Cambridge
The Blank Page Girls Guide to...
Cambridge
Summer in Cambridge is fantastic because there are so many outdoor activities such as the Shakespeare Festival or of course punting, but even just walking along the river and the backs of the colleges in the sunshine is absolutely divine.
Punting
If you decide to go punting, (which you really of course must, if you’re visiting) then make sure you go with Scudamores, they are the only licensed punting company on the river, they will give you a complete tour with fully trained punt chauffeurs, complete with straw boater hats and waistcoats. Sharing a punt with a group of strangers can be really lovely as you can meet new people or if you’re feeling brave hire your own punt for an hour and mess about on the river (just try not to fall in or drop your stick). If the sun doesn’t hold out all of the punts tend to be equipped with umbrellas and blankets so you can snuggle up and still enjoy the tour.
Cambridge Shakespeare Festival
A real highlight of the summer for me, each year the Cambridge College gardens open themselves up to play host to a troupe of actors performing a selection of the Bard’s greatest works. No bending to trendy new historicism just great performances in stunning settings. Take a picnic with you and if you don’t mind sitting on the floor and getting a little closer to the action then take a picnic blanket, a bottle of wine and snacks and you’re set for the evening. Tickets are available in advance or on the door. Each play is performed for a week in the same college and the festival lasts for most of the the summer so there is a great selection to go and see, from the most popular A Midsummer Night’s dream to lesser known plays such as As You Like It.
http://www.cambridgeshakespeare.com/
Ice Skating
Come winter it can be hard to find things to do but Cambridge put on an ice rink on Parker’s Piece from November to January. A great way to amuse yourself, or to keep children entertained for an hour in between shopping or as a main activity followed by a mean in one of Cambridge’s many great restaurants, conveniently located in proximity to Parker’s Piece.
http://www.northpolecambridge.co.uk/
Midsummer Common Fireworks
There are a lot of fantastic firework displays on Bonfire night but it is worth making the trip to Midsummer Common to watch the display, the impressive bonfire and enjoy the fairground. Traffic can be hell getting in and out so I would recommend to go into Cambridge early, find a restaurant for dinner, wrap up warm and watch the fireworks and then spend an hour or two enjoying the fairground before you attempt to leave, essentially make the most of the night to avoid being sat in your car for the majority of it instead.
Craft’s Market
In All Saint’s Garden on Trinity Street there is a craft market every Sunday, where artists and makers sell their ware. From jewellery to photographs there is a great selection of quirky and individual items available.
http://www.cambridge-art-craft.co.uk/index.htm
Fitzbillie’s bakery
A Cambridge institution if ever there was one, Fitzbillie’s bakery is famous for its sticky Chelsea Buns, and they are indeed sickly and glorious. Hidden away out of the busy city centre, you may require a quick google maps session to find the bakery but it is well worth the searching.
This is certainly not a definitive list but a few ideas and some of my favourites of the city I’ve grown up with and love so much.
