8 Best Places to Visit in Cambridge UK: A Self-Guided Walking Tour + Map

Ever since we lived in Cambridge for an entire month, it has remained our favorite day trip from London. The city is especially gorgeous in spring when the trees and flowers are in full bloom, but it can be overwhelming to decide where to start. If you are looking for the best places to visit in Cambridge UK, this practical self-guided walking tour and map is based on our own time exploring the city, leading you through the 8 most iconic highlights – from the Round Church to the stunning college Backs – all in a single, efficient day.

Because of its compact historical center, walking is easily the most efficient way to see the city. Is Cambridge UK walkable? Absolutely. In fact, it is the only way to really see the famous college architecture and the hidden gems tucked away along the river. This self-guided Cambridge walking tour is designed to help you navigate the 8 best places to visit in Cambridge UK without the typical tourist fluff, taking you from the iconic Round Church through the peaceful college Backs in just a few hours.

Self-Guided Cambridge Walking Tour: Route Overview

To help you make the most of your day, I’ve organized this route to be as logical as possible. This self-guided itinerary ensures you hit the best places to visit in Cambridge UK in a single loop, moving efficiently between the famous college architecture and the peaceful River Cam.

• Cambridge Historical Colleges form the main attraction of this college town. Walking down King’s Parade is a beautiful experience.
• Walking along the backs of the colleges gives you a completely different view of Cambridge’s old center.
• Going punting along River Cam is a unique experience.
• Cambridge Old Churches are scattered all over the city’s center and they are beautiful to visit. One of my favorite quaint English churches is in Cambridge.
• Strolling through beautiful gardens especially during sunny days during the spring is absolutely stunning.
• Start & Stop: Round Church
• Duration: 3-4 hours of just walking, not including punting and visiting colleges

Our practical self-guided Cambridge walking tour map covers the 8 best places to visit in a 3-4 hour loop.
Red: See, Blue: Walk, Green: Optional

1. The Round Church

The Round Church is the best place for starting the Cambridge walking tour.
See my photos from Cambridge

The first stop on our self-guided Cambridge walking tour is the Round Church, also known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Round Church was built by Crusaders in the 12th century and is one of the oldest landmarks in Cambridge.

One of only four medieval round churches still in use in England, the Round Church is constructed in the Gothic architectural style. The visitor’s center offers exhibits on the history of the city and the church. It is the perfect place to begin our list of best places to visit in Cambridge UK because of its iconic appearance and central location in the Cambridge city center.

The Round Church is one of the oldest landmarks in Cambridge
See my photos from historical Cambridge

Checkout the Round Church website for planning your visit to this most famous Cambridge attraction.
From here, we will walk down St. John’s Street, which becomes the famous King’s Parade – the only route in the city that passes by all Cambridge Historical Colleges.

2. Great St Mary’s Church

Great Saint Mary’s Church seen from the market square.

Next on our Cambridge walking tour itinerary we come to the heart of Cambridge’s historical center: Great St Mary’s Church. Look up at the imposing stone tower, which houses the bells that have rung out every day for hundreds of years. For a small fee, you can ascend the staircase within the tower and take in sweeping views of the Historical Colleges. We will visit a couple of these later on our self-guided Cambridge walking tour. Climbing up the St Mary’s tower is a Cambridge hidden gem and should definitely be on your list of best places to visit in Cambridge UK.

The church has a close relationship with Cambridge University – in fact, it is still required that undergraduate students live within three miles of the church. Inside, enjoy the quiet atmosphere under wooden beamed ceilings and learn about the church’s two impressive organs.

Farmers’ Market at Market Hill and panorama of Cambridge seen from Great Saint Mary’s Church Tower.
See my photos from Cambridge

You can find all the details for climbing the Great St Mary’s Church tower on their website.
When you’re ready, continue down King’s Parade and Trumpington Street, pass Silver Street, and turn right on Mill Lane.

3. Sheep’s Green

Beautiful view of punting boats moored on River Cam.
See my photos from Cambridge

We continue our self-guided Cambridge walking tour all the way to the end of Mill Lane, where we find ourselves on the banks of the River Cam. If you’re in a seafaring mood, you can take a punting tour of the Historical Colleges along the river. You may also hire your own punt, kayak, or canoe to explore independently. Then, stroll diagonally through the picturesque Sheep’s Green. You will pass by many small ponds and bridges in this expansive park, and eventually you will arrive on the opposite bank of the river.

Punting on River Cam should come high on your list of cool things to do in Cambridge UK.

Now, let’s walk north on Queen’s Road, then turn right on Silver Street to find the next stop on our Cambridge walking tour.

4. Mathematical Bridge

Built in 1749, the wooden Mathematical Bridge over River Cam links two parts of Queen’s College.

After walking east on Silver Street, you will find Queen’s College on your left. Near Queen’s College, there is a view of a small wooden bridge. Although its real name is Wooden Bridge, it is known in Cambridge history as Mathematical Bridge because of its fascinating engineering and construction. Even a short glimpse of this quirky bridge should be on your list of best places to visit in Cambridge UK.

There is a popular myth that Isaac Newton built this bridge without using any screws, bolts, or nails. In reality, it was designed and constructed by William Etheredge and James Essex in 1749. It is held together with typical fasteners, but it is famous for its elegant rounded arch shape…even though it is built with only straight planks of wood! You can cross the bridge yourself and explore Queen’s College for a small fee.

When you’re ready to continue our walking tour of Cambridge UK, head back to the west bank of the river.

5. Walk The Backs

Beautiful back view of King’s College and its Chapel.
See my photos from Cambridge

A large portion of the remainder of our self-guided Cambridge walking tour takes us along The Backs, a scenic tree-lined path that follows the back sides of the Historical Colleges. The Backs is flanked by the colleges’ huge lawns, which have been well-preserved for centuries as a popular green space.

As you walk, listen for the nearby murmuring of the River Cam. Keep to your right, and cross King’s College Bridge when you reach it. Here, you arrive at the magnificent King’s College, a marvel of Gothic English architecture. Notable alumni include mathematician Alan Turing and author Zadie Smith. Wander the grounds if you like, then continue to our next stop.

6. King’s College Chapel

King’s College Chapel and The Old Schools seen from Saint Mary’s Church Tower.
See my photos from Cambridge

King’s College was not built in a day – in fact, it was not even built in seventy years. Construction on the chapel began in 1446, and was still incomplete when King Henry VIII was coronated in 1509. The chapel was finally completed in 1531 with the installation of vivid stained glass windows. Construction of the chapel took place during the Wars of the Roses, which is part of the reason it took so long. Inside, look up at the intricate, lacy ceilings. Walk along the bold black and white marble floor to the altar, where you can view The Adoration of the Magi by well-known Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens.

If you’re planning to come to Cambridge, make sure you checkout the official King’s College website for the best information about visiting this beautiful chapel.

When you’ve had your fill of the chapel’s stunning architecture and history, exit King’s College and head towards Clare College, just to the west on the bank of River Cam. There are two stops left on our self-guided Cambridge walking tour.

7. Fellows’ Garden at Clare College

People punting on River Cam next to Clare College.

The walkway to Clare College in Cambridge is lined up with blooming tulips in the spring.

It is a particularly special place to visit in the spring, when bright sunlight illuminates hundreds of colorful flowers. A small admission fee allows you to wander the garden at your leisure and engage in scholarly thought – or just enjoy the scenery.

Return to the King’s Backs walking path and head north to the final stop on our walking tour of Cambridge UK.

8. St John’s College

The covered Bridge of Sighs at St. John’s College in Cambridge seen from a boat
See my photos from Cambridge

The small admission cost to enter the grounds of St John’s College is an excellent value. With entry, you are free to explore the many buildings (called courts) of the college, which are full of attractions. Start with the Bridge of Sighs, a charming bridge that connects Third Court and New Court.

This bridge is modeled after the famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice, and the stone arches and delicate glass windows evoke a romantic Italian atmosphere. The legend has it that this is the bridge students use to go to their examination rooms.  Not surprisingly, the sister university town of Oxford has a nearly identical bridge and legend.

We continue our self-guided Cambridge walking tour at the College Chapel, where we view many significant artworks and pieces of history from St John’s. These include statues of notable alumni, such as William Wilberforce, one of a group of influential British slave abolitionists. Other St John’s alumni include Romantic poet William Wordsworth and science fiction author Douglas Adams.

Interior of the beautiful chapel of Saint John’s College.

In St John’s college, you will experience some of the most notable historic landmarks in Cambridge. If you are planning to visit, make sure you checkout St John’s visitor information website.

Self-Guided Cambridge Walking Tour: Logistics

Watch my video about planning a trip to Cambridge. This is a simple video that walks you through my custom maps and routes for planning a great self-guided Cambridge walking tour.

Where to stay in Cambridge? I recommend staying at the affordable Arundel House Hotel for its excellent location and beautiful setting. For a more refined place you can enjoy The Gonvile Hotel on the southern side of Cambridge’s historical center. You can also find other budget hotels in Cambridge.

Book a local tour. Enjoy a beautiful guided punting tour on river Cam which will float you behind all the historical colleges and give you a unique perspective of the town. You can also join this beautifully led historical walking tour of Cambridge. Locally led, this tour will take you to the colleges including a visit to beautiful King’s College.

Coming from London? Book a beautiful Cambridge tour from London. This tour will take you to most important attractions and it’s perfect, especially if you are short on time.

Where to park in Cambridge? Park at Park Street which is situated around the corner from the Round Church. This is perfect for starting your self-guided Cambridge walking tour. Parking at the Grand Arcade is also a good parking option.  Parking structures have very narrow parking spots in England, so be careful about driving in England and go slowly.

Take a day trip from Cambridge. If you have a few extra days to spend in Cambridge, rent a car in Europe and explore my favorite day trips from Cambridge. The Cambridgeshire countryside is beautiful, and the surrounding old villages and manor houses will transport you back in time.

Additional Places to Visit in Cambridge UK

St Peter’s Church tower next to the Kettle’s Yard house and gallery. Kettle’s Yard was the home of Jim and Helen Ede.
See my photos from Cambridge Museums

If you have an extra day or find yourself with a few spare hours, there are several more landmarks that didn’t make our main walking loop but are well worth the visit. Having lived in Cambridge for an entire month, we enjoyed visiting these “extra” places. Most of these are located just a short walk south or west of the city center.

• Fitzwilliam Museum: This is the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge. Even if you only have an hour, the grand architecture of the entrance hall is stunning, and the collections range from ancient Egyptian artifacts to masterpieces by Monet and Picasso.
• Cambridge University Botanic Garden: A beautiful 40-acre oasis located near the train station. It is particularly stunning in the spring and summer, offering a peaceful break from the busy college streets.
• Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences: As the university’s oldest museum, this is a fantastic practical stop if you are traveling with kids. It’s packed with fossils, including dinosaurs found locally in the English countryside.
• St Peter’s Church: This is the smallest church in Cambridge, located near Kettle’s Yard. It’s a tiny, ancient, and incredibly peaceful building that feels worlds away from the bustling market square.
• Kettle’s Yard: This unique house and modern art gallery was once the home of Jim and Helen Ede. It’s a beautiful example of how art can be integrated into a living space, featuring a world-class collection of 20th-century paintings and sculptures.

Is Cambridge UK Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Cambridge has become my favorite day trip from London. With its small historical center and idyllic River Cam location, Cambridge is beautiful to visit especially during spring. Our children loved walking the narrow streets and the many ducks with ducklings in the ponds and on River Cam. Plan to spend at least an entire day in this lovely historical city.

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More England Self-Guided Tours

If you enjoy exploring cities on foot, these England walking tours offer similar self‑guided routes through historic town centers.

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• Self-Guided Oxford Walking Tour
• Self-Guided Bath Walking Tour
• Self-Guided Canterbury Walking Tour
• Self-Guided York Walking Tour
• Self-Guided London South Bank Walk
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