Things to do and where to stay in Cambridge
Where to stay · United Kingdom

Where to stay in Cambridge — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks

Cambridge is one of the world's leading university towns, set in the east of England. It's home to the magnificent King's College Chapel and The Backs, the riverside meadows along the River Cam where visitors go punting past the historic colleges. The atmosphere is quiet and scholarly, with the world-class Fitzwilliam Museum and old bookshops. It's less than an hour from London by train.

King's College🛶Punting on the Cam🌳The Backs🏛️Fitzwilliam Museum🎓Leading university
1ranked guides
11See & Eat
🤝 Curated by the TopOfHotel team · scores from real guest reviews · live price comparison across 3 sites · no hidden adsHow we review →

Why stay in Cambridge

A stunning college chapel

King's College Chapel is one of the most beautiful fan-vaulted Gothic chapels in England.

🛶

Go punting

Glide along the River Cam by punt, passing the old bridges and colleges.

🌳

The Backs meadows

Green riverside space behind the colleges, with the classic postcard view of Cambridge.

🏛️

A world-class museum

The Fitzwilliam Museum holds a world-class collection of art and antiquities, free to enter.

Ranked reviews — find your ideal stay in Cambridge

Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights

Find the right Cambridge hotel for you

1 ranked reviews

Local dishes to try in Cambridge

  1. 1🫖

    Afternoon tea

    Afternoon tea in a riverside tearoom or one near the colleges.

    📍 City centre
  2. 2🥧

    English pub food

    Historic pubs like The Eagle, where the discovery of DNA's double helix was announced.

    📍 City centre
  3. 3🍰

    Chelsea bun

    Fitzbillies is famous for its Chelsea bun, a soft, sticky sweet bread.

    📍 Fitzbillies
  4. 4🍺

    Local real ale

    Local ales in pubs with a lively student and academic atmosphere.

    📍 Pubs around town
  5. 5🛍️

    City market

    An open-air market every day, with street food and a range of fresh produce.

    📍 Market Square
  1. 1

    King's College Chapel

    A fan-vaulted Gothic chapel and the beautiful symbol of Cambridge.

    📍 City centre
  2. 2🛶

    Punting on the Cam

    Take a punt past the colleges and the famous Mathematical Bridge.

    📍 Riverside
  3. 3🌳

    The Backs

    Meadows and gardens along the river behind the colleges, a classic photo spot.

    📍 Riverside
  4. 4🏛️

    Fitzwilliam Museum

    The university's art and archaeology museum, free to enter.

    📍 City centre
  5. 5🌉

    Mathematical Bridge

    The famous wooden bridge with a geometric design at Queens' College.

    📍 Queens' College
  6. 6🌿

    Cambridge Botanic Garden

    The university's botanic garden, with over 8,000 plant species.

    📍 City centre

Things to do in Cambridge

Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Cambridge — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.

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★ TEAM'S TOP PICKS

3 Cambridge hotels our team picked for you

Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison

Clayton Hotel Cambridge (formerly The Tamburlaine)★ 8.9Upper-mid

Clayton Hotel Cambridge (formerly The Tamburlaine)

📍 Cambridge⭐⭐⭐⭐

#8 Design boutique · 2-minute walk to the railway station

From~$157/night
read the full review →
University Arms, Autograph Collection★ 8.7Luxury

University Arms, Autograph Collection

📍 Cambridge⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#1 flagship hotel · central, facing Parker's Piece park

From~$271/night
read the full review →
The Gonville Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals★ 8.6Upper-mid

The Gonville Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals

📍 Cambridge⭐⭐⭐⭐

#6 park-side boutique · great value in the centre facing Parker's Piece

From~$186/night
read the full review →
🏨 ALL PICKS

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ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ

#4

The Varsity Hotel & Spa

★ 8.5⭐⭐⭐⭐Upper-mid📍 Cambridge

#2 Riverside location · university-town views

~$243/night
#5

Graduate by Hilton Cambridge

★ 8.5⭐⭐⭐⭐Upper-mid📍 Cambridge

#4 Riverside · the only hotel right on the River Cam at the punting jetty

~$214/night
#6

Hotel du Vin & Bistro Cambridge

★ 8.4⭐⭐⭐⭐Upper-mid📍 Cambridge

#3 Heritage boutique · on Trumpington Street

~$200/night
#7

The Regent (Regent by Citystay)

★ 8.3⭐⭐⭐Value📍 Cambridge

#9 Value pick · central Georgian guesthouse

~$129/night
#8

Hotel Felix

★ 8.2⭐⭐⭐⭐Upper-mid📍 Cambridge

#5 Quiet garden setting · northern-suburb boutique

~$214/night
#9

Hilton Cambridge City Centre

★ 8.2⭐⭐⭐⭐Upper-mid📍 Cambridge

#7 Hilton chain · city centre on Downing Street

~$186/night
#10

Premier Inn Cambridge City Centre (Corn Exchange/Lion Yard)

★ 8.0⭐⭐⭐Value📍 Cambridge

#10 Central value pick · next to Corn Exchange & Lion Yard

~$114/night

🚆 Getting around Cambridge

🚆

Train from London

Trains from London King's Cross or Liverpool Street reach Cambridge in around 50 minutes.

🚲

Cycling

Cambridge is the most bike-friendly city in England, and renting a bike is an easy way to get around.

🚶

Walk the centre

The colleges and main sights are close together, easy to explore in a single day.

🛶

Punting

Punting is both a fun activity and a way to see the riverside colleges.

Where to go next near Cambridge

Frequently asked — where to stay in Cambridge

What is punting in Cambridge like?+

It's a ride in a flat-bottomed boat propelled by a pole along the River Cam, passing colleges and bridges. You can have someone punt for you or do it yourself.

How do I get to Cambridge from London?+

Take a direct train from King's Cross, about 50 minutes. It makes for a very easy day trip.

Can I visit King's College Chapel?+

Yes, there's an entry fee and set opening hours. Check the schedule first, as it closes during services or student exams.

Ready to book your Cambridge stay?

Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking