Cambridge University celebrates 800 years of academic excellence in 2009. They one of the world's oldest universities, and known worldwide as a leading academic centres. Cambridge univesity comprises 31 Colleges and over 150 departments, faculties, schools and other institutions.

Transport in Cambridge is known to be unique and efficient. The city has an extremely high bike to people ratio, and bikes are certainly the most efficient way to get around with the centre being closed to cars from 10am to 4pm. However if biking is not your forte a very efficient park and ride system operates from different parking points around the city. This means easy access to Cambridge by bus from the car parks and the chance to enjoy all the nooks and crannies of the city by foot. It also means avoiding expensive day parking from the inner city car parks. It is certainly the best way (next to biking) of accessing Cambridge and enjoying its atmosphere.

The Best Western Gonville Hotel is, as the name suggests, one of the best hotels in Cambridge. This three star, family run establishment is ideally situated to fully explore the city. Most of the sights in Cambridge are within walking distance, including the museums and historic university colleges. For those who love shopping the hotel is only a few minutes away from the two shopping centers. Mainly local produce is also used in the majority of food they produce so you can truly experience the sights and tastes of Cambridge.

Punting – its practically a holiday in Pisa! If the English weather allows for some sunshine then there is no better past time in England than a punt on the Cam. You can either do it yourself or pay someone to do the hard work. It’s a superb way to see the sights of Cambridge and do something a little different that nowhere else in the country has to offer.

The Rock band Pink Floyd has its roots in the city of Cambridge The lead singer and guitarist Syd Barret was born and lived in the city till 1962. He met other founding member Roger Waters at Cambridgeshire High School for Boys and attending the nearby Pearse School, also in Cambridge, was David Gilmour. The magic happened from then on. In Football Cambridge United F.C. have never made a huge impact on the football tables (except in 1990 when the reached the brink of promotion to the new premier league). However, Cambridge has a larger part to play in the history of football. In 1848 members of the university drew up the games first set of rules, these were first played on Parker’s Piece (the green common in the center of Cambridge) and had a significant influence on the Football association rules of 1863.

The Cambridge Beer Festival has been going since 1974 which makes it the longest running CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) beer festival in the UK. It is currently held at Jesus Green and in 2006 170 real ales, 50 ciders and perries were on offer. In 2007 30,384 visitors consumed about 70.000 pints of beer and 194 tubs of cider! Cambridge can certainly organize a piss up at a beer festival.

Browns is one restaurant that has stayed consistent throughout the last few years when restaurants have rapidly come and gone. This restaurant can always be relied upon for plain and affordable food appealing to all ages; a spacious lively brasserie, it is open all day every day for breakfast lunch and dinner. It offers all the traditional favourites such as salmon fishcakes and Guinness and mushroom pie. Located next to The Fitzwilliam museum it is a great place to stop when sightseeing. However the simple food and affordable prices often attract students so be prepared for the lively intelligent conversation around you.

The Salisbury Arms is certainly the best pub for traditional pub lovers who are serious about their ales and beers. The 16th century coaching inn is a friendly Victorian pub with over a dozen different real ales, what could be more welcoming! The food is also reliably traditional with all the pub favourites such as chips, sausage and mash, and scampi. Sunday lunches are also cooked completely from scratch, you can’t ask for more traditional than that.

Interesting fact - it is illegal to play tennis on the streets of Cambridge. So keep those rackets and balls confined to the grounds or you could be out!

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