The Almost Complete History of the Old Town of Cambridge
About This Experience
Using a 500-year-old map, fun facts and a big dollop of humour; we'll navigate all around the historic Town and through 2000 years of history to the City we live in today.
May contain: Anglo-Saxons, Fires, Beheadings, Vikings, Normans, Town vs Gown drama, Fairs, Kings, Queens, Common Land, Churches, Charters, Chancellors, Monks, Mayors, Markets and a potential grave robbery.
If you're new to Cambridge you'll come way understanding the story of the Town in a way most visitors never will.
If you think you know Cambridge, you're probably in for a surprise.
If that wasn't enough, we're a local social enterprise promoting Cambridge history, culture and sustainable tourism; your fantastic Experience Leaders are local people with lived experience of exclusion, particularly homelessness, in Cambridge.
Tour Itinerary
10 min
How did Cambridge become a town? How was the market so important? How was the market laid out in medieval times?
10 min
Originally St-Mary's-by-the-market, now the famous University Church, what's the story behind this building and the arrival of the scholars in Cambridge?
10 min
Monks, monasteries, reformation, regicide, a few beheadings.. what's not to love? [no access to college - we are old townspeople after all]
10 min
Site of the earliest church in Cambridge, dedicated to the patron saint of sailors? [outside only]
15 min
Common land, enclosure, arrival and kingdom of the East Angles, fairs - who/what set the borders of the old town and what happened outside of them? [also toilet and rest break]
10 min
Why are we called Cambridge? And Vikings!
10 min
Cambridge joins the new Kingdom of England. The Norman's turn up. The Round Church is built. The medieval public hospital and monk annoying other monks. [Not entering the college or church - just looking form outside like the common townspeople we are]
10 min
Old bookshops and the right to print, Dr Caius strange requests, the Senate House, fighting for space and some fun facts about King's College Chapel.
15 min
The oldest building, Angles again, Corpus Christi College, the secret of life, the Eagle pub, end of the old town and back out into the city. [No entry to buildings - all outside]
What's Included
Included
- Historical Humour
- A copy of a 500 year old map to hep you navigate through the Old Town of Cambridge.
- Historical Facts
- Guided walking tour of the old Town of Cambridge (aka historic town/city centre)
Not Included
- Admission fees
Meeting Point & Logistics
Start Point
Find us on Market Hill, in front of the Guildhall. It's the massive building with the clock on it. We'll be wearing white Experience Cambridge hi-viz jackets.
Traveler Reviews
Important Information
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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