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Weather in Cambridge
Punting, colleges, and timeless academia
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About Cambridge
Cambridge's colleges line the Backs where punts glide beneath bridges and undergraduates sprawl on grass with books. This is where science and literature have flourished for 800 years. Bicycle culture dominates; café culture thrives. Perfect balance of intellectual heft and dreamy romance.
Best months to visit
Year-round
Things to do in Cambridge
Punt on the Cam past colleges
Tour King's College Chapel's perpendicular Gothic
Browse the Wren Library's rare manuscripts
Cycle along the Backs and through meadows
Visit the Fitzwilliam Museum (free)
Explore independent bookshops and cafés in the Lanes
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
7C
Cold, with some rainy days.
February
9C
Cold, with some rainy days.
March
11C
Cool, with some rainy days.
April
13C
Cool, with occasional showers.
May
17C
Cool, with some rainy days.
June
20C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
July
22C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
August
22C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
September
20C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
October
15C
Cool, with some rainy days.
November
11C
Cool, with some rainy days.
December
9C
Cold, with some rainy days.
Cambridge's ancient colleges line the River Cam, their immaculate courtyards and chapels glimpsed through gateways as students cycle past on creaking bikes. Punting along the Backs past King's College Chapel on a summer afternoon is one of England's quintessential experiences, and the city's museums and bookshops reward a slow wander.
Best areas to stay in Cambridge
King's College & Chapel
One of Cambridge's most famous colleges, with a soaring Gothic chapel renowned for its choir and fan-vaulted ceiling.
The Backs
Riverside lawns and bridges behind the colleges, best explored by punt.
Market Square
A historic market square surrounded by shops, cafes and the university's older buildings.
Fitzwilliam Museum
A free museum with an impressive collection of art and antiquities.
Getting to Cambridge
✈
Flights
Stansted Airport is the nearest, about 30-40 minutes away; most visitors arrive by train.
⏱
From London
~45 minutes to just over an hour by direct train from London.
🚕
Getting around
The city centre is compact and best explored on foot or by bike, which can be hired locally.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit the Cambridge colleges?
Many colleges open their courtyards and chapels to visitors for a fee, particularly King's, Trinity and St John's; opening times vary, especially during exam periods.
What is punting?
A traditional flat-bottomed boat propelled by a pole, popular along the River Cam — you can hire your own or take a guided chauffeured tour.
Is Cambridge a good day trip from London?
Yes — direct trains from London King's Cross or Liverpool Street take around 45 minutes to just over an hour.
What is 'The Backs'?
The scenic stretch of riverside lawns and bridges behind several colleges, best seen by punt or from the footpaths along the river.
When is the best time to visit Cambridge?
Spring and summer offer the best weather for punting and college visits, though term-time (October-June) brings more student life and some access restrictions.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Punting along the Backs on a sunny afternoon was one of the highlights of our whole UK trip. King's College Chapel is stunning inside.
Eleanor J. · June 2024
★★★★☆
Easy day trip from London — wandered between colleges and the Fitzwilliam Museum, which was far better than expected for a free museum.
Tom V. · September 2023
★★★★★
Hired bikes and cycled around the city like the students do. Market Square was great for lunch between college visits.
Aiko M. · May 2024
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