Now we can all have the true Cambridge experience, from punting to staying in an historic college

Aug. 23, 2024 - PRLog -- To get the true Cambridge experience, it's now possible to stay in some of its most historic and atmospheric colleges. Even on a short stay, this enables visitors to hire bikes (often the best way to meander through the streets) and enjoy a leisurely punt along 'The Backs' to get the best views of the picturesque colleges. Booking rooms in a beautiful Cambridge college can be done for a surprisingly low cost, says a leading travel expert.

Lily Smith, from the specialist accommodation finder UniversityRooms.com, says: 'Whether it's a first visit or you're heading back to The Backs for the umpteenth time, there's always a lot to enjoy in Cambridge, including the return of its outdoor festival, "Out of the Ordinary", this Bank Holiday after its very successful first year.

'Cambridge has 31 colleges, many dating back centuries, and has appeared in TV series from "Porterhouse Blue" to "Grantchester" and movies from "The Theory of Everything" and "Chariots of Fire" to "Oppenheimer" where, whisper it, King's College was used instead of Oppenheimer's actual college, St John's.

'One of the best ways to view the colleges is along The Backs, a stretch of the Cam that flows behind the backs of several of Cambridge's most attractive colleges. If you don't fancy tackling the stranger tides of the Cam yourself, it's very relaxing to be "chauffeured" by an experienced punter.

'Perhaps the most immersive Cambridge experience of all, though, is to book a room in one of its truly historic colleges, which can be surprisingly inexpensive, even at the height of the summer season. Best of all, you can stay in them even if you are not a student.

'For example, the 15^th-century Christ's College is one of the oldest and most attractive buildings. Visitors just have to cross the road from the busy shopping centre to pass through the 500-year-old Great Gate into quiet and tranquil gardens. Amazingly, rooms can still be booked this month for as little as £51 a night.

'Staying in a Cambridge college provides a unique backstage pass to university life, while helping to generate revenue that contributes to the upkeep of these iconic buildings. The B&B or self-catering rooms are mostly located in central Cambridge.

'It doesn't take an educated guess to realise that university accommodation is likely to get fully booked as awareness of this relatively inexpensive alternative grows. One thing to consider is that some colleges have a no-under-18s rule, so double-check the campus' page for details. For more information and to book your stay now, see: https://www.universityrooms.com/en-GB/city/cambridge/home/