Private Day In Cambridge Tour From London by Train

We think that Cambridge University Botanic Gardens is one of the hidden delights of Cambridge, and we look forward to sharing this amazing garden with you. Founded by the visionary John Stevens Hensley, the mentor of Charles Darwin, this beautiful botanic garden is quite simply Cambridge's most charming collection of fauna and flora. Lying just a short walk away from Cambridge train station, the Botanic Gardens are beautiful no matter what time of the year we visit and contain hidden delights such as the famous 'Brick Tree', which your guide will show you as you wander through one of the most peaceful places that Cambridge has to offer. Should you be a keen gardener and want to spend a little bit of extra time here, your guide will be happy to amend your itinerary accordingly on the day.

22 Fitzwilliam Street was where Charles Darwin lived after his return from his voyage on the Beagle.It was here that Darwin began cataloguing his specimens before moving to London to marry his wife. This quick stop outside 22 Fitzwilliam Street gives you a chance to see where one of the most important scientific minds in human history lived during his time in Cambridge.

The Fitzwilliam Museum is a beautiful collection of antiquities, paintings, sculptures, and everything in between. And in 1816, through a generous gift from a previous student of Cambridge University. The Fitzwilliam Museum has something for everyone. Whilst at the Fitzwilliam Museum, your guide will show you some of their impressive collection. Sadly don't have time to see everything, but your guide will do the best they can to show you the part of the collection that you have a personal interest in. Your guide will also tell you about one of the most unfortunate incidents at the Fitzwilliam Museum which involved a staircase, a falling visitor, and half a million pounds worth of the Fitzwilliam's collection, which had to be restored! Unfortunately, as the Fitzwilliam Museum is closed on Mondays, tours taking place on Mondays will be unable to visit this location. Monday tours will use the extra time to explore more of the Botanic Gardens.

Pembroke College is the first of several Cambridge Colleges we will visit during our time in the city. This college contains a wonderful chapel, the first building to be built by the great architect - Sir Christopher Wren. At Pembroke, your guide will explain how Wren (who was working at Cambridge's great rival Oxford at the time) came to build the first of his Churches. It is without doubt that without this first chapel at Pembroke, Wren would never have gone on to build his masterpiece Saint Paul's Cathedral in London. During your time exploring Pembroke your guide will also tell you how the college's alumni have gone on to become famous comedians, actors, poets, and even a Prime Minister!

Experience a local Cambridge delicacy at Fitzbillies Bakery. Know to Students, Academics, and visitors alike or their Chelsea buns this is the chance to stop for a coffee and a cake. Whilst resting your legs your guide will tell you about the history of this Cambridge institution, and how it's Chelsea Buns became so famous.

Queens' College sometimes sets the teeth of grammar geeks on edge. Luckily for us, the apostrophe is in the right place as the college has been associated with numerous Queens, from its founder Margaret of Anjou, the wife of Henry VI, to the late sovereign Queen Elizabeth II. Famous for its warm brick buildings, which give the college an intimacy which is sometimes lacking in other colleges, the college was home to some surprising figures, including the Dutch philosopher Erasmus, Shakespeare's Son-in-Law, and Alexander Crummell, an early Black rights activist, who graduated from the college in 1853. Perhaps the most famous object at Queen College is the famous Mathematical Bridge, which links the old red brick buildings with the modern Cripps Court. The only wooden bridge in Cambridge, it is said that the original bridge was designed by Sir Isaac Newton and constructed without nails or bolts - something that was impossible to recreate when the bridge was dismantled for repairs.

St Botolph's Church sits at the site of one of the old entrances to Cambridge. The gatehouse is long gone, but the Church where people would gather to pray for safe journeys still stands. If the church is open, and no services are taking place, you are welcome to say a prayer, or if you prefer, find the memorial to Charles Darwin's grandson as the Darwin family were parishioners here.

Outside the famous Corpus Christi College, your guide will explain not just the history of this prominent Cambridge institution but how one of its fellows was the first known victim of smoking, how two of Shakespeare's rivals attended Corpus, and how one of them was clearly a spy!

The Corpus Clock is a unique timepiece and sculpture. Situated at Corpus Christi, and designed by the renowned inventor John C. Taylor, this clock is like no other in the world. Each element of the clock has a unique meaning and this landmark clock has been a hit with tourists and locals alike since it was unveiled in 2008.

The Eagle is where Francis Crick announced that he and James Watson had 'discovered the secret of life' after they had developed their idea for DNA. This historic pub, originally founded in 1667 is also were numerous Royal Air Force and American Air Force Crews had their final drink before heading off on missions over occupied Europe. Even to this day, their names which are graffitied on the ceiling of the RAF Bar, which is where we will stop for a drink, a spot of lunch and the chance to rest your feet for an hour before continuing on our tour. If you are curious to try a local British beer your guide will be happy to help you make a choice that suits your pallet and your choice of lunch. Please note that the cost of Lunch is not included within the price of the tour.

As you pass by the Old Cavendish Laboratory, hear how this Victorian building has been instrumental in the discovery of DNA. You'll also hear how a very famous scientist (or two) worked here during their time at Cambridge.

Our first location will be Great St Mary's Church, the official centre point of Cambridge. Dating back to 1205, which the current building was built after a fire destroyed the original church during the 15th century. This stunning gothic church is unique given its status as both the University Church in Cambridge and as a local parish church. This means that one of its many interesting features is that it has two church organs, one of the town and one for the 'gown' or university. Whilst at Great St Mary's Church you will discover its fascinating history, including how its restoration in the 15th century was part-funded by two rival kings - Richard III and Henry Tudor. The church is also your chance to view a first edition King James Bible which was donated to the church in the 1920s. Finally, those of you who are interested have the option to climb the 123 steps to the top of the Church's tower and gain majestic views of Cambridge and beyond. Tower entry is not included in price

The Cambridge University Press Bookshop sits opposite where the very first book was published by the University Press in 1583 which started a line of printing in Cambridge that wasn't broken until 2013. The shop itself is also the oldest continuously operating bookshop in England, with books having been sold here since 1580. At the Cambridge University Press Bookshop, your guide will explain the history of the university press, why printing today is still hugely important to major academic institutions like Cambridge, and why being published as an academic is such a big deal. Whilst here you will also have time to explore the bookshelves and purchase a souvenir or two!

King's College Chapel is one of the most stunning sites of Christian worship in the United Kingdom. Considered one of the finest examples of late Gothic English architecture and renowned for having the largest fan vaulted ceiling in the world this breathtaking building is the highlight of any tour of Cambridge. Whilst at the chapel your guide will explain the founding of the College and the Chapel, why the college is so closely associated with numerous Kings of England, and why the college would not exist without the help of one of Shakespeare's most famous villains - the hunchbacked Richard III. You will also have time to wonder the Chapel, view the glorious stained glass windows and admire Ruben's The Adoration of the Magi which now serves as the Chapel's alterpeice.

King's College was founded in 1441 by King Henry VI, who is also known as the 'royal saint'. Known for the fact that for 400 years King's only admitted Etonians and that its students graduated without sitting examinations, King's is one of the UK's most prestigious academic colleges with alumni including Alan Turing and Zadie Smith. At King's College, we will be able to explore the gorgeous grounds of the College before entering Kings' Chapel which is one of the stunning highlights of this trip.

The Backs offer some of the most impressive views of the Colleges that back onto the river Cam. From here we can get iconic views of Kings, Trinity, St. John's and Queens' Colleges, their famous bridges and their luscious landscapes. As we walk along the Backs, your guide will be happy to take as many photos as you require, and will explain how Cambridge's punts became so popular with students and tourists alike.

Trinity College is the largest and wealthiest of all the Cambridge Colleges. Founded by Henry VIII it boasts over 32 Nobel prize winners amongst its alumni as well as Sir Isaac Newton and HRH Prince Charles. Whilst at Trinity College we will have chance to see apple trees descended from the tree that dropped an apple on the head of Sir Isaac Newton, which gave rise to his theory of gravity. You will also have the chance to view the great court and the fountain that Lord Byron famously bathed in, enraging the college's officials. Whilst at Trinity your guide will also explain one of the biggest scandals of the Cold War, where it was revealed that senior members of the British Secret Service had been passing covert intelligence from the British and Americans to the USSR. The Cambridge Spy Ring, as it became known, was one of the biggest espionage failures of the 20th century with all 5 members being recruited from Trinity College Cambridge.