Friday walks
Walk 1: Station to City & All Around
Linear route, 6 miles
Grading: Leisurely
Leaders: Al, Thomas, Suzanne & Sam
Start time: 16:00
(Estimated finish time: 19:00)
This six mile afternoon walk takes in some of Cambridge’s parks, the river Cam and a circuit around the Colleges and includes a view of the city from its only hill!
From the Old Ticket Office at the railway station we cut through the quiet side streets to reach the open space of Parker’s Piece. We then enjoy further parks and green spaces as we walk across Christ’s Pieces and Midsummer Common. When we reach the Cam we’ll see the Rowing Club boathouses then turn upstream, crossing the river at Magdalene Bridge, followed by a wander up Castle Mound to look at the Cambridge skyline. From this viewpoint we’ll see some of the historic colleges which make up the University; after passing St Peter’s Church and Kettle’s Yard gallery we’ll view the colleges from the Backs, then from the ancient city centre as our route continues along King’s Parade to St John’s Street.
On our route we’ll also see the famous Eagle pub (where Crick and Watson came up with their proposal for the structure of DNA), the Round Church and the pretty street of Portugal Place (where Francis Crick lived), before our walk finishes at our NYR Friday night venue on Parker’s Piece.
N.B. In the event of a large turnout this walk will be split into two groups, with one group walking the route described above in reverse, beginning with a more direct route from the start point to Parker’s Piece and into the city centre.
Walk 2: Around the River, the Colleges & Back(s)
Circular route, 4.5 miles
Grading: Leisurely
Leaders: Andy and Liz
Start time: 17:00
(Estimated finish time: 19:00)
This circular evening walk of four and a half miles takes in some of Cambridge’s parks and commons, the river Cam and a circuit around the Colleges.
We start by enjoying the green space of Parker’s Piece, then walk across Christ’s Pieces and Midsummer Common. When we reach the Cam we turn upstream before crossing the river at Magdalene Bridge and pass St Peter’s Church and Kettle’s Yard gallery. We’ll then head round to the Backs, the picturesque area where the river flows behind the famous historic colleges; as our walk continues we’ll view these from Kings Parade, which becomes Trinity Street and then St John’s Street as it passes some of the impressive buildings which make up the University.
On our route we’ll also see the famous Eagle pub (where Crick and Watson came up with their proposal for the structure of DNA), the Round Church and the pretty street of Portugal Place (where Francis Crick lived), before our walk finishes at our NYR Friday night venue on Parker’s Piece.
Walk 3: The Cam, the Colleges & More
Circular route, 3 miles
Grading: Leisurely
Leaders: Katherine and Louise
Start time: 17:45
(Estimated finish time: 19:15)
This quick evening city walk of three and a half miles takes in some of Cambridge’s parks and commons, the river Cam and the Colleges.
We start by enjoying the green space of Parker’s Piece, then walk across Christ’s Pieces and Midsummer Common. When we reach the Cam we’ll see the Rowing Club boathouses before we turn upstream as the river passes by Jesus Green, then turn down Bridge Street, passing the Round Church. We’ll see various colleges and their associated chapels as we turn into St John’s Street, which becomes Trinity Street and then King’s Parade as it passes some of the impressive buildings which make up the University.
On our route we’ll also spot the famous Eagle pub (where Crick and Watson came up with their proposal for the structure of DNA), the Corpus Clock, and bridges including Crusoe, Clare and Mathematical, before heading across Sheep’s Green and along the Fen Causeway to return to Regent Street and our NYR Friday night social.