Spend a Night at a Cambridge College
Cambridge's hallowed halls are opening to the public as bed and breakfasts.
LONDON, March 5, 2010— -- Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live on Cambridge's campus, but without the professors and assignments? Now you can find out, because in celebration of Cambridge University's 800th anniversary, the college is opening its rooms to tourists during school breaks.
Starting March 14, visitors will be able to stay at one of the university's 19 colleges, which will be offering bed and breakfast in the historic buildings from $53 to $144 a night.
"Previously, the bedrooms had only been available to students, conferences, college members, and alumni, and individuals had begun to inquire about opening the rooms up," said Judith Sloane, the assistant manager for Conference Cambridge.
Guests will now be able to see behind the scenes, tracing the footsteps of graduates such as Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Prince Charles. While on campus, you can go punting on the Cam River, wander through the gardens and courts, and even get a beer in the college bar.
Sloane described the rooms as varying in style with some being fairly modern, and varying between ensuite and shared bathrooms. All have tea and coffee-making facilities, and breakfast in the food halls is included.
Frankie McGhee, the tourism services manager for Visit Cambridge said, "I think a lot of tourists coming into Cambridge will want to do this because a lot of people don't get the opportunity to go to college or to go to a Cambridge college. I think it will be rather special."
Proceeds of the program will go toward funding undergraduate facilities, in effort to bring costs down for students.
Rooms can be booked online at www.conferencecambridge.com.
