If you’ve been studying English for a while, you will certainly have heard the name ‘Cambridge’. We see it in textbooks, exams, dictionaries and all kinds of English learning resources. Where is Cambridge, though? And why is it so famous?
As you can see on the map, Cambridge is north of London. It takes about an hour and a half to drive there from London but it’s better to take the train there. Cambridge is a crowded place and it’s really difficult to park there.
Walking or cycling are the best ways to get around Cambridge. If you are feeling adventurous, you could have a go in a special kind of boat called a ‘punt’. The boat does not have an engine, oars, or a sail. It is pushed along with a long stick and this is called ‘punting’. It’s good fun but a little difficult at first.
Cambridge is most famous for its university. It’s very old and divided up into lots of smaller colleges rather than being located in one big campus. Cambridge is one of the best universities in the world.
If you are there to study English, though, you don’t need to go to the university. There are lots of dedicated language schools around the city and because of the competition, they all have very high teaching standards.
Accommodation in Cambridge can be expensive but prices aren’t as high as in central London. If you go during the summertime, you may even be able to stay in one of the ancient university buildings because most of the students move our during the summer break.
If you would like to experience traditional England as you’ve seen it in the movies, Cambridge is the place for you. It can get crowded during the summer but that just adds to the fun. The winter months are cold and damp, though, so if you come from a warm country, remember to pack some thick clothes!