Cambridge activities that are not normally on the traditional list of ‘what to do when visiting Cambridge’
Searching for activities to do in Cambridge is common for most who visit this iconic city on a staycation, weekend getaway or holiday and normally the likes of Cambridge University, museums, the market, punting and the botanic gardens appear to name but a few. So we, at the Traditional Punting Company, thought we would compile a list about all the non traditional stuff/activities you can do when visiting the picturesque city that you might not even know about, especially if you are visiting Cambridge for the second time and would like to experience something new.
Join the Circus!
The Cambridge Community Circus is a company that runs courses that will teach you how to circus! They offer courses on groundwork and also on aerial skills. Anyone over the age of 12+ can participate in any of the courses, and this is a wonderful way to learn some new and exciting skills.
You must pre-book you lessons in advance, and on weekdays they run between 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM.
Cambridge Ice Area
The Cambridge Ice Arena is a full size, year-round, state-of-the-art ice rink near Cambridge International Airport. You can join one of their public ice skating sessions that run both in the morning and afternoon on all days of the week with longer session times at the weekend. Prices range from £9.50 for adults and £7.50 for children and you can book in advance via their website to secure your session before your visit to Cambridge. They even have an onsite cafe where you can relax with a drink and a piece of cake after your session or whilst your children are skating. It is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon for one of your days here in Cambridge.
Mill Road
Mill Road is one of Cambridge’s best kept secrets. Down the mile long stretch of road, that runs parallel to the main road through to the city centre, there are wonderful locally owned restaurants, cafes, breweries, and shops.
There are so many different types of restaurants to be found on Mill Road that it can be hard to know where to start, so here are some of our recommendations.
If you like dumplings then Noodle+ is the place to go, situated at the top of Mill Road, near Parkers Piece.
Next up, if you like fish and chips then head over to the Sea Tree. They do the best fish and chips, not to mention their seafood linguine is to die for! They also have a fresh fish counter where you can pick something up to cook for dinner the next day.
Speaking of linguine, if you are a fan of Italian food then Limoncello has wonderful food. They serve fresh pasta and delicious homemade sauces. And they also have a pantry counter that you can shop from, so you can stock up on fresh ingredients.
If Indian food is more your style then Prana is the perfect place for you. They have a wonderful range of dishes that will make your stomach smile!
There are so many other fabulous restaurants on Mill road, and nearly all of them are independently owned, with locally sourced produce as well. Either way, whichever restaurant you pick you are in for a treat!
Shopping on Mill Road is also a brilliant experience! Mill Road is full of charity shops, bookshops, vintage shops full of gorgeous clothes and trinkets. There is also a brilliant music shop called Relevant Records, with a cafe upstairs, and a record shop downstairs, Relevant Records is a haven for music lovers.
So on your next trip to Cambridge make time to explore this wonderful, mile long, stretch of road.
The Enchanted Cinema
The Enchanted Cinema is the perfect place to watch a film. With outdoor screenings and a focus on local business, they produce some wonderfully unforgettable experiences. With local musicians performing before screenings and local food trucks coming to supply drinks and snacks, this is the ultimate place to view either local or large scale films.
Coming up in April they have showings of Greece, Dirty Dancing, Spider Man 3, Lion King, No Time To Die, and so much more!
Scavenger Hunts
On your visit to Cambridge you might just want to explore the city in your own time as well as finding out about the history, if this is you then a city centre scavenger hunt might be your activity of choice. The scavenger hunt will have you hunting for answer to some obscure questions in additional to uncovering some unique facts and places that you would not have know otherwise. You can purchase a scavenger hunt for any group size for a fun (and competitive) way to explore the city. Scavenger hunts are a self-run activity so you can complete it as and when you choose, giving you flexibility in your day. If you would like to order a scavenger then you can so over the phone on 01223782306. There are other scavenger hunts that you can use during your visit to Cambridge for instance a Statue Hunt that will take you to some of the most famous and obscure statues in the city or alternatively an Easter, Halloween or Christmas themed scavenger hunt that are a great family outdoor activity with a special sweet prize at the end for the children.
Delve into David’s Bookshop
Cambridge is also packed with libraries and bookstores, which is kind of expected for being a ‘University Town, but one of the most enchanting bookstores is G. David Booksellers. Located just slightly off the popular King’s Parade, this bookstore is packed with history that dates back to its open day in 1896. The original G. David (a Parisian bookseller) began selling his books on a stall in the popular Market Square, before expanding to a physical store around the corner.
The shop specialises in antiquarian, second-hand and remaindered books as well as maps and manuscripts – some from the 14th Century. You can be sure that you’ll find a unique piece of treasure that you’ll want to take home with you.
So, when you come to Cambridge you should, of course, do all the normal touristy things (especially a chauffeured punt tour) but we hope you take an hour or two to explore some other activities of our lovely city too!
Posted on April 8th, 2022, by the Traditional Punting Company Editor
