Offbeat Locations of Cambridge, England

For many people, the idea of going to Cambridge, England is a once in a lifetime journey to a city known for its cultural, historical and educational significance throughout the centuries. As someone who was fortunate enough to not only travel to Cambridge, I also got to live there for four years.

The best investment I made while I lived there was to take a college course focused on the cultural and historical portions of the city of Cambridge. Like any college course, there were lectures and essays and tests required of us, but once a week, we got to hit the streets of Cambridge and visit the sites. The following is a sample of the sites I found the most intriguing.

One amazing stop is the front of TrinityCollege. The building itself is spectacular, but the legends of the place are what make it truly amazing. Over the gate of Trinity College's Great Gate stands a statue of King Henry VIII, and he originally held a sword in his right hand. According to legend, the sword was replaced with a table leg as a prank carried out by some students. The sword was supposedly replaced one, only to be swapped for another table leg. To this day, he still carries the table leg.

Another amazing stop are the punts on the River Cam, the namesake of the town. The punts are flatbottom boats that the students and youngsters in the area push around the river in romantic and often humorous trips that last a half hour or more. It is a wonderful time, and you can even rent a punt to push yourself. Using your own punt, though, often results in the inexperienced users taking a refreshing dip in the Cam. The scenery is lovely, and the remarkable views of the college grounds are unmatched anywhere in Cambridge.

For one of my favorite places to take guests in my home, you can turn to Great Saint Mary's Church, across the street from King's College. The interior of the building is spectacular, with it's wood carvings and old headstones cobbled into the floor. I took my guests there to climb the ancient tower, which wound 400+ steps in a medieval type of spiral staircase, with a rope along the wall as a hand rail. The view from the top is magnificent, and well worth the climb.

My second favorite spot is the round Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located on Round Church Street. This building, built in the 1100s by returning Crusaders, was based on the round church in Jerusalem. It is one of five remaining round churches, and marks a marked diversion from the traditionally gothic cathedrals in England and Europe which favor the shape of the cross. I just loved being in a building that was 900 years old, and still going strong.

My favorite place, though, in all of Cambridge, was the Fitzwilliam Museum. While it is free, they do ask for a donation of three pounds, or 6.00, per person to enter. The museum has some the most stunning Egyptian artifacts I have ever seen, as well as paintings and other art forms that are a spectacle for even the non-artisan in your travel group. The first time I ever saw a Picasso painting was in there, and it was surreal to think I could easily reach out and touch the painting itself. I didn't, but I could have!

Cambridge is a wonderful place to stroll down and wander, and the places you can find in the nooks and crannies are bountiful. Take the time to stroll off of the beaten track, and Cambridge can amaze even the most grizzled traveler.