Cambridge Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour

Silver Street and the River Cam

Silver Street is one of the most popular places to start the Cambridge hop-on hop-off bus tour. The bridge here crosses the River Cam at the point where the upper river, lined with meadows, meets the stretch of colleges known as The Backs. Looking downstream from the bridge, you can see the wooden Mathematical Bridge, built in the eighteenth century with straight timbers arranged to form an arch.

Next to the bridge lies the Mill Pond, a busy spot where punts gather and boatmen offer rides along the river. On sunny days, people relax on the grassy banks and watch the punts manoeuvre around the weir. Hop off here to take a punt along The Backs, or stroll to the riverside meadows for a picnic before catching the next bus.

The historic colleges and King's Parade

From the top deck, the route gives wide views of the university colleges, with their towers, gatehouses and courts that have shaped the city since the thirteenth century. The audio commentary explains how the colleges were founded, how students live and study, and the traditions that make Cambridge unique, from formal dinners to rowing races on the river.

Hop off near King's Parade, the most famous street in Cambridge, to see the soaring pinnacles of King's College Chapel, the white classical Senate House and the old university church. Several colleges open to visitors at set times, usually for a fee, so you can step inside a court or chapel. It is the perfect stop for a longer visit on foot in the centre.

The market square and the city centre

In the heart of the city, the market square has hosted a market since the Middle Ages, and stalls still sell fresh fruit, flowers, books, street food and local crafts every day. Around it, narrow lanes lead to small shops, cafés and the covered shopping streets of the centre, while the tower of the university church rises over the square.

This is a good place to hop off for lunch and to explore the city's mix of old and new. Nearby, a large classical museum of art and antiquities welcomes visitors free of charge, and small galleries and bookshops line the side streets. With a 24-hour ticket, you can spend as long as you like here and rejoin the bus when you are ready.

The railway station and the University Botanic Garden

The route reaches Cambridge railway station, making the bus very convenient for day-trippers arriving by train from London or elsewhere. Rather than walking about 20 minutes into the centre, you can step onto the bus at the station and start sightseeing straight away, with the commentary introducing the city as you go.

Close to the station stands the University Botanic Garden, a peaceful green space of around 16 hectares opened on this site in the mid-nineteenth century. It has glasshouses with tropical plants, a lake, a rock garden and beautiful seasonal borders. Is the Cambridge Botanic Garden worth visiting? For plant lovers and families looking for a calm break, it is one of the most rewarding stops on the route.

Open-top views over the commons

One of the special features of Cambridge is its green commons, wide open meadows close to the centre where cattle still graze in summer and students jog and cycle along the paths. From the open top deck, you see how these green spaces surround the historic core and give the city its relaxed, almost village-like atmosphere.

The best time to ride the bus is on a dry, bright day from spring to early autumn, when the commons and college gardens are at their greenest. In winter, the bus runs less often, but the views are still lovely. Remember to keep your ticket and discount booklet, which give reduced prices at selected attractions around the city.