The Alma, Cambridge Travel Guide

4.3 (523)

Cambridge rugby and real-ale pub with cask ales, sports screens and a monthly open-mic tradition in a 19th-century Newtown building.

The Alma occupies a 19th-century brick building in Cambridge's Newtown district, operating as a traditional free house since 1982. It serves six cask ales, award-winning pies and pub classics while screening rugby and other sports on three large screens. The pub hosts a weekly quiz and a long-running monthly open-mic night. Visitors arrive for meals or drinks and often remain through matches or events in a warm, unhurried setting. The modest interior features wooden floors, low ceilings and sports memorabilia, with limited patio seating outside. It lies a 10-minute walk from Cambridge station and 20 minutes from the city centre, making it convenient for locals and travellers seeking an authentic neighbourhood pub focused on real ale and community events.

A brief summary to The Alma

The Alma, 26 Russell Ct, Cambridge, CB2 1HW, GB
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Duration: 0.5 to 4 hours
Mid ranged
Mixed
Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Monday 4 pm-12 am
Tuesday 4 pm-12 am
Wednesday 12 pm-12 am
Thursday 12 pm-12 am
Friday 12 pm-12 am
Saturday 12 pm-12 am
Sunday 12 pm-12 am

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring The Alma.

Arrive early for quiz nights or major rugby matches to secure seating near the screens.
Try the award-winning pies alongside one of the six real ales on rotation.
Combine a visit with a walk from the railway station or University Botanic Garden for convenient timing.

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Explore The Alma on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near The Alma, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walk

20-minute walk south from Cambridge city centre along established routes.
Walk

10-minute walk from Cambridge railway station via residential streets.
Bus

Short additional walk from bus stops on Hills Road.
Taxi

5-10 minute ride with nearby street or app-based parking options.

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Restrooms
Drink Options
Food Options
Seating Areas
Sheltered Areas
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Discover more about The Alma

Identity and daily role

The Alma functions as Cambridge's rugby and real-ale pub, Cask Marque accredited and known for home-cooked pies. It combines bar service, dining and occasional live music within a single modest space. The primary draw remains cask ales alongside large sports screens, with events such as the Thursday quiz and third-Sunday Songsmith Sessions open-mic night providing regular structure. Travellers encounter a straightforward neighbourhood pub rather than a tourist-oriented venue.

Physical setting and layout

The building dates to 1835 as a brewery tap and retains traditional brick construction with wooden floors and low ceilings. Inside, three large screens dominate the main bar area alongside a dartboard and rugby memorabilia. Seating is functional and limited; a small patio offers additional outdoor space. The pub sits in a quiet residential street between Hills Road and Trumpington Road, south of the historic centre and near the railway station.

Visitor experience and pacing

A typical visit begins with drinks or a meal and extends through a match, quiz or music session. Pacing stays casual, with groups lingering for two to four hours. Atmosphere remains friendly and traditional, growing lively during rugby fixtures or events. The experience suits adults and sports enthusiasts; it is less suited to those seeking quiet dining or very young children during peak evenings.

History and local context

Named after the 1854 Battle of Alma, the premises operated as a brewery until 1909 before continuing solely as a pub. It reopened in 1982 as a CAMRA-linked free house. Live music has featured since at least the 1970s. The location within the 19th-century Newtown district places it among residential streets rather than tourist concentrations.

Access and practical details

Walking from Cambridge station takes roughly ten minutes; the city centre is twenty minutes away. Buses run along nearby Hills Road. Taxi or rideshare requires five to ten minutes. Street parking is available nearby. The historic structure may include internal steps, though overall access remains straightforward without hikes or seasonal closures.

Facilities and duration

Restrooms, full food and drink service, indoor seating and free Wi-Fi are confirmed. Typical spend covers pub-priced ales plus mains between ten and sixteen pounds. A drink visit lasts thirty to forty-five minutes; meals or events extend to one and a half to three hours, with some stays reaching four hours during fixtures.