You’ve booked your stay in Cambridge. Now what? Can you do Cambridge on a budget? Time to plan how to make the most of it – and your money. How far will £50 get you for a day in Cambridge? Very far indeed. For a budget-friendly staycation, Cambridge has it all. To stretch that £50, you’ll need to know places to visit in Cambridge for free.
the Fitzwilliam museum
Let’s start at the top of the itinerary – based on a route you can follow throughout the day. As for free museums in Cambridge, The Fitzwilliam Museum, filled with artistic splendour at every turn, is a must!
Pro tip: Allocate at least an hour here to fully appreciate its treasures. If you need a break, their café serves some reasonably priced coffee and cake to recharge before heading back out to explore the city.
If walking from the train station, this may very well be the first thing you can tick off your agenda for the day. Adding the Fitzwilliam Museum to your itinerary ensures your Cambridge day out is not only culturally enriching but also easy on the wallet!
Pembroke College
When looking out for free colleges to visit in Cambridge, there is more to Cambridge than the top three famous colleges: St John’s, Trinity and King’s. One of our favourites, and just down the road from The Fitzwilliam Museum, is Pembroke College. The college chapel was the first to be built in Cambridge, you can walk through 677 years of local history.
Pembroke College welcomes visitors to stroll the grounds – email the porters in advance just to double-check if you are welcome to pop in on the day of your Cambridge visit.
Jacks gelato
Innovative ice cream at your service. Jack’s Gelato is a necessary addition to the itinary. Some notable flavours: stilton. Fig leaf. Salted oreo. Coconut matcha. This isn’t your typical ice cream joint folks. Intrigue your taste buds for a few quid with a single scoop, or get multiple scoops with numerous flavours if you really want to experience something new. There is always a queue at Jack’s Gelato – night or day – so you know it’s worth it. Cambridge on a budget has never been so delicious.
After the ice cream pick-me-up, we headed around the corner to King’s College: perhaps the most infamous of all Oxbridge institutions…
King’s College Chapel
With only £2.90 spent so far- it’s time to put the £50 budget to use. Tickets to enter the world-famous King’s College Chapel range, but we were able to get the £14 adult ticket. Check here to see tickets and prices.
One of my favourite things about King’s College Chapel is not the stained glass windows, the organ, or the sheer size. It’s the graffiti. By that, I mean medieval-style graffiti: the subtle carvings on the walls from people across the centuries. You might see a marking from Thomas in 1588 right next to Jennifers done four centuries later. They now live as neighbours in such a jaw-droppingly gorgeous building. It’s little details like the markings that show off the personality of King’s College.
The Zoology Museum
What a must-see! What museums are free in Cambridge? This one! Yes, there are others, but this is guaranteed to be a hit with anyone who wanders in. The impressive collection of animal specimens also houses items from the collections of giants such as Charles Darwin and David Attenborough – now isn’t that something?
The museum’s exhibits showcase ancient fossils and skeletons to dazzling displays of birds, insects, and marine life. Highlights include the enormous skeleton of a whale suspended from the ceiling and the captivating stories behind each display. There’s something to fascinate visitors of all ages, making it a perfect outing for families, students, and curious minds alike.
What truly sets this museum apart is the passion and expertise of its staff. Their enthusiasm is infectious as they share insights and answer questions, bringing the exhibits to life. Whether you’re a lifelong science enthusiast or just casually curious, their knowledge and energy will leave you inspired.
For a budget-friendly Cambridge outing, you have to come to The Zoology Museum. There is no question.
Great St Mary‘s church tower
As an older city, Cambridge lacks the skyscrapers and highrises that most cities possess these days. Consequently, if you want a birds-eye view of the city, there are very few places to go. Therefore, the tower at Great St Mary’s Church is amazing for this very reason.
For £7, spend as long as you like admiring Cambridge with a 360 view. Don’t forget your camera! The panoramic view is the perfect backdrop for capturing memories or simply soaking in the serene beauty of Cambridge. Whether it’s a crisp winter morning or a golden autumn afternoon, the view never disappoints. At just £7, this experience is a must for anyone spending the day exploring the city. Trust us—it’s worth every step!
St Johns and Trinity college
Next on the list of things to do – visiting more of the most iconic colleges. And these stops won’t hurt your budget! Yes, exploring the historic grounds of St John’s College and Trinity College doesn’t have to cost you a thing for your Cambridge-on-a-budget trip. You can step inside and take in the stunning architecture and serene courtyards without spending a penny. Simply time your visit to ensure that the colleges are open to visitors – check here and here.
We started with Trinity College, one of the largest and most prestigious colleges in Cambridge. You can stroll through its immaculate lawns and admire the grandeur of its courts, known for their sweeping size and classical design. Don’t miss the view of the Wren Library, an architectural masterpiece filled with priceless treasures from Newton’s manuscripts to original editions of Winnie the Pooh!
Next, just a short walk away, St John’s College offers its own charm. After crossing through its gates you’ll find yourself in beautifully maintained courtyards surrounded by Gothic and Tudor-style buildings.
Bould Brothers Coffee
With prices that won’t break the bank and quality that’s hard to beat, this coffee stop was worth every penny.
The vibe inside is cosy and intimate, and the aroma of freshly ground beans hits you the moment you step through the door. It’s the perfect place to pause, recharge, and soak in the Cambridge charm before continuing your adventure of a Cambridge-on-a-budget day out.
Cafe Foy
14% of our budget went on lunch: a cheese toasty, courtesy of Cafe Foy, worth every penny.
Packed with oozy, perfectly melted cheese and served on freshly baked bread, this toastie wasn’t just lunch; it was a culinary hug. Pair it with a steaming cup of coffee or a refreshing cold drink, and you’ve got yourself the ultimate riverside treat.
What made it even better? The location. Sitting by the river, watching the punts glide past as you tuck into a golden, cheesy masterpiece, is an experience that feels quintessentially Cambridge. It’s the perfect midday refuel before diving back into exploring Cambridge on a budget.
the Cambridge Wine merchants
At the Cambridge Wine Merchants, you’re undoubtedly in expert hands. To say they know their stuff would be an understatement. With a charmingly casual yet carefully curated display, the bottles not only look fantastic but taste even better. This spot manages to strike a perfect balance—it’s welcoming, stylish, and refreshingly down-to-earth all at once.
While the wine selection was incredibly tempting, we opted for a cold can of IPA to accompany our upcoming punting tour. The decision wasn’t easy. We nearly broke our £50 budget by splurging on a crisp New Zealand white. However, sticking to the beer kept us on track while still providing the perfect refreshment for our adventure. It just goes to show that a visit here offers something for everyone, whether you’re indulging in a fine bottle or simply savouring a budget-friendly choice!
Punting tour
Lastly, the grand finale of the day and the cherry on top: the punting tour! After exploring the city on foot, there’s no better way to wind down than by gliding gracefully along the River Cam. The absolute cheapest way to go about it is to book in advance online for a shared tour in the morning or evening. Importantly, it’s the nicest to glide down the Cam in the morning or evening because the river isn’t as busy with other customers. Plus – the haze of the early morning or evening creates beautiful lighting to accompany the sights.
A shared tour ticket for two was £25 – meaning it was £12.50 to take out of the budget of £50. Considering it was the highlight of our trip, you can’t argue with those prices. Considering the charm, relaxation, and history packed into those 50 minutes, it’s hard to imagine better value for money. So, punting in Cambridge isn’t just an activity; it’s the quintessential way to end a perfect day exploring this iconic city. And, it doesn’t break the bank!