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MCJnr is heading to uni in Cambridge in 3 weeks time. Apparently we have a 20 minute window at the college (Pembroke) to unload his worldly goods and then we have to find somewhere to park and go back for afternoon tea, apparently.
My previous experience of visits to Cambridge was that I was glad I hadn't taken the car, so any locals suggest somewhere to park nearby?
Many thanks
I actually quite like the park and ride (madingley road normally as it’s where I reach Cambridge).
I can tell you the grand arcade car park (near the college) is rather expensive. Have used grafton road car park the other side of town which wasn’t too bad but it’s not big.
There are proper car parks nearby, but if it's a nice day you could take the scenic option: park on Adams Road for free and then walk via the UL and the backs.
Yes, park and ride makes sense, depending which way you'll be leaving. It'll take about 20 minutes to drive out from the centre to the car park, and maybe a bit longer on the bus back into the centre.
All the car parks in the centre are expensive, but you'll save a bit of time.
Adams or one of the others just off Grange road are or were last time I had to go there a couple of years ago, the usual options for longer stay or sell a kidney to park in town centre car parks or park and ride. Used to always be able to park on Grange but not for several years.
PS make sure the bairn has the worst bike possible for town use as a student. Need one that can be dumped on the bike pile (never enough racks) outside any building day or night with a real cheapo lock. Anything with gears will not last more than a few weeks of student bike piles.
As others have already recommended: Adams Road and others nearby (especially Sylvester and Wilberforce). Walk in to the centre via the UL/Clare Memorial Court, then up Garret Hostel Lane (Clare Old Court and Gardens are unfortunately shut for renovation).
Bear in mind, however, that Adams Road may already be jam-packed with parents dropping off their children at Robinson. In this case, your options are limited, since most on-street parking is restricted to residence permit holders. However, I think the area to the north of Chesterton Road is still derestricted (e.g. around Herbert Street, George Street and Chesterton Hall Crescent). From there you can cross the Cam at Victoria Avenue or the Fort St. George, walk across Jesus Green then down Trinity Street/King's Parade, reaching Pembroke in about half an hour.
Regarding bikes: get a good quality D-lock and a cable for the wheels.
Thanks for the pointers.
Not sure about bikes at the moment, he wants to wait and see whether he needs one or can get away with walking everywhere.
He will need a bike without doubt right from the off. There will be stuff all over town that he needs to get to.
Some sort of beater - singlespeed, battered, fast tyres, d lock.
Are there reputable places to get a beat up second hand bike in Cambridge? Or a cheap hire scheme? With the short uni terms ideally want to leave it there rather than take it to and fro every 9-10 weeks.
You can hire one of those e-scooter things in Cambridge.
Most colleges should have a storage room where you can leave your bike safely between terms. Clare certainly does.
Pre-Covid, there was no shortage of second-hand bikes in Cambridge, but you may find a cheaper or better selection locally (put it on the car roof or in the boot when you come up). I wouldn't get the cheapest or nastiest bike possible, because then it will simply waste your son's time and cause frustration when it falls apart. Just make sure it looks battered and discreet. Wrap a Sainsbury's bag over the saddle to complete the Tramp aesthetic.
20 years ago I managed to keep a relatively decent bike (GT Outpost) safely in Cambridge for 4 years, using a solid D-lock and cable. [Anything nice locked with cables alone will vanish in days/weeks.] It isn't hard at all to find safe/secure places to lock your bike. But perhaps battery-powered angle-grinders have changed the scene for the worse...
Aside from bikes: don't forget the toastie-maker.
Just make sure it looks battered and discreet.
Yeah, I mean beater in appearance 🙂
I have used electrical tape, paint etc to give the beater look. Nothing shiny!
I would look locally before you go so you have time to go over it and get it set up - get any quick releases replaced with bolts, service all the bearings and work on the beater look.
Vs, cantis or calipers. No disks. Go for easy to maintain with barely any tools.
You could try Castle Hill / Castle Street car park which has long stay rates, 15-20 minute walk along the backs back to Pembroke. And if there is no space continue on to Madingley P&R. There is also a car park at Lammas Land but I would expect it to be full and the residential streets on the west side to be chocka.
Re bike, they are expected to attend tutorials in College and lectures, Practicals in the University Department buildings, so e.g. on West Site that's a mile or more each way. So that's why almost everyone has a bike, including staff, and second hand bike prices are very high and standards very low. Don't leave the bike on the street it'll get nicked or removed during holidays.
There is parking at the end of Granda Place, also Lammas land across the field, end of Barton road is a lay by if you don’t mind a walk, equally Grantchester is an easy walk into Cambridge. I’d not want to be carrying suitcases from grantchester though.
Yes get the cheapest working bike you can and 2 x d locks. Don’t ever leave a bike at other station. Stolen bikes in Cambridge is a great resource on Facebook. A lot of bikes are being stolen by Darren Valentine and family, his address is 27 squires close.
I would be tempted to take your bike as well as his and then park in the Milton P&R. You can then do a really nice bike ride from there over the A10 footbridge to Milton Country Park, cut through to the Cam, and then cycle along the towpath up to the centre of Cambridge. If it's nice weather it will be amazing.
Cambridge is a driving nightmare at weekends. Queen Anne car park (Kelsey Kerridge) and Park Street (near Jesus Green) are good multi story options in the city. P&R are good, but I guess you have a boot of luggage that needs unloading.
Do you have a hotel that you’d want to park up near?
Bike theft is a huge problem in Cambridge. Get something that looks close to death and lock it up well. Stolen bikes are usually sold in the city too, so I’d be cautious where you buy. Try Owl bikes (community project in Chesterton).
Bike theft is a huge problem in Cambridge.
Students across the road locked one of their bikes to a 3" thick tree branch, in their front garden, with a D-lock. Someone sawed through the tree in the middle of the night and took their bike!
Having said that, I've never had a bike stolen in Cambridge in 50 years, just always lock it to something made out of steel.
NB I've offered to fit ground anchors in their wall, just waiting for landlord to OK it...
The college looks close-ish to the car park next to Parkside Pool. Can't remember the name of the car park itself (perhaps Queen Anne). Parking charges a bit less than places like Park St and Grand Arcade I think.
Just need to walk across Parker's Piece and your almost there.
I think if your sensible about locks and bike choice you'll be OK. Anything decent with a brand name will attract attention though.
A mate of mine was doing a pub quiz and had his Marin HT locked to railings across the road.
When he came out, everything had been stripped from the frame. On CCTV, it showed they'd basically driven a Transit up onto the pavement to hide what was going on and stripped it out of view.