Summer in Cambridge is something rather special. Long evenings, open green spaces, riverside walks and a cultural calendar that punches well above the city's size, it is the kind of place that reminds you why people are so determined to move here, and why, once they do, they tend to stay. Whether you are already a local, visiting for the weekend, or quietly weighing up whether Cambridge could be your next home, there is always more to discover.
As estate agents in Cambridge, we spend a great deal of time helping people understand what life here actually looks like day to day. And in summer, the answer is particularly easy to give. Here are some of the best things to do in Cambridge this summer.
Go punting on the River Cam
No summer in Cambridge is complete without time on the river. Punting along the Backs is one of those experiences that never really gets old, taking you past historic bridges, ancient colleges and some of the most beautiful architecture in the country. Locals return to it year after year when the sun appears, and visitors rarely forget it.
For anyone considering a move to Cambridge, the River Cam is a significant part of what makes life here so compelling. Access to the river, to green space and to a genuinely historic city centre is the kind of thing that is very easy to take for granted once you live here, and very hard to find anywhere else.
Eat and drink outside
Cambridge earns its reputation in summer, and nowhere more so than at its outdoor tables. The Anchor on Silver Street has one of the finest vantage points of any pub in the city, a riverside terrace overlooking the Cam and Mill Pond, with Queens' College and the Mathematical Bridge as the backdrop. The Granta on Newnham Terrace is another reliable riverside favourite, with a heated terrace directly overlooking the Cam and its own punts available for hire. Fort St George on Midsummer Common combines riverside tables with a large beer garden overlooking the common, whilst The Punter on Pound Hill, tucked just back from the river near Kettles Yard, offers a flowered courtyard and food that goes well beyond standard pub fare.
No visit to Cambridge in summer is complete without a stop at The Eagle on Bene't Street, one of the most famous pubs in England, steeped in history and with a characterful courtyard that comes into its own on a warm afternoon. For something to eat on the move, Aromi is the go-to for a freshly made pizza slice, perfect for wandering the city with. They also do handmade Sicilian gelato on Peas Hill, served in a brioche bun if you prefer, and are well worth seeking out on both counts. For dedicated gelato, Jack's Gelato is in a league of its own, small-batch flavours including salted treacle, yuzu sorbet and miso and honey, produced from two town centre shops, with queues on warm days that tell their own story.
For something a little different, SIX at the Varsity Hotel offers a rooftop terrace and outdoor brasserie with 360-degree panoramic views across the Cambridge skyline, and is particularly worth knowing about for an evening out or a summer afternoon tea. And for those who prefer to graze, Cambridge Market Square is home to a varied food market with a strong selection of street food and independent stalls, a relaxed and sociable way to eat in the heart of the city, with Parker's Piece just a short walk away if you want somewhere to sit in the sunshine.
Make the most of the summer events calendar
Cambridge has a genuinely impressive events calendar through the summer months, something that people who move here consistently say surprised them most about living in the city. Music in the Parks offers a free series of Sunday afternoon concerts across Cambridge's green spaces between June and September, relaxed and community-spirited in equal measure.
The Cambridge Summer Music Festival runs throughout July, bringing nearly 30 events to venues across the city, from chamber music and jazz to orchestral performances and the popular Sounds Green concerts at the Botanic Garden. It is a reminder that Cambridge offers the cultural richness of a much larger city, whilst remaining compact, walkable and genuinely community-minded.
Get on a court: padel or tennis
Padel has arrived in Cambridge in earnest, with courts now available at the University of Cambridge Sports Centre on Philippa Fawcett Drive, open to the public, as well as at PDL Padel United at Orchard Park and David Lloyd at Coldham's Business Park.
For tennis, the villages around Cambridge are particularly well served. Fulbourn and Great Shelford both have four all-weather floodlit courts, catering to all ages and abilities, with social and competitive play throughout the summer. Girton, Histon, Hauxton and a number of other villages have their own LTA-registered clubs, tennis is embedded in village life across South Cambridgeshire in a way that is one of its quieter but genuine pleasures.
Visit Cambridge University Botanic Garden
For a quieter summer day out, the Botanic Garden is hard to beat. Forty acres of landscaped grounds, glasshouses and seasonal planting, situated close to the city centre and open daily from 10am to 6pm throughout the summer months. It is particularly well suited to families, garden lovers and anyone who wants a genuinely peaceful morning or afternoon away from the busier parts of the city. It also sits close to some of Cambridge's most sought-after residential streets, a good reminder that access to beautiful open spaces is one of the things that makes buying property in Cambridge such an enduring proposition.
Get Outside: Parks, Commons and Green Spaces
One of the underrated advantages of living in Cambridge is just how much green space is woven into everyday life. Parker's Piece, Midsummer Common, Jesus Green, The Backs and Grantchester Meadows all have their own character, and in summer they become central to the city's rhythm. Whether you are looking for somewhere for children to run around, a route for the dog or simply a quiet spot in the sunshine, Cambridge has more options than most cities of its size, and for buyers and families, proximity to these spaces is one of the factors that consistently influences both lifestyle and property values. lifestyle and property values.
Walk and cycle the city
Cambridge is one of the most walkable and cycle-friendly cities in the UK, and summer is when that really comes into its own.
A good day in the city centre might start with coffee near King's Parade, take in Cambridge Market Square, wander through The Backs, and finish with lunch somewhere by the river. For residents, this ease of movement is one of the things they consistently cite as a reason they would not live anywhere else. The ability to reach work, schools, shops and parks without relying on a car is something Cambridge genuinely offers, and it is not something every city can say. It is also one of the reasons that properties in central Cambridge and its well-connected villages hold their value so reliably over time.
Getting around: train connections from Cambridge
One of Cambridge's most underrated practical advantages is its rail connectivity, and in summer it opens up a great deal more than just the daily commute. Cambridge station offers direct services to London King's Cross and Liverpool Street, with the capital reachable in well under an hour, ideal for a day out at short notice. Cambridge South, opening imminently to serve the Biomedical Campus and Trumpington area, will add further connections to Brighton, Birmingham and Stansted Airport.
Cambridge North, Shelford and Waterbeach stations extend that reach further still, connecting the villages directly into the city and beyond. And for those looking to make the most of the summer, Norwich is well connected from Cambridge, with the Norfolk coast and the Broads within easy reach from there, making a seaside day out entirely straightforward.
Thinking about moving to Cambridge this summer?
Summer is an excellent time to explore Cambridge's neighbourhoods and get a feel for where you might want to settle down. From central apartments and homes near the river to family houses close to parks, good schools and transport links, the Cambridge property market offers a wide range of options to suit different lifestyles and budgets.
At Antony Davis Estate Agents we are an independent and family-run, and we take real pride in the personal service we offer. When you book a valuation with us, you'll get honest advice, a genuine market appraisal, and a refreshing alternative: a small, dedicated team who actually care about getting you the right result and who will be with you every step of the way.
To book your free, no-obligation valuation, give us a call on 01223 928220, send us an email or complete our enquiry form. We would love to hear from you.