The Most Entertaining Tour of Cambridge by An Ex-Student

5.0 (68 reviews) 1 h 30 min – 2 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

68 reviews

5.0

Festive view of St John's tower, the tallest building in the University — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

The Most Entertaining Tour of Cambridge by An Ex-Student, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

I want you to enjoy this tour, so we'll see the most stunning landmarks, and you'll hear some of the darkest, most romantic and wonderful historical stories, for an experience of Cambridge and its world-famous university that you won't forget!

We'll walk through the historic City Centre and the Backs, as close as possible to the action.

YOU'LL HEAR

how Cambridge University began as a bunch of religious schools more than 800 years ago, because of a bloody riot in Oxford

how it has taught and hosted countless famous people who changed the world

how a religious scholar scribbling at the top of a tiny tower shook the whole of Europe

The despicable reason why our two greatest colleges are bitter rivals

YOU'LL SEE:

the FRONT QUAD of a historic college (if open that day)

the RAF bar and the most famous bridge in China (really!)

a small 19th century lab that was once the world's greatest science centre

stunning LANDMARKS

the river Cam and its charming BRIDGES

Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Excellent Quality Low Supplier Cancellation Rate Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate Short term availability

At a glance

Duration: 1 h 30 min – 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 40 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: DC

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (4–11 years) · Youth (12–17 years) · Adults (18–64 years) · Seniors (65–120 years)

What is included

Included

Included: All your questions answered.
Included: The price covers the entire walking tour with live guide
Included: Recommendations for dining, other activities

Not included

Not included: Entrance fees: Visits of the colleges are not included, but are available by separate negotiation with your guide, subject to availability and depending on the number of people in your group
Not included: Tips / gratuities are always welcome, but at your discretion

Itinerary

1
Senate House

Passing by
You'll find out about the crazy graduation ceremony that takes place inside the building.
- Pass by without stopping means we can't go inside, but we will stop and look at it / talk about it
Trinity College

Passing by

We'll look at Trinity, the greatest college in Cambridge, richest in Europe, and most prestigious in England, with 34 Nobel Prizes. If the Great Gate is open, we'll see the Great Court, where the famous race in Chariots of Fire took place.

We'll mainly talk about the interesting statue over the front gate, and the dastardly tree just beside it.
3
St. John's College

Passing by
I'll tell you the story of the foundation of this most prestigious college, the second largest in Cambridge, and the despicable story behind the rivalry between St. John's and Trinity next door.
- Pass by without stopping means we can't go inside, but we will stop and look at it / talk about it
Trinity College Bridge

10 min Admission included

IF THE GATE IS OPEN,

We'll go into the grounds of Trinity College and admire the wonderful Wren Library and palatial St John College student residence across the river.

We'll also watch the punts making their way up and down the river from the bridge.
Garret Hostel Bridge

15 min Admission included

We'll take in the gorgeous view of Clare Bridge and Kings College Bridge, and I'll tell you the tragic but romantic stories that lie behind them. I'll tell you about the damage caused by a famous nursery rhyme character. You'll also see the beautiful garden that inspired David Attenborough.
6
The Backs

10 min
We'll see the wonderful, classic view of Kings College from the Backs, and learn about its founder, the weakest King of England ever, and how his strong, loving wife saved the day - time after time!
- Please note: admission to the Backs is free, but not to Kings College.
Stop 7

10 min

We'll see Queens' College from the river. This college was founded by not just one, but two rival queens of England: the Red Queen and the White Queen!

We'll also talk about the most dangerous and famous man ever to come to Queens' College - Erasmus.
Old Cavendish Laboratory

5 min

[TIME PERMITTING!]

Once the greatest centre of science in the world, this 19th century lab was where all the world's great scientists used to hang out. If the gate / door is open, we'll try to go inside.
Corpus Clock

5 min

This must be the most disgusting clock you;ve ever seen, which makes it strangely attractive. There's much, much more than meets the eye...
Stop 10

10 min

This is Cambridge's second oldest pub, and it's full of amazing stories! DNA, a poignant war memorial and place of pilgrimage in a bar, a very tragic ghost story...

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

We'll meet by the black railings outside the beautiful old white building (Senate House), opposite the corner bookshop at no. 1 Trinity Street, across the street from the big yellow stone church with the tall clock tower (Great St. Mary’s)

End point

We'll meet by the black railings outside the beautiful old white building (Senate House), opposite the corner bookshop at no. 1 Trinity Street, across the street from the big yellow stone church with the tall clock tower (Great St. Mary’s)

Using your ticket

Just show your ticket to the tour guide, and let him/her know the name under which you booked the tour!

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Options

PRIVATE TOUR

Private: A walking tour of the major landmarks and sights of Cambridge, just for you and your group, tailored to your interests.

Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes: Up to 2 hours
Public Tour

Public tour: An enthralling tour of the Cambridge's world-famous university. See the landmarks, hear the wonderful stories behind it all
EVENING TOUR FOR TEAMS

EVENING TOUR FOR GROUPS: Fun tour of Cambridge University. Choose between CITY TOUR or GHOST TOUR! Group of 8+? call me to choose start time up to 8pm

Duration: 2 hours: Start time is marked as 5pm, but groups of 8+ people can choose to start from 5-8pm (call us after booking).

Streets of central Cambridge,