42 Cambridge Facts About This World Famous City And University

Cambridge is well known for its academic standing and its higher education qualification institutions.

Cambridge University is ranked at the top in the United Kingdom. However, it ranks in the fourth position globally.

You can find Cambridge in Cambridgeshire, England. It is a university city. This university city in the English-speaking world is around 55 mi (89 km) north of the city of London on the River Cam.

The city has a land area of 16 sq mi (41 sq km). The average elevation above sea level is 20 ft (6 m). The majority of the city is located in the eastern part bank of the River Cam.

Cambridge grew in importance as a commercial center in the Roman era and the Viking era. There is even some proof of settlement in the region dating back to the Bronze Age. The town charters were first given back in the 12th century, but it wasn't until 1951 that the city got contemporary status.

Cambridge University is the world's fourth-oldest surviving university, launched in 1209 and awarded a royal charter by Henry III in 1231. The university came into existence from a group of academics who fled the University of Oxford after a disagreement with the locals. The two old English institutions are sometimes referred to as Oxbridge since they have many similarities.

Cambridge is regarded as one of the world's most elite institutions. King's College Chapel, Cavendish Laboratory, and the Cambridge University Library are the buildings of Cambridge University. The Cambridge University Library is the largest library within the university! Almost all of the notable city's architectural landscape of modern Cambridge is found in the university and college buildings.

Did you know that the Cherry Hinton East Pit, Cherry Hinton West Pit, and Travellers Pit are among the city's three Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)?

Read on to learn more facts about Cambridge, the famous city, and Cambridge University!

History Of Cambridge

The city of Cambridge has a rich history. Read the following historical facts about Cambridge.

In the 10th century, the Anglo-Saxons invaded, and thereafter, they started to inhabit the area, which was called Grantebrycge or Granta-bridge.

The area's name was switched by Middle English. The new name was 'Cambridge,' and even the river under Granta bridge changed its name to 'River Cam.'

In 1068, William of Normandy constructed a stronghold atop Castle Hill.

Scholars, who fled the University of Oxford after a disagreement with the locals, created Cambridge University in 1209. After only around two decades, it was granted a royal charter by Henry III.

The Eastern Counties Association, which oversaw provincial East Anglian troops that formed the backbone of the military effort by the parliament prior to the establishment of another army, had its headquarters in early modern Cambridge during the early part of the English Civil War. Cambridge played a huge role here.

Like many other English cities, Cambridge grew significantly in the 19th century. All of this was due to life expectancy being high and an increase in the production of agriculture; this led to more trading in the markets.

Several big council estates added to the city's expansion between the '30s and the '80s.

Cambridge served as an important east coast defense center during World War II.

In the mid-'40s, a covert meeting was held in the Trinity College. This meeting in the Trinity College applied the footing for invading Europe.

Given the past economic success and administrative significance of Cambridge, it was given the city charter in the early '50s.

Other commercial arcades emerged after the emergence of Cambridge's first one in the early '60s; it included Lion Yard as well, which housed the city's Central Library, and the Grafton Centre rebuilt Kite section's Victorian dwelling stock that had collapsed.

In the early '90s, the second university, Anglia Polytechnic University, was established, which was renamed in 2005.

The newly named university, Anglia Ruskin University, operates from three main campuses, namely Cambridge, Peterborough, and Chelmsford. It has its origin in Cambridge School of Art.

What inventions have been created in Cambridge?

Cambridge has generated a tremendous amount of innovations. In many cases, the innovators were a part of the University of Cambridge's faculty and students, but in others, they were simply drawn to the opportunities offered in the city and its surroundings.

Here are some inventions created in Cambridge:

Everybody knows who Issac Newton was. He was a Lucasian Professor of Mathematics and a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. He invented the reflecting telescope back in 1688.

The Football Association's Rules, back in 1848, were created in Cambridge. The Cambridge rules, to this date, account for some of the most basic rules of the game. The first-ever use of rules was in a game on Parker's Piece. Parker's Piece is referred to as the rules' place of birth.

The thermos flask was designed for highly technical laboratory purposes in 1892 by Sir James Dewar. This invention is widely used today.

Sandy Douglas of the University of Cambridge created OXO in 1952. This was the first graphical computer game ever created. Cambridge's vast early computer helped in running it.

The work of Robert Edwards, the physiologist who discovered in vitro fertilization (1968-78), or IVF, a method that allows infertile couples to have children, is perhaps the greatest valuable contribution Cambridge has ever made to the world.

Acorn Computers began its journey on the grounds of Cambridge in 1978 and is best known for the BBC Micro model B, the most popular computer in the UK. However, Acorn Computers is no longer in business.

Webcams were invented in 1991 by some researchers who used to work in the Computer Laboratory on the West Cambridge site. It was the researchers' laziness that led to this wonderful creation.

The patterns of the iris are unique and stable just as fingerprints are, and so irises are used for the identification of more than a billion people by the biometric systems of governments worldwide. This was only made possible by the work of Cambridge professor of computer vision, John Daugman, back in 1991.

Famous Events In Cambridge

Cambridge holds many events and festivals throughout the year! Take a look at the list of events given below!

In March, the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, the largest biomedical research cluster, holds the Cambridge Science Festival every year. This event is a must-see for everyone who enjoys science. With a long list of distinguished professionals in the field, this is among the world's imminent science festivals.

During the month of June, Strawberry Fair, a musical fair and kid's fair that features many market booths, takes place on Midsummer Common. Another event is held during this month named Midsummer Fair.

In July, the Cambridge Folk Festival takes place, which is one of Europe's finest music events and most well-known folk festivals.

Cambridge Shakespeare Festival is another festival that is held here. This festival has grown into a prominent cultural event throughout the years, attracting up to 25,000 literary and theatre fans.

Cambridge Summer Music Festival is held annually and takes place in July.

Cambridge Film Festival takes place annually.

Cambridge Festival of Ideas was first started in the year 2008.

While in December, Christmas is celebrated. The time of Christmas is indeed special in the eyes of Cambridge.

Things To Do In Cambridge

There are tons of things to do in Cambridge, and the best way to get around the town is via cycling, metro, and rail. Did you know that Cambridge has the greatest level of cycling use in the UK, despite being a university town lying on relatively flat land with traffic jams?

Cambridge has a maritime climate, which makes for the perfect weather to go to the Botanic Garden in the university, which is toward the south of Cambridge's center.

Sunshine averages roughly 1,500 hours per year, or about 35% of the available amount, which is typical of most areas in inland central England, which makes it ideal for taking a stroll through Cambridge Leisure Park.

Cambridge is home to a Travelodge Hotel, Sainsbury's Supermarket, The Light Cinema, the Backs, Tenpin Bowling, Tesco, Parker's Piece, and restaurants.

Great St Mary's Church, the University Church, can be found in central Cambridge.

You can pray, see Cambridge city from the tower, check out the gift shop, and eat in Michaelhouse Cafe!

Another church that you may like to see is St Philip Howard in Cherry Hinton Road.

If you are a history buff, then you must visit the Museum of Cambridge in Castle Street.

This is one of those Cambridge museums that was earlier known as the Cambridge & County Folk Museum.

Artists and others interested in art, in general, can visit Trinity Street to explore Contemporary Art.

Cambridge Art Salon, Motion Sickness, and Changing Spaces are some of the artist-run groups that host exhibits and events around the city on a temporary basis.

You can also go to the Cambridge city center, where you can find not only commercial and historic buildings but also large green areas! Lucky for you, an Air Quality Management Area covers the entire city center.

You can go to Cambridge's Arts Theatre, which has touring shows and shows performed by local companies too! It was built back in the '80s; the City Council renovated the facility and turned it into a full-time arts center.

One must also check out the Cambridge University Botanic Garden.

Did You Know...

Here is a list of some things about Cambridge that you might not be aware of!

The first town charter gave Cambridge a monopoly over waterborne traffic and tolls.

This city has its own airport. It is mainly used for charter and training flights.

Around 89.44 % of Cambridge residents identified themselves as white in the 2001 Census, and 84 % of undergraduates and 80 % of post-graduates at the University of Cambridge identified as white, including overseas students!

The is even a Jewish Student Center in Thompson's Lane!

The Cambridge Traditional Jewish Congregation and the Cambridge University Jewish Society handle the student center. Both the Jewish Congregation and Jewish Society are affiliated with the Union of Jewish Students.

Cambridge has training for clergy for ordination into several denominations! This specifically is affiliated with both the University of Cambridge and even the Anglia Ruskin University.

The Mathematical Bridge was designed by an architect named William Etheridge, and it was constructed by James Essex. The Mathematical Bridge at Queen's College connects two parts of the college.

The M11 motorway coming from East London terminates and links the A14, an important freight road that connects the east coast port of Felixstowe with the Midlands. The city is adjacent to M11 and A14. The London King's Cross railway station is merely an hour away from Cambridge Station.

The most well-known Cambridge-based band is Pink Floyd. Syd Barrett, the band's former lyricist, guitarist, and vocalist, was a Cambridge resident, and he and another founder member, Roger Waters, attended Cambridgeshire High School for Boys together. Barrett's replacement, guitarist David Gilmour, grew up in Cambridge and went to Perse School nearby.

University Colleges either lease or own several parks and colleges around the university. For instance, the Cambridge Science Park is owned by Trinity College.