University Walking Tour

Highlights

  • We've been leading guided walks for over twenty years and make a real effort to give you the chance to encounter Cambridge in all its fullness. We start at the Round Church, Cambridge's quirkiest (and, we think, most beautiful) Church building, which predates the earliest college (Peterhouse, 1284) by 150 years. After an introduction to the building's 800-year history, we venture down to the river, where a clear sense of the town's origins can be gained at Magdalene Bridge. We are on friendly terms with a number of Cambridge colleges and, while we cannot guarantee college entrance on any given day, most walks enter two to three colleges to gain some perspective on Cambridge's distinctive, college-based university structure. We aim to give you a feel for some of Cambridge's most iconic and influential spots, both on and off the beaten track. These include the University Church (Great St. Mary's), the Senate House, the Cambridge University Press bookshop, the Church of Saint Edward King and Martyr, the Eagle Pub and the Cavendish Laboratory. We are often happy to adapt the places we visit to your interests and, of course, love to attempt valiantly to answer your hardest questions about Cambridge. We look forward to seeing you on the University Walk!

Summary

We've been leading guided walks for over twenty years and make a real effort to give you the chance to encounter Cambridge in all its fullness. We start at the Round Church, Cambridge's quirkiest (and, we think, most beautiful) Church building, which predates the earliest college (Peterhouse, 1284) by 150 years. After an introduction to the building's 800-year history, we venture down to the river, where a clear sense of the town's origins can be gained at Magdalene Bridge. We are on friendly terms with a number of Cambridge colleges and, while we cannot guarantee college entrance on any given day, most walks enter two to three colleges to gain some perspective on Cambridge's distinctive, college-based university structure. We aim to give you a feel for some of Cambridge's most iconic and influential spots, both on and off the beaten track. These include the University Church (Great St. Mary's), the Senate House, the Cambridge University Press bookshop, the Church of Saint Edward King and Martyr, the Eagle Pub and the Cavendish Laboratory. We are often happy to adapt the places we visit to your interests and, of course, love to attempt valiantly to answer your hardest questions about Cambridge. We look forward to seeing you on the University Walk!

Tour info

Duration
1 hour 30 minutes - 2 hours
Group Size
Pricing (From)
Commentary
Meeting Point
Dropoff location

Why take this tour?

What turned a boggy medieval town into a world-class university city? Join one of our engaging local guides on the University Walk and encounter the key ideas, people and movements which have formed and reformed Cambridge University and its colleges over 8 eventful centuries. Starting at the iconic 12th-century Round Church, you'll proceed around the city's historic centre, uncovering the manifold ways in which Christian faith and practice have given shape to Cambridge University throughout its history. The University Walk departs at 2:15pm from the inside of the Round Church and takes between 90 minutes and 2 hours. Entrance to the exhibitions at the Round Church Visitor Centre is included in the walk price.

What’s included?

  • Entrance fee to Round Church Visitor Centre

  • Hotel pickup

Things to know

Before you book

  • Duration: 90-120 minutes

  • Mobile tickets accepted

  • Instant confirmation

Cancellation Policy

    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Operated by:

Round Church Guided Walks

About operator:

Round Church Guided Walks combine engaging tours of historic Cambridge with tantalising intellectual history to create a truly unique experience of one of the world's oldest university cities. Weaving together stories about major figures in the history of the University, our well-informed guides cover a range of subjects. These include the rise of the University from Christian monasteries, the relationship between science and faith, the abolition of slavery, and the Protestant Reformation. Tours depart from the Round Church Visitor Centre daily (2pm from Monday - Saturday; 2:30pm on Sundays) and include entrance into the Round Church Visitor Centre and several major colleges. The cost is £10 (£8 for students) - offering great value for money for a tour which delves deep into Cambridge's unique past. Private tours may also be booked online

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