Cambridge - Busy yet Relaxed - Well worth a visit (Cambridge in General)

Member Name: hotrock4

Product:	Cambridge in General
Date:	26/05/09 (79 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lively Vibrant City

Disadvantages: Parking costs and congestion in centre

Hi only live 30 minutes drive from Cambridge, i would say this is a medium than rather than a large city with a population of around 110,000 probably more.

Being a University city Cambridge is a very vibrant and lively city, with a relaxed atmosphere. There are plenty of bars, pub and clubs with plenty of venues to find live music and enterainment also. There are 2 large shopping centres as well as a city centre with a vast selection of stores both chain and independent.

There are plenty of family run restaurants, and all the other restaurant chains you would expect to see in the city. Takeaway outlets here are in abundance. Personally i would find a pub that serves food by the river and enjoy it there.

Along with the Universities and Colleges of Cambridge come the gardens which you could almost walk past if you didn't know were there. However this are large gardens and a good place to relax and take life at a slower place for a while.

The river Cam runs through Cambridge which also provides idealic places to relax with pubs dotted along the river bank. One of Cambridge's most famous and popular pastimes amongst tourists and students like is punting on the River Cam. The River Cam also provides free fishing at points throughout Cambridge providing you have a rod licence.

There are loads of events run in Cambridge throughout the year the most popular of these is probably the Strawberry Fayre. With live bands, art on display and all the usual stalls and stands. This is a completely free event to attend and well worth the effort to get there.

Accomodation in and around Cambridge is readily available providing everything from luxury accomodation to cheap hotels and B&B's. Again somwthing for everyone here.

Everywhere you look in Cambridge you will see history from the old university grounds and buildings to the shops in the centre with date plaques from ages ago in the walls.

Driving in the city centre as to be expected is an absolute nightmare and would suggest taking the Park and Ride which is available from several different points surrounding the city. This offers a cheap and conveniant service to save driving in the centre.

Parking is expensive in the centre of Cambridge unless you know your way round the free parking in the back streets. There is a large multistorey car park at the Grafton Centre and plentiful other car parks if your willing to pay or probably worthwhile if parking for less than an hour (Unlikely if your anything like me).

Other transport links are also very good with several taxi ranks, bus station and train station all being available options with regular services. This is an advantage being so close to such places as Ely famous for it's cathedral (Please check out my other reviews), and Newmarket a famous Horse Racing town.

All round good place to shop, relax and enjoy yourself would definately recommend visiting if your passing or even planning a weekend here might be a good idea.

Summary: Well worth a visit.