Cycling tour of Cambridge

This two-hour cycling tour of Cambridge is a great way to explore the city, since you’ll cover much more ground than you could on foot.

You’ll cycle through some of Cambridge’s meadows along the riverbank, where you’ll see rowers zipping up and down the waterways or training on rowing machines in one of the waterside clubhouses. From the meadows, head into the city and explore the exteriors of some of the centrally located university buildings, as well as a few city landmarks.

Your local guide will tell you about the area and its buildings, people and history as you cycle, while leading you down the quieter backstreets and alleyways to better navigate the city and avoid the crowds. If you have a particular interest in one of the university colleges or an aspect of the city’s history, you can let your guide know and they will try and incorporate it into the tour.

You’ll meet your guide in the middle of Parker’s Piece, the large open park in central Cambridge. Here, you’ll be fitted for your bike before heading off through the town; there will be cycling helmets available in all sizes.

The exact order of areas you visit will vary but the cycling is gentle, flat and mostly on bike paths away from traffic, making this accessible for people from a range of ages and fitness levels.

During this two-hour ride you’ll explore some of Cambridge’s meadows and venture out along the River Cam. Here, you’re likely to see low, flat-bottomed river boats with square-cut bows cruising on the water. Better known as a punt, these boats are propelled by the punter pushing against the riverbed with a pole. The river is also teeming with rowers, zipping up and down the water.

Within the city’s heart, you’ll navigate across parks, through quieter backstreets and along cycle paths to avoid the traffic. You’ll be able to cover more distance than you could on foot, making it a great way to explore more of the city.

Although you won’t be able to venture into any of the buildings, you’ll pass through and around several colleges, the Cambridge University Library and many museums, making this a good way to pick out the ones you want to go back to.