United Kingdom, Cambridge

Cambridge is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in England. The unique university city of Cambridge has attracted students for almost 800 years and Cambridge is a particularly scenic city in England. Cambridge is most famous for its University and rightly so, for Cambridge University is undoubtedly one of the best universities in the world.

The University of Cambridge is made up of thirty-one colleges; many of them are architectural gems, founded by Kings, Queens, bishops, noblemen and wealthy patrons. Large endowments of wealth and land allowed the colleges to employ the best architects, who created magnificent buildings, which reflect 700 years of British Heritage.

History

In the First Century AD the Romans reached the area and built a fort on the banks of the River Cam, and a town quickly grew up around it.

The modern city of Cambridge was founded in 875 when the Danes conquered Eastern England. They created a fortified town called a burgh (from which we derive our word borough) on the site. In the 10th century Cambridge was captured by the Saxons. However in 1010 Cambridge was burned by the Danes.

After the Roman Empire left the area, the town went into a period of decline. It wasn't until the Norman invasion in the 11th century that Cambridge once again prospered.

In the early Middle Ages there was a Jewish community in Cambridge but they were all expelled to Huntingdon in 1275.

In 1801 the population of Cambridge was 10,087.

In the early 19th century goods were still transported to and from Cambridge by river. Coal was brought to Cambridge and agricultural goods such as grain and butter were taken to Kings Lynn to be transported to London.

In 1951 Cambridge was made a city. By then the population of the city had grown to 91,000.

Cambridge has always enjoyed a reputation for being at the forefront of scientific research, and today it is a thriving place, considered to be a centre for hi-tech industries and referred to locally as "Silicon Fen".

Geography

Cambridge is located about 60 miles (100 Km) from London, amid the rural countryside of Cambridgeshire. Area: 41 square kilometres / 16 square miles.

Demographics

At present 144,000 people are registered with Cambridge City PCT practices (GPs). This is the population served by Cambridge City PCT.

111,000 people live in Cambridge City. This is estimated to rise by 25% to 137,500 in 2016.

There is a large student population in Cambridge.

Economy

It has a buoyant economy and is the premier centre for high tech and biotech activities.

Cambridge is one of the fastest growing and strongest economic areas in UK. Cambridge's economic diversity makes it a balanced community - where every business is important.

Culture

The city has long been a bustling market town with plenty of cultural and social activities going on. The medieval city centre is beautiful, with narrow, winding streets, the market square, little parks and gardens and many charming old buildings, and it is surrounded by green open spaces and the river.

Cambridge is a city where counter-culture still lives, classic culture thrives, and multicultural is a way of life.

Cambridge has many cosmopolitan cafes and restaurants, serving a selection of food from around the world, together with traditional English cuisine.

In the evening Cambridge offers a choice of theatres, cinemas and clubs. Classical music concerts and organ recitals take place in many of the college chapels and live music can be enjoyed in a number of pubs.

Sports

Cambridge has excellent sports facilities, including a wide range of popular Cambridge spectator sports, such as rugby and cricket. There are also good sports facilities in Cambridge for participants, and these include local golf courses, public tennis courts, badminton courts, swimming pools, fitness centres and popular gyms.

Football is one of the most popular spectator sports in the Cambridge area and the city's main football team is Cambridge United.

Transportation

Cambridge is easy to get to by road, rail or air – just 50 minutes from central London and 20 minutes from London Stansted Airport.

Cambridge is located close to many other interesting towns, cities, tourist attractions and important landmarks, and many visitors in Cambridge also travel outside of the city of Cambridge, into the surrounding areas.

Cambridge is served by a number of airports, the closest and most convenient of which Cambridge City Airport (CBG) provides convenient air travel to north England, east England, East Anglia and the city of London.