Welcome to Cambridge
We are honoured and excited to welcome you to Cambridge for the 44th IALL Annual Course.
For those who haven’t visit the city before, this page aims to provide some helpful information as follows:
- Some history
- Places of interest to visit / things to see and do
- Museums and galleries
- Restaurants
- Pubs and bars
Some history
Ancient beginnings
Cambridge is the county town of Cambridgeshire in the East of England. While the University of Cambridge is central to the city’s history, the story of Cambridge itself extends further back before its academic reputation began. Archaeology confirms a settlement existed in prehistoric times. Later the city was subjected to Roman occupation and then was a focus of Saxon and Viking trade routes.
First Duroliponte, then Grantebrycge, finally Cantebrigge
The city’s origins lie on Castle Hill, the highest land point in the area. The Romans established the fort called Duroliponte around the year 70 to help guard the important river crossing. Following the withdrawal of the Romans from Britain in 410, the site became a thriving trading centre for the Saxons and later the Vikings, again due to the importance of the River Cam, then known as the Granta. By the time of the Norman Conquest of Britain in 1066, the settlement known then as Grantebrycge was a notable and wealthy place. Indeed, a castle was constructed by William the Conqueror, the mound of which still stands today. By medieval times the Latin name was Cantebrigge which was later refined to be Cambridge, as we know it today,
The Year 1209 and the founding of the University of Cambridge
As the University’s website explains: ‘The University of Cambridge is one of the world’s oldest universities and leading academic centres, and a self-governed community of scholars.’ In the year 1209, ‘groups of scholars congregated at the ancient Roman trading post of Cambridge for the purpose of study, the earliest record of the University.’ These scholars had fled the University of Oxford due to violent riots between the townspeople and the academics. ‘In 1284, Peterhouse, the first College at Cambridge, was founded by the Bishop of Ely.’ Today, Cambridge has 31 colleges, all autonomous organisations, including two graduate colleges.
The Reformation
Historically, Cambridge been a centre of intellectual debate and sometimes radical thinking. In the 16th century, the White Horse Inn (which was located on the site of modern-day King’s Parade) became known as ‘Little Germany.’ There, scholars including Thomas Cranmer and Hugh Latimer discussed the works of Martin Luther, and in essence set in motion the English Reformation. Some of the reformers met at St Edward’s, a 13th century church in the centre of Cambridge.
Civil War
During the English Civil War (a war between Royalists and Parliamentarians between 1642 and 1651), Cambridge became a Parliamentarian stronghold. Oliver Cromwell, who was a former student of Sidney Sussex College and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Cambridge, turned the city into his military headquarters. For those delegates attending the optional day visit to Ely, there will be more to hear about Cromwell and his influence in the area.
Scientific Innovation
Intellectual freedom and scientific discovery and innovation has also played a big part in the history of the University of Cambridge. There are many examples of ground-breaking research. To pick out just two examples: (i).at Trinity College Isaac Newton, the second Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, composed his Principia Mathematica. (ii). The 17th Century Eagle pub on Bene’t Street – opposite St Bene’t’s Church which is the oldest building in Cambridge – is a particularly famous place as it was where in 1953 Francis Crick and James Watson announced that they, together with Rosalind Franklin, ‘had discovered the secret of life’ – the DNA double-helix.
Today, the Cambridge Biomedical Campus is the centre of world class biomedical research, patient care and education. Technological innovation has been a significant growth area for the University – not so much Silicon Valley as ‘Silicon Fen’ as it has become known, after the fenland countryside around Cambridge. It is Europe’s largest software, electronics and biotechnology cluster.
Law at Cambridge
Law is one of the oldest subjects at the University. As Sir John Baker, Downing Professor Emeritus of the Laws of England, wrote ‘The exact date of the establishment of the Cambridge Faculty of Law is unknown, though it was flourishing by the 1250s and it had probably come into existence in the earlier years of the century when several chancellors of the University were lawyers.’ Today the Faculty of Law is one of the leading law schools in the world.
The Squire Law Library was established centuries later from a bequest by Rebecca Flower Squire and was officially opened in 1904 by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The David Williams Building which now houses both the Faculty of Law and the Squire and was officially opened in 1996 by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh who was at that time the Chancellor of the University.
Cambridge today
Today, Cambridge is a vibrant and diverse international city popular with tourists, shoppers, businesses and, of course, with students and scholars from all over the world. The city isn’t just the home of the University of Cambridge, it is also where the main campus for Anglia Ruskin University is located which was originally founded in 1858 as the Cambridge School of Art.
Places of interest to visit / Things to see and do
King’s College & Chapel
King’s College Chapel is the chapel of King’s College in the University of Cambridge. It is considered one of the finest examples of late Perpendicular Gothic English architecture and features the world’s largest fan vault. The Chapel was built in phases by a succession of kings of England from 1446 to 1515, a period which spanned the Wars of the Roses and three subsequent decades. The Chapel’s large stained glass windows were completed by 1531, and its early Renaissance rood screen was erected in 1532–36. The Chapel is an active house of worship, and home of the King’s College Choir. It is a landmark and a commonly used symbol of the city of Cambridge.
Great St Mary’s Church
For over 800 years, Great St Mary’s, the University Church, has been a place of prayer, reconciliation, and learning in the heart of Cambridge. The first mention of this church is a record of King John presenting Thomas de Chimeleye to the rectory in 1205. The foundations of the church may date to 1010, but the church was mostly destroyed by fire 9 July 1290 and then rebuilt.
The church tower can be climbed, offering excellent views of the city, and especially of King’s and Gonville and Caius Colleges.
The Corpus Clock
The Corpus Clock, also known as the Chronophage or the Grasshopper clock, is a large sculptural clock on the outside of the Taylor Library at Corpus Christi College.
The clock is visually stunning and thought-provoking. The clock’s face is a rippling 24-carat gold-plated stainless steel disc, about 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in diameter. It has no hands or numerals, but displays the time by opening individual slits in the clock face backlit with blue LEDs; these slits are arranged in three concentric rings displaying hours, minutes, and seconds.
Punting on the Cam
Punting in Cambridge is a popular and iconic activity, offering a unique way to see the city’s famous university colleges along the River Cam. Visitors can either choose guided tours, or the brave souls can choose to rent their own punt and navigate themselves!
Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Cambridge University Botanic Garden (CUBG) holds a collection of over 8,000 plant species from all over the world to facilitate teaching and research. The Garden provides resources including plant material, horticultural expertise and facilities to research workers and lecturers.
Since its foundation, however, the Garden has also provided a beautiful place for everybody to enjoy and benefit from – a series of wonderful landscapes through which to discover the drama of plant diversity.
Museums and galleries
The Fitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum is the principal art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge, located on Trumpington Street in central Cambridge. Founded in 1816 through the bequest of Richard FitzWilliam, 7th Viscount FitzWilliam, it houses over 500,000 objects spanning from antiquity to the present day, including masterpieces by Monet, Picasso, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Canaletto, and Titian.
Admission to the museum is free, though donations are welcome. The Museum is closed on Mondays.
University Museum of Zoology
The Cambridge University Museum of Zoology reopened in 2018 after a five-year redevelopment, offering visitors immersive galleries that showcase the diversity of animal life – from marsupials and monkeys to mammoths and manatees – while exploring themes of evolution, extinction, survival, and exploration. The museum features rare specimens collected by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, including a 70-foot finback whale skeleton and a notable diorama linked to colonial-era natural history.
The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 16:30, and Sunday from 12:00 to 16:30. Entry is free.
Kettle’s Yard
Kettle’s Yard, part of the University of Cambridge, is a leading gallery and unique house with a remarkable collection of 20th-century art. Its founders Jim and Helen Ede believed in art’s ability to transform lives, a vision upheld today through critically acclaimed exhibitions, pioneering community and learning programmes, and research of the highest quality.
Restaurants
Some recommendations (in no particular order):
Asian
KIBOU Japanese Restaurant & Bar
British/Continental
Arry’s Restaurant, Bar & Cheesemonger
Indian
Steak & Burgers
Italian/Pizza/Spanish
Pubs and bars
The Pickerel Inn is a Grade II listed Pickerel Inn at 30 Magdelene Street. The Inn is said to date from 1608 as possibly the oldest licensed ale house in the city.
The Eagle 6 and 8 Bene’t Street is the second-oldest pub in Cambridge, opening in 1667 as a coaching inn.
The Mill was a 19th Century Mill and is now an iconic pub and renowned with a good choice of well-kept real ales. Located close to the River Cam and very near to the Graduate Cambridge Hotel.
The Granta at 14 Newnham Terrace is a popular waterside pub overlooking Mill Pond.
Champion of the Thames on King’s Street.
The Free Press was first licensed in 1834 is a traditional backstreet public house within walking distance of the heart of Cambridge.
PintShop a modern city centre beer house and dining room.
The Varsity – the Roof Terrace at the Varsity Hotel & Spa is a stylish rooftop bar and restaurant located in the heart of Cambridge, offering panoramic views of the city’s historic spires and architecture.
PLEASE NOTE: The selections above are not meant to be an exhaustive list, merely some ideas that have been selected by the Local Planning Committee for IALL 2026.
For further information about Cambridge and for a longer listing of places of interest please go to Visit Cambridge.