Overview
They say every day is a school day, and one thing the University Arms has taught us is what a family friendly city Cambridge is. From mooching world-class museums, to punting on the River Cam and breathing in the beauty of the Botanic Garden, it’s definitely a weekender worthy of your Great British bucket list. Families enrol at the University Arms for a lesson in easy elegance. From the A* location opposite Parker’s Piece, to the top-scoring bedrooms (complete with interconnecting options), this bookish bolthole stylishly combines a sense of place, with a playful twist. Morning assemblies here feature a best-of-British-breakfast, whilst come evening school dinners are given a serious glow up in Parker’s Tavern. Whilst it may have been designed in a cheeky nod to college cafeterias, the clever take on comfort food served here has guests lining the halls for a table. If you’re looking for a chic city crashpad, this is an abode to proudly become an alum of
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Nearest station
The closest train station is Cambridge (roughly a 15 minute walk away)
Best time to visit
A gorgeous all season staycation, you can check out Cambridge in full bloom in the spring, soak up the sun while punting in summer, enjoy golden autumnal walks around the city or make the most of the twinkling Christmas market
Favourite room
Children under 12 stay (and eat) for free in all rooms on a comfortable rollaway bed – we would just give the ‘cosy’ category a miss as it may be a bit too close for comfort!
If you’d like a little more space to sprawl, the individually curated suites each have a large, separate seating area as well as regal claw foot bath tubs
Or if you’re travelling with no-longer-so-tiny travellers, request interconnecting Family Rooms for a perfectly peaceful slumber (and get 50% off the bedroom too!)
Nearby
Boasting a central location, you’re never more than a 15-minute walk (and yes that accounts for little legs), away from the city’s main museums, gardens, shops and restaurants
Price
from £229 p/night in low season and £250 p/night in high season
Worth waking the baby for
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Cambridge University Botanic Garden
No visit to Cambridge is complete with a mosey around the bountiful Botanic Garden. Plants from all over the world are displayed in a 40 acre oasis of gardens and glasshouses. Visit in the school holidays, or the first Saturday of every month for family activities
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Museum of Zoology
From moths to monkeys, and marsupials to manatees, the Museum of Zoology is a mecca for mini Attenboroughs. Kids of all ages will delight in the journey through the animal kingdom, soaking in the enticing exhibits and marvelling at the 21-metre-long fin whale skeleton gracing the entrance
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Dinky Doors Tour
Wonder as you wander the streets of Cambridge, discovering Dinky Doors lovingly made and hidden just out of plain sight. Made with a dollop of humour to spark imaginations (big and small), embark on a tiny tour to find 14 pintsized portals and the stories behind them
