There’s no two ways about it – uni life is expensive. We all know it, we all hate it when we hit the middle of term and the student loan’s running a bit dry. The cost of living can be especially high in Cambridge, with WhatUni recommending budgeting around £1,200 a month. This figure is thought to increase, with the University of Cambridge suggesting budgeting around £1,300 for the 2026/2027 academic year. However, fear not if you’re a student in Cambridge! Around 35,000 students in the city means a lot of cheap and free things to do! Read on for our list of the top ten free things to do in Cambridge, perfect for a midweek hangout or some weekend relaxation.
Walk along the River Cam
The River Cam, as its name suggests, is one of the main rivers running through Cambridge. It’s known for the punts you can take across it, but those can be pretty pricey on a student budget. However, it’s super fun to wander along the river, taking in the scenery and the views of the historic buildings around it. Since the river runs right through the heart of the city, it’s super easy to get to for a post-lecture hot girl walk. If wild swimming is your thing, you can also swim in the river between Byron’s Pool and King’s Mill Weir – completely for free! You can check out this website for more details on swimming in the Cam.
Fitzwilliam Museum
If you love a bit of history, then exploring the Fitzwilliam Museum is the perfect activity for you. Entry to this gorgeous museum is completely free and it’s open Tuesday-Saturday every week (including Bank Holidays) so it’s available for you almost every day! The museum has over half a million objects, including artefacts from the Egyptian period and some rare coins. They’ve also got some stunning art by famed artists like Monet. They also offer lots of temporary exhibitions and events – though some of these could cost you money.
University Museum of Zoology
Still got a hankering for history after exploring the Fitzwilliam Museum? Why not check out the University Museum of Zoology, another free-to-enter museum. This museum is a fab day out for fans of animal life and evolution, as there’s tons of animal exhibitions here. That includes one of the most complete Dodo skeletons in the UK and a massive 21-metre fin whale. Like the Fitzwilliam Museum, they also have an exciting schedule full of different events to add to your experience.
Cambridge Market Square
It’s free to wander round the famous Cambridge market square, but I can’t guarantee you won’t buy anything! Vendors pop up here from ten till four every day selling a diverse selection of things. You can find everything from delicious street food to clothes and jewellery to books and CDs. The market is fun to just walk around, but if you’ve got a bit of money to spare it’s the perfect place to find some truly unique wares. It’s the best place to buy a present for a loved one… or maybe a little treat for yourself (you’ve earned it).
Cherry Hinton Hall Park
Calling all nature lovers – you’re going to want to head to Cherry Hinton Hall park. Set in the gardens of a beautiful Victorian country house, this park offers stunning green spaces, playgrounds and ponds galore. If you’re into botany, the Council offers an interactive tree trail you can use to learn about the different plants and flowers in the park. There’s also many events that happen within the park if you want to spice up a weekend. Even when there’s nothing on, the park is perfect to stretch your legs after a long day of studying or have a picnic with some friends.
All Saints Garden and Craft Market
The All Saints Garden and Craft Market pops up every Saturday in the All Saints Garden. This pretty green space is located just opposite the Trinity College Gatehouse. The combination of cute market stalls and historic buildings make for a beautiful view as you browse. Like I said for the Cambridge market square – it’s free to have a look around, but that’s not to say you won’t buy anything! However, if you did want to purchase a little trinket, rest assured you’d be supporting a local artist and their craft!
Castle Mound
The Castle Mound is the only remnant of the original Cambridge Castle. It’s a great walk up to the top – even though it’s a hill, it’s still a fairly easy walk up. It’s also completely free to visit and to hike up to the top. You’re rewarded for the walk by some stunning views of Cambridge and the surrounding countryside, as Castle Mound is the highest spot the city can be viewed from. Why not take a picnic with you to enjoy whilst staring out at the city? You might even be able to spot your house!
Kettle’s Yard
If you’re an art lover, Kettle’s Yard is for you! It’s a stunning gallery housing many contemporary and modern art installations. The exhibitions are also constantly changing, meaning you can see something different and exciting every time you visit. Entry to the galleries are free to everyone, but there’s an extra aspect to Kettle’s Yard too! The permanent collection, called the house, costs extra money and entry is controlled via timed entry tickets. However, the house is also free to visit if you’re aged 25 and under and/or if you’re a University of Cambridge student, so it’s the ultimate free day out!
Listen to the Evensong
While it’s not usually free to visit King’s College Chapel, it is free to visit if you’re attending a service! Therefore, you can go to listen to the Evensong choir completely for free. The Evensong choir sings at 5:30pm Monday through to Saturday, and at 3:30 on Sundays. The choir also sings at St. John’s Chapel, which is free to enter if you’re a Cambridge resident, alumni or prospective student. Whether you enjoy choir music or you prefer chart-topping pop, this is a magical experience for everyone.
Walk along the Backs
If you don’t know, the Backs are a stunning area of Cambridge where several University of Cambridge colleges and their grounds back onto the River Cam – hence the name the Backs! While it’s not free to enter some of the colleges to see them up close, the public footpath along the Backs is free and beautiful to boot! Why not go at sunrise or sunset to witness the sun rising or setting over the river and colleges? Now that’s an Instagram post that will make all your friends jealous!
While it’s definitely not cheap to live in Cambridge, there are plenty of free things you can do to have fun on a budget! Whether you’re a new student coming to study at Cambridge, or a seasoned student who’s been here for years, I bet there’s something on this list you’ve never thought of! If you’ve got a bit of cash to spare, why not make a day of it and indulge in some of Cambridge’s delicious food? Check out our article on Cambridge’s best brunch spots or the top Japanese restaurants in Cambridge for some inspiration!
Frequently asked questions
Are all museums in Cambridge free?
According to WhichMuseum, there are seven free museums in Cambridge, including the three mentioned on this list. Some of the other free museums in the city include the Polar Museum, the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences and the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. That’s a bunch more free days out for you! Surely it’s okay to procrastinate your essay if you’re learning about history, right?
Is it free to explore the University of Cambridge?
Unfortunately, it’s not entirely free to explore the University of Cambridge. It costs a fee to visit many of the colleges, like the St. John’s, King’s and Trinity Colleges. However, it is free to visit several other colleges, like Christ’s College or Downing College. For more information on which areas of the University are free to visit, check out this guide.
Hi, my name is Lili and I am currently studying for a Psychology degree! When I’m not studying, I love swimming, reading and writing.
