-min.jpg&w=0&h=0 "Kings College")
-min.jpg&w=0&h=0 "Christ's College")
-min.jpg&w=0&h=0 "Mathematical Bridge")
The Story of Cambridge's Colleges
3 Days Starting and ending in Cambridge, United Kingdom
Visiting: Cambridge
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 48
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Immerse yourself in the rich history and stunning architecture of Cambridge with "The Story of Cambridge's Colleges" tour. Stay at the historic Christ’s College, established in 1437, and enjoy a private three-course dinner in its grand dining hall. Explore the city with a guided walking tour, visit the iconic King’s College and Kettle’s Yard Art Gallery, and experience a chauffeured punt on the River Cam. Gain exclusive insights with a specially arranged visit to Emmanuel College led by historian Julian Humphrys. Conclude your journey with a visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum, home to an impressive collection of art and antiquities.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Independently At Christ’S College From 15.00.
Location: Cambridge
Accommodation Name: Christ's College
Meals Included: Dinner
This evening there will be a welcome reception, talk from Julian Humphrys in the Lloyd Room of Christ’s College and private dinner with wine in the Dining Hall.
Day 2: Walking Tour Of The City, King’S College And Kettle’S Yard. Walking Tour Of The City, King’S College And Kettle’S Yard.
Location: Cambridge
Accommodation Name: Christ's College
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our day starts with a walking tour of the beautiful and historic city of Cambridge with a Blue Badge guide who will show you some of the 31 colleges dotted around the city’s beautiful centre. This afternoon, we visit King’s College, one of the grandest and oldest colleges which was founded in 1441 by Henry VI. The college is an architectural gem and widely regarded as one of the greatest examples of late Gothic English architecture. It is famed throughout the world for its chapel whose stained-glass windows and wooden chancel screen are some of the finest from their era. Our final visit for the day is to Kettle’s Yard Art Gallery and House. It is the University of Cambridge’s modern and contemporary art gallery, whilst the historic house is home to the remarkable collection assembled by Jim and Helen Ede, who lived here from 1958 until 1973. This evening we have a talk in the Lloyd Room of Christ's College by Dr Nicola Tallis - 'Uncrowned Queen: The Fateful Life of Margaret Beaufort, Tudor Matriarch', before you have the rest of the evening at leisure to enjoy dinner in one of the host of restaurants in the city centre.
Day 3: Emmanuel College, Punting On The Cam And Fitzwilliam Museum.
Location: Cambridge
Accommodation Name: Christ's College
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our day starts with a tour of Julian’s old college, Emmanuel, with an anecdote or two to entertain about his time here where his lifelong fascination with history was forged and some behind the scenes visits not normally available to the general public. The college was founded in 1584 by Sir Walter Mildmay, Chancellor of the Exchequer to Elizabeth and its 1677 chapel was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Time free for an early lunch (not included) before a chauffeured punt trip on the Cam, without which no visit to Cambridge is complete. Finally, our last visit is to the superb Fitzwilliam Museum with its superb collection of art, comprising some 1700 paintings from the 13th to the 21st centuries. Its myriad collections also includes coins, ceramics, armour, manuscripts, including the original draft of Keats’s Ode to a Nightingale and antiquities. Return to Christ’s College for approximately 17.00.
What's Included
What's Not Included
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Transport to the accommodation is not included
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Single supplement - £86
Mode of Transport
Transport to the hotel is not included. Guests are expected to arrive independently at Christ’s College from 15.00 on the first day.
Accommodation
Christ’s College, Cambridge
Stay in one of the city’s most famous and oldest colleges, established in 1437, in a simple, clean and comfortable student room with private bathroom. The rooms do not have hotel facilities such as TV and telephone but breakfast is served in the college and they have free wifi. Please be aware that the College has four floors of accommodation, and no lift. As is typical in Cambridge Colleges, accommodation is based on staircases, not corridors.
Parking: There is no car parking available at Christ’s College. The closest multi-storey car park to the city centre, colleges and riverside is the Grand Arcade Car Park on Corn Exchange Street. There is another car park on Park Street which is a 10-minute walk into the city. There are also five park and ride sites around Cambridge which permit overnight parking.
MORE INFO
Your Tour Lecturer GuideDr Nicola Tallis
Dr Nicola Tallis is an independent historian and researcher, who has also worked as a curator and lecturer. She received her doctorate from the University of Winchester in 2019, and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Nicola has worked with Historic Royal Palaces and the National Trust, and has appeared on BBC’s Countryfile, Who Do You Think You Are? and Booktalk. She is also a regular contributor to history magazines and radio. Nicola has given talks at the Emirates Literature Festival, Hampton Court Palace, the Tower of London, the National Archives, and the British Library to name but a few. She is the author of four critically acclaimed books: Crown of Blood: The Deadly Inheritance of Lady Jane Grey, Elizabeth’s Rival: The Tumultuous Tale of Lettice Knollys, Countess of Leicester, Uncrowned Queen: The Fateful Life of Margaret Beaufort, Tudor Matriarch, and All the Queen’s Jewels, 1445-1548: Power, Majesty and Display.
UK ToursPlease note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel. You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
You will stay in Christ’s College, Cambridge, one of the city’s most famous and oldest colleges, established in 1437. The accommodation consists of modern, clean, and comfortable student rooms with private bathrooms. Note that the college does not have hotel facilities such as TV and telephone, but breakfast is served in the college and free Wi-Fi is available. Please be aware that the College has no lift.
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Is parking available at Christ’s College?
There is no car parking available at Christ’s College. The closest multi-storey car park to the city centre, colleges, and riverside is the Grand Arcade Car Park on Corn Exchange Street. Another car park is available on Park Street, which is a 10-minute walk into the city. Additionally, there are five park and ride sites around Cambridge that permit overnight parking.
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What activities are included on the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you will arrive independently at Christ’s College from 15.00. In the evening, there will be a welcome reception, a talk from Julian Humphrys in the Lloyd Room of Christ’s College, and a private dinner with wine in the Dining Hall.
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What will we do on the second day of the tour?
The second day starts with a walking tour of the beautiful and historic city of Cambridge with a Blue Badge guide. In the afternoon, you will visit King’s College and Kettle’s Yard Art Gallery and House. In the evening, there will be a talk by Dr. Nicola Tallis in the Lloyd Room of Christ’s College, followed by leisure time to enjoy dinner in one of the city centre's restaurants.
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What is planned for the third day of the tour?
On the third day, you will start with a tour of Emmanuel College, including some behind-the-scenes visits not normally available to the general public. After some free time for an early lunch, you will enjoy a chauffeured punt trip on the Cam. The final visit of the day is to the Fitzwilliam Museum, which houses a superb collection of art and other historical items. The tour concludes with a return to Christ’s College at approximately 17.00.
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Who are the guides and speakers for this tour?
The guides and speakers for this tour include Julian Humphrys and Dr. Nicola Tallis. Julian Humphrys is a historian who read history at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and has published numerous books on castles and battles. Dr. Nicola Tallis is an independent historian and researcher with a doctorate from the University of Winchester. She has worked with Historic Royal Palaces and the National Trust and has authored four critically acclaimed books.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes two nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at Christ’s College, a welcome reception, and a private three-course dinner with wine at Christ’s College on the first night. Meals other than those stated are not included.
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What is not included in the tour package?
The tour package does not include transport to the hotel, single supplement, holiday insurance, extra nights on a bed and breakfast basis, meals other than those stated, items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, porterage, and gratuities.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
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Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
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Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Wednesday - Friday
Aug 20, 2025 - Aug 22, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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