Wren to Waterhouse: A Self-Guided Cambridge Tour

Cambridge's architecture tells the story of centuries of academic ambition, religious upheaval, and civic pride. On this walking tour, you'll trace the city's built environment through its Gothic Revival churches, neoclassical colleges, and Victorian civic buildings, discovering how scholars, aristocrats, and even a French ballet dancer shaped what you see today. Starting outside the 1720s Senate House, you'll pass King's College's whimsical Gothic Revival gatehouse, enter Pembroke College — home to Christopher Wren's earliest completed building — and reach the monumental Fitzwilliam Museum, whose marble interior features caryatids copied from the Acropolis. Along the way, hear the story of Hobson's Conduit, named after the man who gave English the phrase Hobson's Choice. The tour ends at the Guildhall, where a close look at the brickwork reveals an unexpected consequence of the Second World War.

1. 1

   Stop 1

   Pass by

   Pass William Wilkins' whimsical Gothic Revival gatehouse at King's College. Take in this striking 19th-century addition to one of Cambridge's most iconic institutions.

2. 2

   Pembroke College

   Pass by

   Step into the courtyard of Pembroke College, home to Christopher Wren's earliest completed building. Discover this modest but historically significant work by one of England's most celebrated architects.

3. 3

   Peterhouse

   Pass by

   Enter Peterhouse College's 1630s chapel, a rare example of Gothic Survival architecture with a stunning and rare stained glass window. Take in this atmospheric interior, a striking holdout from an era when Gothic style had largely fallen from fashion.

4. 4

   Fitzwilliam Museum

   Pass by

   Explore the Fitzwilliam Museum's opulent entrance hall, with marbles sourced from Siena, Devon, Genoa, and Aberdeen. Marvel at the caryatids copied from the Acropolis, adorning this monumental marble-clad interior.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   Pass by

   Step inside the Judge Business School, where postmodern architect John Outram created a riot of colour and giant columns inside a Victorian hospital. Discover this unexpected burst of bold design tucked within a much older building.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   Pass by

   Reach the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and the English Martyrs, Cambridge's tallest building. Take in its Decorated Gothic Revival architecture, creating a genuinely atmospheric interior.

7. 7

   Downing College

   Pass by

   Admire Downing College's vast neoclassical quadrangle and the Maitland Robinson Library, a 1990s building so convincingly classical it fools most visitors. Spot the radio telescope carved into the library's frieze, architect Quinlan Terry's subtle 20th-century signature.

8. 8

   Stop 8

   Pass by

   Pass Emmanuel College, where John Harvard studied before lending his name to America's most famous university. Take in this quiet but historically significant corner of Cambridge's academic landscape.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.