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Offered languages
- English
Discover the (almost) complete history of the Cambridge Town (and a bit of Gown) in a fun, unusual walking tour led by our fantastic Experience Leaders - local guides with lived experience of homelessness in Cambridge.
We lead you on a different tour through old Cambridge and discover the Town from the view of the townspeople through the centuries up to today. This is our story, not the standard university history.
Using a 500-year-old map, facts and a big dollop of humour; we'll navigate all around the historic Town and it's politics through 2000 years of history to the City we live in today.
Warning! Contains: Anglo-Saxons, Fires, Beheadings, Vikings, Normans, Town vs Gown fights, Fairs, Kings, Queens, Civil War, Common Land, Churches, Charters, Chancellors, Monks, Mayors, Markets and more.
If you're new to Cambridge you'll come way understanding the story of the Town in a way most visitors never will.
If you think you know Cambridge, you're in for a surprise.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Find us on Market Hill, in front of the Guildhall. It's the massive building with the clock on it. We'll be wearing white Experience Cambridge hi-viz jackets.
Itinerary
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1Cambridge Market Square
How did Cambridge become a town? How was the market so important? How was the market laid out in medieval times?
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Great St Mary's Church (Church of England)
Originally St-Mary's-by-the-market, now the famous University Church, what's the story behind this building and the arrival of the scholars in Cambridge?
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Sidney Sussex College
Monks, monasteries, reformation, regicide, a few beheadings.. what's not to love? [no access to college - we are old townspeople after all]
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4St, Clement's Church
Site of the earliest church in Cambridge, dedicated to the patron saint of sailors? [outside only]
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Jesus Green
Common land, enclosure, arrival and kingdom of the East Angles, fairs - who/what set the borders of the old town and what happened outside of them? [also toilet and rest break]
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Magdalene Bridge
Why are we called Cambridge? And Vikings!
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7St. John's College
Cambridge joins the new Kingdom of England. The Norman's turn up. The Round Church is built. The medieval public hospital and monk annoying other monks. [Not entering the college or church - just looking form outside like the common townspeople we are]
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8Cambridge University Press Bookshop
Old bookshops and the right to print, Dr Caius strange requests, the Senate House, fighting for space and some fun facts about King's College Chapel.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9St Bene't's Church (Church of England)
The oldest building, Angles again, Corpus Christi College, the secret of life, the Eagle pub, end of the old town and back out into the city. [No entry to buildings - all outside]
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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