Meet Cambridge
Cambridge is best known for its world-famous university, which has produced a staggering number of Nobel Prize winners, but did you know it’s also a city loaded with historical charm and architectural beauty?
Cambridge is more than just its top university, although the legendary educational institution is worth the price of entry alone. The town itself is full of ancient history and awe-inspiring architecture, backed up by the verdant riverside and surrounding meadows, which stretch in every direction. This city makes for the prettiest of postcards, making it ideal for the romantic getaway or the idyllic digital nomad lifestyle. You have the option of either hanging around in the storied historic center of the town and breathing in the same air as hundreds of esteemed intellectuals have before you, or escaping to greener pastures and getting away from the urban busyness. The city is noteworthy for its old style of architecture, and if you’re visiting the UK from abroad and you can only visit one place for a taste of the island - Cambridge would be an excellent option. Perhaps you’ll even be able to soak up some of the energy of the city as you get to business and produce some of your finest work.
Where to live in Cambridge
Cambridge has a charming blend of old and new, and this is reflected in its diverse neighborhoods. Whether you want to feel like you’re in the UK imitation of Silicon Valley, or you yearn for a quaint English existence, you’ll be able to find it living here. There’s also the fact that you can easily reach London living in Cambridge, with trains taking you there in just under an hour, in case you fancy a fun day out at the nation’s capital.
Best Neighborhoods in Cambridge
The best neighborhoods in Cambridge include Chesterton, Grantchester, Newnham, De Freville Avenue, and more. As you can tell, each district has a charming English-sounding name, so wherever you decide to live in the city, you and your friends will likely get a kick out of your postal address. Cambridge has it all: some suburbs boast easy access to the center without the busyness, while others have big detached properties with large gardens, and others still are located just a stone’s throw from the city’s finest colleges.
Quick Facts About Cambridge
There’s a lot to discover about Cambridge since its reputation precedes it as the home of one of the best universities in the world. This reputation comes with good and bad. On the plus side, it makes it a destination of choice for the studious traveler looking to stroll the university’s grand campus, but on the flip side, it doesn’t tell you everything the city has to offer to those who visit. To help you learn the city behind the university, here are some facts you might like to know:It’s home to one of the best universities in the world
Ok, it would be remiss of us not to first mention the blindingly obvious: Cambridge is home to the university that is currently ranked at number 7 in the QS Global World University Rankings. Its alumni include great thinkers such as Charles Darwin, incredible documentarians like Sir David Attenborough, and even the once King of England George VI.It’s home to Silicon Fen
Silicon Fen, which also goes by the name ‘Cambridge Cluster,’ is a region of the city that is home to many tech-related businesses. It has its name due to its similarity to Silicon Valley in California.It hosts The Boat Race
The Boat Race provides an opportunity for students from two of the country’s top universities, Cambridge and Oxford, to compete for bragging rights. It’s an annual race along the famous River Thames in London, and as of writing, Cambridge is the current holder of the title.Cambridge university attendees have won 121 Nobel laureates
Not only has Cambridge University produced a wealth of highly regarded alumni, but it can also lay claim to a staggering 121 Nobel laureates by affiliation. These laureates include individual winners of both the esteemed Nobel Prize as well as the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.It has a mathematical bridge
Cambridge is home to a curiously named ‘Mathematical Bridge,’ which is a wooden structure in the south of the city. This bridge is a Grade II listed building and crosses the River Cam; there are many myths surrounding the bridge’s construction, one of which ties it to Sir Isaac Newton.Football started here
It was back in 1848 when a handful of students from Cambridge university first published the rules of football on Parker’s Piece, which was later picked up by the Football Association we know today. That means many consider Cambridge to be the official birthplace of English football, which is quite a claim. Unfortunately, though, Cambridge United currently sits in the fourth division of English football.It has a round church
Cambridge has a round church called ‘The Church of the Holy Sepulchre,’ which is definitely worth visiting. It’s a Grade I listed building and is one of just four round medieval churches still in operation today in the country.There are around 9 million books in the university library
As you might imagine from such a top university, the Cambridge University Library is home to around 9 million items and is given more than 100,000 each year. It is also an open-access university, which means the majority of its material is available for borrowing.Work in Cambridge
As a city with such a prestigious university, Cambridge is home to a diverse range of top employers. Its largest sector is automotive, but food and beverages are up there too. Interestingly if you’re into video games, Cambridge is home to Frontier Developments, which is a game studio responsible for popular games such as the RollerCoaster tycoon series, and more recently, Jurassic World Evolution and Planet Zoo. It remains to be seen how the upcoming changes brought on by Brexit will affect business in Cambridge, but as of right now, things are looking up for the city’s job prospects.
How good is Cambridge for Digital Nomads or Remote Work
Remote work is changing how the global workspace operates. In a trend that is showing no signs of slowing down, remote work is rapidly on the increase all around the world—especially in a place like Cambridge. And about 25% of remote workers describe themselves as digital nomads—those who like to travel or stay in cities around the world while they work. So, how good is Cambridge for both of these growing movements?
Average Internet Speed
The average internet speed of Cambridge is between 29.03 and 194Mbps, with the fastest speed being recorded as 909.51Mbps. This makes it one of the better cities in the UK for internet speed, beating the national average significantly.Work-friendly Coffee Shops
We all love a good coffee shop to work from. Every now and again, it can inject novelty into an otherwise stale work routine and can provide you with a healthy dose of caffeine to fuel your day. Here are the top coffee spots for working in Cambridge: Espresso Library: Espresso Library is one of those places you know you’re going to love just from the name, and it doesn’t disappoint. Here you’ll find fantastic coffee and a wonderful library atmosphere to get stuck into your work projects. Hot Numbers: A great coffee shop to do some number-crunching is Hot Numbers, which has a cozy vibe and tasty pastries. Urban Larder: Urban Larder is a smaller, unassuming cafe that’s perfect for a spot of light work in the afternoon. Expect friendly service and delicious coffee.Coworking Spaces
As you can imagine, with such a thriving university scene, Cambridge has several coworking spaces you can head to for some hard work. Here are the top-rated options in the area: Makespace: Makespace is a ‘community workshop’ in the heart of the city center, with all the facilities you need to get work done and get creative, with everything from 3D printers to metal lathes. WeWork: WeWork is a large chain of coworking spaces, and the office space in Cambridge is a hotspot of activity. There are all kinds of amenities to keep you on track, as well as friendly onsite staff. CS Space to Work: CS Space to Work is a coworking space that emphasizes productivity, wellbeing, and community. It was voted ‘Coworker Members Choice Award’ in 2019 for its excellent services. Most of the city’s coworking spaces are close to the center, and all of them are unique in their own way, emphasizing a different element of coworking.Suitable Level for Digital Nomads
Cambridge is an excellent city for digital nomads since it has a thriving community of students and a young energy set upon the backdrop of ancient architecture. In this city, you will be able to live an idyllic English life full of riverside strolls, meadow explorations, and historic charm. Once you’re fascination with the university eventually starts to die down, there is still so much more to see and do in the city to keep you interested throughout the year.Visa Requirements
Entering the UK only requires a visa if you plan to stay for more than six months, although a list of countries will require one, so make sure you check the list before you book the trip. The visa process for a longer stay or residency will be a little more complicated, requiring medical checkups and plenty of paperwork, but it is generally straightforward. The one thing to look out for is how Brexit will affect the UK going forward. In theory, not much should change, but it seems like it will affect the free movement between Europe, so if you’re living in Europe, that’s something you’ll need to check up on.Food and Drink in Cambridge
While Cambridge isn’t particularly known for its food and drink scene, it has plenty to offer with its varied gastronomy. This includes everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to international cuisine and more English pubs than you can shake a stick at. For food, we highly recommend you go to the restaurant Trinity, which is a fine-dining spot full of exquisite seafood, rare meats, and champagne. If you want a unique experience with vegetarian and vegan-friendly food, the Old Bicycle Shop is a unique place to stop for a bite to eat. But if you want a truly memorable dining experience, your best bet is the Midsummer House, which is a large restaurant sitting on the picturesque riverbank with two Michelin stars. When it comes to nightlife and drinks, it’s the pub scene of Cambridge that you should get immersed in. If you’re visiting the UK for the first time or are more familiar with it, you’ll surely be aware of the allure of quaint village pubs and a nice cold pint of a chilly afternoon. To find this in Cambridge, you can try out the microbrewery called Rhythm and Brews for various beers backed up by music, or for something more traditional, you might like the Fiddle & Firkin.
Restaurants
Bars
Top 6 Things To Do in Cambridge
Even once you feel like you’re starting to get to know the city, there’s likely still so much more to learn and love about Cambridge. For instance, you can try the national pastime of punting, which is basically the city’s answer to Venetian Gondoliers. Another one for the nature-lovers is the large botanic gardens, which features around 40 acres of breathtaking shades of green, yellow, and red year-round. It can also be fun to take a more active approach to exploring the city by hiring a bike and cycling to Kettle’s Yard, which is a wonderfully cozy-looking art gallery. After which, you can set off on a tour around the world-famous university campus, stopping on the way for a bite to eat from one of the many delightful local pubs.
Parker's Piece
Cambridge
1
Milton Country Park
Cambridge Rd, Milton
2
Cambridgeshire Wine School
Station Rd, Cambridge
3
Museum of Cambridge
2-3 Castle St, Cambridge
4
Great St Mary's Church
The University Church, Senate House Hill, Cambridge
5
Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Downing St, Cambridge