Have fun and try punting!
by Travelchili
Do you know what a punt is? I didn't when I went to Cambridge, but now I do and I am glad to tell you, too:) A punt is a flat bottomed boat. There are smaller and bigger punts - smaller holding four people and larger up to eight, i think. While people sit, one person stands at the rear end and pushes the punt along using a pole. It may sound a lot easier than it actually is, but don't hesitate and give it a try!!! You can hire a punt yourself and have fun trying:) or you can have a chauffeur who is experienced punter and will tell you all kinds of stories of different colleges that you will along the riverside during your journey!
Boot Scrapers
by christine.j
Down at street level, I often saw small nooks or holes with a metal bar in front of them and I had no idea what they were. So I did what any good VTer would do, I asked in the forum. VT members Manara and Tango jd soon told me they were boot scrapers. So it's not the hole which is the important part, but the metal scraper.
From VT member Leics I learned that they were only on old houses, as the usage stopped in Victorian/Edwardian times.
I will look out for them in other towns in England now, I'm sure I'll see some more.
Waterbeach
by christine.j
My son and I went on a very nice bicycle tour along the Cam to Waterbeach. On the way out of Cambridge, there is a bike lane, later this is shared with walkers. It was a beautiful ride, watching the boats on the Cam, passing the lock , going through a very green area to Waterbeach.
From what I saw this is a very small place, very quiet when we were there in early afternoon.
We didn't ride very fast, as I wanted to enjoy the scenery, but we didn't need more than 30 minutes. It takes longer to get out of Cambridge than to ride on the path to Waterbeach.
It's about 8 km from Cambridge, on the trainline to Ely, so in case of bad weather we'd have taken the train to go there.
Important store for confidence tricksters
by sourbugger about Ryder & Amies
Ryder and Amies bills itself as "Tie, scraf & Robe makers. University , Clerical & legal outfitters"
Many shops sell 'general' university merchandise with Cambridge university symbols adorning t-shirts, caps, sweatshirts and the like. These items are very popular with visitors.
If you are looking for something a bit more exclusive, then this store sells the individual ties of each of the colleges.
I was rather surprised to learn that these are available to everyone. So if you need to pass yourself off as a 'Cambridge Old boy' then this is your place. I don't think, however, that it cuts the ice it once did in the Boardroom and you always run the risk of running into the real thing.
Make way for these!!
by nhcram
Not sure who has right of way in Cambridge but I never argued with a cycle if it came toward me! They are everywhere and whilst there is an absence of cars the humble bike is the ideal way to get round the city.
River Cam
Frontage At The Corner of King Street
Varsity Restaurant
Kings' College - Gate house
