A flavour of Cambridge
With our head office based just a few miles away from Cambridge city centre, we are the go-to furniture hire company for people relocating or setting up homes in Cambridge. Having lived in the area all her life, here are some tips about Cambridge from our Managing Director, Hollie Wright.
As a world-famous university city with a population of only around 125,000, Cambridge is a highly desirable, compact location surrounded by beautiful countryside. It’s a relatively safe and stunningly beautiful place, full of impressive properties and well-maintained parks, and is steeped in history throughout.
Getting Around
Cambridge has expanded rapidly in recent years; traffic congestion is commonplace and in turn, so is parking.
It is hardly surprising therefore that cyclists make up over 20% of all commuters, luckily the flat terrain of the city makes it a great way to get around.
For those who need to commute to London, there is a direct train from Cambridge Railway Station to King’s Cross St. Pancras every half hour, which takes 50 minutes. Stansted Airport is just a 20-minute car journey away, via the M11 motorway.
Education
Say ‘Cambridge’ to most people and the first thing they will think of is the world-renowned University of Cambridge. Consistently ranked in the top five universities in the world, its reputation for excellence dates back to its founding in 1209. The university culture permeates the city, with around one-fifth of all residents being students, and many buildings permanently used throughout the city for academic purposes.
There are highly rated schools everywhere you look, with the most accredited by Ofsted being Spinney and Milton Road primary schools and Parkside Community secondary school.
Housing
As a highly sought after area, house prices in Cambridge are certainly not cheap. The southern end of the city tends to be the most expensive area and any properties situated close to the railway station naturally command a premium.
You wont need to search far for a good quality unfurnished rental property in the City. Luckily we at Instant Home – First class furniture hire – are a stones throw away, ready to furnish an empty apartment/house with stylish quality furniture. Sofa’s, bed’s, dining tables even a vacuum cleaner or bed linens, our delivery team install all our fabulous items leaving you ready to enjoy your new home; just ideal if you are relocating to Cambridge temporarily.
Time Off
You will be spoiled for choice for museums and galleries in Cambridge as the city boasts the country’s highest concentration of internationally renowned collections outside London. Many of the University of Cambridge’s eight museums are free to enter and offer trails and activity packs for children.
Summer In the City of Cambridge is full of al fresco performances of music; Jazz in the Park, Midsummer Fair, Cambridge Folk Festival, Strawberry Fair and the Cambridge Shakespeare festival ensures there is something for everyone to enjoy.
And just in case you overheat the outdoor pool at Jesus Green, one of the longest outdoor pools in the UK, at over 90 meters in length, will cool you down.
If you feel the need for some retail therapy Cambridge will not disappoint, the Grand Arcade (which is as grand as it sounds) shopping centre houses almost everything you might need under one roof, centered around a large John Lewis department store.
Eating Out
With something for even the most discerning palate, the selection of restaurants in Cambridge makes choosing somewhere to dine a difficult decision to make. The choices range from Michelin Star European cuisine at Restaurant Alimentum to the best tastes of the Orient.
Cambridge is home to award-winning vegetarian and vegan restaurant the Rainbow Café as well as some of the most well-loved Italian and Mediterranean cuisine in the region at Don Pasquale, De Luca Cucina & Bar & Strada.