From Oxford to Cambridge – we drive this route on direct overland roads. As we will learn later, this was more or less the way the scholarly founders of Cambridge went when they were no longer wanted in Oxford for a while. We find a flat city stealth camping spot very centrally close to a sports field. On foot we reach the center of the old town of Cambridge within 10 minutes via the Garret Hostel Lane Bridge, perfect. On our first evening we don’t make any big jumps, a pub offers us everything we need today: Warm food, beer, and a cozy atmosphere. Thus, we can start our sightseeing strengthened the next day.

Sights

Boat tour with Scudamore’s Punting Company

In Cambridge a river runs through and past the old town. Boat tours are offered on this river similar to what we have already experienced in Canterbury. We simply like to be around and on the water – accordingly, this is one of the first attractions we take advantage of. A leisurely boat tour takes us past venerable colleges and the boatman teaches us one or the other story from past and recent times during the tour. For example, Cambridge was founded by outcast scholars from Oxford. For 30 years they could not teach in Oxford, enough time to establish their own scholarly city.

At first glance, student life in Cambridge seems more relaxed and hipper. There are also great stories from more recent times. Students once had the car of a principal hanged under a bridge. The legend says that the condition of the principal was to have a damage-free release of the car from the impassable situation to have saved the students from reprisals.

Another funny anecdote: in Trinity College pets such as dogs were explicitly forbidden. So, one of the students got a bear as a pet. And to this day, the house rules of this college state that bears are not allowed as pets either. This student troublemaker was Lord Byron – a famous romantic poet.

Great Saint Mary

The Great Saint Mary Church is worth visiting partly because of its architecture, but even more because the church tower can be climbed as a viewing platform. The tower is a little bit higher than most of the surrounding roofs and so there is a good view over Cambridge. From up here it is also obvious that the old town of Cambridge is not very big. Soon behind the red tiled roofs the more modern housing estates and partly industrial areas start. We also see the new town, so we decide to make a detour there later. Maybe Cambridge offers some more qualities as a student city?

King’s College

King’s College itself is not open to the public – which is understandable when you live and teach there. The college is famous today for the King’s College Chapel. And the church has it in itself! Of course, Mimi doesn’t miss the opportunity to visit it. For 11 pounds (10 pounds if you book online) you can see the breathtaking building. The gothic church was built between 1446 and 1515 and impresses especially by the detailed ceiling, it is the largest fan vault in the world! But also, the windows with the colorful stained glass are very impressive. Definitely worth a visit!

As an alternative program for Paddy, appearing as if planned, a street musician is ready who conjures up really nice tracks with a loop station nearby (if you want you can listen to him with the stage name “SevenBears”). With sun on your face, a light breeze, and good sounds, it feels like a long awaited little open air music festival.

New Town of Cambridge

Through Parker’s Piece Park we walk into the new town of Cambridge. We are less convinced by the big chain stores and devote ourselves to a street that is supposed to be known for local handicrafts and small souvenirs. We either don’t find this street or it doesn’t meet our expectations – in any case, our detour to the New Town of Cambridge simply turns into a one-hour afternoon walk. Therefore, we walk back to the beautiful old town in a big round.

Strolling in the old town of Cambridge

We like the old town of Cambridge very much and we don’t need much more. First, we stop at a bookstore with coffee and second, we also come across two markets. One market is daily, it seems. Here, vegetables, fruits and other edibles are offered. In addition, about 1/3 of the stalls also prepare hot food directly on site. If you are hungry, you will enjoy the Cambridge Market Square.

A second market we found at All Saints Garden Art & Craft Market. For this market, we are not sure if it is taking place daily as well. We can finally satisfy our craving for crafts. There are cards, soaps, a saddler, and other stalls offering handmade goods. It’s worth a visit here!

During our visit to Cambridge, student life is just beginning again for the fall term. Many freshmen are there with their parents and we are amused multiple times about funny scenes, where parents are, probably for a long time the last time, properly mothering for their child. Well, it’s understandable since the child hopefully returns completely standing on its own feet after graduation.

We like Cambridge a lot better than Oxford. The atmosphere seems more open-minded, cosmopolitan and all in all more down-to-earth. Of course, this is only the first impression we can take away, maybe it is completely different. With these nice impressions we conclude our visit in Cambridge and are already looking forward to the next stop.

Aaaand….

The name is found – BEN!

As a side note in our own business: We have now christened our van. Ben is the chosen name. In Oxford we already flirted with the name Ben and in Cambridge we are now sure. Our van is called Ben, it seems a bit funny but such a central tool like a campervan may get its own name.