Visiting Cambridge Uni

[rockyracoon]

Has anyone been to the Uni/Colleges to have a look round? My daughter wants to go but the website isn't very informative. Can you just wander round and drop into the Museums etc?

Any advice welcome.

Cheers. :)

[jno]

hopkirk, wouldn't it be easier just to pay someone to fall in for you?

[Cathyhuns]

If you go to the Porter's lodge at many of the colleges with an obvious student and ask to look round, they will often let you do so. 14 might be a bit young though to convince them that you're not a tourist trying to pull a fast one.

For tea and cakes, try Fitzbillies. For dinner we always went to Browns on Fitzwilliam Street.

The station is quite a walk from the town so go for the PlusBus option. You'll do quite a lot of walking in the town centre and don't want to be worn out before you get there.

[rockyracoon]

All booked. Daughter not keen on the punt idea, maybe I can get her to change her mind when we're there. Polish Restaurant doesn't open on a Monday :( would very much like to have tried it.

BBC Weather says it's gonna rain tomorrow :(

Happy days!

[jim360]

There's decent pub food to be had at the Lakeside, or Eagle, or if you want something a bit fancier then there's a place on the corner opposite the Corpus clock that's worth a look (a bit pricy, maybe).

Somewhat standard fare, perhaps, but if you can't get the more exotic then those places are the next-best things, I'd say.

At this time of year the river is usually fairly busy -- punting is arguably more pleasurable away from Summer when it's less crowded -- but a shame you'll miss out.

[Zacs-Master]

If you like Thai food, there's a great new restaurant with a very quirky / authentic Bankok backstreet interior at Quayside:
http://thaikhun.co.uk

[rockyracoon]

Thanks Jim, I do like a bit of pub grub so I'm glad you've given a couple of recommendations. I'm presuming they won't mind a 14 year old being in them.

I'm still hopeful for the punting, my arm twisting skills are quite good.

[rockyracoon]

Oh Yes, I love Thai food. Thanks Zac

[Zacs-Master]

By the way, if you're going by car, parking in Cambridge is a bit of a nightmare. This is fairly central but the one way system takes some navigating:
https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/park-street-car-park

[rockyracoon]

Just booked the Thai, daughter very much liked the look of it.

I'm getting the train up as I can't be bothered with the parking palavar.

Thanks Zac

[jim360]

Another decent parking option, if you don't mind an extra mile of walking to the city centre (and it's basically flat anyway so who cares?) is one of the side-streets off Grange Road. Get there early if you want that option, though -- and also I think there are a few possible parking restrictions in place on some roads. I think Cranmer Road, Herschel Road and Adams Road are all free parking, if competitive!

[jim360]

Ah, darn it. Take the car now I've given you all that advice! :P

[jim360]

Oh and finally, if you get the chance (and it's not too wet) then be sure to head over to Castle Mound, a little way up what it basically the only hill in the city. Great view of the Cambridge skyline, almost square on to the chapel at King's for example. Not much more than another half-mile out, and just head north-west from the Round Church until you see the Castle Inn, and then right up the footpath.

[rockyracoon]

Lol, thanks Jim, definitely not bringing the car.

If the daughter decides she loves it in Cambridge and wants to study there, she'll at least have a massive incentive to do well at school eh?

[Zacs-Master]

It's a fair walk into town from the station so I'd get a taxi. Hope you like the restaurant!

[rockyracoon]

Thanks Zac

[rockyracoon]

Well, just back from a busy 2 days in Cambridge, we had a great time and I feel like my legs are gonna fall off. Zac, thanks, the restaurant was great, food and service excellent, and the Coconut Mojitos weren't shabby either....

Many thanks to you all for your advice.