I’m often asked my favourite things to do in Cambridge. I have many, but whenever I’m feeling run-down, uninspired, or just in need of some soul-restoration, I make every effort to stay here (rather than London) for the weekend where one can have adventures that feel simultaneously enriching and blissfully relaxing. Here is my list of ways to create the perfectly slow weekend.
1. Sleep in. Awake to crisp white sheets and a crisper blue sky.
2. Good coffee, breakfast pastries and a pile of weekend newspapers and magazines are essential.
3. Take a trip to the farmer’s market for gourmand treasures for lunch.
4. A picnic by the river and a stroll around the postcard-perfect colleges (it is perfectly acceptable to stop at St Johns College to tell all your troubles to the Bridge of Sighs).
5. Spend a happy hour punting along the Cam (there’s no finer views in Cambridge than when one is gliding along the river).
6. A walk in the countryside (complete with cows, happy squirrels and rugged brambles) towards Granchester, where Lord Byron and Virgina Woolf used to idle away their Cambridge weekends. Afternoon tea in The Orchard is a must (as is collecting a great bag of the freshest apples one will ever taste straight from the trees – will make for divine crumbles later on).
7. A quick forage in one of the tiny bookstores, and then on for a light supper somewhere cosy and divine before…
8. Take in a show at one of the brilliant, tiny theatres (where many of the great British thespians got their start during their Cambridge days). There’s just something magical about waiting for a red velvet curtain to be drawn as the lights dim.
9. A post-show cocktail and dessert (Penguin Classic an optional extra).
10. Cycle home through the moonlit cobbled streets as the sounds of the extraordinary Kings College Choir drifts upon the breeze.
How did you spend your weekend?
Love, Miss B xx
Gorgeous photos (especially the bike)! I really must go and visit Cambridge. I’ve travelled all over the UK but haven’t made it there for some reason…there’s no excuse since it’s so close! NHG x
Lovely pictures!
This was probably my last weekend in France before I move to New York so I spent the day in the cute little town of Honfleur with my family, dining on fine French food and wine.
Great great photos. Really shows the mood well. Specially love the first and second one: first one as it looks like a dream, and second posibly just cause there is bread in it… 🙂
Its all so lovely and romantic. 🙂
M
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http://mayabeus.blogspot.com/
Erm, I went to Ikea…. yeah.
Gorgeous images, the bike picture fills me with envy… in the best possible way of course.
A lovely read x
That sounds and looks like a perfect weekend…
Mine is boring…
sleep…eat…read…sleep again…
Actually, sometimes that is the perfect weekend!! Good sleep, good book, good food and I’m happy!
B xx
I wish I spent my weekend like this!
Lovely post! I love the 2nd pic!
Sounds like absolute bliss to me… am making a mental note for myself and OH to visit Cambridge for a quiet, restful weekend sans enfant soon! You know what I was doing for part of my weekend & I just wanted to thank you for your lovely words and support once again. You are an absolute Love and I won’t forget your kindness xxx
beautiful post, has inspired me to do something more interesting with my weekend. i tend to sleep. only time i get to really catch up on it, and devour my magazines. x
I often wonder why I had to be born in the United States… truly, I feel I’m a girl that belongs in Europe. <3
Your post was a nice little glimpse into the life you enjoy overseas. Lovely.
What a blissful weekend B! You’ve described an ideal one for me! 🙂
These pictures are so beautiful! It does look like you had a brilliant time. I can’t believe I’ve, still, never been up to Cambridge in spite of how many times I’ve been in the UK. Must go!
Looks like u had a wonderful and relaxing weekend Miss B!!!:) Im sure u needed it.
Gosh, just the talk of you cycling home upon the moonlit cobbled street and to that view?! omg, im envious,hehe
Cinz
http://cinzee.wordpress.com
Love the first picture especially.
I lived in Cambridge for a few years and now and again used to do some of the things you described; punt, take tea in the Orchard at Granchester, wander round the market and go to the ADC.
this is absolutely magical briony! I have spent many a blissful weekend in cambridge – my godfather lives there – and everything you say about it is oh so true. there is much magic to be found in those leafy fields and punting down the cam. i’m glad you had a good weekend! mine was very quiet and lovely with a couple of lazy lunches with friends and a lot of sleep. perfect!
X
This web is lovely!
Love the pictures and the description, it sounds like a magic tale! I always wanted to know England, you are very lucky!
Lovely photos!
I love your blog, there is so much inspiration 😀
Beautiful photos, looks amazing!
http://www.indcfashion.com
sounds like an amazing weekend. wish i could say mine were the same.
http://www.rockoomph.blogspot.como
Nice post. It reminds me of the 7 years that I spent in Cambridge… I would say that going to Clare College gardens is a must, as would be mince pies from Fitzbillies too… Otherwise it sounds like a good day (or week-end, really).
http://davidikus.blogspot.com/
Hello lovely!
I’m finally hoping I’ll no longer be quite so m.i.a from the “blogosphere”. University is amazing. So sad we didn’t get to meet for a coffee before I left Cambridge. Funny though as I was actually home this weekend [the one you’re talking about] giving my Australian flat mate a tour!
Cambridge really is beautiful, it’s so nice to call it home.
lots of love x
I adore Cambridge – attended university there, but only for a year then I cahnged to Oxford. A charming place with painterly spots to explore;-)