Visit: (the tour includes, but is not limited, to the following locations)

Great St Mary’s Church. Dating back to 1205, which the current building was built after a fire destroyed the original building during the 15th century. This gorgeous gothic Church is unique given its status as both the University Church in Cambridge and a local parish church. One of its many curious features is that it has two church organs, one for the town and one for the ‘gown’ or university. Whilst at Great St Mary’s Church, your guide will reveal the Church’s fascinating history, including how its restoration in the 15th century was part-funded by two rival kings – Richard III and Henry Tudor. Our visit to this Church is also your chance to view an original first edition King James Bible. Finally, those of you who are willing to climb to the top of the Church’s Tower have the option to climb the 123 steps and gain majestic views of Cambridge and beyond. Tower entry is not included in the price of the tour and is an optional extra.

The Eagle Pub ‘The Eagle’ is where Francis Crick announced that he and James Watson had ‘discovered the secret of life’ after they had developed their idea for DNA. This historic pub, originally founded in 1667, was also where numerous Royal Air Force and American Air Force Crews had their final drink before heading off on missions over occupied Europe. Today it possible to find their names graffitied on the ceiling of the RAF Bar, which is where we will stop for a drink, a spot of Lunch, and the chance to rest your feet for an hour before continuing on our tour. If you are curious to try a local British beer, your guide will be happy to help you make a choice that suits your pallet and your choice of Lunch. Please note that the cost of Lunch is not included within the price of the tour.

King’s College King’s College was founded in 1441 by King Henry VI, known as the ‘royal saint’. Renowned for the fact that for 400 years, King’s only admitted Etonians and that its students graduated without sitting examinations, King’s is one of the UK’s most prestigious academic colleges with alumni including Alan Turing and Zadie Smith. At King’s College, we will be able to explore the gorgeous grounds of the College before entering Kings’ Chapel, which is one of the stunning highlights of this trip.

King’s College Chapel King’s College Chapel is one of the most stunning sites of Christian worship in the United Kingdom. Considered one of the finest examples of late Gothic English architecture and renowned for having the largest fan vaulted ceiling in the country, this breathtaking building is the highlight of any tour of Cambridge. Whilst at the Chapel, your guide will explain the founding of the College and the Chapel, why the College is so closely associated with numerous Kings of England, and why the College would not exist without the help of one of Shakespeare’s most famous villains – the hunchbacked Richard III. Whilst at the Chapel, you will also have time to explore on your own, view the glorious stained glass windows and admire Ruben’s The Adoration of the Magi, which now serves as the Chapel’s altarpiece.

St. John’s College St. John’s College is home to the famous Bridge of Sighs, which crosses the River Cam to the rear of the College. Seen across the world as one of Cambridge’s most recognisable images, the Bridge of Sighs was described as “so pretty and picturesque” that no trip to Cambridge is complete without a chance to stop and take a photo. Famous alumni of the College include the abolitionists William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson and the poet William Wordsworth. One of the largest colleges in Cambridge, St. John’s was founded by the mother of Henry VII, Margaret Beaufort, who sadly died before the College was completed. Today the College is one of the best in Cambridge with 30% of students achieving a first. While exploring St. John’s College, we will explore the College’s grounds, including the Victorian Chapel, designed by the renowned architect Sir George Gilbert Scott who also designed St Pancras Station and the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.

Trinity College Trinity College is the largest and wealthiest of all the Cambridge Colleges. Founded by Henry VIII, it boasts over 32 Nobel prize winners amongst its alumni and both Sir Isaac Newton and HRH Prince Charles where also students here. At Trinity College, we will have a chance to see one of the apple trees descended from the tree that dropped an apple on the head of Sir Isaac Newton. You will also have the opportunity to view the great court and the fountain that Lord Byron famously bathed in, enraging the College’s officials. Whilst at Trinity, your guide will also explain one of the biggest scandals of the Cold War – that senior members of the British Secret Service had been passing covert intelligence from the British and Americans to the USSR. The Cambridge Spy Ring, as it became known, was one of the most significant espionage failures of the 20th century, with all 5 members of the infamous group being recruited directly from Trinity College! 

Grantchester Village After visiting Cambridge, we will drive back to London via the quant and beautiful village of Grantchester, which is said to have the highest concentration of Nobel Prize winners of any village in the world. Made famous by the hit TV series named after the village, Grantchester was a favourite spot of the writers Wordsworth, Tennyson, Chaucer, and Ted Huges and Sylvia Plath.