves is going to tell you to go to Cambridge ... I would say to go to Oxford! Like another poster said, I like the feel of Oxford much more than Cambridge; the latter felt like a very small college town with not much to do, while Oxford has tons - from the Radcliffe Camera to punting (must do punting!) to University of St. Mary The Virgin (walk up to the top!). Two nights/one full day in Cambridge would be absolutely plenty.

I only spent maybe two hours in Cambridge so sadly don't have much to offer beyond my general sense of the town. Hope you have fun!

Several years ago we spent one full day in Cambridge. We have also been to Oxford and did prefer Cambridge. But, the day we were in Oxford, it was very rainy and cold. The day we were in Cambridge it was sunny and beautiful - could have made a difference for me. If you like art (and we do) the Fitzwilliam museum is great. We also went punting, and that was a very nice experience. Other than that, we visited a few of the other small museums and walked the town. We stayed in a B&B outside of town because we had a car. Took the bus into town from the B&B park & ride. One full day was enough of a visit for us. We enjoyed it.

I spent a lovely long weekend at Cambridge. I think that three nights would not be a problem at all. You can always do a day trip to Ely if you think you're bored!

So, as someone who has worked in higher education I took a stab at the exam issue. I found this site with the Academic Calendar. Any search on exams and Cambridge brings up information about the A levels and other exams that students take prior to going to university. They all seem to happen in June, but I don't believe that the university closes for those exams. You might want to post on TripAdvisor to get the straight scoop. When I look at the calendar it says that the Easter Term ends on June 12. The question I would ask TA is if that means exams are over or just starting. My own guestimate is that they are over.

I want to second the suggestion that you go punting. You can do it at either Oxford or Cambridge.

When I stayed in Cambridge it was at Arundel House. I think I would have preferred to stay closer in if possible. It looks like Worth House is similarly situated. I think I would look at Cambridge City Hotel or Royal Cambridge Hotel. I think I would also check out The Ark B&B.

I took one of the tours of campus which was very interesting. The Fitzwilliam Museum is quite impressive. Of course you will want to see King's College Chapel. I also enjoyed just wandering around.

As an aside, you might want to watch the Grantchester mystery series on PBS. It's located in and around Cambridge in the 1950's. While it may be less rural now than it was then, it's still much more rural than Oxford.

Pam

1. As a completely unbiased person. Cambridge is definitely the best city in England.
2. Definitely stay forever, Cambridge is great.
3. I would highly recommend Citystay for lodgings. http://www.citystayuk.com/
4. Unfortunately I don't know about the food tours, but I can recommend good places to visit if you would like?