Cambridge City Guide

Food options range from traditional British pub food to diverse international cuisines thanks to the university crowd. Vegetarian and vegan meals are easy to find. Late-night takeaways and some restaurants stay open late.

Nightlife focuses on pubs, bars, and some nightclubs with live music. It's more relaxed than bigger cities but offers variety.

Coffee culture is vibrant with many third-wave shops and good quality. Chains and independents both thrive.

Tipping is optional but appreciated. Around 10% in restaurants if no service charge. Taxis often get a rounded fare or 10%. Small tips common for hairdressers.

SIM cards are sold at phone shops like EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three or convenience stores. EE, Vodafone, and O2 offer good coverage and speed. eSIMs depend on your phone and provider. No ID is usually required for pay-as-you-go SIMs.

The city is clean, especially the center and university areas, with good waste and recycling services.

Some late-night supermarkets and takeaways operate, but 24/7 options are limited.

You can find international foods in big supermarkets and specialty stores. Shops like Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, and Aldi/Lidl are common. The Cambridge Market Square offers fresh produce and local goods. Most supermarkets are open from early morning until late evening on weekdays and shorter hours on Sundays.

Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, including shops, restaurants, and public transport. You rarely need cash.

ATMs from major banks like Barclays, Lloyds, and NatWest are common in the city center and shopping areas. UK cards usually avoid fees, but international cards might be charged by their own banks.

Cambridge has state and independent schools like The Perse School. International schools offer IB curricula. Most instruction is in English. Admission rules differ; independent schools often require early applications.

Cambridge has a growing community of remote workers linked to the university and coworking spaces. Meetups exist but are less formal than bigger hubs.

Plenty of parks and green areas like Parker's Piece and Jesus Green. The River Cam offers shaded trails.

Popular running routes include the River Cam, Parker's Piece, and Botanic Garden. Running groups are active and it’s generally safe.

You’ll find affordable gyms, university sports facilities, and leisure centers with pools and courts.

Tennis courts are in public parks and clubs like Cambridge Lawn Tennis Club. Booking ahead is usual.

Padel courts are emerging in some sports centers but less common than tennis.

Many yoga studios offer different styles and drop-in classes with English-speaking teachers.

Training available for BJJ, Muay Thai, Boxing, Judo, Karate with English-speaking instructors.

No ski slopes near Cambridge. UK skiing is limited to Scotland or indoor centers far away.

You can kayak and paddleboard on the River Cam. Sailing is possible nearby. Windsurfing is less common but available regionally.

No surfing nearby; best UK surf spots are far from Cambridge and usually small.

No diving spots in Cambridge; inland UK quarries are quite distant and not well-known.

Addenbrooke's Hospital serves the city with English-speaking staff. NHS provides free care for residents; private options offer quicker access. Pharmacies like Boots and Superdrug are common and stock OTC meds.

Tap water in Cambridge is safe to drink directly.

Playgrounds, family-friendly cafés and stores are common. Popular family activities include visiting the Fitzwilliam Museum, punting the River Cam, and the Botanic Garden.

Cambridge is welcoming and inclusive with LGBTQ+ friendly venues and annual Pride events.

The city is pet-friendly, with parks allowing dogs and many pet services. Check ahead at accommodations and restaurants.