Wednesday, 30 January 2008
A brief note about confetti...
The College has asked that no one throws confetti after the ceremony. Or rose petals, or rice, or bird-seed...basically, no throwing. This is actually perfectly fine with us, as we're not leaving for the honeymoon (by train to Prague, in case you're interested) for some time after the ceremony.
Places of Worship
Places of Worship
There are obviously plenty of churches in Cambridge. If you are staying at Jesus College, you will be welcomed into their chapel for Sunday morning services whatever your faith. Other College chapels of note are King's College (which is more of a Cathedral) and Emmanuel (the one designed by Kit Wren). There are also many beautiful churches in the centre of town, namely Greater St Mary's, which is the official University church (in fact, if affects all of us...undergraduates are required by statute to live within three miles of her tower. As a graduate, I'm kindly allowed to live a bit further out). Those of you keen for a good climb and a great view can also ascend the bell tower, which offers a fantastic view of Cambridge, but be warned...the steps are made of ancient stone and are uneven, and the spiral stairway is a bit narrow. College chapels are generally either interfaith or non-denominational, or else high Anglican, which I understand equates with the Presbyterian denomination in the US. Some colleges, and many local churches, also offer a Methodist service, and I am happy to help if that is what you want. You might also want to visit St Andrew's, in the centre of town but tucked away, where the English Reformation was born.
Cambridge has one large Catholic Church, known as Our Lady of the English Martyrs. It's a striking gothic building, still covered in coal dust. I guarantee you'll notice it coming from the station. They offer High Mass, as well as masses in English, Spanish and Polish (Cambridge has a huge Polish population). I am happy to look into times if anyone is interested.
There is a synagogue just outside the city centre, which I am also happy to help someone find. There is no Mosque close to Cambridge, but if you or your guest have need, there is an interfaith house of worship which is particularly welcoming to Muslims. Please let me know if I can help.
I should mention here that we are having a civil ceremony, which means that religious material of any kind is specifically banned by law from the service. So if you do want to worship on Sunday, we can help you find a beautiful and peaceful place to do it before the wedding.
If you have other requests regarding a place of worship for Friday, Saturday or Sunday, just let me know (again, it's ebw23 (at) cam.ac.uk.)
There are obviously plenty of churches in Cambridge. If you are staying at Jesus College, you will be welcomed into their chapel for Sunday morning services whatever your faith. Other College chapels of note are King's College (which is more of a Cathedral) and Emmanuel (the one designed by Kit Wren). There are also many beautiful churches in the centre of town, namely Greater St Mary's, which is the official University church (in fact, if affects all of us...undergraduates are required by statute to live within three miles of her tower. As a graduate, I'm kindly allowed to live a bit further out). Those of you keen for a good climb and a great view can also ascend the bell tower, which offers a fantastic view of Cambridge, but be warned...the steps are made of ancient stone and are uneven, and the spiral stairway is a bit narrow. College chapels are generally either interfaith or non-denominational, or else high Anglican, which I understand equates with the Presbyterian denomination in the US. Some colleges, and many local churches, also offer a Methodist service, and I am happy to help if that is what you want. You might also want to visit St Andrew's, in the centre of town but tucked away, where the English Reformation was born.
Cambridge has one large Catholic Church, known as Our Lady of the English Martyrs. It's a striking gothic building, still covered in coal dust. I guarantee you'll notice it coming from the station. They offer High Mass, as well as masses in English, Spanish and Polish (Cambridge has a huge Polish population). I am happy to look into times if anyone is interested.
There is a synagogue just outside the city centre, which I am also happy to help someone find. There is no Mosque close to Cambridge, but if you or your guest have need, there is an interfaith house of worship which is particularly welcoming to Muslims. Please let me know if I can help.
I should mention here that we are having a civil ceremony, which means that religious material of any kind is specifically banned by law from the service. So if you do want to worship on Sunday, we can help you find a beautiful and peaceful place to do it before the wedding.
If you have other requests regarding a place of worship for Friday, Saturday or Sunday, just let me know (again, it's ebw23 (at) cam.ac.uk.)
Directions
By train
There are regular rail services run to Cambridge from London. Please check other routes at www.thetrainline.co.uk.
Citi 1, 3 and 7 buses run from the station to the centre every few minutes (but check the direction is towards town). It’s probably a ten minute walk from the bus station to the pedestrian entrance of the college on Jesus Lane. Alternatively, there is a taxi rank directly outside the rail station that can drop you there.
By car
From London via the M11 turn off at junction 13 and take the A1303 to Cambridge (Madingly Road). After 2 miles at the mini roundabout take a left onto Northampton Street (which goes past Kettle’s Yard gallery on the left). Go straight over the crossroads onto Chesterton Lane, with the river on your right. Follow the one-way system to the right around Staples so that you face the way you have just come. Move into the left-hand lane before the road splits (after the shop “Seasons”). This is Victoria Avenue. The turning for college is ahead on the right.
From the A14 there is a choice of roads into Cambridge, but the simplest route is to turn off at junction 33 (with the A10 to Ely). Take the A1309 into Cambridge (Milton Road) past the Science Park. Continue on this road until the first roundabout and turn left onto Elizabeth Way. At the next roundabout turn right onto the A1303 (Chesterton Lane). After the row of shops on the left (ending with “Seasons”) the road splits and you need to move into the left-hand lane. This brings you to Victoria Avenue. The turning for college is ahead on the right.
There are regular rail services run to Cambridge from London. Please check other routes at www.thetrainline.co.uk.
Citi 1, 3 and 7 buses run from the station to the centre every few minutes (but check the direction is towards town). It’s probably a ten minute walk from the bus station to the pedestrian entrance of the college on Jesus Lane. Alternatively, there is a taxi rank directly outside the rail station that can drop you there.
By car
From London via the M11 turn off at junction 13 and take the A1303 to Cambridge (Madingly Road). After 2 miles at the mini roundabout take a left onto Northampton Street (which goes past Kettle’s Yard gallery on the left). Go straight over the crossroads onto Chesterton Lane, with the river on your right. Follow the one-way system to the right around Staples so that you face the way you have just come. Move into the left-hand lane before the road splits (after the shop “Seasons”). This is Victoria Avenue. The turning for college is ahead on the right.
From the A14 there is a choice of roads into Cambridge, but the simplest route is to turn off at junction 33 (with the A10 to Ely). Take the A1309 into Cambridge (Milton Road) past the Science Park. Continue on this road until the first roundabout and turn left onto Elizabeth Way. At the next roundabout turn right onto the A1303 (Chesterton Lane). After the row of shops on the left (ending with “Seasons”) the road splits and you need to move into the left-hand lane. This brings you to Victoria Avenue. The turning for college is ahead on the right.
More stuff of use
Taxi firms:
The station is roughly a mile from the centre of town and maybe a mile and a half from Jesus College. There's a taxi rank outside the station, but here are the numbers of the two big taxi companies in case you need to book one.
Largest taxi company - Panther taxis 01223 715715
Oldest taxi company - Camtax 01223 313131
There's another taxi rank in the town centre right by Lion's Yard shopping mall, and the bell hops at the Crowne Plaza will also obviously arrange a car for you.
Jesus college:
Have a look here for lots of pictures of Jesus college, the grounds and the rooms.
Jesus College
Prices of rooms in college:
The college gave us the accommodation form to fill in so please email us and not the college.
Bed & Breakfast (single ensuite) £56.50
Bed & Breakfast (twin ensuite) £45.95 per person
Bed & Breakfast (single standard, sharing a communal bathroom) £38.00
Car parking:
Finding a place to park in Cambridge is tricky, but the college does have a car park we can use. If you’re coming by car (or by taxi) on the day – this is a great opportunity to go down the drive to the main entrance. The turning is off Victoria Lane, please look at directions for further details. You will be able to park here on Sunday, but please let us know so that we can give the college an idea of the number of cars. You’ll be able to park there during the day on Sunday and on Sunday night if you’re staying over.
Wedding breakfast menu:
It’s a formal buffet, and there’ll be a selection of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes (salmon, beef, smoked fish platter and a calabrese & stilton quiche) with sides (jacket and new potatoes, and green and rice salads) and a selection of desserts (including cheese and biscuits)… as well as the wedding cake, of course.
Allergies
This is what the college says about providing for dietary requirements:
“Some of our menu items contain allergenic ingredients such as nuts. There is a small risk that tiny traces of these may be in any other dish or food served here. We understand the dangers to those with severe allergies therefore please speak to a member of the Conference and Events Team who will be able to help you make an alternative choice. Dishes are prepared daily using as many locally sourced fresh ingredients as possible. We use vegetable oil for frying, 100% extra virgin olive oil in all dressings, and Lo Salt with reduced salt content as a seasoning with the addition of sugar being controlled to the extent of not compromising taste. A vegetarian option is always available and the College is a member of the Vegetarian Society.”
Please contact us if you have any questions
Order of service:
2.00 Ceremony in the Upper Hall (please arrive ten to fifteen minutes early. College grounds can be daunting, especially when you’re trying to find staircase ‘J’, all the courts look incredibly similar and you’re not sure if you can walk on the grass. So ask the porter the way to the staircase entrance)
2.45 Champagne reception in the cloister. Photographs
4.00 Wedding breakfast in the Upper Hall
7.00 Party in the bar (to give people time to go back to hotel rooms, go for a walk – but the bar will be open from 6.00pm for anyone who wants to sit there…) The bar will be a cash bar, but we will pay for all soft drinks. There will also be some more food put out, for those of you who have managed to work up an appetite dancing.
The Maypole:
We thought it would be nice to get together at lunch time the next day, to say goodbye before everyone heads home. We’ve chosen the Maypole as it’s one of the nicest (centrally located) pubs in Cambridge. It’s a great place run by friendly Italians – the food is good and there’s lots of room upstairs. It’s hidden away on the corner of Portugal Place and Park Street (which is off Jesus Lane) – in between the lovely Jesus Green and a rather less attractive multi-storey car park.
The station is roughly a mile from the centre of town and maybe a mile and a half from Jesus College. There's a taxi rank outside the station, but here are the numbers of the two big taxi companies in case you need to book one.
Largest taxi company - Panther taxis 01223 715715
Oldest taxi company - Camtax 01223 313131
There's another taxi rank in the town centre right by Lion's Yard shopping mall, and the bell hops at the Crowne Plaza will also obviously arrange a car for you.
Jesus college:
Have a look here for lots of pictures of Jesus college, the grounds and the rooms.
Jesus College
Prices of rooms in college:
The college gave us the accommodation form to fill in so please email us and not the college.
Bed & Breakfast (single ensuite) £56.50
Bed & Breakfast (twin ensuite) £45.95 per person
Bed & Breakfast (single standard, sharing a communal bathroom) £38.00
Car parking:
Finding a place to park in Cambridge is tricky, but the college does have a car park we can use. If you’re coming by car (or by taxi) on the day – this is a great opportunity to go down the drive to the main entrance. The turning is off Victoria Lane, please look at directions for further details. You will be able to park here on Sunday, but please let us know so that we can give the college an idea of the number of cars. You’ll be able to park there during the day on Sunday and on Sunday night if you’re staying over.
Wedding breakfast menu:
It’s a formal buffet, and there’ll be a selection of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes (salmon, beef, smoked fish platter and a calabrese & stilton quiche) with sides (jacket and new potatoes, and green and rice salads) and a selection of desserts (including cheese and biscuits)… as well as the wedding cake, of course.
Allergies
This is what the college says about providing for dietary requirements:
“Some of our menu items contain allergenic ingredients such as nuts. There is a small risk that tiny traces of these may be in any other dish or food served here. We understand the dangers to those with severe allergies therefore please speak to a member of the Conference and Events Team who will be able to help you make an alternative choice. Dishes are prepared daily using as many locally sourced fresh ingredients as possible. We use vegetable oil for frying, 100% extra virgin olive oil in all dressings, and Lo Salt with reduced salt content as a seasoning with the addition of sugar being controlled to the extent of not compromising taste. A vegetarian option is always available and the College is a member of the Vegetarian Society.”
Please contact us if you have any questions
Order of service:
2.00 Ceremony in the Upper Hall (please arrive ten to fifteen minutes early. College grounds can be daunting, especially when you’re trying to find staircase ‘J’, all the courts look incredibly similar and you’re not sure if you can walk on the grass. So ask the porter the way to the staircase entrance)
2.45 Champagne reception in the cloister. Photographs
4.00 Wedding breakfast in the Upper Hall
7.00 Party in the bar (to give people time to go back to hotel rooms, go for a walk – but the bar will be open from 6.00pm for anyone who wants to sit there…) The bar will be a cash bar, but we will pay for all soft drinks. There will also be some more food put out, for those of you who have managed to work up an appetite dancing.
The Maypole:
We thought it would be nice to get together at lunch time the next day, to say goodbye before everyone heads home. We’ve chosen the Maypole as it’s one of the nicest (centrally located) pubs in Cambridge. It’s a great place run by friendly Italians – the food is good and there’s lots of room upstairs. It’s hidden away on the corner of Portugal Place and Park Street (which is off Jesus Lane) – in between the lovely Jesus Green and a rather less attractive multi-storey car park.
Saturday, 19 January 2008
Cambridge links
Just some things to help you get around and enjoy our great city:
A map of the city
The University website
A train time site
Information on Cambridge libraries and museums
A short history of the city
A short history of the University
A list of famous Cambridge graduates
A map of the city
The University website
A train time site
Information on Cambridge libraries and museums
A short history of the city
A short history of the University
A list of famous Cambridge graduates
Where to eat and drink
If you're staying in Cambridge for more than a day, you'll need sustenance. Here are some places we recommend.
1) The Maypole is a lovely family-run pub that does great food. The menu is half British pub standards and half Italian. It's hidden away next to parking garage, but is worth seeking out. Also highly recommended is The Granta, near Newnham, a bit of a walk, but right on an old mill pond, teaming with wildlife and featuring spectacular views. Best in nice weather, but the food is decent. There are many good ethnic restaurants in Cambridge; there's a particularly good Thai place called Sala Thong near Newnham, as well as a great noodle bar called Dojo on Mill Lane. There are several good curry houses, notably Curry King (behind The Mitre pub). You can't really go wrong with any of the Thai, Chinese or Indian places in the city centre.
2) There are two pubs named The Castle, confusingly, but both are good. One is on Castle Hill (near Jesus College) and the other is on St Andrew's Street (near the Crowne Plaza). Both offer good food and good service; the Castle on St Andrews offers slightly fancier food, but both are recommended.
3) All Bar One is a large chain, but the outlet on St Andrew's does good food and good wine at reasonable prices, in a good location. The Tapas menu in particular is recommended.
4) Hotel du Vin is a beautiful boutique hotel that also has a lovely cafe and champagne bar. A nice place to spend a quiet evening, and directly across from the Fitzwilliam Museum.
5) Pizza Express is a good option for simple food; the location on Jesus Lane (near the college) is housed in the former quarters of a Cambridge club, and has a handsome interior. The food is okay, and is much loved by children.
6) There are many other pubs and restaurants in Cambridge, which I hope you'll enjoy searching out. There are however a few to avoid. The Regent, for example, is home to quite a a few fights in the evening. Also, I wouldn't recommend The Baron of Beef for the same reason. If in doubt, check with us, and we can give you our opinion.
1) The Maypole is a lovely family-run pub that does great food. The menu is half British pub standards and half Italian. It's hidden away next to parking garage, but is worth seeking out. Also highly recommended is The Granta, near Newnham, a bit of a walk, but right on an old mill pond, teaming with wildlife and featuring spectacular views. Best in nice weather, but the food is decent. There are many good ethnic restaurants in Cambridge; there's a particularly good Thai place called Sala Thong near Newnham, as well as a great noodle bar called Dojo on Mill Lane. There are several good curry houses, notably Curry King (behind The Mitre pub). You can't really go wrong with any of the Thai, Chinese or Indian places in the city centre.
2) There are two pubs named The Castle, confusingly, but both are good. One is on Castle Hill (near Jesus College) and the other is on St Andrew's Street (near the Crowne Plaza). Both offer good food and good service; the Castle on St Andrews offers slightly fancier food, but both are recommended.
3) All Bar One is a large chain, but the outlet on St Andrew's does good food and good wine at reasonable prices, in a good location. The Tapas menu in particular is recommended.
4) Hotel du Vin is a beautiful boutique hotel that also has a lovely cafe and champagne bar. A nice place to spend a quiet evening, and directly across from the Fitzwilliam Museum.
5) Pizza Express is a good option for simple food; the location on Jesus Lane (near the college) is housed in the former quarters of a Cambridge club, and has a handsome interior. The food is okay, and is much loved by children.
6) There are many other pubs and restaurants in Cambridge, which I hope you'll enjoy searching out. There are however a few to avoid. The Regent, for example, is home to quite a a few fights in the evening. Also, I wouldn't recommend The Baron of Beef for the same reason. If in doubt, check with us, and we can give you our opinion.
Friday, 18 January 2008
What to do
While we have you pretty well booked up on Sunday the 13th, you may want to do something on one of the other days. Cambridge is a beautiful town, and the colleges alone make for an enjoyable day. Some charge a small fee for entrance; of these, King's College, St John's College and Trinity College are the ones worth paying for. King's College has some of the most glorious buildings in Britain; John's has great architecture and great grounds; and Trinity has all of the above, including a library designed by Christopher Wren. All are close together and all are worth a visit.
Of the other colleges, I highly recommend Emmanuel College, which is very close to the city centre. They have a large body of grounds, including a chapel designed by Wren. They also maintain a large flock of ornamental ducks, which are the unofficial college symbol.
Cambridge is quite a compact city; there are many shops and restaurants in the centre. Just outside, there are quite a few things to see. The Botanical Gardens are lovely, and the University has multiple museums. First on the list (not least because it gives Elenor employment) is the Fitzwilliam Museum, a breathtaking collection of art and artifacts in a breathtaking building. They have a fantastic collection of antiquities, armor and other fun things and is a must-do for kids.
Near Cambridge is the American Military Cemetery (link) which is the only US military cemetery in the UK, and is a lovely peaceful place. I highly recommend a visit.
Also nearby is Duxford, which is a former RAF and USAF base, which is now an air museum. They have everything, from WWII fighters to a Concord. There are buses from town, or else it's a short cab ride. (link)
Also, in the event of good weather, you should go punting. Punts are unique to Oxford and Cambridge; they're narrow flat-bottomed boats propelled by a long pole wielded by a 'punter' standing on the back. Here's a tip from experience: spend the extra money to have a chauffeured punt. It's a lot harder than it looks, and much amusement is gained by locals watching tourists try to navigate their boats. There are many punt companies in Cambridge; I recommend the ones next to the Granta Pub in Newnham. You can even buy drinks in the pub and take them with you on your trip. You generally have the option of a tour of 'The Backs' or you can head down to Granchester, a lovely small village, much adored by Lord Byron and Rupert Brooke.
There are many other things to do in and near Cambridge; there's a Tourist Information Centre in the Marketplace which will have more information. The University website also has some things of interest: Try here and here first.
Of the other colleges, I highly recommend Emmanuel College, which is very close to the city centre. They have a large body of grounds, including a chapel designed by Wren. They also maintain a large flock of ornamental ducks, which are the unofficial college symbol.
Cambridge is quite a compact city; there are many shops and restaurants in the centre. Just outside, there are quite a few things to see. The Botanical Gardens are lovely, and the University has multiple museums. First on the list (not least because it gives Elenor employment) is the Fitzwilliam Museum, a breathtaking collection of art and artifacts in a breathtaking building. They have a fantastic collection of antiquities, armor and other fun things and is a must-do for kids.
Near Cambridge is the American Military Cemetery (link) which is the only US military cemetery in the UK, and is a lovely peaceful place. I highly recommend a visit.
Also nearby is Duxford, which is a former RAF and USAF base, which is now an air museum. They have everything, from WWII fighters to a Concord. There are buses from town, or else it's a short cab ride. (link)
Also, in the event of good weather, you should go punting. Punts are unique to Oxford and Cambridge; they're narrow flat-bottomed boats propelled by a long pole wielded by a 'punter' standing on the back. Here's a tip from experience: spend the extra money to have a chauffeured punt. It's a lot harder than it looks, and much amusement is gained by locals watching tourists try to navigate their boats. There are many punt companies in Cambridge; I recommend the ones next to the Granta Pub in Newnham. You can even buy drinks in the pub and take them with you on your trip. You generally have the option of a tour of 'The Backs' or you can head down to Granchester, a lovely small village, much adored by Lord Byron and Rupert Brooke.
There are many other things to do in and near Cambridge; there's a Tourist Information Centre in the Marketplace which will have more information. The University website also has some things of interest: Try here and here first.
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