Cambridge Travel Guide

The Bridge of Sighs is a covered bridge at St John's College, Cambridge University, UK. Built in 1831 in Neo-Gothic style, this stone bridge spans the River Cam connecting New Court and Third Court, named after Venice's Bridge of Sighs for its resemblance — with fine lattice windows and a stone corridor, and the best view from a punting trip passing beneath, it is the most romantic and photogenic of Cambridge's college bridges. Designed by Henry Hutchinson in Neo-Gothic style — a covered stone bridge with lattice windows and dentiled cornice — named after Venice's Ponte dei Sospiri; the tale that students sighed crossing it before exams is apocryphal. The bridge links New Court and Third Court across the Cam. The best view is from a punting trip passing beneath — looking up at lattice windows and the stone vault with dappled light. Kitchen Bridge and Iron Bridge nearby offer distant views. Visiting to admire Neo-Gothic lattice windows while punting beneath is a classic, poetic Cambridge college-bridge experience.

The University of Cambridge is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities (est. 1209). In Cambridge, England, it features magnificent college architecture (King's College Chapel — a Gothic masterpiece), over 120 Nobel laureates and punting on the River Cam — one of the UK's most sought-after cultural destinations. 31 independent colleges. King's College Chapel (fan vault, stained glass), Trinity College (Newton's alma mater), St John's College (Bridge of Sighs). Punting on the River Cam through the Backs is the quintessential Cambridge experience. Visiting for world-class academia and architecture is a culturally rich English journey.

The Fitzwilliam Museum is the University of Cambridge's art and archaeology museum on Trumpington Street, its grand neoclassical portico a Cambridge landmark in its own right. Collections span ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome to European painting, manuscripts and decorative arts — with celebrated works by Titian, Rubens, Monet and Renoir, plus pharaonic sarcophagi. One of Britain's great university museums and free to enter, it pairs perfectly with an afternoon of punting on the Cam.

Pembroke College is a college of the University of Cambridge, founded in 1347. The college is known for Cambridge's third-oldest college, known for gardens and chapel, with notable alumni including PM William Pitt. Visiting Pembroke College to experience the academic atmosphere and history of a prestigious British university in ancient college buildings is an elegant, tranquil campus experience.

Fitzwilliam College is a college of the University of Cambridge, founded in 1869. The college is known for known for music and art collections, modern architecture, with notable alumni including Nobel laureates. Visiting Fitzwilliam College to experience the academic atmosphere and history of a prestigious British university in ancient college buildings is an elegant, tranquil campus experience.

Museum of Classical Archaeology is a college of the University of Cambridge, founded in 1884. The college is known for houses Greek and Roman sculpture casts, Cambridge's largest classical archaeology collection, with notable alumni including archaeologists. Visiting Museum of Classical Archaeology to experience the academic atmosphere and history of a prestigious British university in ancient college buildings is an elegant, tranquil campus experience.