The Original Cambridge History Tour

In this Original Cambridge History Tour we cover a thousand years of Cambridge history from the invasion of the Romans, to the arrival of the students to the Second World War. Discover how Cambridge and the university has influenced the fields of art, literature, science, politics and religion. From the Tudor Reformation to the English Civil War to the Suffragettes, Cambridge has often found itself at the centre of change. Follow the lives of the likes of Isaac Newton, Henry VIII, Oliver Cromwell, Millicent Fawcett and Stephen Hawking and hear what university and town life is like today from guides based at Cambridge University. Our tours are restricted to a maximum of 12 people so small groups are guaranteed. We also offer private tours, please see our website or email us for more details.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Great St Mary's Church (Church of England), St. Marys Passage King's Parade, Cambridge CB2 3PQ England

Our guide will meet you outside Great St Mary's Church. Look out for the white umbrella! We will begin our tour with a brief and entertaining summary of British and Cambridge history.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Gonville and Caius College, Trinity Street, Cambridge CB2 1TA England

We will explain the function of colleges and how the Cambridge college system works before discussing Stephen Hawking's life at Gonville & Caius.


Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: St. John's College, St. John's St., Cambridge CB2 1TP England

We will discuss Cambridge University's uncomfortable links to the Transatlantic slave trade and the campaign of St John's alumni William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson to end it.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Trinity College, 31 Trinity Street, Cambridge CB2 1TB England

Discover the incredible history of the college of Isaac Newton and see the 'apple tree'. Find out how Trinity College has influenced the scientific, literary and political landscape of the UK and world.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Trinity Hall, Trinity Lane, Cambridge CB2 1TJ England

Learn about the devastating impact of the Black Death in Medieval Cambridge and why Trinity Hall was founded following the plague.

Duration: 5 minutes

Pass By: The Backs, Queens' Road, Cambridge CB3 9AH England

We stroll along the idyllic Cambridge Backs towards our next destination with plenty of time for photo opportunities.

Stop At: King's College, King's Parade, Cambridge CB2 1ST England

Overlooking King's from the Backs, discover the history of King's Chapel including the role it played during the English Civil War. We will also discuss famous King's alumni, including the incredible and tragic story of the code breaker Alan Turing.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Darwin College, Silver Street, Cambridge CB3 9EU England

We will discuss the struggles and resistance women faced to attend and gain equality at Cambridge University, and the role of Millicent Fawcett - the first leader of the Suffragists.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Mathematical Bridge, Queens' College, Cambridge CB3 9ET England

See an incredible feat of engineering at the iconic Mathematical Bridge.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Queens' College, Silver Street, Cambridge CB3 9ES England

Learn about the impact that the War of the Roses had on Cambridge and the foundation of Queens' College.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Corpus Christi College, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RH England

Discover how Corpus Christi found itself at the centre of the Tudor Reformation and how this led to the college becoming home to one of the world's finest collection of Medieval manuscripts.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge CB3 0FZ, UK

Hear about the lab group which has almost thirty Nobel Prize winners to its name at the site where some of the greatest scientific discoveries took place.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Eagle, Bene't St, Cambridge CB2 3QN, UK

Hear about the controversy around the discovery of the structure of DNA at the site where the 'secret of life' was announced.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Corpus Clock, 58 Trumpington St Corpus Christi College, Cambridge CB2 1RH England

We finish our tour with time itself. Learn about the mechanics of the hypnotic Corpus Clock and the strange creature which eats it.

Duration: 5 minutes

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.