View source for Cambridge

{{Short description|City and district in Cambridgeshire, England}}
{{About|the city in England|the city in the United States|Cambridge, Massachusetts|the university|University of Cambridge|other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = Cambridge
| settlement_type         = [[City status in the United Kingdom|City]] and [[non-metropolitan district]]
| image_skyline           = {{multiple image |border = infobox |perrow = 1/2/2/2/2 |total_width = 260px
| image1 = Cambridge - Kings College vue des backs.jpg
|caption1= [[King's College, Cambridge|King's College]]
| image2 = Punts, River Cam - geograph.org.uk - 5936313.jpg
|caption2= [[Punt (boat)#Punting in Cambridge|Punts]] on the [[River Cam]]
| image3 = Church of St Mary the Great - geograph.org.uk - 5897670.jpg
|caption3= [[Great St Mary's Church, Cambridge|Great St Mary's Church]]
| image4 = Trinity Street, Cambridge (geograph 7688455).jpg
|caption4= [[Trinity Street, Cambridge|Trinity Street]]
}}
| imagesize               = 
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| image_caption           = 
| image_flag              = Flag of the City of Cambridge.png
| flag_alt                = 
| image_shield            = Arms of the Cambridge City Council.svg
| shield_alt              = 
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| etymology               = 
| nickname                = 
| motto                   = 
| image_map               = Cambridge UK locator map.svg
| mapsize                 = 
| map_alt                 = 
| map_caption             = Cambridge shown within [[Cambridgeshire]]
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| coordinates             = {{coord|52|12|18|N|00|07|21|E|region:GB_type:adm3rd|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint           = 
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| subdivision_type        = [[Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_name        = [[United Kingdom]]
| subdivision_type1       = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Country]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[England]]
| subdivision_type2       = [[Regions of England|Region]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[East of England]]
| subdivision_type3       = [[Non-metropolitan county|County]]
| subdivision_name3       = [[Cambridgeshire]]
| subdivision_type4       = [[City region (United Kingdom)|City region]]
| subdivision_name4       = [[Cambridgeshire and Peterborough]]
| established_title       = Founded
| established_date        = {{circa|1209}} as Granta Brygg
| established_title1      = City status
| established_date1       = 1951
| named_for               = 
| seat_type               = Administrative HQ
| seat                    = [[Cambridge Guildhall]]
| parts_type              = 
| parts                   = 
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes    = <ref name="Council leadership">{{cite web |url=https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/your-council |title=Your council |website=Cambridge City Council |access-date=9 June 2024}}</ref>
| government_type         = [[Non-metropolitan district]]
| governing_body          = [[Cambridge City Council]]
| leader_title            = [[Executive arrangements|Executive]]
| leader_name             = [[Executive arrangements#Leader and cabinet|Leader and cabinet]]
| leader_title1           = [[Political make-up of local councils in the United Kingdom|Control]]
| leader_name1            = {{English district control|GSS=E07000008}}
| leader_title2           = [[Executive arrangements#Leader and cabinet|Leader]]
| leader_name2            = Mike Davey ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])
| leader_title3           = [[Mayors in England|Mayor]]
| leader_name3            = Baiju Thittala
| leader_title4           = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MPs]]
| leader_name4            =
 {{Unbulleted list
 | [[Pippa Heylings]] ([[Liberal Democrats (UK)|LD]])
 | [[Daniel Zeichner]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])
 }}
<!-- Area -->
| total_type              = 
<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
| area_footnotes          = <ref>{{United Kingdom district population citation|area}}</ref>
| area_total_km2          = {{English district area|GSS=E07000008}}
| area_land_km2           = 
| area_water_km2          = 
| area_rank               = [[List of English districts by area|{{English district area rank|GSS=E07000008}}]]
<!-- Population -->
| population_footnotes    = <ref name="popstats">{{United Kingdom district population citation}}</ref>
| population_as_of        = {{English statistics year}}
| population_total        = {{English district population|GSS=E07000008}}
| population_rank         = [[List of English districts by population|{{English district rank|GSS=E07000008}}]]
| population_density_km2  = {{English district density|GSS=E07000008}}
| population_demonym      = Cantabrigian
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->
| demographics_type1      = Ethnicity <span style="font-weight:normal;">([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021]])</span>
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis">{{NOMIS2021|id=E07000008|title=Cambridge Local Authority|access-date=6 June 2024}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1    = [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|Ethnic groups]]
| demographics1_info1     =
 {{Collapsible list
 | 74.5% [[White people in the United Kingdom|White]]
 | 14.8% [[British Asians|Asian]]
 | 5.1% [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed]]
 | 2.4% [[Black British people|Black]]
 | 3.1% [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|other]]
 }}
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->
| demographics_type2      = Religion <span style="font-weight:normal;">(2021)</span>
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis"/>
| demographics2_title1    = [[Religion in England|Religion]]
| demographics2_info1     =
 {{Collapsible list
 | 44.7% [[Irreligion in the United Kingdom|no religion]]
 | 35.2% [[Religion in England#Christianity|Christianity]]
 | 5.1% [[Islam in England|Islam]]
 | 2.3% [[Hinduism in England|Hinduism]]
 | 1.1% [[Buddhism in England|Buddhism]]
 | 0.7% [[History of the Jews in England|Judaism]]
 | 0.2% [[Sikhism in England|Sikhism]]
 | 0.8% [[Religion in England|other]]
 | 9.8% not stated
 }}
| timezone1               = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| utc_offset1             = +0
| timezone1_DST           = [[British Summer Time|BST]]
| utc_offset1_DST         = +1
<!-- Codes -->
| postal_code_type        = [[Postcodes in the United Kingdom|Postcode areas]]
| postal_code             = [[CB postcode area|CB]]
| area_code_type          = [[Telephone numbers in the United Kingdom|Dialling codes]]
| area_code               = 01223
| iso_code                = 
| blank1_name             = [[GSS coding system|GSS code]]
| blank1_info             = E07000008
| website                 = {{URL|cambridge.gov.uk}}
| footnotes               = 
}}
'''Cambridge''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|eɪ|m|b|r|ɪ|dʒ|audio=En-uk-Cambridge.ogg}} {{respell|KAYM|brij}})<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/cambridge?showCookiePolicy=true|title=Cambridge|access-date=24 September 2014|publisher=Collins Dictionary|date=n.d.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923222541/http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/cambridge?showCookiePolicy=true|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> is a [[List of cities in the United Kingdom|city]] and [[non-metropolitan district]] in the county of [[Cambridgeshire]], England. It is the [[county town]] of Cambridgeshire and is located on the [[River Cam]], {{convert|55|mi|0}} north of [[London]]. As of the [[2021 United Kingdom census]], the population of the City of Cambridge was 145,700;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population and household estimates, England and Wales: Census 2021 – Office for National Statistics |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/populationandhouseholdestimatesenglandandwalescensus2021 |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=www.ons.gov.uk}}</ref> the population of the wider built-up area (which extends outside the city council area) was 181,137.<ref name=BUA2021>{{cite web |title=United Kingdom: Countries and Major Urban Areas |website=citypopulation.de |url=https://citypopulation.de/en/uk/cities/ua/ |date=2023-03-16 |access-date=22 March 2024}} (2021 census)</ref> There is archaeological evidence of settlement in the area as early as the [[Bronze Age]], and Cambridge became an important trading centre during the [[Roman Britain|Roman]] and [[Viking]] eras. The first [[Town charter#Municipal charters|town charters]] were granted in the 12th century, although modern city status was not officially conferred until 1951.

The city is well known as the home of the [[University of Cambridge]], which was founded in 1209 and consistently ranks among the best universities in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=QS World University Rankings 2023: Top Global Universities |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023 |access-date=8 June 2022 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/8793862/What-it-takes-to-make-it-to-Oxbridge.html |title=What it takes to make it to Oxbridge |first=Richard |last=Cairns |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |date=1 October 2011 |access-date=26 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518151853/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/8793862/What-it-takes-to-make-it-to-Oxbridge.html |archive-date=18 May 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The buildings of the university include [[King's College Chapel, Cambridge|King's College Chapel]], [[Cavendish Laboratory]], and the [[Cambridge University Library]], one of the largest [[legal deposit|legal deposit libraries]] in the world. The city's skyline is dominated by several [[Colleges of the University of Cambridge|college buildings]], along with the spire of the [[Our Lady and the English Martyrs Church]], and the chimney of [[Addenbrooke's Hospital]]. [[Anglia Ruskin University]], which evolved from the Cambridge School of Art and the Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology, also has its main campus in the city.

Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology [[Silicon Fen]] or [[List of technology centers|Cambridge Cluster]], which contains industries such as [[Software industry|software]] and [[bioscience]] and many start-up companies born out of the university. Over 40 per cent of the workforce have a higher education qualification, more than twice the national average. The [[Cambridge Biomedical Campus]], one of the largest biomedical research clusters in the world, includes the headquarters of [[AstraZeneca]] and the relocated [[Royal Papworth Hospital]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-25197143 |title=Papworth heart and lung specialist hospital to move |date=3 December 2013 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926193731/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-25197143 |archive-date=26 September 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Cambridge produced the first 'Laws of the Game' for [[association football]] and was the site of the first game, which was held at [[Parker's Piece]]. The [[Strawberry Fair]] music and art festival and Midsummer Fair are held on [[Midsummer Common]], and the annual [[Cambridge Beer Festival]] takes place on [[Jesus Green]]. The city is adjacent to the [[M11 motorway|M11]] and [[A14 road (England)|A14]] roads.

{{TOC limit|3}}

== History ==
{{for timeline}}

=== Prehistory ===
{{See also|Prehistoric Britain|British Iron Age}}
Settlements have existed around the Cambridge area since [[Prehistoric Britain|prehistoric times]]. The earliest clear evidence of occupation is the remains of a {{nowrap|3,500-}}year-old farmstead discovered at the site of [[Fitzwilliam College]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/7194650.stm |title=Bronze Age site is found in city |work=BBC News |date=17 January 2008 |access-date=5 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111121528/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/7194650.stm |archive-date=11 January 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> Archaeological evidence of occupation through the [[British Iron Age|Iron Age]] is a settlement on [[Castle Hill, Cambridge|Castle Hill]] from the [[1st century BC]], perhaps relating to wider cultural changes occurring in southeastern Britain linked to the arrival of the [[Belgae]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitcambridge.org/VisitCambridge/Factsheets.aspx |title=A brief history of Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge City Council |year=2010 |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522090533/http://www.visitcambridge.org/VisitCambridge/Factsheets.aspx |archive-date=22 May 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Roman ===
{{Main|Duroliponte}}
The principal [[Roman Britain|Roman]] site is a small fort (''{{lang|la|[[castrum]]}}'') '''[[Duroliponte]]''' on [[Castle Hill, Cambridge|Castle Hill]], just northwest of the city centre around the location of the earlier [[Britons (Celtic people)|British]] village. The fort was bounded on two sides by the lines formed by the present [[Mount Pleasant, Cambridge|Mount Pleasant]], continuing across [[Huntingdon Road]] into Clare Street. The eastern side followed Magrath Avenue, with the southern side running near to [[Chesterton Lane, Cambridge|Chesterton Lane]] and [[Kettle's Yard]] before turning northwest at Honey Hill.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gray |first=Ronald D |author2=Stubbings, Derek |title=Cambridge Street-Names: Their Origins and Associations |url=https://archive.org/details/cambridgestreetn00gray |url-access=limited |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |date=2000 |location=Cambridge |pages=[https://archive.org/details/cambridgestreetn00gray/page/n23 2]–3 |isbn=978-0-521-78956-1}}</ref> It was constructed around AD&nbsp;70 and converted to civilian use around 50 years later. Evidence of more widespread Roman settlement has been discovered, including numerous farmsteads<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/aug/28/archaeology-cambridge-university-girton-roman |title=The Roman foundations of Cambridge |first=John |last=Henley |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=28 August 2009 |quote='What's interesting about Cambridge is that with these tracts of land bequeathed to the university, you have a lot of preserved green space coming in close to the city centre,' says Chris Evans, head of the Cambridge unit. 'It hasn't been developed in the intervening centuries. There are iron-age and Roman farmsteads literally every 200–300 metres.' |access-date=26 February 2012 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219235450/http://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/aug/28/archaeology-cambridge-university-girton-roman |archive-date=19 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> and a village in the Cambridge district of [[Newnham, Cambridgeshire|Newnham]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/schoolgirls-unearth-roman-village-under-college-garden |title=Schoolgirls unearth Roman village under College garden |publisher=University of Cambridge |date=22 September 2010 |quote=Large amounts of Roman pottery convinced both Dr Hills and Dr Lewis that they had dug through to the remains of a 2,000-year-old settlement, significant because it suggests that the Roman presence at Newnham was far more considerable than previously thought. |access-date=26 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016055235/http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/schoolgirls-unearth-roman-village-under-college-garden |archive-date=16 October 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Medieval ===
[[File:Trinity Street, Cambridge.jpg|thumb|[[Trinity Street, Cambridge|Trinity Street]] in 2008 with [[Trinity College, Cambridge|Trinity College]] on the left and [[St John's College, Cambridge|St John's College]] in the background]]
[[File:cmglee St Benets exterior.jpg|thumb|[[St Bene't's Church]], the oldest standing building in [[Cambridgeshire]], next to [[Corpus Christi College, Cambridge|Corpus Christi College]]]]
[[File:Peterhouse Chapel.jpg|thumb|[[Peterhouse, Cambridge|Peterhouse]] was the first college to be founded at the [[University of Cambridge]].]]
[[File:President's Lodge, Queens' College, Cambridge.jpg|thumb|The President's Lodge, [[Queens' College, Cambridge|Queens' College]]]]
Following the [[Roman withdrawal from Britain]] around 410, the location may have been abandoned by the [[Romano-Britons|Britons]], although the site is usually identified as {{nowrap|'''Cair Grauth'''}},<ref>[[Nennius]] ({{abbr|attrib.|Traditional attribution}}). [[Theodor Mommsen]] ({{abbr|ed.|Editor}}). [[s:la:Historia Brittonum#VI. CIVITATES BRITANNIAE|''Historia Brittonum'', VI.]] Composed after AD&nbsp;830. {{in lang|la}} Hosted at [[s:la:Main Page|Latin Wikisource]].</ref> as listed among the 28 [[civitas|cities]] of [[Sub-Roman Britain|Britain]] in the ''[[Historia Brittonum|History of the Britons]]'' attributed to [[Nennius]].{{refn|[[Bishop Ussher]] believed the listing to refer to the [[Cambridge, Gloucestershire|Cambridge]] in [[Gloucestershire]].<ref>Newman, John Henry &&nbsp;al. [http://www.mocavo.co.uk/Lives-of-the-English-Saints-St-Gilbert-Prior-of-Sempringham-Volume-3/527392/459 ''Lives of the English Saints: St. German, Bishop of Auxerre'', Ch.&nbsp;X: "Britain in 429, A.&nbsp;D.",<!--sic--> p.&nbsp;92.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321234154/http://www.mocavo.co.uk/Lives-of-the-English-Saints-St-Gilbert-Prior-of-Sempringham-Volume-3/527392/459 |date=21 March 2016}} James Toovey (London), 1844.</ref>}} Evidence exists that the [[Saxon invasion of Britain|invading Anglo-Saxons]] had begun occupying the area by the end of the century.<ref>{{cite book | last = Burnham | first = Barry C |author2=Wacher, John | title = The Small Towns of Roman Britain | publisher = B T Batsford | date = 1990 | location = London}}</ref> Their settlement – also on and around Castle Hill – became known as '''Grantebrycge'''{{refn|In the [[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]], cited by Roach.<ref name="Roach2-15" />}} ("[[River Cam|Granta]]-bridge". By [[Middle English]], the settlement's name had changed to "Cambridg koe", deriving from the word 'Camboricum', meaning 'passage' or 'ford' of stream in a town or settlement,<ref>A Dictionary, english-latin, and latin-english containing all things necessary for the translating of either language into the other
By Elisha Coles · 1679</ref><ref>A Restoration of the Ancient Modes of Bestowing Names on the Rivers, Hills, Vallies, Plains, and Settlements of Britain by Gilbert Dyer Publication date 1805 (page 242)</ref> and the [[River Cam|lower stretches]] of the [[Granta (river)|Granta]] changed their name to match.)<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PUsAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA403 |journal=Notes and Queries |first=F. |last=Chance |date=13 November 1869 |volume=4 |location=London |title=Cambridge. |pages=401–404 |access-date=25 February 2012 |publisher=Bell & Daldy |oclc=644126889 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203053122/https://books.google.com/books?id=PUsAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA403 |archive-date=3 February 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>) [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] grave goods have been found in the area. During this period, Cambridge benefited from good trade links across the hard-to-travel fenlands. By the 7th century, the town was less significant and described by [[Bede]] as a "little ruined city" containing the burial site of [[Æthelthryth]] (Etheldreda).<ref name="Roach2-15">{{cite book|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66604 |chapter=The city of Cambridge: Medieval History |editor-last=Roach |editor-first=J.P.C. |publisher=Victoria County History |via=Institute of Historical Research |year=1959 |title=A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 3: The City and University of Cambridge |access-date=18 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612160918/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66604 |archive-date=12 June 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Cambridge sat on the border between the [[East Anglia|East]] and [[Middle Anglia]]n kingdoms, and the settlement slowly expanded on both sides of the river.<ref name="Roach2-15" />

The ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]'' reports that [[Vikings]] arrived in 875; they imposed Viking rule, the [[Danelaw]], by 878.<ref name="Brooke">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7T0uIfkPn28C&q=danelaw%20cambridge%20878&pg=PA7 |title=A History of the University of Cambridge |volume=1 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1988 |pages=9–10 [10] |first=Christopher Nugent Lawrence |last=Brooke |author2=Riehl Leader, Damien |isbn=0-521-32882-9 |access-date=5 November 2020 |archive-date=28 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528155914/https://books.google.com/books?id=7T0uIfkPn28C&q=danelaw+cambridge+878&pg=PA7 |url-status=live }}</ref> Their vigorous trading habits resulted in rapid growth of the town. During this period, the town's centre shifted from Castle Hill on the left bank of the river to the area now known as the Quayside on the right bank.<ref name="Brooke" /> After the Viking period, the Saxons enjoyed a return to power, building churches, such as [[St Bene't's Church]], as well as wharves, merchant houses, and a [[Mint (coin)|mint]] which produced coins with the town's name abbreviated to "Grant".<ref name="Brooke" />

In 1068, two years after the [[Norman Conquest]] of England, [[William the Conqueror]] erected a [[Cambridge Castle|castle]] on Castle Hill, the [[motte]] of which survives.<ref name="Roach2-15" /> Like the rest of the newly conquered kingdom, Cambridge fell under the control of the King and his deputies.

Cambridge's first town charter was granted by [[Henry I of England|Henry I]] between 1120 and 1131. It granted the town monopoly of waterborne traffic and hithe tolls and recognised the [[borough]] court.<ref name="british-history-66606">{{cite book |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66606 |chapter=The City of Cambridge: Constitutional History |editor-last=Roach |editor-first=J.P.C. |publisher=Victoria County History |via=Institute of Historical Research |year=1959 |title=A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 3: The City and University of Cambridge |access-date=26 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612161056/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66606 |archive-date=12 June 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> The distinctive [[The Holy Sepulchre, Cambridge|Round Church]] dates from this period.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Roach |editor1-first=J.P.C. |chapter=The City of Cambridge: Churches |title=A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 3, the City and University of Cambridge |date=1959 |publisher=Victoria County History |location=London |pages=123–132 |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol3/pp123-132 |access-date=23 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913130648/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol3/pp123-132 |archive-date=13 September 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1209, Cambridge University was founded by Oxford students fleeing from hostility.<ref>{{cite web|date=18 December 2009 |publisher=BBC News |title=The Hanging of the Clerks in 1209 |first=Simon |last=Bailey |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/oxford/low/people_and_places/history/newsid_8405000/8405640.stm |access-date=24 September 2020 |archive-date=7 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107223547/http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/oxford/low/people_and_places/history/newsid_8405000/8405640.stm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/history/records.html |title=University and Colleges: A Brief History |publisher=University of Cambridge |date=7 February 2008 |access-date=13 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902111945/http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/history/records.html |archive-date=2 September 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> The oldest existing college, [[Peterhouse, Cambridge|Peterhouse]], was founded in 1284.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pet.cam.ac.uk/welcome-peterhouse/about-college |title= About the College |publisher= Peterhouse College |access-date= 13 January 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100125020618/http://www.pet.cam.ac.uk/welcome-peterhouse/about-college |archive-date= 25 January 2010 |url-status= live}}</ref>

Cambridge had a significant [[History of the Jews in England (1066–1290)|Jewish community in the middle ages]], centred on what is now known as All Saints Passage, then known as the Jewry. A synagogue stood nearby. In January 1275, [[Eleanor of Provence]] expelled Jews from all of the towns within her dower lands, and the Jews of Cambridge were ordered to relocate to [[Norwich]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hillaby |first1=Joe |last2=Hillaby |first2=Caroline |title=The Palgrave Dictionary of Medieval Anglo-Jewish History |year=2013 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |location=Basingstoke |isbn=978-0-230-27816-5 |ol= OL28086241M |pages=141–43, 73–9}}</ref>

In 1349, Cambridge was affected by the [[Black Death]]. Few records survive but 16 of 40 scholars at [[King's Hall, Cambridge|King's Hall]] died.<ref name="Ziegler">{{cite book| title=The Black Death |author1-first=Philip |author1-last=Ziegler |isbn=978-0-14-027524-7 |publisher=Penguin |location=London |author2-last=Platt |author2-first=Colin |year=1998 |edition=2nd |page=178}}</ref> The town north of the river was severely impacted, being almost wiped out.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Cambridge, Described and Illustrated: Being a Short History of the Town and University |first=Thomas |last=Atkinson |year=1897 |page=41 |location=London |publisher=Macmillan |oclc=1663499 |url=https://archive.org/stream/cambridgedescrib00atkiuoft/cambridgedescrib00atkiuoft_djvu.txt |quote=The Ward beyond the Bridge, that is, all the town on the Castle side of the river, appears to have been almost entirely destroyed. Most of the people in the parish of All Saints' in Castro died and those that escaped left the neighbourhood for other parishes. |access-date=8 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405075301/https://archive.org/stream/cambridgedescrib00atkiuoft/cambridgedescrib00atkiuoft_djvu.txt |archive-date=5 April 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Following further depopulation after a second national epidemic in 1361, a letter from the Bishop of Ely suggested that two parishes in Cambridge be merged as there were not enough people to fill even one church.<ref name="Ziegler" /> With more than a third of English clergy dying in the Black Death, four new colleges were established at the university over the following years to train new clergymen, namely [[Gonville Hall]], [[Trinity Hall, Cambridge|Trinity Hall]], [[Corpus Christi College, Cambridge|Corpus Christi]], and [[Clare College, Cambridge|Clare]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J5XeBQwrjLwC&pg=PA70 |title=The Black Death and the Transformation of the West |series=European History |first=David |last=Herlihy |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-674-07613-6 |publisher=Harvard University Press |page=70 |access-date=25 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203053122/https://books.google.com/books?id=J5XeBQwrjLwC&pg=PA70 |archive-date=3 February 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1382, a revised town charter effected a "diminution of the liberties that the community had enjoyed", due to Cambridge's participation in the [[Peasants' Revolt]]. This charter transferred supervision of baking and brewing, weights and measures, and [[Engrossing (law)|forestalling and regrating]], from the town to the university.<ref name="british-history-66606" />

[[King's College Chapel, Cambridge|King's College Chapel]] was begun in 1446 by [[Henry VI of England|King Henry VI]].<ref name="Kings Chapel">{{cite web | url=http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/chapel/history.html | title=History of the Chapel | publisher=King's College, Cambridge | access-date=19 July 2011 | date=13 March 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717025057/http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/chapel/history.html | archive-date=17 July 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref> Built in phases by a succession of kings of England from 1446 to 1515 — its history intertwined with the [[Wars of the Roses]] — the chapel was completed during the reign of [[Henry VIII of England|King Henry VIII]].<ref name="Kings Chapel" /> The building would become synonymous with Cambridge, and currently is used in the logo for the [[Cambridge City Council]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Pennick|first1=Nigel|title=Secrets of King's College Chapel|date=9 January 2012|publisher=Karnac Books|page=3}}</ref>

=== Early modern ===
[[File:Cambridge 1575 colour.jpg|thumb|Cambridge in 1575]]
Following repeated outbreaks of pestilence throughout the 16th century,<ref>{{cite book|chapter=The city of Cambridge: Public health |title=A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 3, the City and University of Cambridge|date=1959 |editor1-last=Roach|editor1-first=J. P. C. |publisher=Victoria County History|location=London|pages=101–108|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol3/pp101-108|access-date=23 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923181342/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol3/pp101-108|archive-date=23 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> sanitation and fresh water were brought to Cambridge by the construction of [[Hobson's Conduit]] in the early 1600s. Water was brought from Nine Wells, at the foot of the [[Gog Magog Hills]] to the southeast of Cambridge, into the centre of the town.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cambridgeshire/natural_history/walk_through_time/07.shtml | title=Cambridgeshire > Natural History > Cam Valley Walk > Stage 7 | publisher=BBC Cambridgeshire | access-date=23 July 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501094802/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cambridgeshire/natural_history/walk_through_time/07.shtml | archive-date=1 May 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref>

Cambridge played a significant role in the early part of the [[English Civil War]] as it was the headquarters of the [[Eastern Association|Eastern Counties Association]], an organisation administering a regional [[East Anglian]] army, which became the mainstay of the Parliamentarian military effort before the formation of the [[New Model Army]].<ref name="british-history-66605">{{cite web |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66605 |title=The city of Cambridge&nbsp;– Modern history &#124; A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 3: The City and University of Cambridge (1959) |pages=15–29 |year=1959 |access-date=26 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612160851/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66605 |archive-date=12 June 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1643 control of the town was given by Parliament to [[Oliver Cromwell]], who had been educated at [[Sidney Sussex College]] in Cambridge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol3/pp15-29|title=The city of Cambridge: Modern history {{!}} British History Online|website=www.british-history.ac.uk|language=en|access-date=6 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706163721/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol3/pp15-29|archive-date=6 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The town's castle was fortified and garrisoned with troops and some bridges were destroyed to aid its defence. Although [[Royalist]] forces came within {{convert|2|mi|0|abbr=out}} of the town in 1644, the defences were never used, and the garrison was stood down the following year.<ref name="british-history-66605" />

=== Early-industrial era ===
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = Cambridge Inclosure Act 1807
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of the United Kingdom
| long_title            = An Act for inclosing Lands in the Parish of Saint Andrew the Less, otherwise called Barnwell, in the Town of Cambridge, in the County of Cambridge, and certain Lands in the Parishes of Saint Andrew the Great, Saint Mary the Great, and Saint Mary the Less, or some or one of them, in the said Town of Cambridge, lying intermixed with the Lands in the said Parish of Saint Andrew the Less, otherwise called Barnwell.
| year                  = 1807
| citation              = [[47 Geo. 3 Sess. 2]]. c. ''60'' {{small|Pr.}}
| introduced_commons    = 
| introduced_lords      = 
| territorial_extent    = 
| royal_assent          = 13 August 1807
| commencement          = 
| expiry_date           = 
| repeal_date           = 
| amends                = 
| replaces              = 
| amendments            = 
| repealing_legislation = 
| related_legislation   = 
| status                = 
| legislation_history   = 
| theyworkforyou        = 
| millbankhansard       = 
| original_text         = 
| revised_text          = 
| use_new_UK-LEG        = 
| UK-LEG_title          = 
| collapsed             = yes
}}
In the 19th century, in common with many other English towns, Cambridge expanded rapidly, due in part to increased life expectancy and improved agricultural production leading to increased trade in town markets.<ref name="british-history-66609">{{cite book |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66609 |chapter=The city of Cambridge: Economic history |editor-first=J. P. C. |editor-last=Roach |publisher=Victoria County History |via=Institute of Historical Research |year=1959 |title=A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 3: The City and University of Cambridge |access-date=1 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612161044/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66609 |archive-date=12 June 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Histon and Impington Inclosure Act 1801]] ([[41 Geo. 3. (U.K.)]] c. ''112'' {{small|Pr.}}), the [[Trumpington Inclosure Act 1801]] ([[41 Geo. 3. (U.K.)]] c. ''128'' {{small|Pr.}}), and the '''{{visible anchor|Cambridge Inclosure Act 1807}}''' ([[47 Geo. 3 Sess. 2]]. c. ''60'' {{small|Pr.}}) enabled the town to expand over surrounding open fields.<ref name=VCHgrowth>{{cite book |editor1-last=Roach |editor1-first=J. P. C. |title=A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 3 |date=1959 |publisher=Victoria County History |location=London |pages=109–111 |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol3/pp109-111 |access-date=23 December 2024}}</ref>

The railway came to Cambridge in 1845 after initial resistance, with the opening of the [[Great Eastern Railway]]'s London to Norwich line. The station was outside the town centre following pressure from the university to restrict travel by undergraduates.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol3/pp1-2 |editor-first=J. P. C. |editor-last=Roach |publisher=Victoria Couinty History |via=Institute of Historical Research |year=1959 |chapter=The city of Cambridge |title=A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 3: The City and University of Cambridge |pages=1–2}}</ref> With the arrival of the railway and associated employment came development of areas around the station, such as [[Mill Road, Cambridge|Romsey Town]].<ref>{{citation|title=Bringing it all back home: Changes in Housing and Society 1966–2006|first1=Allan|last1=Brigham|first2=Colin|last2=Wiles|publisher=Chartered Institute of Housing, Eastern Branch|year=2006|url=http://www.colc.co.uk/cambridge/tours/article3.htm|access-date=27 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220174731/http://www.colc.co.uk/cambridge/tours/article3.htm|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The rail link to London stimulated heavier industries, such as the production of brick, cement and [[malt]].<ref name="british-history-66609" />

=== 20th and 21st centuries ===
From the 1930s to the 1980s, the size of the city was increased by several large [[council estate]]s.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15307 |chapter=Chesterton: Introduction |pages=5–13 |editor1-last=Wright |editor1-first=A. P. M. |editor2-last=Lewis |editor2-first=C.P. |publisher=Institute of Historical Research |year=1989 |title=A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 9: Chesterton, Northstowe, and Papworth Hundreds  |series=Victoria History of the Counties of England |access-date=6 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305141125/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15307 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The biggest impact has been on the area north of the river, which are now the estates of [[East Chesterton]], [[King's Hedges]], and [[Arbury]] where [[Archbishop of Canterbury|Archbishop]] [[Rowan Williams]] lived and worked as an assistant priest in the early 1980s.<ref>{{cite book |title=Rowan's Rule: the biography of the Archbishop |first=Rupert |last=Shott |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-340-95433-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3kJbJ7ldSJsC&pg=PT83 |page=83 |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton |location=London |access-date=8 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622030201/https://books.google.com/books?id=3kJbJ7ldSJsC&pg=PT83 |archive-date=22 June 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

During [[World War II]], Cambridge was an important centre for defence of the east coast. The town became a military centre, with an [[RAF]] training centre and the regional headquarters for [[Norfolk]], [[Suffolk]], [[Essex]], [[Cambridgeshire]], [[Huntingdonshire]], [[Hertfordshire]], and [[Bedfordshire]] established during the conflict.<ref name="british-history-66605" /> The town itself escaped relatively lightly from German bombing raids, which were mainly targeted at the railway. 29 people were killed and no historic buildings were damaged. In 1944, a secret meeting of military leaders held in Trinity College laid the foundation for the allied invasion of Europe.<ref name="british-history-66609" /> During the war Cambridge served as an [[Evacuations of civilians in Britain during World War II|evacuation centre]] for over 7,000 people from London, as well as for parts of the [[University of London]].<ref name="british-history-66605" />

Cambridge was granted its [[city status in the United Kingdom|city charter]] in 1951 in recognition of its history, administrative importance and economic success.<ref name="british-history-66605" /> Cambridge does not have a cathedral, traditionally a prerequisite for city status, instead falling within the Church of England [[Diocese of Ely]]. In 1962, Cambridge's first shopping arcade, Bradwell's Court, opened on Drummer Street, though this was demolished in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christslane.co.uk/about/timeline.htm |title=Christ's Lane |publisher=Land Securities |date=n.d. |access-date=13 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907115715/http://www.christslane.co.uk/about/timeline.htm |archive-date=7 September 2008 }}</ref> Other shopping arcades followed at Lion Yard, which housed a relocated Central Library for the city, and the [[Grafton Centre]] which replaced Victorian housing stock which had fallen into disrepair in [[The Kite, Cambridge|the Kite]] area of the city. This latter project was controversial at the time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1467625/Derek-Taunt.html|title=Derek Taunt&nbsp;– Obituary|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=23 July 2004|access-date=26 February 2012|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830224507/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1467625/Derek-Taunt.html|archive-date=30 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

The city gained its second university in 1992 when Anglia Polytechnic became Anglia Polytechnic University. Renamed [[Anglia Ruskin University]] in 2005, the institution has its origins in the Cambridge School of Art opened in 1858 by [[John Ruskin]].

== Governance ==
{{main|Cambridge City Council}}
[[File:Cambridge UK ward map 2010 coloured on Cambridge-Openstreetmap-08-06-13.svg|thumb|upright=1.1|Map showing the 2010 electoral boundaries of the city (prior to 2021 ward boundary changes) with [[postcode district]]s superimposed]]
There are two main tiers of local government covering Cambridge, at [[non-metropolitan district|district]] and [[non-metropolitan county|county]] level: [[Cambridge City Council]] and [[Cambridgeshire County Council]]. Since 2017, both authorities have been members of the [[Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority]]. The [[leader of the council|leader]] of the city council is the city's representative on the combined authority, which is led by the directly-elected [[Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Order 2017|year=2017|number=251|access-date=13 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=31 January 2017|title=Cambridgeshire and Peterborough make devolution history – Politics – Cambridge Independent|url=http://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/politics/cambridgeshire_and_peterborough_make_devolution_history_1_4788095|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131184922/http://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/politics/cambridgeshire_and_peterborough_make_devolution_history_1_4788095|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 January 2017|access-date=22 April 2021}}</ref> The district covers most of the city's urban area, although some suburbs extend into the surrounding [[South Cambridgeshire]] district. The city council's headquarters are in the [[Cambridge Guildhall|Guildhall]], a large building in the market square.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1268372|desc=Guildhall|access-date=4 January 2018|mode=cs2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Council offices |url=https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/council-offices |website=Cambridge City Council |access-date=14 June 2023}}</ref>

=== Westminster ===
{{See also|Cambridge (UK Parliament constituency)}}
The [[British House of Commons|parliamentary]] [[Cambridge (UK Parliament constituency)|constituency of Cambridge]] covers most of the city; [[Daniel Zeichner]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]) has represented the seat since the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]]. The seat was generally held by the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]] until it was won by Labour in 1992, then taken by the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] in 2005 and 2010, before returning to Labour in 2015. A southern area of the city, Queen Edith's ward and Cherry Hinton ward,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.election-maps.co.uk/ |title=Ordnance Survey |publisher=Election maps |access-date=17 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307072911/http://www.election-maps.co.uk/ |archive-date=7 March 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> falls within the [[South Cambridgeshire (UK Parliament constituency)|South Cambridgeshire]] constituency, whose MP is [[Pippa Heylings]] ([[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Lib Dems]]), first elected in 2024.

The University of Cambridge formerly had two seats in the House of Commons; Sir [[Isaac Newton]] was one of the most notable MPs. The [[Cambridge University (UK Parliament constituency)|Cambridge University constituency]] was abolished under 1948 legislation, and ceased at the dissolution of Parliament for the [[1950 United Kingdom general election|1950 general election]], along with the other [[university constituencies]].

===Administrative history===
Cambridge was an [[ancient borough]]. Its earliest known [[municipal charter]] was issued by [[Henry I of England|Henry I]] in the early 12th century.<ref>{{cite book |title=Report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the Municipal Corporations in England and Wales: Appendix 4 |date=1835 |page=2185 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MHBTAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA2185 |access-date=23 December 2024}}</ref> A subsequent charter from [[John, King of England|King John]] in 1207 permitted the appointment of a mayor;<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ceremonial-maces-chain-of-office-city-chest | title=Ceremonial maces, 1207 charter and the city's coat of arms | publisher=Cambridge City Council | access-date=8 June 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016055235/https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ceremonial-maces-chain-of-office-city-chest | archive-date=16 October 2015 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all}}</ref> the first recorded mayor, Harvey FitzEustace, served in 1213.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/council-and-democracy/how-the-council-works/the-mayor/mayors-of-cambridge.en |title=The mayors of Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge City Council |access-date=4 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923003216/http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/council-and-democracy/how-the-council-works/the-mayor/mayors-of-cambridge.en |archive-date=23 September 2009}}</ref> Until the 20th century, the borough covered the same area as Cambridge's fourteen [[ancient parish]]es.{{efn|[[All Saints' Church, Cambridge|All Saints]], [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Cambridge|Holy Sepulchre]], [[Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge|Holy Trinity]], [[St Andrew the Great]], St Andrew the Less, [[St Bene't's Church|St Bene't]], [[St Botolph's Church, Cambridge|St Botolph]], [[St Clement's Church, Cambridge|St Clement]], [[St Edward King and Martyr, Cambridge|St Edward]], [[St Giles' Church, Cambridge|St Giles]], [[Church of St Mary the Great, Cambridge|St Mary the Great]], [[Little St Mary's, Cambridge|St Mary the Less]], [[Michaelhouse, Cambridge|St Michael]], and [[St Peter's Church, Cambridge|St Peter]]}} The borough did not include Cambridge Castle, which was in the neighbouring parish of [[Chesterton, Cambridge|Chesterton]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Parliamentary Papers: Volume 26 |date=1837 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iEwSAAAAYAAJ&pg=PP232 |access-date=23 December 2024}}</ref><ref name=VCHgrowth/>

The borough was reformed to become a [[municipal borough]] in 1836 under the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Municipal Corporations Act |date=1835 |page=456 |url=https://archive.org/details/statutesunitedk35britgoog/page/456/mode/2up |access-date=23 December 2024}}</ref> The borough's responsibilities were primarily judicial and regulatory rather than providing public services or infrastructure. A separate body of [[improvement commissioners]] was established in 1788 to maintain the city's streets, and the commissioners were gradually given other local government functions relating to sewers and public health. The commissioners were abolished in 1889 and their functions taken on by the borough council.<ref>{{cite web |title=Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 15) Act 1889 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Vict/52-53/116/contents/enacted |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=23 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Roach |editor1-first=J. P. C. |title=A History of the County of Cambridge: Volume 3 |date=1959 |publisher=Victoria County History |location=London |pages=101–108 |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol3/pp101-108 |access-date=23 December 2024}}</ref>

The borough was enlarged in 1912 to take in Chesterton to the north and some areas from neighbouring parishes to the south.<ref>{{cite web |title=Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 10) Act 1911 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Geo5/1-2/185/contents/enacted |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=23 December 2024}}</ref> It was extended again in 1934 to take in [[Cherry Hinton]], [[Trumpington]], and parts of several other neighbouring parishes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cambridge Municipal Borough |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10201391#tab02 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=23 December 2024}}</ref> The borough was awarded city status in 1951.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=39201|page=2067|date=13 April 1951}}</ref> In 1974, Cambridge was made a [[non-metropolitan district]]; it kept the same boundaries, which  had last been expanded in 1934, but there were changes to the council's responsibilities.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>

== Geography and environment ==
[[File:cmglee Cambridge aerial.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of Cambridge]]
[[File:Clare Colllege Cambridge.jpg|thumb|Old Court at [[Clare College, Cambridge|Clare College]] as seen from [[The Backs]]]]
Cambridge is situated about {{convert|55|mi|0}} north-by-east of London and {{convert|95|mi|km|abbr=off}} east of Birmingham. The city is located in an area of level and relatively low-lying terrain just south of [[the Fens]], which varies between {{convert|6|and|24|m|ft}} [[above mean sea level|above sea level]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/90641/Cambridge |title=Cambridge (England, United Kingdom) |publisher=Britannica Online Encyclopedia |access-date=13 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112141610/https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/90641/Cambridge |archive-date=12 January 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> The town was thus historically surrounded by low-lying wetlands that have been drained as the town has expanded.<ref name="www.cambridge.gov.uk-2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/SUDS-Design-and-Adoption-Guide.pdf|title=SUDS Design and Adoption Guide|date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220065907/https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/SUDS-Design-and-Adoption-Guide.pdf|archive-date=20 December 2016|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>

The underlying geology of Cambridge consists of [[gault]] clay and [[Chalk Group|Chalk Marl]], known locally as Cambridge Greensand,<ref name="NatEngGeo">{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/geodiversity/englands/counties/area_ID4.aspx |title=England's Geology&nbsp;– Cambridgeshire |work=[[Natural England]] |access-date=27 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021063524/http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/geodiversity/englands/counties/area_ID4.aspx |archive-date=21 October 2009 }}</ref> partly overlaid by [[Gravel|terrace gravel]].<ref name="www.cambridge.gov.uk-2016" /> A layer of [[Phosphate nodule|phosphatic nodules]] ([[coprolites]]) under the marl was mined in the 19th century for fertiliser; this became a major industry in the county, and its profits yielded buildings such as the [[Cambridge Corn Exchange|Corn Exchange]], [[Fulbourn Hospital]], and [[St John's College, Cambridge#College Chapel|St. John's Chapel]] until the Quarries Act 1894 and competition from America ended production.<ref name="NatEngGeo" />

The [[River Cam]] flows through the city from the village of [[Grantchester]], to the southwest. It is bordered by [[water meadows]] within the city such as [[Sheep's Green]] as well as residential development.<ref name="www.cambridge.gov.uk-2016" /> Like most cities, modern-day Cambridge has many suburbs and areas of high-density housing. The city centre of Cambridge is mostly commercial, historic buildings, and large green areas such as Jesus Green, [[Parker's Piece]] and [[Midsummer Common]]. Some of the roads in the centre are pedestrianised.

Population growth has seen new housing developments in the 21st century, with estates such as the CB1<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/projects/cambridge/cambridgegateway/CB1+development.htm |title=CB1 development |publisher=Cambridgshire County Council |access-date=13 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009021937/http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/projects/cambridge/cambridgegateway/CB1%2Bdevelopment.htm |archive-date=9 October 2010 }}</ref> and [[Accordia]] schemes near the station,<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/news-releases/2008/accordia-wins-prize.en |title=Accordia wins top architectural prize |publisher=Cambridge City Council |date=15 October 2008 |access-date=13 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214062115/http://cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/news-releases/2008/accordia-wins-prize.en |archive-date=14 December 2010 }}</ref> and developments such as [[Great Kneighton]], formally known as Clay Farm,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clayfarm.co.uk/vision |title=Vision |publisher=Clay Farm |access-date=13 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109182335/http://www.clayfarm.co.uk/vision |archive-date=9 January 2010 }}</ref> and Trumpington Meadows<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trumpingtonmeadows.com/Home |title=Home |publisher=Trumpington Meadows Land Company |access-date=13 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831131342/http://www.trumpingtonmeadows.com/Home |archive-date=31 August 2009 }}</ref> currently under construction in the south of the city. Other major developments currently being constructed in the city are Darwin Green (formerly [[National Institute of Agricultural Botany|NIAB]]), and University-led developments at [[West Cambridge]] and [[North West Cambridge Development|North West Cambridge]], ([[Eddington, Cambridge|Eddington]]).

The entire city centre, as well as parts of Chesterton, Petersfield, West Cambridge, Newnham, and Abbey, are covered by an Air Quality Management Area, implemented to counter high levels of [[nitrogen dioxide]] in the atmosphere.<ref>{{cite web|title=Air Pollution in Cambridge|url=https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/content/air-pollution-cambridge|publisher=Cambridge City Council|access-date=3 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116082156/https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/content/air-pollution-cambridge|archive-date=16 November 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Climate ===
The city has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfb'').<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=26530&cityname=Cambridge,+England,+United+Kingdom&units=|title=Cambridge, England Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=13 November 2018|archive-date=28 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528155925/https://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=26530&cityname=Cambridge%2C+England%2C+United+Kingdom&units=|url-status=live}}</ref> Cambridge has an official weather observing station, at the [[Cambridge University Botanic Garden]], about {{convert|1|mile|spell=in}} south of the city centre. In addition, the Digital Technology Group of the university's [[Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge|Department of Computer Science and Technology]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Cambridge University Computer Laboratory Digital Technology Group|url=http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/research/dtg/www/|access-date=26 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017141425/http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/research/dtg/www/|archive-date=17 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> maintains a weather station on the [[West Cambridge]] site, displaying current weather conditions online via web browsers or an [[mobile app|app]], and also an archive dating back to 1995.<ref>{{cite web|title = Weather Station, Cambridge University Computer Laboratory Digital Technology Group|url = http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/research/dtg/weather/|access-date = 26 September 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140922085922/http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/research/dtg/weather/|archive-date = 22 September 2014|url-status = live}}</ref>

The city, like most of the UK, has a [[oceanic climate|maritime climate]] highly influenced by the [[Gulf Stream]]. Located in the driest region of Britain,<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7V7pNKAE8AsC&pg=PA1525 |title=Mapping the Distribution of Flowering Plants |first=Franklyn |last=Perring |journal=New Scientist |date=16 June 1960 |page=1525 |access-date=26 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203053122/https://books.google.com/books?id=7V7pNKAE8AsC&pg=PA1525 |archive-date=3 February 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Page.aspx?p=27&ix=2830&pid=0&prcid=0&ppid=0 |title=Climate & Soils |publisher=Cambridge University Botanic Garden |year=2012 |quote=Cambridge is in the driest region of Britain and has a more continental climate than most of Britain. |access-date=26 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401045512/http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Page.aspx?p=27&ix=2830&pid=0&prcid=0&ppid=0 |archive-date=1 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Cambridge's rainfall averages around {{convert|570|mm|2|abbr=on}} per year, around half the national average.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridge-water.co.uk/customers/water-efficiency-strategy |title=Our strategy |publisher=Cambridge Water |year=2012 |quote=We live in one of the driest areas of the UK. The East of England's rainfall of conditions is only half the national average and Cambridge is one of the driest parts of this region. |access-date=26 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327201856/http://www.cambridge-water.co.uk/customers/water-efficiency-strategy |archive-date=27 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The driest recent year was in 2011 with {{convert|380.4|mm|2|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Page.aspx?p=27&ix=2830&pid=0&prcid=0&ppid=0 |title=Climate and Soils |publisher=Cambridge University Botanic Garden |access-date=21 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726111553/http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Page.aspx?p=27&ix=2830&pid=0&prcid=0&ppid=0|archive-date= 26 July 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> of rain at the Botanic Garden and {{convert|347.2|mm|2|abbr=on}} at the NIAB site.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/stationdata/cambridgedata.txt |title=NIAB weather data |publisher=[[Met Office]] |access-date=4 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629215430/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/stationdata/cambridgedata.txt |archive-date=29 June 2011 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> This is just below the [[semi-arid]] precipitation threshold for the area, which is 350&nbsp;mm of annual precipitation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mindat.org/climate-BSh.html|title=Hot semi-arid (steppe) climate|website=www.mindat.org|access-date=3 February 2020|archive-date=1 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401015300/https://www.mindat.org/climate-BSh.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Conversely, 2012 was the wettest year on record, with {{convert|812.7|mm|2|abbr=on}} reported.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/NewsItem.aspx?p=27&ix=116&pid=2722&prcid=4&ppid=2722|title= Wettest year since records began |publisher=Cambridge University Botanic Garden |access-date=4 February 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130703145923/http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/NewsItem.aspx?p=27&ix=116&pid=2722&prcid=4&ppid=2722 |archive-date=3 July 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Snowfall accumulations are usually small, in part because of Cambridge's low elevation, and low precipitation tendency during transitional snow events.

Owing to its low-lying, inland, and easterly position within the British Isles, summer temperatures tend to be somewhat higher than areas further west, and often rival or even exceed those recorded in the London area. Cambridge also often records the annual highest national temperature in any given year&nbsp;– {{convert|30.2|C|F}} in July 2008 at NIAB<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/2008/july.html|title=UK Climate: July 2008|publisher=Met Office|access-date=21 February 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629215447/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/2008/july.html|archive-date=29 June 2011}}</ref> and {{convert|30.1|C|F}} in August 2007 at the Botanic Garden<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=14&year=2007&indexid=TXx&stationid=1639|title=Anomaly details for Station Cambridge (B. GDNS): Maximum value of daily maximum temperature, August 2007|work=[[European Climate Assessment and Dataset]]|access-date=21 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724160218/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=14&year=2007&indexid=TXx&stationid=1639|archive-date=24 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> are two recent examples. Other years include 1876, 1887, 1888, 1892, 1897, 1899 and 1900.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trevorharley.com/hottest-day-of-each-year-from-1875.html|title=Hottest day of each year from 1875|publisher=Trevor Harley|access-date=22 April 2020|archive-date=21 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321181641/https://www.trevorharley.com/hottest-day-of-each-year-from-1875.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The absolute maximum stands at {{convert|39.9|C|F}} recorded on 19 July 2022 at Cambridge University Botanic Garden.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2019/new-official-highest-temperature-in-uk-confirmed |title=New official highest temperature in UK confirmed |access-date=29 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729160459/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2019/new-official-highest-temperature-in-uk-confirmed |archive-date=29 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Before this date, Cambridge held the record for the [[United Kingdom weather records|all-time maximum temperature in the UK]], after recording {{Convert|38.7|C|F|abbr=on}} on 25 July 2019. Typically the temperature will reach {{convert|25.1|C|F}} or higher on over 25 days of the year over the 1981–2010 period,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1981-2010&indexid=SU&stationid=1639|title=Climatology details for station CAMBRIDGE (B. GDNS): Summer days (TX > 25&nbsp;°C)|work=[[European Climate Assessment and Dataset]]|access-date=11 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422030040/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1981-2010&indexid=SU&stationid=1639|archive-date=22 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> with the annual warmest day averaging {{convert|31.5|C|F}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1981-2010&indexid=TXx&stationid=1639|title=Climatology details for station CAMBRIDGE (B. GDNS): Maximum value of daily maximum temperature|work=[[European Climate Assessment and Dataset]]|access-date=11 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422030254/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1981-2010&indexid=TXx&stationid=1639|archive-date=22 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> over the same period.

The absolute minimum temperature recorded at the Botanic Garden site was {{convert|-17.2|C|F}}, recorded in February 1947,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Page.aspx?p=27&ix=2858&pid=2830&prcid=4&ppid=2830|title=Botanic Garden Extremes 1931–60|access-date=21 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726111540/http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Page.aspx?p=27&ix=2858&pid=2830&prcid=4&ppid=2830|archive-date=26 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> although a minimum of {{convert|-17.8|C|F}} was recorded at the now defunct observatory site in December 1879.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.torro.org.uk/site/lowtempsyear.php|title=8 December 1879|access-date=21 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119082325/http://www.torro.org.uk/site/lowtempsyear.php|archive-date=19 January 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> More recently the temperature fell to {{convert|-15.3|C|F}} on 11 February 2012,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metofficenews.wordpress.com/2012/02/11/coldest-temperatures-of-winter-so-far/|title=Coldest temperatures of winter so far|work=Met Office News Blog|date=11 February 2012|access-date=27 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422043637/http://metofficenews.wordpress.com/2012/02/11/coldest-temperatures-of-winter-so-far/|archive-date=22 April 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> {{convert|-12.2|C|F}} on 22 January 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metofficenews.wordpress.com/2013/01/22/overnight-minimum-temperatures/|title=22nd Jan 2013 Temperatures|work=Met Office News Blog|date=22 January 2013|access-date=4 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126094159/http://metofficenews.wordpress.com/2013/01/22/overnight-minimum-temperatures/|archive-date=26 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> and {{convert|-10.9|C|F}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Page.aspx?p=27&ix=2858&pid=2830&prcid=4&ppid=2830|title=December 2010|publisher=Cambridge University Botanic Garden|access-date=21 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726111540/http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Page.aspx?p=27&ix=2858&pid=2830&prcid=4&ppid=2830|archive-date=26 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> on 20 December 2010. The average frequency of air frosts ranges from 42.8 days at the NIAB site,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/u1214b469|title=Cambridge 1981–2010 averages|publisher=Met Office|access-date=11 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905105640/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/u1214b469|archive-date=5 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> to 48.3 days at the Botanic Garden<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1981-2010&indexid=FD&stationid=1639|title=Climatology details for station CAMBRIDGE (B. GDNS): Frost days (TN < 0&nbsp;°C)|work=[[European Climate Assessment and Dataset]]|access-date=11 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422030435/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1981-2010&indexid=FD&stationid=1639|archive-date=22 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> per year over the 1981–2010 period. Typically the coldest night of the year at the Botanic Garden will fall to {{convert|-8.0|C|F}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1981-2010&indexid=TNn&stationid=1639|title=Climatology details for station CAMBRIDGE (B. GDNS): Minimum value of daily minimum temperature|work=[[European Climate Assessment and Dataset]]|access-date=11 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422030359/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1981-2010&indexid=TNn&stationid=1639|archive-date=22 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Such minimum temperatures and frost averages are typical for inland areas across much of southern and central England.

Sunshine averages around 1,500 hours a year or around 35% of possible, a level typical of most locations in inland central England.

{{Cambridge weatherbox}}

=== Ecology ===
The city contains three [[Site of Special Scientific Interest|Sites of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSIs), at Cherry Hinton East Pit, Cherry Hinton West Pit, and Travellers Pit,<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Nature-Conservation-Strategy_0.pdf |title=Cambridge City Nature Conservation Strategy "Enhancing Biodiversity" |date=September 2006|vauthors=((The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire & Peterborough)) |publisher=Cambridge City Council|access-date=16 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818014957/https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Nature-Conservation-Strategy_0.pdf|archive-date=18 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> and ten [[Local nature reserve|Local Nature Reserves]] (LNRs): Sheep's Green and Coe Fen,
Coldham's Common, Stourbridge Common, Nine Wells, Byron's Pool, West Pit, Paradise, Barnwell West, Barnwell East, and Logan's Meadow.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cambridge City Local Nature Reserves|url=http://lnr.cambridge.gov.uk/visit-the-cambridge-nature-reserves/|publisher=Cambridge City Council|access-date=16 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818020639/http://lnr.cambridge.gov.uk/visit-the-cambridge-nature-reserves/|archive-date=18 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Green belt ===
{{further|Cambridge Green Belt}}
Cambridge is completely enclosed by [[Green belt (United Kingdom)|green belt]] as a part of a wider environmental and planning policy first defined in 1965 and formalised in 1992.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Origins of the Cambridge Green Belt|url=https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/rd-strat-400.pdf|website=www.cambridge.gov.uk|first=Anthony J.|last=Cooper|access-date=14 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215023734/https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/rd-strat-400.pdf|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Green belt final|url=https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/sites/default/files/PS.EVR4%20-%20Green%20Belt%20-%20FINAL.pdf|website=www.eastcambs.gov.uk|access-date=14 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215083716/https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/sites/default/files/PS.EVR4%20-%20Green%20Belt%20-%20FINAL.pdf|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> While some small tracts of green belt exist on the fringes of the city's boundary, much of the protection is in the surrounding South Cambridgeshire<ref>{{cite web|title=CAMBRIDGE GREEN BELT STUDY A Vision of the Future for Cambridge in its Green Belt Setting|url=https://www.scambs.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Cambridge-Green-Belt-Study.pdf|website=www.scambs.gov.uk|access-date=14 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215023736/https://www.scambs.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Cambridge-Green-Belt-Study.pdf|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> and nearby [[East Cambridgeshire]]<ref>{{cite web|title=East Cambridgeshire Local Plan – April 2015|url=https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Local%20Plan%20April%202015%20-%20front%20cover%20and%20inside%20front%20cover_0.pdf|website=www.eastcambs.gov.uk|access-date=14 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215023752/https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Local%20Plan%20April%202015%20-%20front%20cover%20and%20inside%20front%20cover_0.pdf|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> districts, helping to maintain local green space, prevent further [[urban sprawl]] and unplanned expansion of the city, as well as protecting smaller outlying villages from further convergence with each other as well as the city.<ref>{{cite web|title=LDA Design – Cambridge Inner Belt Boundary Study|url=https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/public/ldf/coredocs/rd-mc-030-part1.pdf|website=www.cambridge.gov.uk|access-date=14 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215023849/https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/public/ldf/coredocs/rd-mc-030-part1.pdf|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Demography ==
[[File:Cambridge population pyramid.svg|thumb|Population pyramid of Cambridge in 2021]]
[[File:UK born and foreign born population pyramid in Cambridge in 2021.svg|thumb|UK born and foreign born population pyramid in Cambridge in 2021]]
At the 2011 census, the population of the Cambridge contiguous built-up area (urban area) was 158,434,<ref>{{NOMIS2011|id=E34004798|title=Cambridge BUA|access-date=18 June 2020}}</ref> while that of the City Council area was 123,867.<ref>{{NOMIS2011 |id=E07000008 |title=Cambridge Local Authority|access-date=30 March 2020}}</ref>

In the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 Census]] held during University term, 89.44% of Cambridge residents identified themselves as white, compared with a national average of 92.12%.<ref>2001 Census (Ethnic group, Cambridge local authority). Office For National Statistics.</ref> Within the university, 84% of undergraduates and 80% of post-graduates identified as white (including overseas students).<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/press/factsheets/ethnicity.html
 |date=26 October 2007
|title=Fact sheet: Ethnicity
 |publisher=University of Cambridge
 |access-date=17 January 2008
|url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101185656/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/press/factsheets/ethnicity.html
 |archive-date=1 January 2008
}}</ref>

Cambridge has a much higher than average proportion of people in the highest paid professional, managerial or administrative jobs (32.6% vs. 23.5%)<ref name=2001CensusASG>ONS 2001 Census (Approximated Social Grade&nbsp;– Workplace Population, Cambridge local authority)</ref> and a much lower than average proportion of manual workers (27.6% vs. 40.2%).<ref name=2001CensusASG /> In addition, 41.2% have a higher-level qualification (e.g. degree, [[Higher National Diploma]], Master's or PhD), much higher than the national average proportion (19.7%).<ref>ONS 2001 Census (Qualifications, Cambridge local authority)</ref>

[[Centre for Cities]] identified Cambridge as the UK's most unequal city in 2017 and 2018. Residents' income was the least evenly distributed of 57 British cities measured, with its top 6% earners accounting for 19% of its total income and the bottom 20% for only 2%, and a [[Gini coefficient]] of 0.460 in 2018.<ref>{{cite news
 |work=The Observer
 |last1=Ferguson
 |first1=Donna
 |url=http://theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/04/cambridge-most-unequal-city-population-divide-income-disparity
 |title=Cambridge tops the league … as Britain's most unequal city
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729003941/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/04/cambridge-most-unequal-city-population-divide-income-disparity
 |archive-date=29 July 2019
|date=4 February 2018
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 |last1=Shennan
 |first1=Sophie
 |work=Varsity
 |url=http://www.varsity.co.uk/news/14625
 |title=Cambridge ranked most unequal city in the UK
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729005956/https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/14625
 |archive-date=29 July 2019
|date=2 February 2018
}}</ref>

=== Historical population ===
{| class="wikitable" style="border:none;"
|-
! Year || colspan="2"|Population
| rowspan="13" style="border:none;padding:1em;"|
! Year || colspan="2"|Population
|-
| 1749 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 6,131||0.001}}
| 1901 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 38,379||0.001}}
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|⋮
| 1911 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 40,027||0.001}}
|-
| 1801 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 10,087||0.001}}
| 1921 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 59,212||0.001}}
|-
| 1811 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 11,108||0.001}}
| 1931 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 66,789||0.001}}
|-
| 1821 || style="text-align:left;"|{{bartable| 14,142||0.001}}
| 1951 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 81,500||0.001}}
|-
| 1831 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 20,917||0.001}}
| 1961 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 95,527||0.001}}
|-
| 1841 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 24,453||0.001}}
| 1971 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 99,168||0.001}}
|-
| 1851 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 27,815||0.001}}
| 1981 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 87,209||0.001}}
|-
| 1861 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 26,361||0.001}}
| 1991 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable|107,496||0.001}}
|-
| 1871 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 30,078||0.001}}
| 2001 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable|108,863||0.001}}
|-
| 1891 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable| 36,983||0.001}}
| 2011 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable|123,900||0.001}}
|}

<small>
Local census 1749<ref>{{Citation|title=The History of the County of Cambridgeshire|first=Edmund|last=Carter|year=1753|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BqI9AAAAcAAJ&pg=PA13|quote=...6131 souls; as they were collected from house to house in July and August in the year 1749|access-date=8 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203053122/https://books.google.com/books?id=BqI9AAAAcAAJ&pg=PA13|archive-date=3 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
Census: Regional District 1801–1901<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10155071 |title=Cambridge Civil Parish |publisher=Vision of Britain |access-date=26 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220123401/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10155071 |archive-date=20 December 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Civil Parish 1911–1961<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10011383 |title=Cambridge Civil Parish |publisher=Vision of Britain |access-date=26 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220123352/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10011383 |archive-date=20 December 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>
District 1971–2011<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10057243 |title=Cambridge Civil Parish |publisher=Vision of Britain |access-date=26 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220123300/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10057243 |archive-date=20 December 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>
</small>

=== Ethnicity ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! rowspan="3" |Ethnic Group
! colspan="8" |Year
|-
! colspan="2" |1991<ref>Data is taken from United Kingdom [http://casweb.ukdataservice.ac.uk/index.htm Casweb Data services] of the United Kingdom [http://casweb.ukdataservice.ac.uk/step1.cfm 1991 Census on Ethnic Data for England, Scotland and Wales] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405213012/http://casweb.ukdataservice.ac.uk/step1.cfm |date=5 April 2022 }} (Table 6)</ref>
! colspan="2" |2001<ref>{{cite web |title=Office of National Statistics; 2001 Census Key Statistics |url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20160105160709/http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/census-2001-key-statistics/local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/local-authorities-ks06--ethnic-group.xls |access-date=2021-09-07 |website=webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2011<ref>{{Cite web |title=2011 Census: Ethnic Group, local authorities in England and Wales |url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20160105160709/http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-for-local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/rft-table-ks201ew.xls |access-date=2021-12-15 |website=webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2021<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ethnic group – Office for National Statistics |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/TS021/editions/2021/versions/1/filter-outputs/d2f0a39a-75b6-4995-b4bd-a5b68ff79027#get-data |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=www.ons.gov.uk}}</ref>
|-
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
![[White people in the United Kingdom|White]]: Total
!86,519
!94.1%
!97,365
!89.4%
!102,205
!82.5%
!108,570
!74.6%
|-
|White: [[White British|British]]
|–
|–
|85,472
|78.5%
|81,742
|66.0%
|77,195
|53.0%
|-
|White: [[White Irish|Irish]]
|–
|–
|1,708
|1.6%
|1,767
|1.4%
|1,885
|1.3%
|-
|White: [[White Gypsy or Irish Traveller|Gypsy or Irish Traveller]]
|–
|–
|
|
|109
|0.1%
|110
|0.1%
|-
|White: Roma
|
|
|
|
|
|
|885
|0.6%
|-
|White: [[Other White|Other]]
|–
|–
|10,185
|9.4%
|18,587
|15.0%
|28,495
|19.6%
|-
![[British Asian|Asian or Asian British]]: Total
!3,371
!3.7%
!6,410,
!5.9%
!13,618,
!11%
!21,626
!14.9%
|-
|Asian or Asian British: [[British Indians|Indian]]
|906
|1.0%
|1,952
|1.8%
|3,413
|2.8%
|5,916
|4.1%
|-
|Asian or Asian British: [[British Pakistanis|Pakistani]]
|248
|0.3%
|513
|0.5%
|742
|0.7%
|1,500
|1.0%
|-
|Asian or Asian British: [[British Bangladeshis|Bangladeshi]]
|438
|0.4%
|976
|0.9%
|1,849
|1.7%
|2,874
|2.0%
|-
|Asian or Asian British: [[British Chinese|Chinese]]
|909
|1.0%
|2,325
|2.1%
|4,454
|3.6%
|6,362
|4.4%
|-
|Asian or Asian British: Other Asian
|870
|0.9%
|644
|0.6%
|3,160
|2.6%
|4,974
|3.4%
|-
![[Black British people|Black or Black British]]: Total
!1,080
!1.2%
!1,461
!1.3%
!2,097
!1.7%
!3,561
!2.4%
|-
|Black or Black British: [[British African-Caribbean people|African]]
|315
|
|786
|
|1,300
|
|2,519
|1.7%
|-
|Black or Black British: [[British African-Caribbean people|Caribbean]]
|454
|
|547
|
|598
|
|639
|0.4%
|-
|Black or Black British: [[Classification of ethnicity in the United Kingdom|Other Black]]
|311
|
|128
|
|199
|
|403
|0.3%
|-
![[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed or British Mixed]]: Total
!–
!–
!2,141
!2%
!3,944
!3.2%
!7,410
!5.2%
|-
|Mixed: White and Black Caribbean
|–
|–
|454
|
|728
|
|1,152
|0.8%
|-
|Mixed: White and Black African
|–
|–
|214
|
|470
|
|1,010
|0.7%
|-
|Mixed: White and Asian
|–
|–
|735
|
|1,501
|
|2,987
|2.1%
|-
|Mixed: Other Mixed
|–
|–
|738
|
|1,245
|
|2,261
|1.6%
|-
!Other: Total
!963
!1%
!1,486
!1.4%
!2,003
!1.6%
!4,507
!3.1%
|-
|Other: Arab
|–
|–
|–
|–
|908
|
|1,141
|0.8%
|-
|Other: Any other ethnic group
|963
|1%
|1,486
|1.4%
|1,095
|
|3,366
|2.3%
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
!Total
!91,933
!100%
!108,863
!100%
!123,867
!100%
!145,674
!100%
|}

=== Religion ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! rowspan="2" |Religion
! colspan="2" |2001<ref>{{Cite web |title=KS007 – Religion – Nomis – 2001 |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/datasets/ks007 |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=www.nomisweb.co.uk}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2011<ref>{{Cite web |title=KS209EW (Religion) – Nomis – 2011 |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/census/2011/ks209ew |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=www.nomisweb.co.uk}}</ref>
! colspan="2" | 2021<ref>{{cite web |date=29 Nov 2022 |title=Religion – 2021 census |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/TS030/editions/2021/versions/1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129115419/https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/TS030/editions/2021/versions/1 |archive-date=29 Nov 2022 |access-date=16 Dec 2022 |website=Office of National Statistics}}</ref>
|-
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
!Holds religious beliefs
!69,433
!63.8
!65,828
!53.1
!66,225
!45.5
|-
|[[File:Gold Christian Cross no Red.svg|26x26px]] [[Christians|Christian]]
| align="right" |62,764
| align="right" |57.7
| align="right" |55,514
| align="right" |44.8
| align="right" |51,335
| align="right" |35.2
|-
|[[File:Dharma Wheel.svg|20x20px]] [[Buddhism|Buddhist]]
| align="right" |1,139
| align="right" |1.0
| align="right" |1,573
| align="right" |1.3
| align="right" |1,668
| align="right" |1.1
|-
|[[File:Om.svg|21x21px]] [[Hinduism|Hindu]]
| align="right" |1,293
| align="right" |1.2
| align="right" |2,058
| align="right" |1.7
| align="right" |3,301
| align="right" |2.3
|-
|[[File:Star of David.svg|23x23px]] [[Jews|Jewish]]
| align="right" |850
| align="right" |0.8
| align="right" |870
| align="right" |0.7
| align="right" |1,057
| align="right" |0.7
|-
|[[File:Star and Crescent.svg|20x20px]] [[Muslim]]
| align="right" |2,651
| align="right" |2.4
| align="right" |4,897
| align="right" |4.0
| align="right" |7,392
| align="right" |5.1
|-
|[[File:Khanda.svg|24x24px]] [[Sikhism|Sikh]]
| align="right" |205
| align="right" |0.2
| align="right" |213
| align="right" |0.2
| align="right" |322
| align="right" |0.2
|-
|Other religion
| align="right" |531
| align="right" |0.5
| align="right" |703
| align="right" |0.6
| align="right" |1,122
| align="right" |0.8
|-
!No religion
! align="right" |28,965
! align="right" |26.6
! align="right" |46,839
! align="right" |37.8
! align="right" |65,160
! align="right" |44.7
|-
!Religion not stated
! align="right" |10,465
! align="right" |9.6
! align="right" |11,200
! align="right" |9.0
! align="right" |14,315
! align="right" |9.8
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
!Total population
! align="right" |108,863
! align="right" |100.0
! align="right" |123,867
! align="right" |100.0
! align="right" |145,700
! align="right" |100.0
|}

== Economy ==
[[File:S95MarketCambridgefromGreatStMarys.jpg|thumb|Cambridge Market as seen from the Tower of [[Church of St Mary the Great, Cambridge|St. Mary the Great]]]]
The town's river link to the surrounding agricultural land, and good road connections to London in the south meant Cambridge has historically served as an important regional trading post. King [[Henry I of England|Henry I]] granted Cambridge a monopoly on river trade, privileging this area of the economy of Cambridge.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Story of Cambridge |first=Stephanie |last=Boyd |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-62897-6|year=2005}}</ref> The town [[Market Hill, Cambridge|market]] provided for trade in a wide variety of goods and annual trading fairs such as [[Stourbridge Fair]] and [[Midsummer Fair]] were visited by merchants from across the country. The river was described in an account of 1748 as being "often so full of [merchant boats] that the navigation thereof is stopped for some time".<ref name="Gentleman1748">{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CvoqAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA64 |journal=The London Magazine, or, Gentleman's Monthly Intelligencer |page=64 |title=A description of Cambridge |date=January 1748 |volume=17 |author1=Kimber, Isaac |author2=Kimber, Edward |location=London |publisher=R. Baldwin |access-date=29 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203053122/https://books.google.com/books?id=CvoqAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA64 |archive-date=3 February 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> For example, 2000 [[wikt:Special:Search/firkin|firkins]] of butter were brought up the river every Monday from the agricultural lands to the northeast, particularly [[Norfolk]], to be unloaded in the town for road transportation to London.<ref name="Gentleman1748" /> Changing patterns of retail distribution and the advent of the railways led to a decline in Cambridge's importance as a market town.<ref>{{cite book |title=A History of the University of Cambridge |volume=3 |first=Peter |last=Searby |page=705 |isbn=978-0-521-35060-0 |year=1997 |publisher=Cambridge University Press}}</ref>

Cambridge today has a diverse economy with strength in sectors such as research and development, software consultancy, high value engineering, creative industries, pharmaceuticals and tourism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3B0B3A7B-E448-4D61-A853-0B5A1A467969/0/CambridgeCityDistrictReport2011.pdf |title=Cambridge City&nbsp;– Annual demographic and socio-economic report |page=17 |date=April 2011 |publisher=Cambridgeshire County Council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828063418/http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3B0B3A7B-E448-4D61-A853-0B5A1A467969/0/CambridgeCityDistrictReport2011.pdf |archive-date=28 August 2013 }}</ref> Described as one of the "most beautiful cities in the world" by ''[[Forbes]]'' in 2010,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.forbes.com/2010/01/22/paris-london-travel-lifestyle-travel-tourism-new-york-top-ten-cities.html | work=Forbes | first=Tim | last=Kiladze | title=World's Most Beautiful Cities | date=22 January 2010 | access-date=22 August 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729120127/https://www.forbes.com/2010/01/22/paris-london-travel-lifestyle-travel-tourism-new-york-top-ten-cities.html | archive-date=29 July 2017 | url-status=live}}</ref> with the view from [[The Backs]] being selected as one of the 10 greatest in England by [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] chair [[Simon Jenkins]]. Tourism generates over £750&nbsp;million for the city's economy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/business/business-news/dramatic-increase-tourisms-contribution-cambridge-13139177|title=Dramatic increase in tourism's contribution to the Cambridge economy revealed|last=Gooding|first=Matt|date=5 June 2017|work=cambridgenews|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213021958/https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/business/business-news/dramatic-increase-tourisms-contribution-cambridge-13139177|archive-date=13 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cambridge and its surrounds are sometimes referred to as [[Silicon Fen]], an allusion to [[Silicon Valley]], because of the density of high-tech businesses and [[business incubator|technology incubators]] that have developed on [[science park]]s around the city. Many of these parks and buildings are owned or leased by university colleges, and the companies often have been spun out of the university.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukspa.org.uk/science_parks/content/1059/cambridge_science_park |title=Science Parks &#124; Cambridge Science Park |work=United Kingdom Science Park Association |year=2012 |quote=many companies on the park have spun out of Cambridge University...the majority of the companies on the Cambridge Science Park have active links and research partnerships with the University |access-date=29 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130154419/http://www.ukspa.org.uk/science_parks/content/1059/cambridge_science_park |archive-date=30 January 2012 }}</ref> [[Cambridge Science Park]], which is the largest commercial R&D centre in Europe, is owned by [[Trinity College, Cambridge|Trinity College]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukspa.org.uk/science_parks/content/1059/cambridge_science_park |title=Science Parks &#124; Cambridge Science Park |work=United Kingdom Science Park Association |year=2012 |quote=Cambridge Science Park is Europe's longest-serving and largest centre for commercial research and development... |access-date=29 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130154419/http://www.ukspa.org.uk/science_parks/content/1059/cambridge_science_park |archive-date=30 January 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridgesciencepark.co.uk/about/history/ |title=History |publisher=[[Cambridge Science Park]] |access-date=14 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205065533/http://www.cambridgesciencepark.co.uk/about/history/ |archive-date=5 February 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[St John's College, Cambridge|St John's]] is the landlord of [[St John's Innovation Centre]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stjohns.co.uk/about/history/ |title=History |publisher=St John's Innovation Centre |access-date=19 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707012502/http://www.stjohns.co.uk/about/history/ |archive-date=7 July 2011 }}</ref> Technology companies include [[Abcam plc|Abcam]], [[CSR plc|CSR]], [[ARM Limited]], [[Cambridge Semiconductor Limited|CamSemi]], [[Jagex]] and [[Sinclair Research Ltd|Sinclair]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk/directory/ou_spinout/ |title=Directory of Cambridge Network Members&nbsp;– Cambridge University Spin Out |work=Cambridge Network |year=2012 |access-date=29 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429102928/http://www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk/directory/ou_spinout/ |archive-date=29 April 2007 }}</ref> [[Microsoft]] has located its [[Microsoft Research]] UK offices in [[West Cambridge]], separate from the main Microsoft UK campus in [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], and also has an office on Station Road.

Cambridge was also the home of [[Pye Ltd]], founded in 1898 by W. G. Pye, who worked in the [[Cavendish Laboratory]]; it began by supplying the university and later specialised in wireless telegraphy equipment, radios, televisions and also defence equipment.<ref name="british-history-66609" /> Pye Ltd evolved into several other companies including [[TETRA]] radio equipment manufacturer [[Sepura]]. Another major business is [[Marshall Aerospace]] located on the eastern edge of the city. The [[Cambridge Network]] keeps businesses in touch with each other.

== Transport ==
{{Main|Transport in Cambridge}}

=== Air ===
[[Cambridge City Airport]] has no scheduled services and is used mainly by charter and training flights<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cambridgeairport.com/ |title=Cambridge City Airport |access-date=21 March 2020 |url-status=dead |website=cambridgeairport.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218142116/https://cambridgeairport.com/ |archive-date=18 February 2020 }}</ref> and by [[Marshall Aerospace]] for aircraft maintenance. [[London Stansted Airport]], about {{convert|30|mi|km}} south via the [[M11 motorway|M11]] or direct rail, offers a broad range of international destinations.

=== Cycling ===
[[File:New bike racks, Cambridge station - geograph.org.uk - 3109595.jpg|thumb|Cycle racks at Cambridge railway station]]

The city lies on fairly flat land and has the highest level of cycle use in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605201526/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/SearchRes.asp?term=KS15&btnSubmit=Search|url-status=dead|title=Home – Office for National Statistics|archivedate=5 June 2009|website=www.ons.gov.uk}}</ref> According to the 2001 census, 25% of residents travelled to work by bicycle. Furthermore, a survey in 2013 found that 47% of residents travel by bike at least once a week.<ref>[http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/News/Cambridge-retains-cycling-capital-title-in-nationwide-survey-20130416110617.htm Cambridge retains 'cycling capital' title in nationwide survey | Cambridge News | Latest News Headlines From Cambridge City & Cambridgeshire | National News By] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419062221/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/News/Cambridge-retains-cycling-capital-title-in-nationwide-survey-20130416110617.htm |date=19 April 2013}}. Cambridge News (16 April 2013). Retrieved on 15 July 2013.</ref>

=== Railway ===
[[File:Cambridge station building.JPG|thumb|Cambridge railway station]]

[[Cambridge railway station]] was opened in 1845.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Fellowes|first1=Reginald B|title=Railways to Cambridge – actual and proposed)|date=1948|publisher=Oleander Press|location=Cambridge, UK|isbn=0-902675-62-1|page=10|edition=1976 reprint}}</ref> Trains run to {{rws|King's Lynn}} and {{rws|Ely}} (via the [[Fen Line]]), {{rws|Norwich}} (via the [[Breckland Line]]), {{rws|Leicester}}, {{rws|Birmingham New Street}}, {{stnlnk|Peterborough}}, {{stnlnk|Stevenage}}, {{stnlnk|Ipswich}}, {{rws|Stansted Airport}}, {{rws|Brighton}} and {{rws|Gatwick Airport}}.

The station has direct rail links to London with termini at {{rws|London King's Cross}} (via the [[Cambridge Line]] and the [[East Coast Main Line]]), {{rws|Liverpool Street}} (on the [[West Anglia Main Line]]) and {{rws|St Pancras}} (on the [[Thameslink]] line). Fast trains to London King's Cross run every half-hour during peak hours, with a journey time of 53 minutes, and these are supplemented by semi-fast trains to Brighton via London St Pancras, and slow trains to London King's Cross.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greatnorthernrail.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/-/media/goahead/gtr-all-timetables/gn-timetables---10-dec-2017-to-19-may-2018/gn1712a06-web.pdf|title=Train Timetables|publisher=Great Northern|access-date=17 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113093145/https://www.greatnorthernrail.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/-/media/goahead/gtr-all-timetables/gn-timetables---10-dec-2017-to-19-may-2018/gn1712a06-web.pdf|archive-date=13 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The station's original line to London was to {{rws|Bishopsgate}}, via {{rws|Bishops Stortford}}.

A second railway station, [[Cambridge North railway station|Cambridge North]], opened on 21 May 2017; it was originally planned to open in March 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/first-train-arrives-cambridge-north-13067120|title=First train arrives at Cambridge North station – but it took 30 years to get there|last1=Brown|first1=Raymond|date=21 May 2017|access-date=21 May 2017|newspaper=Cambridge Evening News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521113715/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/first-train-arrives-cambridge-north-13067120|archive-date=21 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/PICTURES-step-opening-Cambridges-second-railway-station-work-starts-guided-busway-extension/story-22370634-detail/story.html|title=PICTURES: First step towards opening of Cambridge's second railway station as work starts on guided busway extension|date=23 July 2014|work=Cambridge News|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905005943/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/PICTURES-step-opening-Cambridges-second-railway-station-work-starts-guided-busway-extension/story-22370634-detail/story.html|archive-date=5 September 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/Cambridges-new-railway-station-to-open-in-2015-21022012.htm|title=Cambridge's new railway station 'to open in 2015'|date=21 February 2012|newspaper=Cambridge News|access-date=27 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224071720/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/Cambridges-new-railway-station-to-open-in-2015-21022012.htm|archive-date=24 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> A third railway station, {{rws|Cambridge South}}, near Addenbrooke's Hospital is now under construction;<ref>{{cite news |last=Cox |first=Tara |title=2025 opening for Cambridge South station is 'unacceptable' |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/cambridge-south-station-james-palmer-14664599 |access-date=31 May 2018 |publisher=Local World |date=16 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517010234/https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/cambridge-south-station-james-palmer-14664599 |archive-date=17 May 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> it is expected to open in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/cambridge-south-stations-preferred-location-s |title=Cambridge South station's preferred location selected |publisher=Network Rail |access-date=22 June 2020 |archive-date=25 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625003251/https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/cambridge-south-stations-preferred-location-s |url-status=live}}</ref> The former station of {{rws|Cherryhinton}}, for [[Cherry Hinton]], operated when it was separate village to Cambridge.

Several railway lines were closed during the 1960s, including the [[Cambridge and St Ives branch line]], the [[Stour Valley Railway]], the [[Cambridge to Mildenhall railway]] and the [[Varsity Line]] to [[Oxford railway station|Oxford]].

=== Road ===
Areas outside the centre are car dependent causing [[traffic congestion]] in the drivable parts of centre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridgefutures.org/futures2/report1.htm |title=Cambridge Futures 2 – Report |publisher=Cambridgefutures.org |access-date=26 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130191440/http://www.cambridgefutures.org/futures2/report1.htm |archive-date=30 January 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[M11 motorway]] from east London terminates to the north-west of the city where it joins the [[A14 road (England)|A14]], a road from the port of [[Felixstowe]] to [[Rugby, Warwickshire|Rugby]]. The [[A428 road|A428]] connects the city with the [[A1 road (Great Britain)|A1]] at [[St Neots]] as the [[A421 road|A421]] (via [[Bedford, Bedfordshire|Bedford]] and [[Milton Keynes]]) on to [[Oxford]]. The [[A10 road (England)|A10]] connects via [[Ely, Cambridgeshire|Ely]] to [[King's Lynn]] to the north and the historic route south to the [[City of London]].

=== Buses ===
[[File:Guided bus from Trumpington - geograph.org.uk - 2543891.jpg|thumb|The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway]]

Cambridge has five [[Park and Ride]] sites, all of which operate seven days a week and are aimed at encouraging motorists to park near the city's edge.<ref>[http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/around/parkandride Cambridge park-and-ride]. Cambridgeshire County Council. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308123636/http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/around/parkandride |date=8 March 2013 }}</ref> Since 2011, the [[Cambridgeshire Guided Busway]] has carried bus services into the centre of Cambridge from [[St Ives, Cambridgeshire|St Ives]], [[Huntingdon]] and other towns and villages along the routes, operated by [[Stagecoach in the Fens]] and [[Whippet (bus company)|Whippet]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Busway – Routes and Times |url=http://www.thebusway.info/routes-and-times.aspx |publisher=Cambridgeshire County Council |access-date=29 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225184459/http://www.thebusway.info/routes-and-times.aspx |archive-date=25 December 2014 }}</ref> The A service continues on to the railway station and [[Addenbrooke's Hospital|Addenbrookes]], before terminating at a new Park and Ride in [[Trumpington]]. Since 2017, it has also linked to Cambridge North railway station.

Service 905 provides a connection with [[Oxford]], although passengers wishing to continue beyond [[Bedford]] have to change to service X5; both services are operated by [[Stagecoach East]] and run daily.

=== Future plans ===
In February 2020, consultations opened for a transport system known as the [[Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro]]. It would have connected the historic city centre and the existing busway route with the mainline railway stations, [[Cambridge Science Park]] and [[Haverhill, Suffolk|Haverhill]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-47628185 |title=BBC News |date=19 March 2019 |access-date=14 July 2020 |archive-date=29 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429102108/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-47628185 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2021 the newly elected mayor said he was focused instead on a "revamped bus network" but would not yet abandon the work done. {{As of|November 2022}}, the [[Greater Cambridge Partnership]] is consulting on plans comprising: transforming the bus network; investing in other sustainable travel schemes; and introducing a [[Cambridge Congestion Charge]] as part of a Sustainable Travel Zone.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consultcambs.uk.engagementhq.com/making-connections-2022 |title=GCP Making Connections 2022 |publisher=Greater Cambridge Partnership |date=2022-11-24 |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=engagementhq.com}}</ref>

In 2024, Cambridge Connect proposed repurposing the planned route of the canceled metro as a [[light railway]]. Known as the [[Isaac Newton line]], it would connect the mainline railway stations with Cambourne, the guided busway station at [[Trumpington]], Haverhill, [[Addenbrookes Hospital]], and a new station in Cambridge city centre.<ref>[https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/calls-5million-government-put-cambridge-29736365 Isaac Newton line]</ref>

== Education ==
{{See also|List of schools in Cambridgeshire}}
[[File:Anglia Ruskin Cambridge Main, 28 Sep, 2012.jpg|thumb|[[Anglia Ruskin University]] evolved from the 19th century Cambridge School of Art, which was opened in 1858 by educationist and art figure [[John Ruskin]].]]
Cambridge's two universities,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/public/docs/Draft%20housing%20strategy%202009.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319223252/http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/public/docs/Draft%20housing%20strategy%202009.pdf |archive-date=19 March 2012 |title=Draft housing strategy 2009–2010 |publisher=Cambridge City Council |access-date=28 September 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the collegiate [[University of Cambridge]] and the local campus of [[Anglia Ruskin University]], serve around 30,000 students, by some estimates.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=6388 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114025558/http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=6388 |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 January 2013 |title=Cambridge |publisher=The Complete University Guide |access-date=28 September 2009}}</ref> Cambridge University stated its 2020/21 student population was 24,270,<ref>{{cite web |date= 19 July 2022|title=Cambridge at a glance |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/cambridge-at-a-glance |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617185758/https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/cambridge-at-a-glance |archive-date=June 17, 2023 |access-date=June 17, 2023 |website=University of Cambridge }}</ref> and Anglia Ruskin reports 24,000 students across its two campuses (one of which is outside Cambridge, in [[Chelmsford]]) for the same period.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/your_university/about_anglia_ruskin/annual_review_0708.Maincontent.0002.file.tmp/Annual%20Review%2007-08%20web.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/your_university/about_anglia_ruskin/annual_review_0708.Maincontent.0002.file.tmp/Annual%20Review%2007-08%20web.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=Annual Review 2007–8 |publisher=Anglia Ruskin University |access-date=28 September 2009}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> ARU now (2019) has additional campuses in London and Peterborough. State provision in the [[further education]] sector includes [[Hills Road Sixth Form College]], [[Long Road Sixth Form College]], and [[Cambridge Regional College]]. The [[Open University]] had a presence in the city between 1979 and 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Findlay |first=Cait |date=2023-05-15 |title=Former Open University building in Cambridge to become swimming pool and offices |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/property/former-cambridge-open-university-building-26917421 |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=Cambridgeshire Live |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-11-26 |title=The Open University in the East of England |url=https://www5.open.ac.uk/estates/our-estate/cambridge |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=Estates |language=en |archive-date=17 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117155835/https://www5.open.ac.uk/estates/our-estate/cambridge |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-15 |title=Open University set to shut seven regional centres |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/open-university-set-shut-seven-regional-centres |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref>

Both state and [[Private schools in the United Kingdom|private schools]] serve Cambridge pupils from nursery to secondary school age. State schools are administered by Cambridgeshire County Council, which maintains 251 schools in total,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/education/schools/ |title=Our schools and colleges |access-date=28 September 2009 |publisher=Cambridgeshire County Council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402122811/http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/education/schools |archive-date=2 April 2009}}</ref> 35 of them in Cambridge city.<ref>{{cite news |title=Educational establishments in Cambridgeshire |publisher=Cambridgeshire County Council }}</ref> [[Netherhall School]], [[Chesterton Community College]], the Parkside Federation (comprising [[Parkside Community College]] and [[Coleridge Community College]]), [[North Cambridge Academy]] and the Christian inter-denominational [[St Bede's Inter-Church School|St Bede's School]] provide [[comprehensive school|comprehensive]] secondary education.<ref>{{Cite news |url= http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_crier/displayarticle.asp?id=444678 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20120729163405/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_crier/displayarticle.asp?id=444678 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 29 July 2012 |title=It's a record breaker for GCSE students |date=27 August 2009 |access-date=28 September 2009 |first=John |last=Morgan |newspaper=Cambridge News}}</ref> Many other pupils from the Cambridge area attend [[village college]]s, an educational institution unique to Cambridgeshire, which serve as secondary schools during the day and adult education centres outside of school hours.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jq2ZWVoo_vEC&q=%22village+college%22&pg=PA149 |title=Managing external relations in schools: a practical guide |first=Nicholas |last=Foskett |publisher=Routledge |year=1992 |isbn=0-415-06833-9 |page=149 |access-date=5 November 2020 |archive-date=28 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528155901/https://books.google.com/books?id=jq2ZWVoo_vEC&q=%22village+college%22&pg=PA149 |url-status=live }}</ref> Independent schools in the city include [[The Perse School]], [[Stephen Perse Foundation]], [[Sancton Wood School]], [[St Mary's School, Cambridge|St Mary's School]], [[Heritage School, Cambridge|Heritage School]] and [[The Leys School]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/cities/3350043/City-spotlight-Cambridge.html |title=City spotlight: Cambridge |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |first=Max |last=Davidson |date=20 May 2006 |access-date=28 September 2009 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131235241/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/cities/3350043/City-spotlight-Cambridge.html |archive-date=31 January 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The city has one [[University Technical College|university technical college]], [[Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology]], which opened in September 2014.

== Sport ==
=== Football ===
[[File:ISH WC Cambridge15.jpg|thumb|[[Parker's Piece]], where the [[Cambridge rules]] of [[association football|football]] were first played]]
Cambridge played a unique role in the invention of modern [[association football|football]]: the game's first set of rules were drawn up by members of the university in 1848. The [[Cambridge Rules]] were first played on [[Parker's Piece]] and had a "defining influence on the 1863 [[The Football Association|Football Association]] rules", which again were first played on Parker's Piece.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/cambridgeshire/content/articles/2006/06/09/cambridge_football_rules_parkers_piece_feature.shtml |title= Cambridge...the birthplace of football?! |publisher= BBC |access-date= 19 October 2006 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160817142553/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cambridgeshire/content/articles/2006/06/09/cambridge_football_rules_parkers_piece_feature.shtml |archive-date= 17 August 2016 |url-status= live }}</ref>

The city is home to [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]], who play at the [[Abbey Stadium]]. Formed in 1912 as Abbey United, they were elected to the [[English Football League|Football League]] in 1970 and reached the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] in 1978, although a serious decline in them in the mid-1980s saw them drop back down to the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] and almost go out of business. Success returned to the club in the early 1990s when they won two successive promotions and reached the [[FA Cup]] quarter finals in both of those seasons and, in 1992, they came close to becoming the first English team to win three successive Football League promotions which would have taken them into the newly created [[FA Premier League]]; however, they were beaten in the play-offs and another decline set in. In 2005, they were relegated from the Football League and, for the second time in twenty years, narrowly avoided going out of business. After nine years of non-league football, they returned to the Football League in 2014 by winning the [[Conference National]] play-offs.

[[Cambridge United WFC]] is a women's only football club based in Cambridge. The team compete in the FA Women's National League South East. The club plays home games at [[St Neots Town F.C.|St Neots Town]]'s Rowley Park stadium and the Abbey Stadium.

[[Cambridge City F.C.|Cambridge City]], of the [[Northern Premier League]] Division One Midlands, now play in neighbouring [[St Ives, Cambridgeshire|St Ives]]. Formed in 1908 as Cambridge Town, the club were [[Southern Football League|Southern Premier League]] champions in 1962–63, the highest they have finished in the [[English football pyramid]]. After a legal dispute with their landlords,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/oct/03/newsstory.sport2|title = The supporters who took on a property developer and won|date = 3 October 2007|access-date = 3 September 2014|website = The Guardian|last = Conn|first = David|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140903190548/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/oct/03/newsstory.sport2|archive-date = 3 September 2014|url-status = live}}</ref> the club left their [[City Ground (Cambridge)|City Ground]] stadium in 2013 to groundshare at [[Histon F.C.|Histon]]'s [[Bridge Road (Impington)|Bridge Road]] ground. The club have plans to open their own new ground in [[Sawston]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cambridge City Football Club, Sawston build update – 26 Jan 21|url=https://www.cambridgecityfc.com/news/sawston-build-update---26-jan-21|access-date=14 September 2023|website=www.cambridgecityfc.com|archive-date=29 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729193059/https://www.cambridgecityfc.com/news/sawston-build-update---26-jan-21|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Cricket ===
Parker's Piece was used for [[first-class cricket]] matches from 1817 to 1864.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Grounds/11/375_f.html |title=List of first-class matches on Parker's Piece |publisher=Cricketarchive.com |access-date=17 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091119143740/http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Grounds/11/375_f.html |archive-date=19 November 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> The University of Cambridge's cricket ground, [[Fenner's]], is located in the city and is one of the home grounds for [[minor counties]] team [[Cambridgeshire CCC]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cambcounty.play-cricket.com/home/aboutUs.asp |title=About Us |publisher=Cambridgeshire CCC |access-date=6 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717191057/http://cambcounty.play-cricket.com/home/aboutUs.asp |archive-date=17 July 2012 }}</ref> The Cambridgeshire Cricket Association operates an amateur [[club cricket]] league with six adult divisions, including numerous clubs in the city, plus junior divisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambsca.co.uk|title=Cambridgeshire Cricket Association|publisher=Cambridgeshire CA|access-date=1 June 2022}}</ref> Most of the university colleges also operate their own teams, and there are several casual [[village cricket]] teams that play in the city suburbs.

=== Rugby ===
The city is represented in both codes of [[Rugby football]]. [[Rugby union]] club [[Cambridge R.U.F.C.]] were founded in 1923<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jackson|first1=Steve|title=Cambridge RUFC season preview|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7596431.stm|access-date=16 September 2016|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=5 September 2008}}</ref> and play in [[the RFU Championship]]<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/cambridge-rugby-club-eyeing-up-first-home-rfu-championship-victory-of-the-season-against-cornish-pirates/ar-AA1mNqvE {{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> at their home ground, [[Grantchester Road]], in the south-west corner of the city. Cambridge Lions represent the city in [[rugby league]] and are members of [[East Men's League|East Rugby League]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Cambridge Lions suffer loss at Southend Spartans in East Rugby League|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cambridge-lions-suffer-loss-southend-spartans/story-29402730-detail/story.html|access-date=16 September 2016|work=Cambridge News|date=15 June 2016}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> <!---[[Cambridge Eagles]] [[Rugby League]] team competed in the National Conference League East Section, but played their home games outside the city in Sawston. --->

=== Watersports ===
[[File:Cambridge MayBump2015 (pixinn.net).jpg|thumb|[[Bumps race]] on the [[River Cam]]]]
The [[River Cam]], which runs through the city centre, is used for boating. The university and its colleges are well known for [[Rowing (sport)|rowing]] and the [[Cambridgeshire Rowing Association]], formed in 1868, organises competitive rowing on the river outside of the university.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cra-online.net/info/history/early.htm|title=Early CRA History|publisher=Cambridgeshire Rowing Association|access-date=14 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519101519/http://www.cra-online.net/info/history/early.htm|archive-date=19 May 2009}}</ref> Rowing clubs based in the city include [[City of Cambridge Rowing Club|City of Cambridge RC]], [[Cambridge '99 Rowing Club|Cambridge '99 RC]], [[Cantabrigian Rowing Club|Cantabrigian RC]] and [[Rob Roy Boat Club|Rob Roy BC]]. Parts of the Cam are used for recreational [[punt (boat)|punting]], a type of boating in which the craft is propelled by pushing against the river bed with a [[quant pole]].

Cambridge Swimming Club, Cambridge Dive team and City of Cambridge Water Polo Club are all based at Parkside Swimming Pool.<ref>{{cite web|title=Parkside Pools|url=https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/content/parkside-pools|publisher=Cambridge City Council|access-date=20 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617143106/https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/content/parkside-pools|archive-date=17 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Parkour/freerunning ===
Home and training ground to many influential traceurs, Cambridge is well known for its vibrant, and at times high-profile, [[parkour]] and [[freerunning]] scene.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Henry |first=Max |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/982649914 |publisher=Mascot Books |title=The parkour roadmap |date=2017 |isbn=978-1-68401-297-8 |location=Herndon, VA |oclc=982649914}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=How One City CHANGED Parkour | date=16 February 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IdgGdMuOVI |language=en |access-date=2022-05-09}}</ref>

=== Other sports ===
Cambridge is home to two [[real tennis]] courts (out of about 50 in the world) at Cambridge University Real Tennis Club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.curtc.net/ |title=Cambridge University Real Tennis Club |publisher=Curtc.net |access-date=17 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229190213/http://curtc.net/ |archive-date=29 December 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5312518/prince-edward-to-play-real-tennis-during-ballarat-visit/|title = Prince Edward to play real tennis during Ballarat visit|date = 28 March 2018}}</ref> [[Cambridgeshire Cats]] play [[American football]] at Coldham's Common. Cambridge Royals are members of the [[British Baseball Federation]]'s Triple-A South Division.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.britishbaseball.org/news_article/show/613720?referrer_id=271910-news | title=Triple-A South, Double-A Central and Northern Conference 2016 schedules announced | publisher=British Baseball Federation | date=18 February 2016 | access-date=12 October 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012235815/http://www.britishbaseball.org/news_article/show/613720?referrer_id=271910-news | archive-date=12 October 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref> Cambridge has two cycling clubs: Team Cambridge<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.team-cambridge.co.uk/ |title=Team Cambridge |publisher=Team Cambridge |access-date=17 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821025832/http://www.team-cambridge.co.uk/ |archive-date=21 August 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> and Cambridge Cycling Club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridge-cycling-club.org.uk/ |title=Cambridge CC |publisher=Cambridge-cycling-club.org.uk |access-date=17 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522033454/http://www.cambridge-cycling-club.org.uk/ |archive-date=22 May 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Cambridge & Coleridge Athletic Club]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cambridgeandcoleridge.org.uk/|title=Cambridge & Coleridge AC official website|access-date=20 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303184908/http://www.cambridgeandcoleridge.org.uk/|archive-date=3 March 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> is the city's track and field club, based at the University of Cambridge's [[Wilberforce Road]] track. Cambridge [[Triathlon]] Club is based at [[Impington Village College]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cambridgetriathlonclub.com/|title=Cambridge Triathlon Club &#124; For the love of sport}}</ref> Cambridge [[Handball]] Club compete in the men's England Handball National Super 8 League and the women's England Handball National Super 7 League. There are three field hockey clubs; [[Cambridge City Hockey Club]], [[Cambridge South Hockey Club]] and Cambridge Nomads.
The city is also represented in [[polo]] by Cambridge Polo Club, based in [[Barton, Cambridgeshire|Barton]], just outside the city. The Romsey Town Rollerbillies play [[roller derby]] in Cambridge.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ukrda.org.uk// |title=Uk Roller Derby |publisher=Uk Roller Derby |access-date=31 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024164540/http://ukrda.org.uk/ |archive-date=24 October 2011 }}</ref> [[Cambridge Parnells GAA]] represent the area in [[Gaelic football]], playing out of Coldham's Common and participating in the [[Hertfordshire GAA]] Championship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Club & Community – Our Clubs – Cambridge Parnells |url=http://www.hertfordshiregaa.co.uk/page/club--community/our-clubs/cambridge-parnells-6948/ |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=www.hertfordshiregaa.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> [[Speedway in the United Kingdom|Speedway]] racing was formerly staged at a greyhound stadium in Coldhams Lane.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cambridge Speedway|url=http://www.speedwayplus.com/Cambridge.shtml|website=www.speedwayplus.com|access-date=20 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011200205/http://www.speedwayplus.com/Cambridge.shtml|archive-date=11 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Varsity sports ===

Cambridge is known for the sporting events between the [[University of Cambridge]] and the [[University of Oxford]], especially the rugby union [[The Varsity Match|Varsity Match]] and the [[Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race|Boat Race]], though many of these do not take place within either Cambridge or Oxford.

== Culture ==
[[File:Cambridge Guildhall.jpg|thumb|[[Cambridge Guildhall]]]]
[[File:Cambridge Corn Exchange, Wheeler Street, Cambridge (geograph 4835488).jpg|thumb|[[Cambridge Corn Exchange]]]]

=== Theatre ===
Cambridge's main traditional theatre is the [[Cambridge Arts Theatre|Arts Theatre]], a venue with 666 seats in the town centre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridgeartstheatre.com/ |title=Cambridge Arts Theatre Website |publisher=Cambridgeartstheatre.com |access-date=17 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712142603/http://www.cambridgeartstheatre.com/ |archive-date=12 July 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> The theatre often has touring shows, as well as those by local companies. The largest venue in the city to regular hold theatrical performances is the [[Cambridge Corn Exchange]] with a capacity of 1,800 standing or 1,200 seated. Housed within the city's 19th century former [[corn exchange]] building the venue was used for a variety of additional functions throughout the 20th century including [[Tea party (social gathering)|tea parties]], [[motor show]]s, sports matches and a music venue with temporary stage.<ref name=Cornexhist>{{cite web|url=http://www.cornex.co.uk/ccm/cornex/pages/virtualtour/history-of-the-cambridge-corn-exchange.en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829124506/http://www.cornex.co.uk/ccm/cornex/pages/virtualtour/history-of-the-cambridge-corn-exchange.en|archive-date=29 August 2008|title=The History of the Cambridge Corn Exchange|publisher=Cambridge City Council|access-date=2 March 2009}}</ref> The City Council renovated the building in the 1980s, turning it into a full-time arts venue, hosting theatre, dance and music performances.<ref name=Cornexhist />
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The newest theatre venue in Cambridge is the 220-seat J2, part of [[Cambridge Junction]] in Cambridge Leisure Park. The venue was opened in 2005 and hosts theatre, dance, live music and comedy<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.junction.co.uk/about-us/our-spaces |title=Our Spaces |work=junction.co.uk |quote=J2 is the venue for our theatre, dance, family theatre and comedy programme |access-date=28 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212004617/http://www.junction.co.uk/about-us/our-spaces |archive-date=12 February 2012 }}</ref> The [[ADC Theatre]] is managed by the University of Cambridge, and typically has 3 shows a week during term time. It hosts the [[Cambridge University Footlights Dramatic Club]] which has produced many notable figures in British comedy. The Mumford Theatre is part of [[Anglia Ruskin University]], and hosts shows by both student and non-student groups. There are also a number of venues within the colleges.

=== Museums ===
Within the city there are several notable museums, some run by the [[University of Cambridge Museums]] consortium and others independent of it.

The [[Fitzwilliam Museum]] is the city's largest, and is the lead museum of the University of Cambridge Museums. Founded in 1816 from the bequeathment and collections of [[Richard FitzWilliam, 7th Viscount FitzWilliam|Richard, Viscount FitzWilliam]], the museum was originally located in the building of the [[Perse Grammar School]] in [[Free School Lane]].<ref name=Fitwilliam>{{cite book |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol3/pp326-327 |chapter=The University of Cambridge – The Fitzwilliam Museum|title=A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 3, the City and University of Cambridge|editor-first=J. P. C. |editor-last=Roach|date=1959|pages=326–327|access-date=17 May 2016}}</ref> After a brief housing in the University of Cambridge library, it moved to its current, purpose-built building on [[Trumpington Street]] in 1848.<ref name=Fitwilliam /> The museum has five departments: Antiquities; Applied Arts; Coins and Medals; Manuscripts and Printed Books; and Paintings, Drawings and Prints. Other members of the University of Cambridge Museums are the [[Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge|Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology]], [[Scott Polar Research Institute|The Polar Museum]], [[Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences|The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences]], [[Museum of Classical Archaeology, Cambridge|Museum of Classical Archaeology]], [[Whipple Museum of the History of Science|The Whipple Museum of the History of Science]], and the [[Cambridge University Museum of Zoology|University Museum of Zoology]].

The [[Museum of Cambridge]], formerly known as the Cambridge & County Folk Museum, is a [[social history]] museum located in a former pub on Castle Street.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fensmuseums.org.uk/page_id__45.aspx|title=Museum of Cambridge: The life and history of the people of Cambridge|publisher=Fen Museum Partnership|access-date=13 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220064054/http://www.fensmuseums.org.uk/page_id__45.aspx|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> [[The Centre for Computing History]], a museum dedicated to the story of the [[Information Age]], moved to Cambridge from [[Haverhill, Suffolk|Haverhill]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cambridge Centre of Computing History opens|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-23493348|access-date=13 September 2016|work=BBC News|date=30 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220065606/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-23493348|archive-date=20 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Housed in a former sewage pumping station, the [[Cambridge Museum of Technology]] has a collection of large exhibits related to the city's [[industrial heritage]].

=== Music ===

==== Popular music ====
[[Pink Floyd]] are the most notable band with roots in Cambridge. The band's former songwriter, guitarist and vocalist [[Syd Barrett]] was born and lived in the city, and he and another founding member, [[Roger Waters]], went to school together at [[Cambridgeshire High School for Boys]]. [[David Gilmour]], the guitarist who replaced Barrett, was also a Cambridge resident and attended the nearby [[Perse School]]. Bands that were formed in Cambridge include [[Clean Bandit]], [[Henry Cow]], [[The Movies (UK band)|the Movies]], [[Katrina and the Waves]], [[the Soft Boys]],<ref>{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5472|label=The Soft Boys}}</ref> [[Ezio (band)|Ezio]]<ref>{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p165353|label=Ezio}}</ref> [[the Broken Family Band]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xfm.co.uk/artists/the-broken-family-band/biography|title=The Broken Family Band biography|publisher=xfm.co.uk|access-date=13 August 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220143638/http://www.xfm.co.uk/artists/the-broken-family-band/biography|archive-date=20 December 2008}}</ref> [[Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Rivadavia|first=Eduardo|title=Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats: Blood Lust|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/blood-lust-mw0002264930|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=2 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105141812/http://www.allmusic.com/album/blood-lust-mw0002264930|archive-date=5 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> and the pop-classical group [[the King's Singers]], who were formed at the university.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kingssingers.com/about.php?startid=9 |title=The Official Kings Singers Website :History |work=kingssingers.com |year=2012 |quote=The group takes its name from King's College Cambridge, where Martin Lane, Al Hume, Alastair Thompson, Richard Salter, Simon Carrington and Brian Kay were choral scholars. |access-date=25 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010165008/http://kingssingers.com/about.php?startid=9 |archive-date=10 October 2011}}</ref> Solo artist [[Boo Hewerdine]]<ref>{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p85801|label=Boo Hewerdine}}</ref> is from Cambridge, as are [[drum and bass]] artists (and brothers) [[Nu:Tone]] and [[Logistics (artist)|Logistics]]. Singers [[Matthew Bellamy]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/8176141/Muse-profile-of-the-band.html |title=Muse: profile of the band |first=David |last=Cheal |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=13 April 2001 |access-date=28 February 2012 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303185130/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/8176141/Muse-profile-of-the-band.html |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> of the rock band [[Muse (band)|Muse]], [[Tom Robinson]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Tom Robinson is showing a new generation the power of the protest song|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/tom-robinson-singer-shows-new-generation-the-power-of-the-protest-song-in-his-first-album-for-20-10467604.html|website = The Independent |access-date=11 February 2016 |language = en-GB|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160216060406/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/tom-robinson-singer-shows-new-generation-the-power-of-the-protest-song-in-his-first-album-for-20-10467604.html|archive-date = 16 February 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Olivia Newton-John]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.olivia-newtonjohn.com/olivia-newton-john/bio.php |title=Biography |publisher=olivia-newtonjohn.com |access-date=9 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219180138/http://www.olivia-newtonjohn.com/olivia-newton-john/bio.php |archive-date=19 December 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Charli XCX]] were born in the city. 2012 [[Mercury Prize]] winners [[Alt-J]] are based in Cambridge.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jane |first=Sarah |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20176215 |title=Mercury Prize: Alt-J album An Awesome Wave wins award |publisher=BBC News |date=2 November 2012 |access-date=26 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116170303/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20176215 |archive-date=16 January 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Live music venues hosting popular music in the city include the [[Cambridge Corn Exchange]], [[Cambridge Junction]], the Portland Arms, and The Blue Moon.<ref name="Naylor">{{cite web|last=Naylor|first=Tony|date=10 October 2017|title=The alt city guide to Cambridge|url=http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/oct/10/alt-city-guide-cambridge-bars-clubs-food-drink-music-culture|url-status=live|access-date=20 February 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112014759/https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/oct/10/alt-city-guide-cambridge-bars-clubs-food-drink-music-culture}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wilde |first1=Gabrielle |title=The Blue Moon – Cambridge pub that's so cool it puts The Fonz to shame |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/blue-moon-cambridge-pub-thats-23639889 |website=Cambridge News |date=8 April 2022 |access-date=11 July 2022}}</ref>

==== Classical music ====
Started in 1991, the annual Cambridge Music Festival takes place each November.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cambridge Music Festival – British Arts Festivals Association |url=https://www.artsfestivals.co.uk/festivals-directory/festivals/cambridge-music-festival/ |publisher=BAFA |access-date=29 February 2020 |language=en |archive-date=29 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229130417/https://www.artsfestivals.co.uk/festivals-directory/festivals/cambridge-music-festival/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Cambridge Summer Music Festival takes place in July.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cambridge Summer Music Festival – British Arts Festivals Association |url=https://www.artsfestivals.co.uk/festivals-directory/festivals/cambridge-summer-music-festival/ |publisher=BAFA |access-date=29 February 2020 |language=en |archive-date=29 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229130422/https://www.artsfestivals.co.uk/festivals-directory/festivals/cambridge-summer-music-festival/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Contemporary art ===
Cambridge contains [[Kettle's Yard]] gallery of modern and contemporary art and the [[Downing College, Cambridge#Heong Gallery|Heong Gallery]] which opened to the public in 2016 at [[Downing College, Cambridge|Downing College.]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=|date=19 May 2016|title=History of the Heong Gallery building|url=https://www.dow.cam.ac.uk/about/downing-college-archive/archives/history-heong-gallery-building|url-status=live|access-date=17 February 2021|website=Downing College Cambridge|language=en|archive-date=6 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206092025/https://www.dow.cam.ac.uk/about/downing-college-archive/archives/history-heong-gallery-building}}</ref> Anglia Ruskin University operates the publicly accessible Ruskin Gallery within the Cambridge School of Art.<ref>{{cite web|title=About the gallery|url=http://www.anglia.ac.uk/arts-law-and-social-sciences/ruskin-gallery/about-the-gallery|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609233939/http://www.anglia.ac.uk/arts-law-and-social-sciences/ruskin-gallery/about-the-gallery|archive-date=9 June 2016|access-date=18 May 2016|publisher=Anglia Ruskin University}}</ref> [[Wysing Arts Centre]], one of the leading research centres for the visual arts in Europe, is associated with the city, though is located several miles west of Cambridge.<ref>{{cite web|date=3 December 2012|title=cultunet|url=http://www.cultunet.com/es/recursos-culturales/convocatorias/wysing-arts-centre-programme-of-artists-residencies-cambridge|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429192943/http://www.cultunet.com/es/recursos-culturales/convocatorias/wysing-arts-centre-programme-of-artists-residencies-cambridge|archive-date=29 April 2014|access-date=3 February 2013|publisher=cultunet.com}}</ref> Artist-run organisations including Aid & Abet,<ref name="Naylor" /> Cambridge Art Salon, Changing Spaces<ref>{{cite web|last1=Collins|first1=Ruthie|title=Cambridge art scene: change in the air|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/2013/jan/03/cambridge-art-scene-galleries-change|website=The guardian|access-date=20 April 2016|date=3 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427205431/http://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/2013/jan/03/cambridge-art-scene-galleries-change|archive-date=27 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and Motion Sickness<ref>{{Cite web|last=Curtis|first=Adrian|date=29 August 2019|title=Motion sickness art exhibition at Lion Yard looks at the 'Me me, me generation'|url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/motion-sickness-art-exhibition-at-lion-yard-looks-at-the-me-me-me-generation-9081198/|url-status=live|access-date=20 February 2021|website=Cambridge Independent|language=en|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115174607/https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/motion-sickness-art-exhibition-at-lion-yard-looks-at-the-me-me-me-generation-9081198/}}</ref> also run exhibitions, events and artists' studios in the city, often in short-term or temporary spaces.

=== Festivals and events ===
[[File:Cowboys on the field (14851514483).jpg|thumb|Festival-goers attending the 2014 [[Cambridge Folk Festival]]]]
[[File:Cmglee Cambridge Science Festival 2015 Menger sponge.jpg|thumb|[[Sierpinski tetrahedron]] and [[menger sponge]] models at the [[Cambridge Science Festival]]]]
Several fairs and festivals take place in Cambridge, mostly during the British summer. [[Midsummer Common|Midsummer Fair]] dates back to 1211, when it was granted a charter by [[John, King of England|King John]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/nfa/researchandarticles/cambridgefair|title=Cambridge Midsummer Fair|access-date=26 April 2016|publisher=National Fairground Archive, [[University of Sheffield]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630135625/http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/nfa/researchandarticles/cambridgefair|archive-date=30 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Today it exists primarily as an annual [[travelling funfair|funfair]] with the vestige of a market attached and is held over several days around or close to [[midsummers day]]. On the first Saturday in June Midsummer Common is the site for [[Strawberry Fair]], a free music and children's fair, with various market stalls. For one week in May, on [[Jesus Green]], the annual [[Cambridge Beer Festival]] has been held since 1974.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridgebeerfestival.com |title=Cambridge & District CAMRA Winter Ale Festival 2010 |publisher=Cambridgebeerfestival.com |access-date=13 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128192625/http://cambridgebeerfestival.com/ |archive-date=28 January 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Cambridge Film Festival - 2022 - Triangle of Sadness.jpg|thumb|alt=a full cinema auditorium prior to a screening at Cambridge Film Festival|[[Cambridge Film Festival]] audience for a screening of [[Triangle of Sadness]]]]
Launched in 1977 [[Cambridge Film Festival]] is the third-longest-running film festival in the UK.
Presented annually each autumn by the Cambridge Film Trust, the Festival showcases a selection of around 100, predominantly independent and specialised, films and embeds them within a programme of special events, Q&As, and talks.

[[Cambridge Folk Festival]] is held annually in the grounds of [[Cherry Hinton Hall]]. The festival has been organised by the city council since its inception in 1964. The Cambridge Summer Music Festival is an annual festival of classical music, held in the university's colleges and chapels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gramophone.co.uk/festivals/cambridge-summer-music-festival|title=Cambridge Summer Music Festival|publisher=The Gramophone|access-date=20 October 2010}}</ref> The [[Cambridge Shakespeare Festival]] is an eight-week season of open-air performances of the works of [[William Shakespeare]], held in the gardens of various colleges of the university.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cambridgeshakespeare.com/about/ |title= About the Festival |publisher= The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival |access-date= 27 February 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120209185139/http://www.cambridgeshakespeare.com/about/ |archive-date= 9 February 2012 |url-status= live }}</ref>

The [[Cambridge Science Festival]], typically held annually in March, is the United Kingdom's largest free [[science festival]].<ref>{{cite news|title=University of Cambridge Science Festival 2011|work=BBC News|url=http://bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-12759607|access-date=21 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402222018/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-12759607|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The Cambridge Literary Festival, which focusses on contemporary literary fiction and non-fiction, is held bi-annually in April and November.<ref>{{Cite web|title=All about|url=https://www.cambridgeliteraryfestival.com/about/|access-date=2022-02-02|website=Cambridge Literary Festival|language=en-GB}}</ref> Between 1975 and 1985 the [[Cambridge Poetry Festival]] was held biannually.<ref>{{cite web|last=Blair-Underwood|first=Alison|year=2012|title=Open account – A memoir: the Cambridge Poetry Festival|url=http://www.manifold.group.shef.ac.uk/issue9/AlisonBlairUnderwoodPR9.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322235238/http://www.manifold.group.shef.ac.uk/issue9/AlisonBlairUnderwoodPR9.html|archive-date=22 March 2013|access-date=6 June 2013|work=Blackbox Manifold, Issue 9: Peter Robinson at Sixty|publisher=Blackbox Manifold}}</ref> Other festivals include the annual Mill Road Winter Fair, held the first Saturday of December,<ref>{{Cite news
 |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/whats-on/cambridge-mill-road-fair-christmas-13958797
 |title=All you need to know about the 2017 Mill Road Winter Fair
 |last=Rabbett
 |first=Abigail
 |date=1 December 2017
|work=Cambridge News
 |access-date=31 May 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110082234/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/whats-on/cambridge-mill-road-fair-christmas-13958797
 |archive-date=10 January 2018
|url-status=live}}</ref> the E-luminate Festival, which took place every February from 2013 to 2018,<ref>{{cite news
 |last1=Rabbett
 |first1=Abigail
 |title=All you need to know about Cambridge's e-Luminate festival
 |work=Cambridge News
 |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/eluminate-festival-cambridge-when-light-12547526
 |access-date=31 May 2018
|date=17 January 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615053551/https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/eluminate-festival-cambridge-when-light-12547526
 |archive-date=15 June 2018
|url-status=live
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Frame|first=Helen|date=22 May 2018|title=Why Cambridge e-Luminate festival has been put on hold|url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/cambridge-e-luminate-festival-lights-14693085|access-date=17 February 2021|website=CambridgeshireLive|language=en|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227094645/https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/cambridge-e-luminate-festival-lights-14693085|url-status=live}}</ref> and The Big Weekend, a city outdoor event organised by the City Council every July.<ref>{{cite web |title=Big Weekend |url=https://www.visitcambridge.org/whats-on/major-festivals-and-events/the-big-weekend |website=Visit Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge City Council |access-date=31 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404011133/https://www.visitcambridge.org/whats-on/major-festivals-and-events/the-big-weekend |archive-date=4 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Three Cambridge Free Festivals held in 1969, 1970, and 1971 that featured artists including [[David Bowie]], [[King Crimson]], [[Roy Harper (singer)|Roy Harper]], [[Spontaneous Combustion (English band)|Spontaneous Combustion]], [[UFO (band)|UFO]] and others are believed by the festival organiser to have been the first free multiple-day rock music festivals held in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/cambridge-free-1969.html |title=Description, poster, and images, 1969 Cambridge Free Festival, Midsummer Common, 8-11 June 1969. Performers: David Bowie, King Crimson, Roy Harper, and others. Retrieved 15 July 2020. |access-date=15 July 2020 |archive-date=19 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219023155/http://ukrockfestivals.com/cambridge-free-1969.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/cambridge-midsummer-pop.jpg |title=Concert poster: The Cambridge Free Festival, Midsummer Common, 8-11th June 1969. Performers: David Bowie, King Crimson, Roy Harper, and others. Retrieved 15 July 2020. |access-date=15 July 2020 |archive-date=30 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830220314/http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/cambridge-midsummer-pop.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/cam-69-free-fest-blurb.jpg |title=Invitation to attend and explanation of event: The Cambridge Free Festival, Midsummer Common, 8-11th June 1969. Performers: David Bowie, King Crimson, Roy Harper, and others. Retrieved 15 July 2020. |access-date=15 July 2020 |archive-date=30 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830220231/http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/cam-69-free-fest-blurb.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/cam-69-free-fest-time-1.jpg |title=Programme of performers, 8 and 9 June 1969. The Cambridge Free Festival, Midsummer Common, 8-11th June 1969. Performers: David Bowie, King Crimson, Roy Harper, and others. Retrieved 15 July 2020. |access-date=15 July 2020 |archive-date=30 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830220301/http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/cam-69-free-fest-time-1.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/cam-69-free-fest-time-2.jpg |title=Programme of performers, 10 and 11 June 1969. The Cambridge Free Festival, Midsummer Common, 8-11th June 1969. Performers: David Bowie, King Crimson, Roy Harper, and others. Retrieved 15 July 2020. |access-date=15 July 2020 |archive-date=30 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830220248/http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/cam-69-free-fest-time-2.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/cambridge-free-1969.html |title=1970 Cambridge Free Festival, Coldham's Common, 5 August 1970. Edgar Broughton, Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come, Demon Fuzz, Black Widow, Elder Kindred. Retrieved 15 July 2020. |access-date=15 July 2020 |archive-date=19 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219023155/http://ukrockfestivals.com/cambridge-free-1969.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/cambridge-free-festival.html |title=Cambridge Free Festival, Coldham's Common, 12th/13th June 1971. Spontaneous Combustion scheduled Saturday afternoon and UFO Saturday evening, 12 June 1971, were among the 23 scheduled performers. Retrieved 15 July 2020. |access-date=15 July 2020 |archive-date=18 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218015827/http://ukrockfestivals.com/cambridge-free-festival.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/cambridge-free-71-timeline.jpg |title=Concert line-up, Cambridge Free Festival, Coldham's Common, 12th/13th June 1971. Spontaneous Combustion scheduled Saturday afternoon and UFO Saturday evening, 12 June 1971, were among the 23 scheduled performers. Retrieved 15 July 2020. |access-date=15 July 2020 |archive-date=28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128173659/http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/cambridge-free-71-timeline.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/cambridge-free-71-poster.jpg |title=Concert poster: Cambridge Free Festival, Coldham's Common, 12th/13th June 1971. Spontaneous Combustion scheduled Saturday afternoon and UFO Saturday evening, 12 June 1971, were among the 23 scheduled performers. Retrieved 15 July 2020 |access-date=15 July 2020 |archive-date=28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128013017/http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/cambridge-free-71-poster.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Literature and film ===
The city has been the setting for all or part of several novels, including [[Douglas Adams]]' ''[[Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency]]'', [[Rose Macaulay]]'s ''[[They Were Defeated]]'',<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19321224.2.33.5 |title=They were defeated |newspaper=Evening Post |location=Wellington, NZ |page=7 |date=24 December 1932 |access-date=7 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921022121/http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19321224.2.33.5 |archive-date=21 September 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kate Atkinson (writer)|Kate Atkinson]]'s ''[[Case Histories]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/3622947/A-daily-sense-of-danger.html |title=A Daily Sense of Danger – ''Case Histories'' by Kate Atkinson |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |first=Katie |last=Owen |date=29 August 2004 |access-date=25 February 2011 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611044344/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/3622947/A-daily-sense-of-danger.html |archive-date=11 June 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Rebecca Stott]]'s ''Ghostwalk''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/03/2007_12_fri.shtml |title=Woman's Hour -Rebecca Stott on 'Ghostwalk' |publisher=BBC Radio 4 |year=2012 |access-date=25 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728020732/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/03/2007_12_fri.shtml |archive-date=28 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Robert Harris (novelist)|Robert Harris]]' ''Enigma'',<ref>{{cite book |author=Chainey, Graham |title=A Literary History of Cambridge |location=Cambridge |orig-year=1985 |year=1995 |isbn=0-907115-25-X |publisher=Pevensey Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Garrett, Martin |title=Cambridge: a Cultural and Literary History|location=Oxford|year=2004|isbn=1-902669-79-7 |publisher=Signal Books }}</ref> while [[Susanna Gregory]] wrote a series of novels set in 14th century Cambridge.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.literaturewales.org/writers-of-wales/i/130359/desc/gregory-susanna/ |title=GREGORY, SUSANNA &#124; List of Writers |work=The Writers of Wales Database |publisher=Literature Wales |access-date= 25 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130831223859/http://www.literaturewales.org/writers-of-wales/i/130359/desc/gregory-susanna/ |archive-date= 31 August 2013 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> [[Gwen Raverat]], the granddaughter of [[Charles Darwin]], talked about her late Victorian Cambridge childhood in her memoir ''[[Period Piece (book)|Period Piece]]'', and ''[[The Night Climbers of Cambridge]]'' is a book written by [[Noel Symington]] under the pseudonym "Whipplesnaith" about nocturnal climbing on the colleges and town buildings of Cambridge in the 1930s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cucc.survex.com/archive/jnl/1983/roof.htm|title=Some References to Cambridge Night Climbing|access-date=26 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209213416/http://cucc.survex.com/archive/jnl/1983/roof.htm |website=Cambridge University Caving Club Archive |archive-date=9 February 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Fictionalised versions of Cambridge appear in [[Philippa Pearce]]'s ''[[Tom's Midnight Garden]]'' and ''[[Minnow on the Say]]'', the city renamed as Castleford, and as the home of [[Tom Sharpe]]'s fictional college in ''[[Porterhouse Blue]]''.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/noequalinworlda00crow |url-access=registration |title=No equal in the world: an interpretation of the academic presidency |first=Joseph N. |last=Crowley |publisher=University of Nevada Press |location=Reno, NV |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-87417-237-9 |page=[https://archive.org/details/noequalinworlda00crow/page/167 167] |access-date=25 February 2012 }}</ref>

The [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] TV series [[Grantchester (TV series)|''Granchester'']] was partly filmed in Cambridge.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grantchester – Drama Series Hits ITV 1 |url=https://www.visitcambridge.org/things-to-do/film-and-tv-locations-to-visit/grantchester-tv-series |website=Visit Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge City Council |access-date=31 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401075528/https://www.visitcambridge.org/things-to-do/film-and-tv-locations-to-visit/grantchester-tv-series |archive-date=1 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> For [[Christopher Nolan|Christopher Nolan's]] [[Oppenheimer (film)|Oppenheimer]], establishing shots of [[J. Robert Oppenheimer]]'s time at [[Cambridge University]] were filmed in Cambridge, featuring [[King's College, Cambridge|King's College]] along the [[River Cam]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Yuan |first1=Jada |title=Unleashing Oppenheimer: Inside Christopher Nolan's Explosive Atomic-Age Thriller |date=2023 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |location=New York |isbn=9798886630961 |page=248 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9kjsEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA248 |access-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625173641/https://books.google.com/books?id=9kjsEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA248#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Television ===
News and television programmes are broadcast from the [[BBC Look East]] (West) studio in Cambridge.<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC One – Look East (West) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rpwxj |website=BBC}}</ref>

=== Radio ===
Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Cambridgeshire]] on 96.0 FM, [[Heart East]] on 103.0 FM, [[Cambridge 105]] on 105 FM, [[Star Radio (Cambridge and Ely)|Star Radio]] on 100.7 FM and [[Cam FM]] on 97.2 is a student run-radio station at the [[University of Cambridge]] and [[Anglia Ruskin University]].

=== Newspapers ===
The city's local newspapers are ''[[Cambridge News]]'', ''[[Cambridge Independent]]'' and ''[[Varsity (Cambridge)|Varsity]]'', the student newspaper of the University of Cambridge.

== Public services ==
[[File:Addenbrooke's hospital.JPG|thumb|[[Addenbrooke's Hospital]]]]
Cambridge is served by [[Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust]], with several smaller medical centres in the city and a [[teaching hospital]] at [[Addenbrooke's Hospital|Addenbrooke's]]. Located on the [[Cambridge Biomedical Campus]], Addenbrooke's is one of the largest hospitals in the United Kingdom and is a designated regional [[trauma centre]].
The East of England Ambulance Service covers the city and has an ambulance station on Hills Road.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/Trust.aspx?id=RYC&v=6 |access-date=28 September 2009 |title=East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust |publisher=National Health Service |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927125551/http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/Trust.aspx?id=RYC&v=6 |archive-date=27 September 2011 }}</ref> The smaller Brookfields Hospital stands on Mill Road.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhs.uk/Services/hospitals/Overview/DefaultView.aspx?id=1349 |title=Brookfields Hospital |publisher=NHS.UK |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020153/https://www.nhs.uk/Services/hospitals/Overview/DefaultView.aspx?id=1349 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Cambridgeshire Constabulary]] provides the city's policing; the main police station is at [[Parkside, Cambridge|Parkside]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cambs-police.co.uk/contactus/maps.asp |title=Contact us |publisher=Cambridgeshire Constabulary |access-date=28 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915190245/http://www.cambs-police.co.uk/contactus/maps.asp |archive-date=15 September 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> adjacent to the city's [[fire station]], operated by [[Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambsfire.gov.uk/about/parkside.php |title=Cambridge fire station |publisher=Cambridgehsire Fire and Rescue |access-date=28 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928063131/http://www.cambsfire.gov.uk/about/parkside.php |archive-date=28 September 2009 }}</ref>

[[Cambridge Water Company]] supplies water services to the city,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cambridge-water.co.uk/home/about-us |title= About Us |publisher= Cambridge Water Company |year= 2012 |access-date= 26 February 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120224213521/http://www.cambridge-water.co.uk/home/about-us |archive-date= 24 February 2012 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }}</ref> while [[Anglian Water]] provides [[sewerage]] services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-water.co.uk/about_you/charges.asp |title=About you: water charges |publisher=Cambridge Water |access-date=28 September 2009 |quote=Anglian Water supply your sewerage services. Cambridge Water bills and collects on behalf of Anglian Water. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916212341/http://www.cambridge-water.co.uk/about_you/charges.asp |archive-date=16 September 2009 }}</ref> For the supply of electricity, Cambridge is part of the [[East of England]] region, for which the [[distribution network operator]] is [[UK Power Networks]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Electricity/AboutElectricity/DistributionCompanies/ |title=National Grid: Distribution Network Operator (DNO) Companies |work=nationalgrid.com |year=2012 |quote=Distribution Network Operator (DNO) Companies |access-date=26 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220153254/http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Electricity/AboutElectricity/DistributionCompanies |archive-date=20 February 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The city has no power stations, though a five-metre wind turbine, part of a [[Cambridge Regional College]] development, can be seen in [[King's Hedges]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3107979 |title=The SmartLIFE Sustainable Skills Centre in Cambridge |access-date=28 September 2009 |publisher=Building.co.uk |first=Will |last=Jones |date=6 March 2008}}</ref> The Cambridge Electric Supply Company had provided the city with electricity since the early twentieth century from Cambridge power station. Upon [[Nationalization|nationalisation]] of the electricity industry in 1948 ownership passed to the [[British Electricity Authority]] and later to the [[Central Electricity Generating Board]]. Electricity connections to the [[National Grid (Great Britain)|national grid]] rendered the small 7.26 [[Watt|megawatt]] (MW) coal fired power station redundant. It closed in 1965 and was subsequently demolished; in its final year of operation it delivered 2771 [[Kilowatt hour|MWh]] of electricity to the city.<ref>''CEGB Statistical Yearbook 1965'', CEGB, London</ref>

Following the [[Public Libraries Act 1850]] the city's first public library, located on Jesus Lane, was opened in 1855.<ref name="Roach116-122">{{cite book |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66616 |chapter=The city of Cambridge: Public buildings |editor-last=Roach |editor-first=J. P. C. |publisher=Victoria County History |via=Institute of Historical Research |year=1959 |title=A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 3: The City and University of Cambridge |access-date=19 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604224711/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66616 |archive-date=4 June 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was moved to the Guildhall in 1862,<ref name="Roach116-122" /> and is now located in the [[Grand Arcade (Cambridge)|Grand Arcade]] shopping centre. The library was reopened in September 2009,<ref name="libopen">{{Cite news|title=Revamped Central Library ready to open |url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/displayarticle.asp?id=451672 |newspaper=Cambridge News |access-date=28 September 2009 |date=25 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926033441/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/displayarticle.asp?id=451672 |archive-date=26 September 2012 }}</ref> after having been closed for refurbishment for 33 months, more than twice as long as was forecast when the library closed for redevelopment in January 2007.<ref name="libopen" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=408967 |title=Library is hit by new delay fear |date=17 April 2009 |first=Chris |last=Elliott |newspaper=Cambridge News |access-date=28 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926033500/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=408967 |archive-date=26 September 2012 }}</ref> As of 2018 the city contains six public libraries, run by the County Council.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/libraries-leisure-&-culture/libraries/find-a-library/|title=Find a library|work=Cambridgeshire County Council|access-date=9 February 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209183902/https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/libraries-leisure-%26-culture/libraries/find-a-library/|archive-date=9 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Cambridge City Cemetery]] is located to the north of [[Newmarket Road, Cambridge|Newmarket Road]].

== Religion ==
{{Multiple image
| image1            = Cambridge - Church of St Mary the Great.jpg
| image2            = St Botolph's Church, Cambridge.JPG
| total_width       = 350
| image3            = Castle Street Methodist Church, Cambridge (2).JPG
| caption3          = [[Castle Street Methodist Church]], the older of the two Methodist churches
| perrow            = 2/2
| image4            = Cmglee Cambridge Mosque look out.jpg
| caption4          = The atrium of [[Cambridge Central Mosque]]
| caption1          = [[Church of St Mary the Great, Cambridge|Great St Mary's Church]] marks the centre of Cambridge.
| caption2          = [[St Botolph's Church, Cambridge|St Botolph's Church]]
}}

Cambridge has a [[List of churches in Cambridge|number of churches]], some of which form a significant part of the city's architectural landscape. Like the rest of Cambridgeshire it is part of the [[Anglican]] [[Diocese of Ely]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elydiocese.org/who-we-are1/a-brief-history-of-the-diocese-of-ely/|access-date=26 April 2016|title=A brief history of the Diocese of Ely|website=The Church of England Diocese of Ely|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513231910/http://www.elydiocese.org/who-we-are1/a-brief-history-of-the-diocese-of-ely/|archive-date=13 May 2016}}</ref>
[[St Mary the Great with St Michael, Cambridge|Great St Mary's Church]] has the status of "University Church".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gsm.cam.ac.uk/great-st-marys/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801173303/http://www.gsm.cam.ac.uk/great-st-marys/|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 August 2012|title=Great St Mary's|publisher=Great St Mary's Ministry|access-date=21 March 2012}}</ref> Many of the university colleges contain chapels that hold services according to the rites and ceremonies of the [[Church of England]], while the chapel of [[St Edmund's College, Cambridge|St Edmund's College]] is Roman Catholic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk/life/chapel/index.php |title=Chapel |publisher=St Edmund's College, Cambridge |date=12 May 2008 |access-date=17 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923132344/http://www.st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk/life/chapel/index.php |archive-date=23 September 2008 }}</ref> The city also has a number of [[Cambridge Theological Federation|theological colleges]] training clergy for [[ordination]] into a number of denominations, with affiliations to both the University of Cambridge and [[Anglia Ruskin University]].

Cambridge is in the Roman Catholic [[Diocese of East Anglia]] and is served by the large [[Gothic Revival]] [[Our Lady and the English Martyrs Church]] at the junction of Hills Road and Lensfield Road, [[St Laurence's Church, Cambridge|St Laurence's]] on Milton Road, St Vincent De Paul Church on Ditton Lane and by the church of St Philip Howard, in Cherry Hinton Road.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.catholicdirectory.org/Catholic_Information.asp?ID=868|title = Diocese of East Anglia|access-date = 6 January 2015|website = Catholic Directory|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150106141418/http://www.catholicdirectory.org/Catholic_Information.asp?ID=868|archive-date = 6 January 2015|url-status = live}}</ref>

There is a [[Moscow Patriarchate|Russian Orthodox]] church under the [[Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh|Diocese of Sourozh]] who worship at the chapel of [[Westcott House, Cambridge|Westcott House]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sourozh.org/parishes-eng/|title=Parishes&nbsp;– Diocese of Sourozh|publisher=[[Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh]]|access-date=21 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305232751/http://www.sourozh.org/parishes-eng/|archive-date=5 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Greek Orthodox Church]] holds services at the purpose-built St Athanasios church under the [[Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain]],<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.thyateira.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=225&Itemid=136 |title= The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Anthanasius and St. Clement |publisher= [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain]] |access-date= 21 March 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120314061425/http://www.thyateira.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=225&Itemid=136 |archive-date= 14 March 2012 |url-status= live }}</ref> while the [[Romanian Orthodox Church]] share [[St Giles' Church, Cambridge|St Giles']] with the Church of England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.orthodoxcamro.co.uk/about-the-parish.html|title=St. John the Evangelist Romanian Orthodox Parish in Cambridge|access-date=30 November 2019|archive-date=24 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224083419/http://en.orthodoxcamro.co.uk/about-the-parish.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

There are two [[Methodism|Methodist]] churches in the city. [[Wesley Methodist Church, Cambridge|Wesley Methodist Church]] was built in 1913, and is located next to
[[Christ's Pieces]]. The [[Castle Street Methodist Church]] is the oldest of the two, having been built in 1823, and was formerly a [[Primitive Methodist Church|Primitive Methodist]] church.

There are three [[Quaker]] Meetings in Cambridge, located on Jesus Lane, Hartington Grove, and a Meeting called "Oast House" that meets in [[Pembroke College, Cambridge|Pembroke College]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-quakers.org.uk/ |title=Quakers in Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge Quakers |access-date=21 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725104136/http://www.cambridge-quakers.org.uk/ |archive-date=25 July 2011 }}</ref>

An [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] synagogue and Jewish student centre is located on Thompson's Lane, operated jointly by the Cambridge Traditional Jewish Congregation and the Cambridge University Jewish Society, which is affiliated to the [[Union of Jewish Students]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctjc.org.uk|title=Welcome to CTJC|publisher=Cambridge Traditional Jewish Congregation|quote=We share our shul building with the students, who run Shabbat services during term-time.|access-date=28 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227111756/http://www.ctjc.org.uk/|archive-date=27 December 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ujs.org.uk/jsocs/view/271/cambridge-university/ |title=Cambridge University &#124; Union of Jewish Students |publisher=Cambridge University Union of Jewish Students |quote=The Cambridge Traditional Jewish Congregation hold Orthodox services at Thompsons Lane which are run by the students during term time and the residents in the vacation. |access-date=28 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726021846/http://www.ujs.org.uk/jsocs/view/271/cambridge-university/ |archive-date=26 July 2012 }}</ref> The Beth Shalom [[Reform Judaism|Reform]] synagogue which previously met at a local school,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/cambridgeshire/hi/people_and_places/religion_and_ethics/newsid_8609000/8609693.stm|title=Home of its own: Cambridge Synagogue has a new base|work=BBC News|date=12 April 2010|access-date=28 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804181020/http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/cambridgeshire/hi/people_and_places/religion_and_ethics/newsid_8609000/8609693.stm|archive-date=4 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> opened a purpose-built synagogue in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beth-shalom.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=100&Itemid=100|title=Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue&nbsp;– Cambridge&nbsp;– A New Synagogue|work=beth-shalom.org.uk|quote=Our new Synagogue and Community Centre is an environmentally-friendly, economical and flexible space...|access-date=16 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914171118/http://www.beth-shalom.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=100&Itemid=100|archive-date=14 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> There is also a student-led egalitarian [[minyan]] which holds services on Friday evenings.

[[Cambridge Central Mosque]] is the main place of worship for Cambridge's community of around 4,000 Muslims.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cambridgecentralmosque.org/|title=Cambridge Central Mosque – Home|website=Cambridge Central Mosque|language=en-GB|access-date=28 November 2019|archive-date=4 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504140620/https://cambridgecentralmosque.org/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/displayarticle.asp?id=312719|title=Mosque site hunt is over|last=Extance|first=Rachel|date=6 May 2008|newspaper=[[Cambridge News]]|access-date=21 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105221743/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/displayarticle.asp?id=312719|archive-date=5 January 2009}}</ref> Opened in 2019, it is described as Europe's first eco-friendly mosque<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-48044025|title='Eco mosque' opens for worshippers|date=24 April 2019|access-date=28 November 2019|language=en-GB|archive-date=4 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004043341/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-48044025|url-status=live}}</ref> and is the first purpose-built mosque within the city. The Abu Bakr Jamia Islamic Centre on Mawson Road and the Omar Faruque Mosque and Cultural Centre in Kings Hedges are additional places of Muslim worship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cambridgemosque.com/|title=Cambridge Mosque|website=www.cambridgemosque.com|access-date=28 November 2019|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224020057/https://cambridgemosque.com/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.omarfaruquemosque.org.uk/index.php?section=1|title=Omar Faruque Mosque – North Cambridge Mosque, UK|website=www.omarfaruquemosque.org.uk|access-date=28 November 2019|archive-date=18 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118073503/http://www.omarfaruquemosque.org.uk/index.php?section=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.salatomatic.com/d/Cambridge+17159+Omar-Faruque-Mosque-and-Cultural-Centre/?msg=9|title=Omar Faruque Mosque and Cultural Centre|publisher=Salatomatic|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715230518/http://www.salatomatic.com/d/Cambridge+17159+Omar-Faruque-Mosque-and-Cultural-Centre/?msg=9|archive-date=15 July 2011|access-date=20 July 2010}}</ref>

Cambridge Buddhist Centre, which belongs to [[Triratna Buddhist Community]], was opened in the former [[Theatre Royal, Barnwell, Cambridge|Barnwell Theatre]] on Newmarket Road in 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cambridgebuddhistcentre.com/cbc/CBC_history.php |title= History of the Barnwell or Festival Theatre |publisher= Cambridge Buddhist Centre |access-date= 13 January 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091006015146/http://www.cambridgebuddhistcentre.com/cbc/CBC_history.php |archive-date= 6 October 2009 |url-status= live }}</ref> There are also several local Buddhist meditation groups from various [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] including Samatha Trust and Buddha Mettā Society.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cambridgebuddhistsociety.org.uk/meditation.html|title=Meditation and Local Groups|access-date=29 October 2020|archive-date=2 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902132939/http://cambridgebuddhistsociety.org.uk/meditation.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
A [[Hinduism|Hindu]] shrine was opened in 2010 at the Bharat Bhavan Indian cultural centre off [[Mill Road, Cambridge|Mill Road]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iccacambridge.co.uk/home|title=The Indian Community and Culture Association of Cambridge (ICCA)|work=Bharat Bhavan Indian cultural centre|access-date=3 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iccacambridge.co.uk/hall-hire/shrine|title=The Shrine|work=Bharat Bhavan Indian cultural centre|access-date=3 March 2012}}</ref>

A [[Sikhism|Sikh]] community has met in the city since 1982, and a [[Gurdwara]] was opened in [[Arbury]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Cambridge Gurdwara – Cambridge Gurdwara|date=18 December 2012|url=https://www.cambridgegurdwara.org/history/|access-date=24 April 2021|language=en-US|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424141432/https://www.cambridgegurdwara.org/history/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Our History – Cambridge University Sikh Society|url=https://cam.sikhsoc.org/our-history/|access-date=24 April 2021|language=en-GB|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225190618/https://cam.sikhsoc.org/our-history/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Coat of Arms ==
{{Infobox COA wide|name=City of Cambridge|image=File: Arms of the Cambridge City Council.svg|imagesize=220|bannerimage=|badgeimage=|coronet=|torse=|escutcheon=Gules a Bridge of one arch surmounted by three Towers Or in chief a Fleur-de-Lys Gold between two Roses Argent the base barry way of the last and Azure thereon three Ships each with one mast and yardarm the sail furled also Sable.|supporters=On either side a Sea Horse the upper parts Gules the nether part proper finned Or|motto=|orders=|banner=|badge=|symbolism=Cambridge owes its name and early development to the bridge at the farthest navigable part of the Cam (formerly Granta) river. The arms show this importance in the bridge, ships and sea horses. The roses and the fleur-de-lis are royal and national emblems.|year_granted=The arms were officially granted on 7 June 1575 by Robert Cooke, Clarenceux King of Arms, and recorded in the Visitation of 1648.|crest=On a Wreath Or and Gules upon a Mount Vert a Bridge in the form of a castle with two Ports and three domed Towers and between the Towers two Turrets also domed Argent.}}

== Twinned cities ==
Cambridge is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with two cities. Like Cambridge, both have universities and are also similar in population; [[Heidelberg]], Germany since 1965,<ref name=twintown>{{cite web|url=https://www.heidelberg.de/english/Home/Life/cambridge.html |title=Sister Cities: Cambridge |publisher=City of Heidelberg |access-date=27 May 2023 }}</ref> and [[Szeged]], Hungary since 1987.<ref name=twintown />
== Panoramic gallery ==
{{wide image|Panorama of Kings Parade in Cambridge, UK, at St. Mary's.jpg|800px|[[King's Parade]] seen from outside [[Church of St Mary the Great, Cambridge|St. Mary the Great]]}}
{{wide image|Panorama of Cambridge City Centre.jpg|800px|Panorama of the city centre, viewed from the tower of St. Mary the Great}}

== See also ==
{{portal|England}}
* [[List of bridges in Cambridge]]
* [[List of churches in Cambridge]]
* [[Cambridgeshire Archives and Local Studies]]
* [[:Category:Buildings and structures in Cambridge]]
* [[:Category:Organisations based in Cambridge]]
* [[:Category:People from Cambridge]]

== Explanatory notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
{{See also|Timeline of Cambridge#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Cambridge}}
* Barwell, Noel (1910), ''[https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/73643 Cambridge]'', Blackie & Son Limited
* {{cite book |publisher = Macmillan & Bowes |location = Cambridge |title = A catalogue of books printed at or relating to the University, town & county of Cambridge, from 1521 to 1893 |author = Bowes, Robert |date = 1894 |oclc = 1064186 |ol = 23284674M }}
* [[Tim Rawle|Rawle, Tim]] (author and photographer), [[John Adamson (publisher)|John Adamson]] (editor). ''[[Cambridge (book)|Cambridge]]'' (new ed. with foreword by William Bortrick). Cambridge: The Oxbridge Portfolio (2016), 204 pp. {{ISBN|978-0-9572867-2-6}}.

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons category|Cambridge}}
{{Wikivoyage|Cambridge (England)|Cambridge}}
* [https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ Cambridge City Council]
* {{cite EB9 |wstitle = Cambridge (2.) |volume= IV | page=728 |short=1}}
* [https://www.greatercambridge.org.uk/ Greater Cambridge Partnership]
* [https://www.calh.org.uk/ Cambridgeshire Association for Local History]
* [https://www.ccan.co.uk/ Cambridgeshire Community Archives]
* [https://www.visitcambridge.org/ Visit Cambridge]: the official tourism website for Cambridge

{{Cambridgeshire}}
{{East of England}}
{{UK cities}}
{{Geographic location
 | Centre    = Cambridge
 | North     = [[Histon]], [[Milton, Cambridgeshire|Milton]]
 | Northeast = [[Fen Ditton]]
 | East      = [[Teversham]]
 | Southeast = [[Fulbourn]]
 | South     = [[Great Shelford]]
 | Southwest = [[Grantchester]]
 | West      = [[Coton, Cambridgeshire|Coton]]
 | Northwest = [[Girton, Cambridgeshire|Girton]]
 | image     = 
}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cambridge| ]]
[[Category:Cities in the East of England]]
[[Category:County towns in England]]
[[Category:Non-metropolitan districts of Cambridgeshire]]
[[Category:Towns in Cambridgeshire]]
[[Category:Unparished areas in Cambridgeshire]]
[[Category:Boroughs in England]]
[[Category:Former civil parishes in Cambridgeshire]]