Cambridge

Cambridge, known for it’s prestigious colleges, gets its name from its many bridges along the River Cam. As you walk around Cambridge you cannot help but notice the beautiful buildings, exquisitely designed churches , and well known bridges. The city is significantly quieter than London, however when I visited, it was a town of celebration- as many college students from Cambridge’s 31 different colleges were finishing exams.

On my arrival in Cambridge, I walked the streets to explore and gain an appreciation for the city. I found myself feeling as if I was in a Harry Potter film with the grey washed buildings, intricate architecture, and winding side streets. 

As I walked around the city I decided to give Cambridge a new nickname: The city of zip-ties. All through the city, you will find people riding bikes EVERYWHERE and while some used locks, many were zip-tied to fences. I found this to be a peculiar custom of the locals!

Now, let’s look at the reason I came to Cambridge—THE BRIDGES!

The best way to appreciate the city of Cambridge and it’s many bridges is through a punting tour. This gondola style boat tour winds between many colleges such as St. John’s, King’s, Trinity Hall, Clare College, and many more. The boat was filled with 6 people and was prepared for any type of England’s weather with umbrellas and blankets—luckily they were not needed!

The tour was filled with so much information about the history Cambridge and its bridges. I found it funny that Cambridge University began with a few students who fled Oxford University, because they were in trouble.

Many famous people have either attended or taught in Cambridge, some being C.S. Lewis, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Allen Turing, Steven Hawking, Robert Frost, and Prince Charles. As I passed under each bridge, I couldn’t help but be honored by the thought that I am seeing and walking across the same bridges that these influential people did over the years.

Mathematical Bridge: This footbridge was definitely in my top 5 bridges of this entire fellowship. The intricacies and precise lines of the wooden bridge is what makes it so intriguing. The guide informed our boat of an interesting fact: It is said that the first Mathematical Bridge was constructed based fully on mathematical measurements without any screws or nails—incredible! After the tour, I bought a DIY model of the bridge to show my students–which I hope them seeing a 3D version will enhance their visual understanding.

Another bridge that stuck out to me was the Clare Bridge, the oldest bridge in Cambridge built in 1640. This arched structure is actually falling slightly in the middle–but is still structurally sound for use! 

Kitchen Bridge, the second oldest bridge, was built and carved out of a single block of limestone to give it the appearance of masonry. I found it very impressive!

The Bridge of Sighs….sigh! Its breathtaking design is what attracts many people to it. This bridge in Cambridge is actually a replica of the one located in Venice, Italy. Although many people are in awe of it’s architecture, many believe that the bridge in Venice was called the Bridge of Sighs because the bridge actually led prisoners to their cells. It is said that they took their last ‘sigh’, as they looked out to Venice for the last time—heartbreaking I know! Luckily, the Queen of England did not want the replica to have the same meaning. The bridge in Cambridge used by students of St. John’s College to connect the two sides of campus, was more of her intended purpose.