History of Cambridge Old Town Tour

Discover the (almost) complete history of the Cambridge Town (and a bit of Gown) in a fun, unusual walking tour led by our fantastic Experience Leaders - local guides with lived experience of homelessness in Cambridge. We lead you on a different tour through old Cambridge and discover the Town from the view of the townspeople through the centuries up to today. This is our story, not the standard university history. Using a 500-year-old map, facts and a big dollop of humour; we'll navigate all around the historic Town and it's politics through 2000 years of history to the City we live in today. Warning! Contains: Anglo-Saxons, Fires, Beheadings, Vikings, Normans, Town vs Gown fights, Fairs, Kings, Queens, Civil War, Common Land, Churches, Charters, Chancellors, Monks, Mayors, Markets and more. 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 in for a surprise.

1. 1

   Cambridge Market Square

   10 min

   How did Cambridge become a town? How was the market so important? How was the market laid out in medieval times?

2. 2

   Great St Mary's Church (Church of England)

   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?

3. 3

   Sidney Sussex College

   10 min

   Monks, monasteries, reformation, regicide, a few beheadings.. what's not to love? [no access to college - we are old townspeople after all]

4. 4

   St, Clement's Church

   10 min

   Site of the earliest church in Cambridge, dedicated to the patron saint of sailors? [outside only]

5. 5

   Jesus Green

   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]

6. 6

   Magdalene Bridge

   10 min

   Why are we called Cambridge? And Vikings!

7. 7

   St. John's College

   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]

8. 8

   Cambridge University Press Bookshop

   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.

9. 9

   St Bene't's Church (Church of England)

   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]

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.