Where to Stay

For those planning their stay in advance the Tourist Information Office's booking service is recommended. Most visitors will need to venture outside the inner ring of colleges to find accommodation – but don't worry as there is plenty of accommodation to go round.

Whether you want a bed and breakfast, guest house, hotel or youth hostel accommodation, there is something to suit all pockets in Cambridge. It is also worth noting that outside university term-time many of the University colleges offer conference facilities and English language courses, so large groups of business visitors and foreign English language students may find accommodation there. This can range from individual en suite hotel style facilities to rooms in shared houses or apartment style accommodation.

Central

Cambridge Garden House Hotel on Mill Lane arguably offers the finest, most luxurious – and most expensive – in Cambridge. Similar places in the centre include the Crowne Plaza Cambridge on Downing Street and the beautiful Royal Cambridge Hotel on Trumpington Street.

The Regent Hotel (overlooking Parker's Piece) and the Gonville Hotel in Gonville Place on the other side of the park offer pleasant locations.

For a taste of real traditional Cambridge, the University Arms Hotel again offers splendid views over Parker's Piece, while an ideal choice for those who prefer cosy small family owned guest houses is the Lensfield Hotel (near the Fitzwilliam Museum).

Three other central guesthouse options are Regent Guesthouse on Regent Terrace, The Cricketers in Melbourne Place and Cristina's Guest House on St Andrew's Street.

North

In the north of the city, the hotels on Chesterton Road are nearest the city centre. These range from the moderately priced such as Arundel House Hotel to budget priced bed and breakfasts such as Lyngamore House. Further on, there is Netly Lodge with its nearby beautiful views across the River Cam and Midsummer Common, the stylish Victorian De Freville Guest House, Hamilton Hotel, Acorn Guesthouse, Lynwood House and Carlton Lodge.

Up Cambridge's only hill (Castle Hill) and on Huntingdon Road you'll discover Benson House, a well recommended bed and breakfast. Further on, and somewhat pricier, is the Cambridge Lodge Hotel, which is next to Storey's Way.

The Milton Road area provides several other options such as the Lovell Lodge Hotel, the Milton Guest House and the Suffolk House.

South

The area south of Great St. Mary's Church contains a wide variety of budget and moderately expensive options as well as a few four- and five-star hotels. The area is convenient, offering easy access to the centre and to Cambridge's nightlife.

For those with an English or International Youth Hostel Association card, Cambridge Youth Hostel on Tenison Road is a good option, as is the centrally located YMCA (overlooking Parker's Piece). Reasonably priced hotel options in the area include the Sleeperz Hotel on Station Road and the Centennial Hotel on Hills Road.

Moderately priced and good quality places to stay are in abundance in this area of the city. Hills Guest House, the Helen Hotel, The Earl of Derby and the Bridge Guest House are all on Hills Road and allow quick access to the city centre. Or try the Mayfair Hotel, the Six Steps Guest House and the Tenison Towers Guest House all on Tenison Road.

Cherry Hinton Road has an array of guest houses including the family run Assisi Guest House, the Dresden Villa Guest House and the Avalon Guest House. Fairways Guesthouse and the luxury Sorrento Hotel are both conveniently located for access to Addenbrooke's Hospital.

East

This side of the city has various guesthouses, the majority of which are located on the long Newmarket Road. The Cam Guest House and the Southampton Guest House on Elizabeth Way are nearest to the city centre and the river. Newmarket Road also offers Oakley Lodge, the Abbey Guest House and the Amber Lodge Guest House.

Photo by JP Oakar