9 Unique Free Things To Do In Cambridge
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What comes to your mind when you think about Cambridge? Is it a world-famous university, punting, abundance of gardens, best cycle routes in the UK or unreasonable prices? Even though life in the city costs more than in many other places, traveling on a budget is possible. Any free things to do in Cambridge come to your mind? It might surprise you, but Cambridge offers plenty of things to do and see for free!
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Free things to do in Cambridge
The Fitzwilliam Museum
As you might know, all museums are free in the United Kingdom. Because of that, visiting them is an exceptional activity, especially when it is raining. The Fitzwilliam Museum is one of 9 museums that belong to the University of Cambridge.
Visiting Fitz is one of my favourite free things to do in Cambridge and it always pops up in my mind when I am reminiscing about the time I spent living in Cambridgeshire. It is also a great way to spend a free afternoon!
The Fitzwilliam Museum comprises one of the best collections of antiquities and modern art in western Europe. You can find over 500 thousands objects! There are many amazing artworks made by well-known artists like Monet, Picasso, Rubens, Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt, Cézanne, and more.
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Kettle’s Yard
Kettle’s Yard is a contemporary art gallery in a house. It was the home of Jim and Helen Ede, who started the “open house” to display their private art collection. They donated the house and collection to the University of Cambridge, who preserved the interior of the house. Because of that, you can now admire paintings and sculptures, as well as learn how people decorated their houses in the 1960s.
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Other free museums
Among other great and free museums, you can find the University Museum of Zoology, Sedgwick Museum of Geology and Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. All of them are very interesting tourist attractions, even though they are not as popular as other indoor activities Cambridge offers. Find more about them here.
Wandering around the University of Cambridge
You can not visit Cambridge without seeing the world-known University! The University of Cambridge comprises 31 colleges that are situated over Cambridge. Many of them are open to the public for free. You can check which ones don’t require entry fee here.
If you do not have time to visit them all, focus on those that are close to the city centre. You can also go for a walk around the most famous colleges and admire their exteriors from the street. You can not miss out on the breathtaking view of King’s College and its Chapel!
Walk on the King’s Parade, spot the famous Mathematical Bridge and Bridge of Sighs, and make a quick break on The Backs. It’s a magnificent spot to take photos, as well as appreciate the glorious view of many colleges.
Evensong at King’s College
Have you ever heard about evensong in Cambridge? Even if the answer is no, attending evensong is something you must do! Believe me or not, but it is worth checking out, no matter if you are an enthusiast of choirs and churches or not. The Choir of King’s College is one of the world’s best known choral groups, and BBC broadcast Carols every Christmas Eve since 1928.
This is one way to get inside the beautiful King’s College Chapel for free. The evensong service is especially enchanting during winter.
Corpus Clock
The Corpus Clock, also known as Grasshopper Clock and Corpus Chronophage, is an enormous clock located outside the Taylor Library at Corpus Christi College. Stephen Hawking, well-known Cambridge physicist, unveiled the clock to the public in 2008.
The Corpus Clock is accurate only once every five minutes and reflects the irregularity of life. The Chronophage (meaning time-eater) sitting on the top of the clock reminds of the passing of time. I find the idea behind the clock rather disturbing.
There are only four Chronophage clocks in the world – Corpus Clock in Cambridge, Midsummer Chronophage that is also in the UK, Dragon Chronophage in China, and fourth in a private commission.
Market Square
History of the Market Square goes back to the Middle Ages, when it was the heart of the trading. It is near the river, which was a great trading route between Cambridge and King’s Lynn – a large and important medieval town with access to the sea.
People from all Cambridgeshire came to the Market to trade their own goods like salt, fish or wine, gossip and even witness public whippings. That allowed Cambridge to flourish with time.
Nowadays, the Market Square has a more contemporary vibe, but still in the centre of local trading. Different stalls open every day and offer a diverse range of products. You never know what you might find there each day. Will it be organic fruits and vegetables, clothes, handmade items, or bakeries? That makes shopping in the Market Square intriguing. Stalls are open even in the poor weather!
Relax in one of the Cambridge parks…
Looking for more free things to do in Cambridge? City offers many stunning parks, with some of them in the city centre! They are brilliant spots for a quick break during an extensive day of sightseeing, or summer picnic. Not to mention that they look absolutely stunning in Autumn!
Check out Christ’s Pieces which lies just between Grand Arcade and The Grafton, Jesus Green with outdoor pool, or Parker Piece – the birthplace of the rules of football. And of course Midsummer Common, where you can walk among the cows! Yeah, I know. That sounds crazy.
Cambridge Castle
Cambridge Castle, also known as Castle Mound, was one of three castles built across the east of England in late 1068 by William the Conqueror. The castle gaol was demolished in 1842, after years of not being used.
There are no ruins to be found but the grassy mound is very important in the history of Cambridge. It is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument and the highest point in the city.
It is worth climbing to the top of Castle Hill, and admiring the expansive view over the city. If you are lucky, you might spot the Ely Cathedral!
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