Best of Cambridge

Surrounding areas and the Cambridge city, provides an inspirational base to discover the East of England. Visit the city’s famous University Colleges, museums, galleries, theatres, parks, gardens and open spaces, or just you take time out to explore the many historic houses; nature reserves, country parks, wildlife parks and zoos or windmills and watermills.

King’s college was founded by Henry VI in 1441, known then as The Royal College of St. Nicholas. Two years later, further plans were drawn up and the college was renamed Our College Royal of St Mary and St Nicholas. His first design was modest, but by 1445 was intended to be a magnificent display of royal patronage.

At the beginning the college was specifically for boys from Eton College, which had also founded by Henry VI. The connection with Eton remained strong for many years; until 1865 the first non-Etonian undergraduates arrived to study at King’s College. Henry drew up detailed instructions for the construction of a 'great court' but only the Chapel was completed and even that took nearly a century. Despite its apparent unique of style, the Chapel is a product of three separate periods of construction.

King’s College now occupies a lovely riverside location in the centre of Cambridge. Henry planned built three residential ranges and a chapel, with a cloister and bell tower on the river side, but the Wars of Roses intervened and it was only partly built. Work was not complete until 1544.

A visit to King's College Chapel is a truly inspirational experience. It is the largest and the most spectacular of the college chapel's in Cambridge. It is unquestionably the most magnificent example of late medieval English architecture in the entire country by richness of its interior decoration and the sumptuous flowing lines of its structural elements.

“Magnificent”, there is no other word to describe the chapel. The fan vaulting was completed in just 3 years. The interior is composed of 12 bays, making it the largest in the world covered with fan vaulting. The vaulting is decorated with intricately carved bosses of wood and stone, featuring heraldic beasts, coats of arms, and Tudor motifs. The organ is a true work of art and rebuilt several times since then. The pipes rise above the screen, upon which they rest. At left of the altar is the Chapel Exhibition, which illustrates the different phases of the chapel's building, with scale models, plans, workman's tools and period costumes.

The troubles at Oxford University were conveniently approached by Cambridge University; in 1209 many scholars and masters began arriving to Cambridge. By 1226 the scholars had organized themselves, offered regular courses of study, and named a Chancellor to lead them. Henry III decreed that only students studying under a recognised Master were allowed to remain in Cambridge. A standard course of study consisted of grammar, logic, rhetoric, mathematics, music, geometry and astronomy. Several prominent colleges were founded in the years following the Dissolutions of the Monasteries, taking over former religious foundations.

The university continued to expand, both physically and in focus of studies. The foundation of Fitzwillian Museum and University Botanical Gardens opened the way for study of art, architecture, and botany at Cambridge. Perhaps to balance this scholarly emphasis, the university encouraged student activities, notably in sporting endeavours. A boat race against Oxford University became an annual event in 1839, as did a cricket match between the two schools. A regular intramural program of inter-college athletics began at the same time.

In the devastation following World War I, when many students and teachers died, Cambridge received regular state funding for the first time. The 1950s and 60s saw a great expansion of facilities, many new college buildings was added and the old ones were expanded. Cambridge today boasts 31 colleges and over 13,000 students such as Christ’s College, Churchill College, Clare College, Corpus Christie College, Emmanuel, Fitzwilliam College, King’s College, Lucy Cavendish College, Newnham College, Queens’ College, Selwyn College and others.

Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institute of higher learning of America and one of the most prestigious universities of country. Among the illustrious alumni are civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois, philosopher Henry David Thoreau, writer Gertrude Stein, composer Leonard Bernstein and seven U.S presidents.

Wandering around the Cambridge campus of Harvard is a pleasant way to get from one end of Cambridge to another. The architecture is impressive, an amalgam of old and new buildings and styles. It's one of the top universities in the world, and does have that traditional 'sandstone' feel about it.

The gardens were opened in 1846 and provide habitat for a wide variety of plants species. There are a number of different habitat zones, including a Rock Garden, featuring alpine plants from every continent, Water Garden, Rainforest, and glasshouses with seasonal displays. The Systematic Beds feature over 80 varieties of flowering plants.

It is worth mentioning the lavender, geraniums, and the collection of Native British Plants. So there are collections of winter plants, Herbaceous and Wildflower Borders, a Scented Garden, even an Autumn Colour Garden. Also the administration of the garden organizes an ongoing program of special and educational events throughout the year, and groups booking are possible if arranged in advance.

This was the home of one of the world’s foremost poets, scholars and educators, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It was also a favourite gathering place for historical figures such as George Washington. It is open for public touring, Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 am to 4:30pm. If you have to wait, you could browse through the small bookstore’s solid collection of Longfellow editions. Rangers lead you through the 16 rooms, which are filled with original furnishings and even original wallpaper. The tour takes 45 minutes. Afterward, you may walk through the two acres of formal gardens and landscaping surrounding the house. The lilacs and flowering fruit trees, make spring a lovely time to visit. In mid-June you could appreciate garden concerts on Sunday.

Wicken Fen is the oldest nature reserve in the country, with 107 years of creation; it is a unique fragment of wilderness which once covered the East Anglia. Now for the next 100 years has embarked on an ambitious expansion plan. Famous for its rich plant, insect and bird life, it is a delight for the naturalist and rambler alike.

There are 2 tower hides and 7 other hides available for visitors to use. Wild ponies may be seen. There are many walks available including: the mile Broad Walk trail, the mile Nature trail, the mile Adventures trail and optional longer trails.

Wimpole Hall, part of the 2,500 acre Wimpole Estate, is a magnificent country house with beautiful interiors designed by celebrated architects. There are fascinated servant quarters. It is surrounded by formal gardens including parterres and a walled garden restored to a working vegetable garden.

Wimpole Park is an oasis in the mostly arable countryside of Cambridgeshire, with over 350 acres of landscaped parkland and spectacular views. It is a haven for wildlife and suitable for walkers, from the ambler to the serious rambler. There are maps of walks and of the archaeology to help to discover the extent and history of the park.

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