Cambridge University Walking Tour
- 1.5–2 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
We’ve been leading our acclaimed Christian Heritage guided walks for over 25 years, and work with a dedicated team of local guides to bring you a small-group walking experience which is personal, engaging and unforgettable. We aim to give you a feel for some of Cambridge's most iconic and influential spots, both on and off the beaten track. Our approach is a little different from a standard tourist tour: we believe that ideas matter, and focus on how a small number of big ideas have shaped the university over eight eventful centuries. Weaving together stories about the Cambridge characters who transformed the world (such as Isaac Newton, William Wilberforce and John Milton), our guides will lead you through subjects such as the emergence of the university from Christian monasteries, the Protestant Reformation, the development of modern science, movements for the rule of law and religious freedom, and the campaign to abolish the British slave trade.
Inclusions
What's included
- Entrance fee to Round Church Visitor Centre
Itinerary
Please note that the below itinerary provides an example of places often visited on the tour, but the route may vary to provide you with the best tour possible on any given day.
We start at the Round Church, Cambridge's quirkiest (and, we think, most beautiful) church building, which predates the university. The church houses an exhibition and 20-minute film, and access to these are included in guided walk tickets.
We typically start by venturing down to the River Cam, where a clear sense of the town's origins can be gained at Magdalene Bridge.
Tours are sometimes able to go inside 1-2 colleges, but this is not always possible and we cannot guarantee this. Magdalene College, where C.S. Lewis was based during his time in Cambridge, can also be viewed from the Quayside.
We stop to admire the exterior of the chapel and gatehouse of St John’s College.
We view the gatehouse of Trinity College, and Isaac Newton’s apple tree.
We spend some time surrounded by the central University buildings: the University church, the Senate House, and Cambridge University Press bookshop, as well as the beautiful Gonville and Caius College.
Opposite Great St Mary's Church is the University Senate House, where students graduate.
We view the exterior of King's College, including the magnificent chapel, from King's Parade.
We aim to give you a feel for some of Cambridge's most iconic and influential spots, both on and off the beaten track. Tours sometimes visit the Church of St Edward King and Martyr, where it is claimed the first Protestant sermon was preached in England.
We visit one of the newer additions to Cambridge's historic King's Parade and explore its significance.
We stop to admire the tower of St Bene't's, which is the oldest building in Cambridge, dating from c.1020.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.9
- 5351
- 417
- 32
- 23
- 10
Ratings come from 373 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Interesting and catching
A very interesting and catching tour given by Dave who knew everything about Cambridge University and UK history. If you want more of depth than ordinary tourist tours, I recommend this. Don’t miss the the display and movie inside the round church which are included in the guided tour ticket.
5Fascinating tour, brilliant guide!
Dave was a brilliant guide. He was knowledgeable and amusing in equal measure. It was particularly good how he related many facts back to the Christian faith of the people involved. The good weather helped our enjoyment as 95% of the tour was outdoors.
5EXCEPTIONAL
This was one of the best walking tours I have ever been on. Dave was nothing short of exceptional. He delivered a comprehensive amount of information in a witty and engaging way. If you're keen to know more about the past 1,000 years of English history, the machinations of the Royals, and how our world has been shaped by the former students of Cambridge University, then this is the tour for you.
5Excellent tour
Ian our guide was informative. We know much more about Cambridge now and must start looking up at buildings.
5Best thing in Cambridge
Must do when in Cambridge. Ian, our very knowledgeable and fun tour guide was the best thing in Cambridge. We learnt so much about the university and its history. Recommended to all ages.
5An impromptu tour that turned out to be wonderful!
Martin was a wonderful guide who shared lots of insightful local and historical knowledge. The tour opened our eyes to the depth of Cambridge's history and inspired profound thoughts on education and spirituality. We're grateful to have taken the tour.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- We meet inside the Round Church on Bridge Street. Upon arrival, please come inside the church and check-in at the welcome desk.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 15 travellers
- Operated by
- Christian Heritage Cambridge
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough walkers (2) to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
- While we try our best to visit colleges as part of the tour, it is not always possible to go inside college grounds and we cannot guarantee this. Tours will not be able to enter colleges during University exam term (late April to end of June). The tour route takes you through the centre of Cambridge, which includes viewing the exteriors of several colleges.
- Due to college restrictions, visitors with dogs will need to remain outside any colleges visited.
- Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
How it compares in Cambridge
- Its from-price is 80% below the median of the 15 city tours we list in Cambridge.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 2 of 15.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Cambridge
Cambridge is an English university city on the River Cam, famed for its ancient colleges, King's College Chapel and punts gliding along the Backs.
The university, founded in the early thirteenth century, still shapes the centre, with college courts, gatehouses and chapels opening off narrow streets. King's College Chapel, with its fan-vaulted ceiling and tall windows, is the best known, and Trinity's Great Court and the Bridge of Sighs at St John's are close behind. The Fitzwilliam Museum holds antiquities and paintings, and the market square has traded for centuries.
Top-ranked sights in Cambridge: King's College Chapel, Trinity College, Mathematical Bridge.
Special offers in Cambridge
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
