Cambridge, England: travel guide to the historic university city, King's College Chapel and punting on the River Cam

Cambridge is a historic university city in the east of England, set on the River Cam in Cambridgeshire. Home to one of the world's most famous universities and to a wealth of medieval and later architecture, it is one of the most visited cities in the country and a byword for learning, science and tradition.

For travellers searching for Cambridge England, the University of Cambridge, King's College Chapel or punting on the River Cam, the city offers centuries of history within an easy walk and one of the most beautiful urban riverside settings in Britain.

History and the university

Cambridge grew from a Roman settlement and a medieval market town on the Cam. The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209 by scholars who left Oxford, making it one of the oldest universities in the world. Over the following centuries its colleges were endowed by monarchs and benefactors, shaping the city around them. Today the university comprises more than thirty colleges, and its alumni include many of the most influential figures in science and the arts.

Main sights

King's College Chapel, a masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic begun in 1446 and famous for having the world's largest fan vault and superb stained glass, is the emblem of Cambridge. Along the stretch of river known as the Backs lie further landmarks: the Wren Library at Trinity College, the Bridge of Sighs at St John's and the curious Mathematical Bridge at Queens'. The Fitzwilliam Museum holds rich collections of art and antiquities, and the colleges of Trinity, St John's and Magdalene reward exploration on foot.

Punting and visiting

A defining Cambridge experience is punting on the River Cam in a flat-bottomed boat, gliding past the colleges and bridges of the Backs. The compact medieval centre is easily explored on foot, and Cambridge is also a leading centre for science and technology, often called Silicon Fen.