A guide to living in Cambridge

Only 54 minutes by train from London, Cambridge, otherwise known as the UK’s ‘brain belt’, has some of the best employment opportunities outside of the capital. Home to some of the biggest corporations in the world, as well as a large number of tech and pharmaceutical start ups, this intellectual powerhouse of a city offers all the excitement of London but on a smaller scale.

For the ultimate Cambridge experience, punting on the River Cam is an absolute must. This leisurely pasttime offers you the chance to see Cambridge’s most epic scenery while a number of punting operators will talk you through a potted history of the city and show you the perfect spot for a picnic. 

For culture vultures, the Fitzwilliam Museum never fails to disappoint. Set in the heart of the historic city centre, the museum is home to everything from Renaissance sculptures to Egyptian antiquities. The museum is housed in one of Cambridge’s most iconic buildings and hosts regular events and various exhibitions throughout the year. Kettle’s Yard, on the other side of the city, is also well worth a visit. This is home to the University of Cambridge’s modern and contemporary art collection and has seen a major redevelopment in recent years. Previously home to Jim and Helen Ede, collectors of art and sculpture in the 1920s and 1930s, Kettle’s Yard is the darling of the contemporary art world and includes works by some of the biggest names such as Ben and Winifred Nicholson, Alfred Wallis, Constantin Brancusi, Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth.

When it comes to green space, Cambridge has more per acre than almost any other city in the UK. For those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the centre, a visit to Jesus Green, Midsummer Common or Parkers Piece is a must. There's also the University of Cambridge’s Botanic Gardens which is home to over 8,000 plant species from all over the world. It also has a packed events calendar throughout the year and a smart café.

Naturally, Cambridge is crammed with other museums thanks to the world class research which has taken place at the university over the years. Other great spots to visit include the Polar Scott Research Institute, The Centre for Computing History or go on a behind-the-scenes tour of the university, with real-life Cambridge students as guides.

Cambridge is packed with bars and restaurants catering for all tastes. It offers an eclectic mix of traditional English pubs, fine dining and more relaxed, fusion food options. Here we take a look at some of the best options in the city.

At Six, the rooftop bar offers a massive cocktail list and views over the college rooftops. The glass-surrounded restaurant on the floor below has a great menu of fabulous pizzas from its stone baked oven, as well as steaks and a number of vegan and plant-based options too.

Midsummer House offers the best in fine dining. Opened in 1998 by Daniel Clifford, the restaurant is set in a Victorian villa overlooking the river and Midsummer Common and has a menu of contemporary British food and a world-famous tasting menu.

Parkers Tavern, in the refurbished University Arms Hotel, is the city’s best brasserie. Overlooking Parker’s Piece, the restaurant is run by Tristan Welch and the menu is described as ‘a love letter to the incredible produce found in East Anglia.’

There's an eclectic mix of catering on Mill Road including any number Indican, French Italian and Spanish cuisine. One of the most exciting offerings here is Fin Boys Fish Butchery, which champions British fish and offers great advice for recipes; you can also eat there and it's worth checking out the feasting table, which has a bespoke menu of seafood dishes.

With an eclectic mix of both high street brands and independent shops, shopping in Cambridge is some of the best on offer outside of London.

Rose Crescent is one of Cambridge’s prettiest streets and offers a range of shops including L’Occitaine en Provence, Molton Brown, Rituals and JoJo Maman Bebe, as well as high-end jewellers, Cellini. Cambridge residents also make the most of some of the city’s best independent retailers, including Trotter & Deane, a traditional menswear shop on Sussex Street, The Cambridge Satchel Company, one of the city’s most famous exports and the Cambridge Gin Distillery. Music lovers won’t be able to get enough of Lost in Vinyl, an adorable shop on Magdalene Street, one of Cambridge’s most photographed locations.

In the country

Heading out of the city, the village of Grantchester, of the ITV series fame is a must visit. This beautiful, traditional English village is only a few minutes from the centre of Cambridge. Set on the River Cam, Grantchester was home to war poet, Rupert Brooke. The village has played host to a number of famous people and is also home to Grantchester Meadows, one of the most beautiful open spaces in the area, as well as Byron’s Pool, a pond where Lord Byron is said to have swum. The village is now home to a handful of pubs and restaurants and a tearoom. Bourn, eight miles from Cambridge, is another pretty and traditional village, and is home to Cambridgeshire Country Club, which offers a gym, spa, pool, steam room and sauna as well as three different restaurants. Other villages worth a visit include Barrington, Thriplow and the Shelfords.

Buying or renting a house in Cambridge

For anyone considering buying or renting a house in Cambridge, our first recommendation would be to visit the city and some of the key residential areas, such as Newnham, De Freville and the streets around Mill Road. Each of these locations has its own vibe which will appeal to different people. Cheffins can help buyers and renters with properties ranging from some of the largest in the city centre right through to smaller Victorian terraces and flats. We also offer new developments for sale both in Cambridge itself and the surrounding villages.

For more information on Cambridge, or to view the properties on the market with Cheffins in Cambridge and the surrounding area, click here.