How to Spend an Autumnal Day in Cambridge

The academic city comes alive in hues of orange…

When you close your eyes and think of Cambridge, you are probably going to picture old stone buildings with spires stretching into the grey cloud, people in academic gowns bustling about, a lot of tweed, perhaps, and rickety bridges. You aren’t wrong. It’s also a city buzzing with ideas, new local businesses, and the peak that oozes from the historic charm. But in autumn, the city of Cambridge comes to life more than ever.

9am: Grab a coffee and a sweet treat

Head to Trumpington Street, where you’ll find a little coffeeshop with a sage green door, called Pages. This is my favourite place for a coffee in Cambridge, but if it’s full, you are still spoilt for choice. There is also the renowned Fitzbillies (the spot for a Chelsea burn!), Hot Numbers, or Bean Theory.

10:30am: Rain or shine - head for a walk

Whether it’s round ‘the backs’, along the river, or a slow stroll around the Fitzwilliam Museum, there is always somewhere lovely for a walk after your coffee.

You can even get a takeaway coffee and wander around the crooked city’s streets (this is what I love to do!). I head towards King’s Parade, down Senate House Passage, then down Trinity Lane until I reach the river, where I watch people punt for a while. I also stop along St John Street, and take in the buildings by Newton’s Apple Tree. This area, in autumn, is absolutely bursting with colour and falling leaves.

11:30: Mooch around the shops!

Usually in autumn it’s a little chilly, so by this point, I’m ready to head somewhere inside. So, to the bookshops it is!

You can find something for everyone in Heffers - it’s three floors of book-lined walls and little nooks are bursting with both well-known and obscure titles. Head to The Haunted Bookshop for a spooky experience - it’s tucked away down St Edward’s Passage. I always pick up an old Agatha Christie title in here. Nearby, there is also G. David, a bookshop brimming with rare books. It’s a great place to spend a while browsing titles you wouldn’t normally see.

1pm: It’s time to tuck into some lunch

Whether you’re after pub-grub, a fancy sit-down meal, or something in between, the restaurants of Cambridge have you covered. If you’ve got money to burn, Midsummer House is a two Michelin star restaurant (tip: the lunch menu is half price!). Stem and Glory on King Street is a great vegan option. The Olive Grove is one of my favourites, I absolutely love Greek food. If you’re looking for an incredible setting and delicious Japanese food, Kibou is your place. For pub options with great food, The Oak Bistro and The Punter are fantastic!

2:30pm: Go down to the river for…you guessed it…a punt

You simply can’t spend a day in Cambridge without punting, especially if you haven’t before. Take a guided tour, usually by a university student, to learn all about the colleges, the history, and the famous people who used to walk these very streets.

4pm: Grab an afternoon snack

Punting is hungry work - go grab a pastry to re-fuel for the afternoon.

This particular photo was taken at Bould Brothers by Round Church, which I highly recommend for a very good coffee and a blueberry bake!

If all of this wasn’t enough for you, Cambridge has great night life too, from Hidden Rooms to Boom Battle Bar, there will be somewhere to have fun after dark. But if you’re like me, and prefer a quieter night, you could head to the new Everyman that just opened in the Grande Arcade to catch a film, or head to The Box Room Board Game Cafe for a chilled night out. Either way, there are many ways to tie up your autumnal day in this gorgeous academic city.