Destination Guide: Cambridge

With outstanding architecture old and new, the compact and cosmopolitan city centre of Cambridge is the perfect inspiration for all your business visits and events. The University of Cambridge, which will celebrate its 800th anniversary in 2009, is central to the medieval city along with 31 other Colleges steeped in historical significance, creating perfect venues for meetings, private dining and conferences. It’s a City with abundant tranquil open greens, first class restaurants, thriving markets and of course the River Cam. At less than 1 one hour from London you will have no excuse not to try our Meet England Itinerary of ideas here to give you a taster of what Cambridge has to offer meeting planners. *Day 1:* Check into one of Cambridge’s 200 hotels from city centre 4 stars to 3 star boutiques. Why not try the Gonville Hotel conveniently situated next to Cambridge city station overlooking 25 acres of open park, where your delegates can enjoy the use of its 4 fully equipped meetings rooms for up to 200 guests. Start the day exploring Cambridge with a tailor made walking tour. Trained guides will take your delegates around the beautiful ancient city explaining the origins of its architecture, University and colleges. Tours can last up to two hours, tailored to your taste with specific themes from Science, Architecture or Ghost tales. Having worked up a healthy appetite why not finish your tour at The Fitzwilliam Museum. Treat your delegates to a lunch buffet among the impressive University of Cambridge Art Galleries. The Fitzwilliam museum is one of Britain’s earliest public museums; the collection includes works of art and antiquities of national and international importance, housing European paintings and sculptures from Picasso and Monet to Stanley Spencer. The Fitzwilliam offers a number of its stunningly unique galleries for reception drinks and dinners catering for up to 350 standing reception. Early afternoon is the perfect time to finally introduce your delegates to the Kings Collage. Just a few minutes walk from The Fitzwilliam Museum and you will find the gates of King’s College, founded by Henry VI in 1441. The world famous Chapel is an iconic Cambridge landmark; equal in size and beauty it stands today as a magnificent display of the power of Royal patronage. Here delegates can settle for an afternoon in one of the colleges impressive meeting or conference rooms for up to 40 delegates. As the evening draws to close delegates can retire to the grade one listed Hall at King’s College. The is one of the most dramatic and impressive settings in which to treat your guests to an evening dinner. The Kings Hall can cater for up to 330 for formal banquets and up to 500 for informal buffets. *Day 2:* After a short meeting over breakfast in the hotel, take your delegates for a 5 minute stroll to the stunning Botanic Gardens. This tranquil 40 acre garden is home to a collection of over 10,000 labelled plant species in beautifully diverse landscaped settings with the chance to warm up in the Glasshouses, walk through the woodland and explore nine National Collections. The gardens are open all year round to large groups and can uniquely provide the opportunity to treat delegates to a secret garden tour from the head gardener along with refreshments. For lunch why not take your delegates to the water. The River Cam is the perfect setting for a picnic onboard a chauffeured punt. Your delegates can enjoy a guided journey punting on the River Cam, tours can take your guests the length of the backs between Silver Street and Quayside, exploring architecture from the Queens' College to the famous bridge of Sighs. Tours are available all year round and tailored to taste. And finally after a busy afternoon end your day with a much needed trip to ‘Aunties Tea Shop’ found in the heart of the City. Aunties is renowned for its delicious homemade cakes, all of which are baked on the premises. Here you can overlook the Senate House and Great St Mary's Church over a spot of afternoon tea. This will leave your delegates just enough time to collect suitcases and return home after a truly memorable experience in the City of Cambridge.