Is Kettle's Yard free to visit?

Yes, entry to the house and gallery at Kettle's Yard is free. However, it is highly recommended to check their website and book a timed entry slot in advance, as the historic cottage has limited capacity.

Where is the best view of the Cambridge skyline?

The top of Castle Mound offers the best panoramic view of the Cambridge skyline. From this 11th-century earthwork, you can see iconic landmarks like King's College Chapel and St John's College without any tall buildings blocking the vista.

Is the Castle Hill walk difficult?

The walk is considered moderate. While most of the route is on paved sidewalks, there is a steady uphill incline as you move away from the river, and the final climb up Castle Mound involves a steep path and steps.

Can I see a real castle on Castle Hill?

No, there is no longer a stone castle standing on the site. You will see the massive earthwork 'motte' (the mound) where the Norman castle once stood, but the stone structures were largely dismantled centuries ago to build nearby colleges.

What is the best time to do this walking route?

The best time is weekday afternoons. This allows you to visit the Museum of Cambridge and Kettle's Yard when they are open, and you can finish at Castle Mound just before sunset for the best photography light.

Is this area of Cambridge family-friendly?

Yes, children usually enjoy the climb up Castle Mound and the quirky artifacts in the Museum of Cambridge. However, Kettle's Yard requires a quiet atmosphere, so it may be better suited for older children or art-interested teens.

What is the history of Magdalene Bridge?

Magdalene Bridge is located at the site of the only river crossing in Cambridge for many centuries. The current cast-iron bridge dates to 1823 and marks the spot where the Roman road known as Via Devana crossed the River Cam.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Escape the bustling university center and ascend into the layered history of Cambridge on this self-guided neighborhood stroll through Castle Hill. While many visitors never cross the River Cam, those who do discover the city's ancient roots, where Roman fortifications once stood and Norman conquerors built their strongholds. This walking route invites you to explore the 'other side' of Cambridge, a place where local life and avant-garde art intersect seamlessly with medieval architecture. Your journey begins at the iconic Magdalene Bridge, the historic gateway between the town and the university colleges. From here, you will transition from the riverside beauty of the colleges into the charming, narrow streets of the Castle Hill district. This area serves as a living museum of Cambridge’s social history, featuring one of the city's oldest pubs and a converted inn that now houses local artifacts. A major highlight of this walking route is Kettle's Yard, an extraordinary house and gallery that redefined how we experience art. It is not just a museum, but a home where masterworks by artists like Barbara Hepworth and Joan Miró are displayed alongside pebbles and shells. It offers a peaceful, contemplative atmosphere that stands in stark contrast to the grandeur of the university chapels. As you continue the climb, you will visit the tiny, ancient St Peter’s Church, a hidden gem that feels frozen in time, before concluding your self-guided adventure at the summit of Castle Mound. This elevated vantage point provides the most comprehensive panoramic view of the Cambridge skyline, allowing you to see the jagged spires of King’s College Chapel and the modern silhouettes of the city from a unique perspective. Whether you are an art lover, a history enthusiast, or a photography fan seeking the perfect skyline shot, this route offers a quiet, rewarding alternative to the typical walking tour Cambridge itineraries. Discover the stories of the people who lived here long before the colleges were built and enjoy the independent spirit of this historic heights neighborhood.

Highlights

Panoramic views of the Cambridge skyline from the top of Castle Mound

The unique domestic art collection and peaceful atmosphere of Kettle's Yard

The Pickerel Inn, reputed to be one of the oldest pubs in the city

The tiny, medieval St Peter's Church with its Roman-era masonry

Social history and local stories at the Museum of Cambridge

The historic crossing point of Magdalene Bridge

Tour Stops (6)

Magdalene Bridge

Begin your exploration at Magdalene Bridge, a site that has served as a vital crossing point for centuries. This cast-iron bridge, completed in 1823, stands where the Great Bridge once linked the Roman settlement on the hill to the medieval town. As you look south, you can see the famous punts gliding along the River Cam, framed by the walls of Magdalene College. This bridge marks the boundary between the university-dominated center and the more independent-minded Castle Hill district. It was here that the 'town' and 'gown' often clashed in centuries past. Take a moment to appreciate the view of the Pepys Library at Magdalene College, which houses the original diaries of Samuel Pepys, before we move away from the river and up toward the historic heights.

The Pickerel

Just a few steps from the bridge sits The Pickerel, widely considered one of the oldest pubs in Cambridge. With its low ceilings, crooked timber frames, and dark wooden beams, this building dates back to the 16th century and possibly earlier. It has served many purposes over the years, from a gin palace to a brew house. The Pickerel is a quintessential example of the 'town' side of Cambridge life—a place where locals, scholars, and travelers have gathered for centuries to escape the formalities of college life. Its name likely refers to a young pike, a fish common in the River Cam. While the interior is cozy and inviting, the exterior itself tells a story of the city's architectural evolution over five hundred years.

Museum of Cambridge

Housed in the former White Horse Inn, the Museum of Cambridge is a treasure trove of local life. Unlike the grand university museums, this space focuses on the everyday people of the city and the surrounding Fenlands. For over 300 years, this building operated as a pub, and you can still feel that domestic history as you walk through its quirky, uneven rooms. The collection includes everything from giant 'fen skates' to Victorian kitchen tools and childhood toys. It provides a fascinating look at the social history of the Castle Hill neighborhood, showing how the 'other half' of Cambridge lived, worked, and played. It is a vital reminder that the city’s identity is built on more than just academic achievement.

Kettle's Yard

Kettle's Yard is perhaps the most unique art space in the United Kingdom. It was the home of Jim Ede, a former curator at the Tate, and his wife Helen. In the 1950s, they converted four derelict cottages into a space where art could be experienced in a domestic setting. Jim’s philosophy was that art should be part of daily life, not kept on a pedestal. As you walk through, you will find works by Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth placed naturally alongside found objects like smooth pebbles, shells, and antique furniture. There are no labels on the walls, encouraging a personal, intuitive connection with the objects. The light-filled extension and the original cottage rooms offer a profound sense of peace and artistic harmony.

St Peter's Church

Tucked away beside Kettle's Yard is the tiny St Peter's Church. This is one of the smallest and oldest ecclesiastical sites in the city. Though much of the current structure dates to the 18th century, it stands on foundations that go back to the 11th century, and you can even spot Roman bricks recycled into its flint walls. The church is no longer used for regular worship but remains a consecrated, quiet sanctuary. Its simple interior and the small, overgrown graveyard outside offer a moment of reflection. It serves as a physical link to the Roman and Saxon settlers who first chose this high ground for its strategic advantage overlooking the river crossing you visited at the start of the walk.

Castle Mound

Your walk concludes at the summit of Castle Mound. While the stone castle built by William the Conqueror in 1068 is long gone, this massive earthwork remains. This was the site of a Roman station, a Norman motte-and-bailey castle, and a Civil War fortification. Today, it serves as the highest point in Cambridge. From the top, you are rewarded with a spectacular 360-degree view. To the south, the 'dreaming spires' of the university colleges stretch out before you, including the massive roof of King's College Chapel. To the north, you can see out toward the flat expanses of the Fens. It is the perfect place to sit, catch your breath, and look down upon the layers of history you have just traversed.

Frequently Asked Questions

The walk typically takes between 90 and 120 minutes. This includes time to climb Castle Mound and enjoy the domestic art galleries at Kettle's Yard, which is about 0.8 miles from the start point at Magdalene Bridge.