Cambridge
The Town
About 55 miles north of London, just south of the Fens, entirely enclosed by green belt, Cambridge takes its name from the river Cam. If you’re a property buyer interested in the wider area, your property search company can also outline the numerous heritage towns and villages within easy distance. The Cambridge population is around 158,434.
Transport
To help facilitate your property search, buyers agents can confirm the nearest major roads: the M11 and A14. Our property search company can show you the A428 also connects to the A1 at nearby St Neots. The A10 north leads to King’s Lynn; the A10 south into London. Five Park and Ride sites operate seven days a week, and the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway incorporates services from St Ives, Huntingdon, and elsewhere.
Ask your property buying agent about rail services to King’s Cross, Liverpool Street, and St Pancras, and many other locations. Your Recoco property finder can also update you on Addenbrooke’s Hospital station, scheduled for 2025, and plans for the Cambridge Autonomous Metro.
If air connections are vital to your property search, Cambridge City Airport is primarily used by charter and training flights. For commercial and scheduled services, our Recoco property finder can confirm London Stansted is about 30 miles distant via the M11, or direct rail. Heathrow is about two hours away, traffic allowing.
Cambridge has the highest level of cycle use in the UK, as buyers agents can confirm. Your real estate buyers agent will also be able to tell you Cambridge centre is mainly pedestrianised.
History
The area has been settled for centuries. Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Normans all left their mark. Cambridge played major parts in the Peasants’ Revolt and the English Civil War, and was of military importance in WWII.
Education
As well as Cambridge University, Anglia Ruskin University has a campus here; the Open University has an office. Your real estate buyers agent will happily outline numerous well-regarded schools in town, from nursery to upper secondary. The city has over 30 schools administered by Cambridgeshire County Council and several independent schools.
Leisure and Events
A property buyer might associate Cambridge with the annual Boat Race, but other sports are available. Your property buying agent can tell you about swimming, diving, and water polo opportunities. Like to try punting? Ask your buyers agents for details.
Other sports include Real Tennis, baseball, cycling, athletics, handball, hockey, polo, and roller derby. There are two football teams, and cricket, Rugby Union and Rugby League are also well represented.
Those who prefer retail therapy will enjoy the weekday general market in the town square. Sunday is focused on arts and crafts, and the Lion Yard and Grafton Centre have many popular high-street shops.
If you’re a property buyer who prefers other types of entertainment, ask your real estate buyers agent about options. Your Recoco property finder can describe various annual festivities, including the Strawberry Fair, Beer Festival, and Folk Festival, as well as celebrations of Shakespeare, Film, Science, a Winter Fair, the E-luminate Festival, and the City Council-organised outdoor Big Weekend. Theatrical productions regularly take place at the Cambridge Corn Exchange, the J2, and at the theatres at both universities.
Celebrity Connections
Ask your Recoco buying agent about the town’s famous connections, including Sir Isaac Newton, philosophers Bertrand Russell and Ludwig Wittgenstein, and writers John Milton and Lord Byron. And dozens of famous comedians have started out at the Cambridge University Footlights Dramatic Club at the ADC. Your property buying agent can also confirm musicians with local connections, including Pink Floyd, Katrina and the Waves, Tom Robinson, and Olivia Newton-John.
Foodies’ Corner
Need a break from your property search for victuals? Your Recoco buying agent can suggest French, Thai, traditional English, American, Chinese, Indian, and many other eateries. Several pubs also serve hearty, well-priced fare. Ask your Recoco buying agent about the Mitre, the Portland Arms, the Kingston Arms, George and Dragon, Carlton Arms, or Cambridge Blue.
Pop into a traditional tea room for a pot of Earl Grey, or, alternatively, indulge in a Savinos authentic Italian coffee. British/Italian De Luca Cucina & Bar, the Cambridge Chop House, and Fitzbillies are also worth visiting.
Feel like dining in style? Options include the Arundel House Hotel Bar and Restaurant, the Cotto at the Gonville Hotel, and the Michelin two-star Midsummer House. (Yes, we said two Michelin stars. Only a handful of British restaurants can claim that honour.)
Fun Fact
The University of Cambridge was founded by scholars following a dispute with the townspeople of Oxford.