Day Tripper

If you only had one day in town, how would you spend it?

Students Simon van Teutem and Samantha Morton share their top tips for a day trip in each of the two university towns.

Samantha Morton unpacks Cambridge

Cambridge is a cute little town with a big personality, and there are some things so quintessentially Cambridge that they must not be missed. This is my ideal day in Cambridge.

The day commences with a walking tour of some of the old colleges. Fortunately King’s and St. John’s are both walkable, scenic, open to visitors and close in proximity. I never miss a stroll over the Bridge of Sighs or a chance to get a panoramic view of King’s overlooking the backs.

Bridge of Sighs, Cambridge

After appreciating the colleges, I would continue walking North along the Cam to see what Cambridge is really about: rowing. As you stroll along the river you will see many college boathouses and hopefully some crews on the water. As you come past Jesus Green you will also glimpse at Goldie Boathouse, where CUBC may be inside, attempting the infamous 5k ergo test.

Jesus Green, Cambridge

At this point, you’ve done plenty of walking, so you may as well finish it off at the highest point in Cambridge – Castle Mound. Thankfully, it’s definitely a mound and not a hill, but still provides a great vantage point to get a gorgeous view of Cambridge, bonus points if you catch it at sunset (or sunrise!).

A visit to Fitzbillies is another essential. The iconic Cambridge staple is known for their delicious Chelsea Buns. I will admit, they are on the sweeter side, but sharing is always an option. They always have a fantastic array of pastries on offer.

Fitzbillies’ coffee shop and bakery, Bridge Street, Cambridge

As the day winds down, The Eagle provides the perfect haven to grab a drink and appreciate those who came before you. The pub pays homage to Franklin, Watson and Crick, discoverers of the structure of DNA, as well as the Allied airmen of the Second World War.

The Eagle pub, Cambridge

As dinnertime rolls around, you must definitely try to snag an invite to a formal dinner at any one of the colleges, especially if it’s a themed evening. I recently attended a Burn’s night formal at Jesus College and experienced my first taste of Haggis.

Jack’s Gelato shop, Cambridge

Finally, as most will tell you, you cannot visit Cambridge without getting a scoop of Jack’s Gelato. I find the flavours often a bit eccentric, but there are usually a couple of fan favourites on the menu, and the hot chocolate is always a solid contender.

Simon van Teutem explores Oxford

Start with breakfast in one of the 36 colleges’ dining halls. At Nuffield College we have fresh bread, fruit, a full English, and the pièce de résistance: a printed Financial Times, which really gets us nerds going.

The Spire of Nuffield College, Oxford

Gaining access to a college requires either knowing a student or climbing a wall. If your parkour skills are rusty, head instead to the cycling cafe Peloton or Tick Tock Café on Cowley Road, the unvarnished (meaning it has actual grocery stores) part of town.

Lincoln College, Oxford

Next, coffee. Make your way to Turl Street in the center. Opposite Lincoln College – alma mater of Rishi Sunak, though they’re curiously quiet about that these days – you’ll find the Missing Bean. Both its ambience and coffee outpace its rivals by several boat lengths. You can play chess here, too.

Turl Street overlooking All Saints Church tower, Oxford

Two minutes away stands the Radcliffe Camera, a famous library that looks like Star Wars character, R2D2. Avoid it, it’s far too hectic. Instead, try the Taylorian Library, where the second floor reading room will make you feel like Claire Foy in The Crown, minus the corset.

Time for a pint? Avoid George Street’s pubs and duck into the Lamb & Flag, just a stone’s throw from the library. Here Tolkien and C.S. Lewis once held court over tales and tankards. They also serve good tomato juice for rowers and other teetotalers.

The Lamb and Flag pub, Oxford

All this is but a prelude to the grand finale: TSE Noodle on Ship Street. Welcome, take a seat in Szechuan paradise. Regular visits might not only build your spice tolerance but could lead to friendship with the owner, Shuman Tse, the uncrowned King of Oxford.