CAMBRIDGE INFORMATION ORIENTATION - CS Lewis Foundation

CAMBRIDGE INFORMATIONCambridge is a charming town replete with cobblestone streets and attractive laneswhose profound historical ambiance was the setting of much of the last years of C.S. Lewis’life. While Oxford resented Lewis’ Christianity and popularity, Cambridge offered the newlycreated position of Professor of Medieval and Renaissance English to him. In fact, J.R.R.Tolkien was influential in his appointment. Although hesitant at first to leave the Kilns,Warnie, and Joy, Lewis eventually took the position. Each week he commuted betweenOxford and Cambridge, sleeping and studying on the train.Lewis grew to love Cambridge deeply. Of his college there, he once wrote: “I think Ishall like Magdalene (Cambridge) better than Magdalen (Oxford). It’s a tiny college (aperfect cameo architecturally), and they’re all so old fashioned, and pious, and gentle, andconservative – unlike this leftist, atheist, cynical, hardboiled, huge Magdalen.” After a stayin Cambridge, you will no doubt delight in its many splendours as well. It is smaller andmore rustic than Oxford; even if the locals own a car, most prefer to bicycle. Still, onecannot escape the grandeur of King’s College, the magnificence of St. John’s Chapel, and theweight of its intellectual history. In addition to C.S. Lewis, Cambridge was home toErasmus, John Harvard, Isaac Newton, John Milton, William Wilberforce, Charles Spurgeon,James Dewey Watson, Francis Crick, and many others.ORIENTATIONThe Romans built the first of the city’s towns along the River Cam. The “straight”roads left by the Romans provide cyclists with some of the best touring routes available, andcertain portions of the roads provide a glimpse of the original surface. The “straight” roadpassing through Cambridge goes through the centre of town and changes name dependingupon which segment you are on: St. Andrew’s Street, Sidney Street, Bridge Street, andHuntingdon Road. There is a post office at the very end of the St. Andrew’s Segment. TheSidney Street segment, like many areas in the city centre, does not admit to car traffic duringthe daytime. A Boot’s pharmacy and Sainsbury’s supermarket can be found along SidneyStreet. This area of town encompasses the “high street” or shopping area with two Marks andSpencer’s (for clothes and food), an open air market, and various other shops. Walkingthrough the market place, past the university church, St. Mary’s, you will reach the main roadthat some of the oldest colleges and university buildings inhabit – including Corpus ChristiCollege, King’s College, Senate House (where graduation takes place), Gonville and Caius,Trinity College, and St. John’s College. Various segments of this road are known as King’sParade, Trinity Street, and St. John’s Street. A smaller post office and gift store may be foundon the Trinity Street segment.1

Tourist Information: The Cambridge Tourist Information Centre can be found onPeas Hill and provides maps and brochures of the local area. They also have aCambridge Visitors card that offers discounts for admission prices and restaurants.(Tel.0871/226-8006, info@visitcambridge.org; www.visitcambridge.org).GETTING AROUND CAMBRIDGECambridge was designed for walking. Its narrow lanes, cobblestone streets, and exasperatingone way streets make this means of transportation highly recommended for travel within thecity centre. Even those locals who have cars tend to take their bicycle or a bus into townfrom the outlying areas. Should you need transportation to the perimeter of the city centre, orto London, please consider the taxi and bus options listed below. Bicycle Rentals: Bike Hire Online (Located on Chester Road near Jesus Green Lock,tel.07964/427-151, email thecambridgebicycledoctor@hotmail.co.uk, websitewww.bikehireonline.com, open Monday-Saturday 10am-12pm & 4pm-6pm andSunday 12pm-3pm); Station Cycles (Located on Corn Exchange Street, tel.01223/307-655, website www.stationcycles.co.uk, open Monday-Friday 8am-6pm,Wednesday 8am-7pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 10am-5pm); City Cycle Hire(Located 61 Newnham Road, tel.01223/365-629, website www.citycyclehire.com,open Monday-Friday 9am-5:30pm and Saturday 9am-5pm). Taxis: Panther Taxis (tel.01223/715-715); Diamond Taxis (tel.01223/523-523.) Buses: The Bus Station is on Drummer Street. There is a free City Centre Shuttle busservice which operates every 15 minutes from 9am-5pm (buses marked: City CentreShuttle). Route: Emmanuel St, Fair St (Grafton Centre), Newmarket Rd, Jesus Lane,Bridge St, St Johns St, King's Parade, Silver St, Pembroke St, Downing St, AndrewsSt. Details of the bus service linking the University sites on the west of Cambridge tothe city centre and Addenbrooke's can be found athttp://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/em/travel/uni4.shtml. The fares vary but costapproximately ₤1, and travel cards are available. Britrail: These passes are a smart option if you will use the trains at least four timesduring your stay. They are available through STA travel (www.sta.com) and Britrail(www.britrail.com). You can compare bus, train, and car routes for all of Great Britain, including pricingand scheduling, through one website: www.transportdirect.com.2

Queens' College: This College is home to the famous wooden Mathematical Bridge.(£2.50, daily 10:00am-4:30pm, Address: Silver Street, Cambridge, CB3 9ET.Tel.01223/335-511 Website: http://www.quns.cam.ac.uk Location: City Centre). St. John’s: The annual Cambridge and Oxford boat race began here in 1829, when StJohn’s College challenged Oxford. (Adults, £3.20, OAP, £2, Monday-Friday10:00am-5:30pm, Address: St. John's Street, Cambridge, CB2 1TP. Tel.01223/338-600 Website: http://www.joh.cam.ac.uk Location: City Centre). Trinity: This is the college of Sir Isaac Newton, who had rooms between the chapeland gatehouse in the 17th century. The college library was designed by ChristopherWren, and it is said to be his finest work outside of London; it is certainly worth aspecial visit. Sir Christopher Wren also built St. Paul’s Cathedral in London; itdisplays Sir Isaac Newton’s papers. (Free college library visit, Address: Trinity Street,Cambridge, CB2 1TQ. Tel.01223/338-400 Website: http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk.Location: City Centre.)Note: Many of the following colleges are not set up for visitors unless they are part of a tourgroup. If a particular one has something of interest to you, there are normally maps at thefront gate by the porters lodge, but please be courteous toward those living there. Jesus College: Former students of Jesus include Thomas Cranmer, the firstProtestant Archbishop of Canterbury, and Prince Edward, the youngest son ofQueen Elizabeth II. (Jesus Lane, Cambridge, CB5 8BL. Tel.01223/339-339Website: http://www.jesus.cam.ac.uk Location: City Centre). Gonville and Caius College: This College houses three stone gates, Humility,Virtue, and Honour; these symbolise the academic path of the University student.(Trinity Street, Cambridge, CB2 1TA. Tel.01223/332-400 Website:http://www.cai.cam.ac.uk Location: City Centre). Emmanuel College: The college chapel was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, andwas completed in 1674. It contains a plaque to John Harvard, a former student ofEmmanuel. (St Andrew's Street, Cambridge, CB2 3AP. Tel.01223/334-200Website: http://www.emma.cam.ac.uk Location: City Centre). Corpus Christi: Contains the finest surviving medieval court in Cambridge. Can bespecifically closed to tourists at certain times, so please inquire beforehand. (King'sParade, Cambridge, CB2 1RH. Tel.01223/338-000 Website:http://www.corpus.cam.ac.uk Location: City Centre). Christ’s College: This was the college of the famous poet John Milton, who wasknown as the “Lady of Christ's.” (St Andrew’s Street, Cambridge, CB2 3BU.Tel.01223/334-900 Website: http://www.christs.cam.ac.uk Location: City Centre). Pembroke: Chapel was completed in 1665; it was Sir Christopher Wren's firstcompleted work. (Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1RF. Tel.01223/338-100Website: http://www.pem.cam.ac.uk Location: City Centre).4

Cambridge Blue Sandwiches: (Address: 24 Regent Street, Cambridge, CB2 1DB.Tel.01223/369-222. Location: City Centre.) Eat: Serves sandwiches, bakery items, sushi wraps; famous for its Moroccan RootVegetable Soup. All goods made by hand daily! (Address: 21 Petty Cury, Cambridge,CB2 3NE. Tel.0207/636-8309. Website: http://www.eatcafe.com. Location: CityCentre.) Tatties: Serves a range of baked potatoes, sandwiches, snacks, and cakes at a venueopposite Trinity College. Serves a wide range of vegetarian dishes. (Address: 15Trinity Street, Cambridge. Tel.01223/357-766. Location: City Centre). Pret a Manger: Serves fresh sandwiches and organic ice cream. Donates leftovers tocharity! (Address: 19 Lion Yard, Cambridge, CB2 3NA. Tel.02079/325-242.Location: City Centre. Opening times: Monday-Friday 7:30am-6pm, Saturday8:00am-6:30pm, Sunday 9:30am-6pm.) Subway: Should those of you from the US long for the comforts of home, Subway isfor you. Offers thoroughly decent sandwiches, chips, and beverages. (Address: 38/40Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2AD. Tel.01223/461-323. Website:http://www.subway.co.uk. Location: Cambridge city, inc. centre. Opening times:Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm, Friday 8am-11pm, Saturday 9am-11pm, Sunday 9am-10pm).additional locations:(Address: 2 Emmanuel Street, Cambridge, CB1 1NE. Tel.01223/309-009. Website:http://www.subway.co.uk. Location: City Centre. Opening times: Monday-Friday7am-11pm, Saturday 9am-11pm, Sunday 9am-10pm).(Address: Cambridge Leisure Park, Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge, CB1 7DZ.Tel.01223/246-500. Website: http://www.subway.co.uk. Location: Cambridge city,inc. centre. Opening times: Monday-Friday 8:30am-12:00am, Saturday 9:30am-12:00am, Sunday 10:30am-10:00pm). Sam Smiley: Serves a wide variety of take-away foods, including scrumptiousflapjacks. (Address: 68 Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1RJ. Tel.01223518864. Location: City Centre. Opening times: Monday-Saturday 9:00am-4:30pm.) Mango Organico: Serves a range of organic juices and smoothies. (Address: 2Cobbles Yard, Napier Street, Cambridge, CB1 1HP. Tel.01223/309-807 Location:City Centre.) The Gardenia: Known affectionately as “Gardis” by the students. Takeaway GreekFood and “Fish and Chips.” (Address: 2 Rose Crescent, Cambridge, CB2 3LL;Tel.01223/356-354, Location: City Centre.)Afternoon Tea7

Bakers Oven: Serves hot pastries, tea, coffee, and snacks from a handy centrallocation. (Address: 68 St Andrew's Street, Cambridge, CB2 3BZ. Tel.01223/ 355-132. Location: City Centre.) Copper Kettle: Serves cakes, sticky buns, sandwiches, coffee, and tea overlookingKing's College. (Address: 4 King's Parade, Cambridge, CB2 1SJ. Tel.01223/365-068.Location: City Centre).Dining Brown’s: This is the restaurant that Cambridge students go to when their parents arein town. Anyone who doesn’t like English food hasn’t had the beef or sticky toffeepudding from Brown’s. (23 Trumpington Street, Cambridge, tel.01223/461-655,www.browns-restaurants.co.uk. Nearest parking: On-street parking in TrumpingtonStreet (pay and display) or Lion Yard multi-story car park, wheelchair access: Yes). Loch Fyne: Serves some of the best seafood in town with most of its fish comingfrom Scotland’s longest sea loch. (The Little Rose, 37 Trumpington Street,Cambridge CB2 1QY, tel.01223/362-433, www.loch-fyne.com, Monday-Friday,9:00am-10:00pm; Saturday, 9:00am-10:30pm; Sunday, 10:00am-10:00pm, Nearestparking: Pay and display parking in surrounding area, Wheelchair access: Yes). Restaurant22: Considered one the best restaurants in Cambridge, the set menu iscomposed of four courses (including a salad) at approximately £30 per person. Theexterior is Victorian and the interior Edwardian. (22 Chesterton Road, Cambridge,tel.01223/351-880, email: davidcarter@restaurant22.co.uk, www.restaurant22.co.uk,Parking: There is no restaurant parking but this should not be a problem in theevenings). Teri-aki: A Japanese restaurant and sushi bar with a crisp, clean, and modern interior.Very large sushi and noodle selection for a reasonable price of about £8 per person.It’s tucked away along the Cam near the punts and across from Magdalene College.(Quayside, Cambridge, tel.01223/882-288, daily, noon-11pm). The Venue: A secret city centre treasure on top of the roof of the Cambridge ArtsTheater. It serves international cuisine. The Venue operates as an independentrestaurant and remains open even when the theatre is closed. Fourth Floor, CambridgeArts Theatre, St Edward's Passage, Cambridge, CB2 3PJ, tel.01223/367-333,www.venuerestaurant.com, Nearest parking: Lion Yard car park, wheelchair access:Yes). Charlie Chan’s: Chinese food prepared with fresh ingredients in an elegantatmosphere. It also serves Dim Sum. Go to the local secrets website for a coupon.Average main course price is £7.50. (Monday-Sunday 12:00-5:00pm and 6:00-11:00pm, 14 Regent Street, Cambridge, CB2 1DB, tel.01223/902-293 Website:http://www.localsecrets.com/charliechan. Location: City Centre).8

No.1 King’s Parade: An airy restaurant where you can look out over King’s Collegeand enjoy a nice meal for around £7.00-£15.00. (Open daily 12pm-3pm & 6pm-11pm;The Cellars, 1 King's Parade, Cambridge, CB2 1SJ. Tel.01223/359-506). Galleria: Serves Continental cuisine as you enjoy a nice view of the River Cam.(Open 11:30am-10:30pm £5.75-£8.25; Starters £2.75-£5.25; Salads, Pasta, MainDishes £5.75-£11.50; Desserts £3.50-£4.50, 33 Bridge Street, Cambridge, CB2 1UW.Tel.01223/362-054, www.galleriacambridge.co.uk. Location: City Centre). Café Rouge: A street cafe style restaurant with steak frites and other French favorites.(Address: 24-26 Bridge Street, Cambridge, CB2 1UJ. Tel.01223/364-961 Website:http://www.caferouge.co.uk. Location: City Centre, Opening times: Monday-Saturday9:00am-11:00pm, Sunday 10:00am-10:30pm.) Chez Gerard Restaurant Café Bar: A centrally located fine-dining French restaurantwith small garden area. (Address: 27-28 Bridge St, Cambridge, CB2 1UJ.Tel.01223/448-620.) Midsummer House: A Michelin-starred restaurant with garden overlooking the RiverCam. Arguably some of the finest food in Cambridge. (Address: MidsummerCommon, Cambridge, CB4 1HA. Tel.01223/369-299 Website:http://www.midsummerhouse.co.uk; Location: City Centre.) Eraina Taverna: Near the Market Square, it serves a wide range of Greek and otherdishes. (Address: 2 Free School Lane, Cambridge, CB2 3QA; Tel.01223/902-126;Location: city Centre; Opening times: Monday-Friday 12:00-2:30pm and 5:30-11:30pm, Saturday 12:00-11:30pm, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday 12:00-11:00pm.) Varsity Restaurant: The oldest family-run restaurant in Cambridge serving GreekCypriot dishes. (Address: 35 St Andrew’s Street, Cambridge, CB2 3AR.Tel.01223/356-060; Website: http://www.localsecrets.com/cb/varsity.cfmLocation: City Centre; Opened daily, 12:00-2:30pm and 5:30pm-10:45pm. PriceInformation: Starters £2.95-£3.55, Main courses £7.95-£13.95, Desserts £2.75-£3.95;Non-smoking.) Cambridge Lodge Hotel: Restaurant and hotel with garden in a leafy residentialneighbourhood. The interior and exterior are a lovely Tutor style. (Address:139 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0DQ. Tel.01223/352-833Location: Cambridge city centre; Price Information: Average Price for Main Course£14; Disabled Access & Non-smoking Area.) Curry Mahal Indian Restaurant: Serves a traditional range of Indian dishes and isclose to the punting areas. (Address: 3/5 Millers Yard, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB21RQ. Tel.0871/432-0500; Location: City Centre.) Zizzi: Serves pizzas and Italian dishes from a new venue with a nice view of Parker'sPiece. The fired oven is on display, allowing you to see your food cooked to order.(Address: 47/53 Regent Street, Cambridge, CB2 1AB. Tel.01223/365-5999

Location: City Centre; Opening times: Monday-Saturday 12:00-11:00pm, Sunday12:00-10:30pm; Non-smoking Area.) Pizza Express: Don’t let the name fool you – this restaurant is anything but “fastfood” pizza. The white columned outside leads into spacious, gracefully panelled andmirrored rooms – it truly does look quite elegant. Live pianist two nights a week.(Address: 7a Jesus Lane, Cambridge, CB5 8BA; Tel.01223/324-033 Website:http://www.pizzaexpress.com; Location: City Centre. Opening times: Monday-Sunday 11:30am-11:00pm; Price Information: Main Course £4.95-£7.95; NonsmokingArea). Sala Thong Thai Restaurant: Thai food served in a location close to the Mill Pondand handy for punting. (Address: 35 Newnham Road, Cambridge, CB3 9EY.Tel.01223/323-178; Website: http://www.salathong.co.uk. Location: Cambridge citycentre; Opening times: Monday-Sunday 12-2:30pm & 6-10:30pm. Closed onMondays. Price Information: Average Main Course £7.50-£8.50; Non-smoking Area). Rainbow Vegetarian Café: Just knowing its there hidden in an alley off King’s St.makes you feel special. The food is wholesome and nutritious – even if you aren’tvegetarian! A basement location serving only vegetarian and vegan dishes.(Address: 9a King's Parade, Cambridge, CB2 1SJ. Tel.01223/321-551Website: http://www.localsecrets.com/cb/rainbow.cfm; Location: City CentreOpening times: Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am-10:00pm, Last Orders 9:30pm; Sunday10am-4pm. Price Information: Soup £3.25; Main Courses £7.95-£9.95; Desserts£4.25; Non-smoking Area).PUBSYou needn’t drink alcohol to take pleasure in a visit to one of the city’s many fine pubs; teaand soft drinks are also to be had, as is cheap food or “pub grub”. Pubs are also good placesto try “fish and chips”, an obligatory thing to do whilst in England! Often you’ll order andpay for drinks at one bar and food at another (they will give you a table marker and thenbring your food when it’s ready). Unless it’s designated as a restaurant where you order yourfood from a waiter, tipping is not necessary or expected in a pub. Happily, it’s difficult to finda pub in Oxford or Cambridge that is not picturesque or without some historical or literaryassociation, but these are especially worth a stop: The Eagle: Enjoy a tea, drink, or pub food at the place where Watson and Crickdiscovered the double helix and World War II soldiers used to congregate. (Address:8 Benet Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QN. Tel.01223/505-020 Opening times: Monday-Saturday 10:00am-11:00pm Sunday 10:00am-10:30pm. Price Information: AveragePrice for Lunch £5.96-£6.95. Non-smoking Area). The Mill: Conveniently located near the punts. Go ahead, be like the locals and takeyour drink outside to the green! (Address: Granta Place, Cambridge, CB2 1SD.Tel.01223/357-026 Opening times: Daily, Noon-11:00pm. Price Information:Average Main Course £3-£6.75).10

The Pickerel: This was Lewis’ favorite Cambridge pub and is located across thestreet from Magdalene College. (Address: 30 Magdalene Street, Cambridge, CB30AF. Tel.01223/355-068 Opening times: Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm). The Anchor: Another nice pub by the punts! (Address: 12 Silver Street, Cambridge,CB3 9EL. Tel.01223/353-554, Opening times: Monday-Thursday 11am-11pm,Friday-Saturday 11am-12am, Sunday 12-10:30pm. Price Information: Average Mealprice £1.25-£7.50. Non-smoking Area). Brb @The Cow: A contemporary yet quaint atmosphere. (Address: Corn ExchangeStreet, Cambridge, CB2 3QF. Tel.01223/308-871. Opening times: Monday-Wednesday 12-11pm, Thursday 12pm-12am, Friday-Sunday 12pm-1am. PriceInformation: Main Courses £4.95-£7.50. Disabled Access: Yes). The Castle: Just beside Castle Hill, where William the Conquer built a castle, thispub is fit for a Hobbit! (Address: 37 St Andrews Street, Cambridge, CB2 3AR.Tel.01223/307-477. Price Information: Average Main Course £9.95).Complied by Lesley-Anne Dyer for Oxbridge 2005. Updated 2011 by Mary Carol Barks.11