A Day At Cambridge University, England
“Cambridge is heaven, …. As you walk round, most people look incredibly bright, as if they are probably off to win a Nobel prize.” - Sophie Hannah
words of truth indeed if you consider the illustrious names of alumni who have passed through these hallowed halls.
Founded in 1209 and granted a royal charter by Henry III in 1231, Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world's fourth-oldest surviving university. Interestingly it wasn’t however until 1869 and 1872 that the first women were admitted here and only several years later that they could earn a degree.
While Oxford was established first, it was three Oxford scholars who broke away and started Cambridge which accounts for the sense of familiarity that exists between the two universities and towns.
Located about sixty miles outside London the town is connected by the Great Northern Line which departs from Kings Cross Station in London at pretty regular intervals. of course you can also drive here which is what we did.
My nephew is an alumni and we made this a family trip with my aunt, her son, daughter-in-law and grandson who is nephew quoted here.
As we walked across the campus I imagined myself a student for a day here at one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It’s ranked as the 3rd best university in the world behind MIT and Oxford and tied with Stanford as per the 2021 published rankings.
As we strolled along, I pictured Sir Isaac Newton discovering the theory of relativity while studying here. With knowledge comes a religious freedom amongst many other freedoms and the reformist movement (aka the puritans) had a strong foothold here. Sir Oliver Cromwell Lord Protector of England studied here as did some of the pilgrims who formed part of the group that departed English shores to found a brave new world an ocean away. Sir Charles Babbage and Alan Turing who invented computers and gave them a voice debated their theories and wrote their treatises here. John Milton of the famed Paradise Lost was a student here, as was Lord Byron. So much history and so many noted notables walked these same hallowed halls and pathways through the centuries.
Science, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Art, Sports, Politics the list of alumni reads like a who’s who in these fields. If only the walls could talk, what stories they would have to share.
Kings Chapel is a notable landmark and a hub for life on the campus.
Everyone who visits goes punting on the River Cam. Not only is this a tradition but also a wonderful way to enjoy the sights since the river passes through the very heart of the university campus affording unique views of the most famous colleges and bridges.
There are two bridges to note along the river, one is the Bridge of Sighs pictured here and the other is the mathematical bridge. As it turned out I visited Venice after I visited here making this my first sight of this bridge. Built in 1831 this is the only covered bridge to cross the river at St. John’s college.
Sailing along we crossed the ivy colored walls of St. John’s college. One might be forgiven for thinking that we are at a grand castle in England or Europe rather than a university town as we look at this view.
Poling these punt is a way for many students to earn some extra money here at the university. The experience is quite similar to riding a gondola along the Venice canals.
The famous narrow cobble stoned lane known as the Senate House passage that connects several colleges together. On my first trip to England lost in the annals of history I visited a tea shop near Westminster Abbey for the best tea and scones that it’s been my privilege to enjoy. Since then I’ve tried to recreate the experience and taste unsuccessfully since the old fashioned tea rooms have all but disappeared. But here in Cambridge I was able to come close to the experience with the most delightful scones and clotted cream.
Let me assure you that experiences like this in the countryside at a small tea shop far surpasses the expensive and elaborate high tea experience in expensive hotels in the city of London and elsewhere.
Trinity College was founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII and is one of the largest and oldest colleges in Cambridge. The distinctive great court pictured here is reputed to the largest enclosed courtyard in Europe.
Wren Library was designed by Christopher Wren in 1676, completed in 1695. IT houses approximately 70,000 books printed before 1820. Libraries as many of you know are my happy places but alas we did not get a chance to go inside and gawk at all the treasures this particular library houses.
We finally had to tear ourselves away and head towards the parking lot especially since we were expected for a family dinner in the city and were already running behind schedule.
The timeless sense of history, the magical narrow lanes and the idyllic River Cam with it’s punting boats floating on it, the sound of laughter on the air and young people walking around with their book bags; what an unforgettable day.