Discover Cambridge with megabus

Taking the coach to Cambridge? Make sure you leave plenty of time to explore. As you’d expect from a world-leading university city, it’s home to an incredible line-up of museums, colleges, and famous sights – and they’re all within easy reach of each other. Hire a bike to explore the university buildings, tread the cobbled streets on a bookshop tour, rent a punt to view Cambridge from the water, or just people-watch from the comfort of a picnic blanket on Jesus Green. Let’s face it – whatever you do here, you’re in for a quintessentially English day out. Time to book those tickets…

Cambridge: top 3 things to do

1. Punt down the river

Yes, it’s a total Cambridge cliché. But it’s a cliché for good reason, because punting your way down the River Cam is an absolute must at least once. There are endless places to rent a punt along the upper Cam – the main stretch that runs through the city – although sites like King’s College Chapel and the Bridge of Sighs are two safe bets. Step aboard and let a professional guide you through the city’s main sights from the water or take the helm gondolier-style if you’re feeling particularly brave.

2. Go on a bookshop crawl

It’d be rude not to bulk up your book collection in Cambridge – this is a city that’s synonymous with education, after all. And the good news is, there are so many lovely spots that it’s easy to spend a whole day on an impromptu tour of the best ones. Ignore the weird name and start at Heffers. It’s got three floors worth of books as well as posters, comics, and board games. Or, head to the Cambridge University Press Bookshop on Trinity Street if your book taste is more high-brow.

3. People-watch on Jesus Green

North of the city centre, this sprawling city park runs along the banks of the River Cam. As well as acres of green space to spread out in there are tennis courts, play areas and a lido, so it’s easy to spend a whole day here – particularly in summer. The park also plays host to special events including the Cambridge Beer Festival every May.

Cambridge: getting around

All our megabus services through Cambridge stop at central locations that are a short walk from the bus station and city centre. Coaches towards Birmingham stop on Victoria Avenue near the entrance to Jesus College, for example. Coaches towards Norwich stop on Maids Causeway near Fair Street, so both are within striking distance of all the big sights.

While the city is very walkable, Cambridge is also one of the best cities to cycle in the UK – with 80 miles of cycle routes. You can hire a bike from lots of locations across the city centre including at Lammas Land and Milton Country Park.

Cambridge: best for nightlife

Cambridge has a stellar nightlife scene to match its huge student population, so you’re in for a treat if you’re heading out. Pub-wise, there’s some stiff competition between The Pint Shop, The Grain & Hope Store, and The Town and Gown – which doubles as a theatre. A visit to The Eagle is also a must – it’s where Watson and Crick first raised a glass to their DNA discovery.

If cocktails are more your thing, Revolution Cambridge is a popular student haunt and does a decent bottomless brunch, while The Lab has some pretty cool concoctions on the drinks menu. Looking for some live music? Watch a gig at uber-cool Cambridge Junction or catch a big-name show at the Cambridge Corn Exchange.

Cambridge: best for shopping

There are three biggies to put on your radar if you’re coming to Cambridge in search of big-name shops: The Grafton, Lion Yard and Grand Arcade. Grand Arcade is the biggest of the trio, with shops including All Saints, Oliver Bonas and Gant. There’s a giant John Lewis, too, plus plenty of places to eat and drink – from a bubble tea joint to a Carluccio’s.

If it’s independents you’re after, head to the cobbled streets around the Market Square and you won’t be disappointed. Gift shops, bookshops and one-of-a-kind boutiques are here in force, with more of the same all the way along close-by Sidney Street. While you’re wandering, stop off at Fitzbillies for the best sticky Chelsea bun you’ve ever tasted. There’s one on Bridge Street and another on Trumpington Street. Tick off both for extra points.

Cambridge for free – our top 3

1. Snoop around the Fitzwilliam Museum

As a world-leading university city, Cambridge has a bumper crop of incredible museums – many of which are free. The Fitzwilliam Museum is top of every visitor’s wish-list thanks to its vast collections spanning everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to priceless porcelains. Speaking of which, one visitor infamously toppled three antique Chinese vases over back in 2006 – so do watch your step while you’re here.

2. Catch Evensong at King’s College

The choral services at King’s College Chapel are world-famous, and listening to Evensong inside the atmospheric building is guaranteed to give you goosebumps. It’s on at 5:30 Monday to Saturday in term time, and twice on a Sunday, so you’ve got plenty of chances to catch the choir in action. The chapel is an attraction in itself, and you get free entry if you’re here for Evensong.

3. Visit the city’s famous colleges

While you’ll need to pay to visit King’s College itself, there are plenty more of Cambridge University’s famous colleges that you can get a taste of for free. That includes the grounds of Christ’s College, the Pepys Library at Magdalene College and the chapel at Trinity Hall College. Go forth and fill your Instagram feed.

Book your Cambridge coach tickets using the journey planner at the top of this page.