A guide to working and living in Cambridge Welcome

About Cambridge

“Cambridge is one of Britain’s smaller cities but it is also But despite its ultra modern image, the city has one of the fastest growing.” retained the picturesque charm that has delighted visitors from all over the world. Its narrow streets Only a hundred years ago, its population was just 36,000, and historic colleges are famed everywhere, as are and its main sources of employment were agriculture its legions of cycling students, and there can be few and the world famous Cambridge University. people who have not seen pictures of punts gliding down the willow lined River Cam. Today, the University is still a major employer but so is the hi-tech industry, the so called Cambridge “Between three and four million visitors come to enjoy Phenomenon. As Cambridge’s reputation has risen to the city’s delights every year.” – Cambridge Tourist rival that of Silicon Valley in the US, and new businesses Information. have started up, people have poured in from all over the country. This guide provides information for individuals and familes moving to Cambridge, particularly from This has triggered a boom in property prices, and a overseas, who may never have lived in the UK before. major debate about housing, with suggestions that part of the city’s Green Belt may have to be built on to For more information visit: accommodate the growing population, now well over www.justuk.org/uk/cambridge 100,000 and spreading into surrounding villages. Cambridge’s position at the heart of East Anglia has also prompted many to dub it the regional capital.

  Contents

Shipping and Importing 6 A basic guide to importing and exporting goods and personal belongings using post, couriers, shipping and haulage firms.

Accommodation 8 There is considerable demand for property in Cambridge, here are some tips for renting and buying property in and around the area.

Household Services 12 Listings and information for common household suppliers and services.

Transport 16 General information for travelling around Cambridge, the UK and abroad.

Medical 20 General information for healthcare in the UK.

Education 22 Information regarding school term times and different levels of education.

 Employment 24 Employment information regarding the Cambridge area and contact listings.

Finance 26 Things you may need to know about banking and finance in the UK.

Shopping 28 Cambridge provides many small independent stores and specialist shops as well as large supermarkets and department stores. Find them here.

Dining Out 32 Cafés, fast food outlets pubs and restaurants are in abundance. Here is a basic guide.

Sports and leisure 34 Cambridge provides many interesting, cultural and historical and fun things to do. Here we list a few.

Events and festivals 40 Cambridge has a number of lively festivals and events which take place throughout the year. See this section for a list of events.

 Shipping and importing

Post offices and couriers Restricted goods

Post Offices and most recognised International Prohibitions and restrictions exist to protect health and Couriers, International Haulage firms and shippers will the environment. Some goods are banned completely, help with documentation and legal information. The others are restricted and may be imported only with following is a basic guide. prior authority (such as a licence).

Customs clearance and The following items are restricted or banned: import duties  Narcotic drugs  Firearms and ammunition including stun guns and Household goods can be shipped into the UK without gas canisters paying duty provided that you have owned and used  Explosives of any kind including fireworks them overseas for a period in excess of 6 months  Obscene material including books, magazines, films, before leaving for the UK. videotapes, DVD’s, etc  Animals of any kind whether live or dead, unless a As many shipments as you like are allowed provided British import licence has already been issued (PETS) that you complete a customs clearance (C3) for each  Goods made form endangered species such as furs, shipment and that they all arrive within one year of ivory or reptile skins your own entry. Duty will be payable after the one year  Meat, poultry and anything made from them limit has elapsed.  Plants including vegetables, fruits and seeds  Counterfeit currency and other counterfeit goods Duty will also be applied to alcoholic drinks, tobacco such as “fake” watches and clothing. These may and perfume. Cars and motorcycles maybe imported contravene UK copyright into the UK duty-free provided they have been owned  Radio transmitters that are not approved for use in and used overseas for at least 6 months. the UK  Angler’s lead weights

Goods imported contrary to a prohibition or restriction will be confiscated. Evasion of the controls may lead to legal proceedings.

 Documentation Pets

Imports must be accompanied by: The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) allows the importation  An inventory of all the goods in English of dogs or cats into the UK from selected countries.  A copy of your passport including blank pages The animal is required to be micro chipped, vaccinated against rabies and blood tested before a “pet passport” Other documents will be finalised after you arrive in the is issued. The animal must usually have to wait 6 UK It is not essential to be in the UK when the goods months from the date of the blood test before entering arrive, but you must arrive no later than 6 months after the UK with the passport or spend the rest of the 6 your belongings. You may have to pay a deposit of duty months in UK quarantine. This is reduced to 21 days and tax, this will be repaid when you arrive and can for EU countries. Animals from non listed countries are prove that you qualify for relief. You do not have to be required to undergo a period of 6 months quarantine. present during the customs clearance process. Further information can be found at www.defra.gov.uk

Professional equipment

Machinery, equipment and other items used as part of your business can be brought into the UK duty-free provided they are imported as part of your household goods shipment.

 Accommodation

Property in Cambridge Glossary

There is considerable demand for property in “Vendor” Cambridge and due to lack of space in the city, the The person or couple selling a property. stock is not increasing fast enough to suppress the demand. As a result sales prices and rents are high and “Estate Agent” not far off rates in many areas of London. Company appointed by vendor to market and sell their property. Property size and types are not commonly measured in square feet or metres, but more usually in numbers of “Letting Agent” bedrooms and reception rooms. Air conditioning is very Company that manages and markets properties to rent rare in residential UK property. on behalf of landlords.

Much of Cambridge’s housing stock is made up of “Flat” relatively small houses built 100-150 years ago and An apartment. known as Victorian houses. It should be noted that parking is rare, cars, driveways and garages were not a “Semi-detached” major consideration 150 years ago! Most people have A house that is built right next door to another, sharing to park their car on the street outside their home, or do the same dividing wall. without a car altogether. Prices for Victorian terraced houses vary vastly, but expect to pay around £250,000 “Terrace” for a 2-3 bedroom (approximately 115m2/1035 sqft) A block of several houses that all share dividing walls terraced house or from £900 to rent. on each side except for the “end terraces” that are effectively “semi-detached”. Although Victorian 2-3 bedroom terraced houses are the most prevalent in Cambridge, there are other property “Town house” types available and recently there have been several large A terraced house, often with 3 or more floors. apartment blocks (mostly 2 bedroom approx. 70m2/630 sqft) built around by the train station and by the river “Duplex” to the east of the city centre. These new apartments sell An apartment on several floors. for around £280,000 or rent from £1,100-£1,550 (many couples and families budget up to and around £1400 for “Maisonette” a reasonable home in Cambridge and high quality larger An apartment with its own front door (on the ground family homes often cost around £1600-£2,000 at the top floor) that is not accessed through a communal area. of market or from £400,000 to buy). “Relocation Agent”  Buyer’s agent who is hired to help buyer to find quality accommodation quickly and provides knowledge on all aspects of the local area e.g. schools, services, recreation etc.

 Specific information can be provided to you by  Paul Eaton from Relocation East Anglia.   [email protected] Buying a house

“Conveyancing”  Discuss loan requirements with an independent Legal work and “local searches” carried out by solicitor mortgage broker (e.g. Charcol Direct at mortgages. for sale and purchase of property. Legal work includes charcolonline.co.uk) and get a mortgage agreed in drawing up the contracts and deeds of ownership, principal before beginning the house buying process registering with, and paying fees for the Land Registry  Register with all Estate Agents in the area Agency, transferring the funds from the buyer and (e.g. high end – Bidwells at www.bidwells.co.uk, mortgage lender to the vendor and paying the Carter Jonas at www.carterjonas.co.uk, Savills at www. Government the Stamp Duty. savills.co.uk; others – Redmayne Arnold & Harris at www.rah.co.uk, JSM Hockeys at www.hockeys.co.uk, ”Searches” Bush at www.bush.uk.net, Pocock & Shaw at www. Shows up Local Authority obligations such as road pocock.co.uk and www.rightmove.co.uk) widening schemes, tree preservation orders, breaches  Other sources of information on available properties of planning law etc. A Water Search may sometimes be are the local newspapers (Cambridge Evening News carried out to check the drainage in the local area. It is has a property supplement on Thursdays and there specific to the property you plan to buy and will not tell are other publications available locally on Thursdays). you about neighbours’ properties and planning orders.  View lots properties before making your decision  Choose one you like and place an offer “Stamp Duty”  If the offer is accepted then instruct a solicitor to begin A property purchase tax (1% of sales value for properties conveyancing. Any ongoing issues with planning, £125,000-£250,000, 3% for properties £250,001- complaints, the environment should be found and £500,000, 4% for properties above £500,000). declared by the solicitor when they carry out the “Local Searches”. The buyer can withdraw from the sale at any “Exchange of Contracts” time up to the Exchange of Contracts Legally binding moment in which neither buyer nor  It is strongly advised to instruct a surveyor to check vendor can back out of the deal. Often the buyer will the property for structural faults, particularly those hand over at least a 10% deposit to secure the property. that may require costly repairs. Please note that a Mortgage Survey and Valuation is NOT a report on “Completion” the structural condition of the property and will The moment when all the funds have been transferred not be sufficient to reveal any potentially costly and the sale is complete. The buyer now owns the maintenance issues! Review the surveyors report property and can physically take the keys and move in. and decide to withdraw, re-negotiate or continue with sale  Agree on a date for Exchange of contracts and completion  Instruct a removal company

 Renting

 The Cambridge Evening News (property.cambridge-  In Cambridge very few letting agents are open on news.co.uk/search/results.aspx) and www.rightmove. Saturdays to show properties and they are required co.uk are good starting places to look at some of the by law to give outgoing tenants several days notice local rental properties of each viewing. Do not expect to turn up on a  Pets are not usually allowed in rented Friday hoping to see houses that weekend accommodation, but there are some exceptions  References required by landlord or letting agent  Leases are not usually less than 6 months. You can are usually employer, bank and previous landlord (if ask to be released from the contract earlier, but if applicable) the agent cannot find a replacement tenant then  A holding deposit/application fee (up to £250) is you would be liable for the rent. Standard Tenancy payable on choosing a property to reserve it whilst Contracts are for 6 months then “rolling on” month references are taken and then to pay for reference by month at the end of the minimum period until search and general administrative paperwork tenant or landlord gives notice  Dilapidation deposit held during the tenancy period  Unfurnished means empty except for carpets, is equal to about 6 weeks rent curtains, and kitchen equipment (oven, fridge,  One month’s rent in advance must also be paid in washing machine). Occasionally washing machines cleared funds by the start date of the lease are also not included  Some letting agents insist on the tenant taking out  Furnished properties can include tables, chairs, sofas, a Contents insurance (about £80 annually to insure book shelves, beds. Some often, but do not always, items for around £5,000) also include kitchen utensils, pots, pans, cutlery or crockery, toasters, kettles. Bed linen and televisions are not normally provided  Dishwashers, microwave ovens and tumble dryers are not normally available in small to medium sized rented properties. Some larger family sized homes may have enough space for dishwashers and tumble dryers, but these are not standard equipment in rental properties  Services (heating, telephone, electricity, gas and water) and Council Tax are not included in the rent  Estimates for one person in a 2 bedroom apartment could be very approximately £235 per month (utilities £75, council tax 120, telephone and broadband and TV licence £40)

10 Short term serviced rental apartments

It is possible to rent an apartment for a shorter period than the minimum 6 months. Temporary short term serviced apartments do exist in Cambridge. These executive or holiday apartments are well furnished and come fully inclusive of bills and equipment. They normally have broadband connection, TV, bed linen and are cleaned regularly. However they cost on average around the same price as an hotel room (£80-£120 per night) or 4-5 times as much as a normal rental and so are more comfortable and flexible than a hotel for periods longer than a few nights (e.g. Clarence House at www.clarencehouse.org.uk, Cambridge Apartments at www.cambridgeapartments.co.uk, Your Space Apartments at www.yourspaceapartments.com, Alexandra Apartments at www.alexandraapartments. co.uk).

11 Household services

Cambridgeshire County Council Refuse and recycling

Based at Shire Hall on Castle Hill, the County Cambridge citizens are encouraged to be “green” Council is the local government that runs education, and recycle their waste. Households generally have a transport, health and social services, waste disposal black wheelie bin for placing bags of general rubbish and environment, trading standards, and libraries that cannot be recycled and is destined for the landfill and heritage in both the city and the county. www. site; a green wheelie bin or brown sack for placing cambridgeshire.gov.uk is loaded with information. items like food and garden waste that can easily be Politically, Cambridge city is led by the Liberal Democrats, biodegraded and made into garden compost (available but in the county outside of the city of Cambridge, the free from the council to all really good gardeners and Conservative Party enjoys the most popularity. environmentalists!); black boxes for newspapers, cans and glass; blue box for plastic bottles. Cambridge City Council In many cases the black wheelie bin is collected weekly Based in the Guildhall on the Market Square, the (sometimes only fortnightly depending on street) and City Council (www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/portal) the recyclable bins fortnightly on alternate weeks. There looks after Housing, Leisure and Recreation, Waste are recycling sites (see www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/ Collection, Local Planning, Council Tax Collection and navigation/environment/rubbish-waste-and-recycling) Environmental Health in the city. where you can dispose of your recyclable waste yourself rather than wait for the council’s dustbin men to collect Emergency services on your designated day. The emergency telephone number is 999 in the UK You Libraries will then be asked which service you require (i.e. Police, Fire or Paramedic). There are several libraries located in Cambridge city (see www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/leisure/libraries) and Cambridge’s main Police station is Parkside Station and around the region with excellent resources provided by is next door to the Fire Station opposite Parkers Piece the County Council. The main city library is located in (on the cross roads of Parkside, Mill Road, East Road the Lion Yard (but has temporarily closed whilst work and Gonville Place. continues on the construction of the Grand Arcade shopping facilities). Other libraries in Cambridge can be Crime (2004/5 statistics per 1,000 of the population found on Milton Road (Ascham Road junction), Barnwell within the local authority area). Road, Arbury Court, Rock Road (off Cherry Hinton Road). There are 3 ways to join the library: fill in a joining form Crime Cambridge City Council at any library; telephone 0845 045 5225 (lines open 8am Sexual offences 1 -8pm, Mon-Sat) and give them your details; fill in the Violence against the person 24 online library joining form. Your name, address, date of Robbery offences 2 birth and proof of identity are that is required. Burglary dwelling offences 7 Theft of a motor vehicle offences 3 Theft from a vehicle offences 8

(Population 114,800 – Households 47,000)

12 Council tax Post Office and Royal Mail

The County and City Councils’ services are funded Post Offices do not just provide a mailing service or sell by tax and notably by Council Tax, a tax levied on stamps and stationery. The Post Office also provides property. This tax also funds the local Police and Fire government forms (e.g. passports and driving licences), services. The amount of Council Tax paid is dependant foreign currency, insurance and other financial services on the size and location of each home. In 2006 the such as banking and investments, phone cards and average Cambridge home fell into Tax Band D and paid domestic telephone services. There are many Post £1,495 spread out across the year (there are discounts Offices located around Cambridge. for people living alone and exemptions for students and people on benefits, but the range of standard Royal Mail provides the mail services. First Class (£0.32 Council Tax paid in 2006 was £815-£2,446). for small letter) is the standard service that aims for next day delivery and Second Class (£0.23 for small Water services letter) usually takes a day or so longer. Tap water in and around Cambridge is perfectly safe to Telephones and broadband internet drink and is provided by Cambridge Water or Anglian Water. These companies look after all sewerage, supply British Telecom (BT) owns most landline infrastructure and waste water services. It should be noted, however, with a small number of cable companies owning the cable that although harmless (even healthy!) to drink the networks. Deregulation has opened the industry to many water in Cambridge, it is quite hard and leaves lime small firms who are able to piggyback on the existing scale marks. It is advisable to de-scale regularly washing infrastructure. As a result it is often, but not always, machines, dishwashers and kettles. cheaper to have domestic telephone lines first connected to BT and then to use a “low cost router” for cheaper Electricity and gas international, national, local and per minute calls.

The domestic fuel market in the UK is de-regulated. In Cambridge British Telecom (BT) and Virgin Media are Households can choose from many suppliers and the only 2 choices for fixed line (landline) telephone although the raw energy product is essentially the connection. Neither are particularly expensive (around same, the services provided and payment packages £12 for a basic line), but with a BT line you can then use are not! Fortunately www.uswitch.com and www. one of hundreds of companies that piggy back on the moneysupermarket.com provide help. BT line to provide you with much cheaper calls (check www.uswitch.com for a thorough list of companies providing cheap international calls and free national calls). Although BT provides a good broadband service, you can also tap into the hundreds of broadband service providers that use BT lines (again try www. uswitch.com or www.moneysupermarket.com for a good list). You cannot use other low cost telephone routers or broadband companies with Virgin Media cable. However, besides telephone and broadband, Virgin Media also provide digital television.

13 Mobile telephones

Mobile (cellular) phones run on a slightly different Video tapes recorded on any PAL system are frequency to that of North America and some other compatible, so tapes will work on UK equipment even if continents. Tri-Band phones are said to be universal. It they were originally recorded on PAL BG equipment. is advisable to check with your handset’s manufacturer DVD’s and players are often “region” compatible so it to find out if it can be used in the U.K and Europe. is advisable to hire or purchase a “multi-region” DVD Vodafone, Orange, O2, T-Mobile, “3” and Virgin are player in order to be able to play any DVD from any the main networks and all have shops in Cambridge region. The UK’s region is 2. city centre or Grafton Centre. It is possible to buy packages of SIM cards only, “pay as you go”, pay Satellite (Sky), digital and cable digital TV are popular monthly contracts (minimum contract length is usually and available in most areas. 12 months). It is preferable to seek advice on the best package for your needs at a shop that sells products Radio from all networks (e.g. The Link, Car Phone Warehouse) as opposed to a shop owned by a specific network. Before taking radios to the UK make sure that they can Reception coverage is fairly good throughout the UK receive signals on the following frequencies: for all networks, but there are still black spots where  LW 153 – 279 Khz you may not receive any reception on one network and  MW 530 – 1600 Khz clarity on another. Reception in Cambridge is strong for  FM 88 – 108 Mhz all networks. Some stations and their frequency in Cambridge: Television  BBC Cambridgeshire FM 96/95.7 (a local BBC station) If you use a television you must buy a TV licence from  Q103 any post office, online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/index. FM 103 (a local station) jsp or by post. A licence costs £131.50 per year (2007)  BBC Radio 4 or you can pay monthly with a direct debit. This is FM 93.3, LW 198 KHz (a national station) compulsory and there authorities really do have an  BBC World Service ingenious system of finding out whether you are MW 648 KHz ((an international station) watching television and have not paid for a licence! The  Digital radio licence ostensibly pays for all the BBC services. (DAB) is now widespread and popular

The UK uses the PAL ITV system for televisions and VCR’s. This system is the same that is used in South Africa, Hong Kong and Ireland. Equipment working on the PAL BG system can be converted to work in the UK Equipment from France, North and South America, the West Indies and the Philippines will not work in the UK and cannot be converted. If in doubt check before you leave for the UK.

14 Newspapers Storage

Local newspaper is The Cambridge Evening News. If you require extra long term storage outside of Published from Monday to Saturday, it offers coverage your own home, service is provided by these local of national and local news, sport, business and events companies: across the region. There are six supplements given away  Cambridge Storage Ltd free with the paper: Sport on Monday, The Business on 15-16, Mercers Row, Cambridge CB5 8HY Tuesday, Jobfinder on Wednesday and Friday, Property Tel: 01223 365245 Extra and Scene on Thursday, Drive on Friday and The Web: www.cambridgeselfstorage.co.uk Magazine on Saturday.  Peak’s Storehouse The Old Maltings, 135, Ditton Walk, Cambridge, National Newspapers are split between the more Cambridgeshire CB5 8PY Tel: 01223 210691 serious papers known as “broadsheets” (e.g. The Times, Web: www.peaks-storehouse.co.uk Independent, Guardian, Telegraph, Financial Times) and  The Big Green Box Co the more sensationalist, even frivolous papers known as 40, Mariners Way, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire “tabloids” (e.g. The Sun, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, Daily CB4 1BN Tel: 01223 350773 Express, Star and Sport). Web: www.biggreenbox.co.uk  Pickfords Self Store Insurance Unit 2, Cambridge Leisure Park, Clifton Way, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB1 7DY In the UK personal liability insurance is not compulsory Tel: 01223 247888 Web: www.pickfordsselfstore.co.uk and very few individuals who are not employers or  Steven’s Storage LTD professionals (e.g. lawyers, accountants, financial 4, Oakington Rd, Girton, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire adviser, architects, consultants and designers). CB3 0QH Tel: 01223 237447 There are hundreds of insurance companies for car, Web: www.cambridgeselfservicestorage.co.uk holiday, home, pets, accident etc. Most people simply choose 4 or 5 from the Yellow Pages and go with the best quote. You can usually get a cheaper premium by applying for it online. Try www.moneysupermarket.com or www.uswitch.com for a list of insurers.

15 Transport

Travel Air

Cambridge is located about 60 miles to the north of Cambridge has its own small private airport where you London and about 100 miles to the east of Birmingham. can hire helicopters, learn to fly or charter a private flight. Road links are excellent to the M11 Motorway for easy access to London to the south, A14 major road for Stansted is 30 miles to the south of Cambridge and is access east towards the coast and west towards the the nearest major airport accessible via train, coach or Midlands and the North. Stansted Airport (40 minutes car in about 35-45 minutes. away) and Luton Airport (60 minutes) are the nearest airports particularly for low cost European flights with Luton Airport is about 1 hour away and accessible by Ryan Air and EasyJet. car or coach from Cambridge.

The main bus and coach station at Drummer Street, Heathrow, west of London, is 89 miles away from between the Market Square and Grafton Centre, Cambridge and takes 2-3 hours in car, 2.5 hours by provides transport to the local region and National airport coach and about 2-3 hours by train (Cambridge Express (see www.nationalexpress.com) coaches to London Kings Cross then Piccadilly tube to Heathrow). around the country as well as to the main London airports (Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton). Gatwick, to the south of London, is 97 miles away and Single and Return (“round trip”) tickets can purchased takes 2-3 hours by car, 3.5 hours by Airport coach and online through the National Express website or on the 2.5 hours by train (London Kings Cross to Victoria Station local (Stagecoach) buses themselves, but you should then Gatwick Express). purchase tickets in advance for National Express coaches travelling further than the local region and to The airport coach service travels between all airports and the airports. connects with Cambridge.

The rail network provides links southbound to Stansted Rail Airport and 2 main London stations (Kings Cross and Liverpool Street) and northbound via Ely to Norwich Cambridge Train Station (10 minutes walk to the south of and Peterborough and onwards to the Midlands and the Market Square) has several trains to London (Liverpool further north. Street and Kings Cross Stations) each hour, often with a non-stop 50 minute express train to and from London Kings Cross each hour. There are trains to the north giving access to other parts of the local region and to the Midlands and north of the UK. There is usually at least one train an hour to Stansted Airport that takes a little over half an hour.

16 Cycling

You can purchase train tickets at Cambridge Station just Traffic in Cambridge is very congested. The city centre before you leave, but it is advisable to purchase tickets has been pedestrianised (except for buses and taxis), in advance as long queues form at peak hours. Tickets making shopping and visiting much more pleasant, can be purchased online at www.thetrainline.com, from but this only makes traffic on the main routes through the cashier or from the automated machines. London Cambridge even heavier. Given that Cambridge is Travel Cards (for unlimited train, tube and bus travel in the only around 3 miles across, walking to the city centre capital for one day) can also be bought at the same time. is rarely more than 45 minutes especially since the Discount Railcards (www.railcard.co.uk) can be purchased terrain is flat apart from the occasional bridge. Cycling, that provide up to one third off train travel for families, therefore, is the most sensible mode of transport in travellers aged 16-25 or older if in further education and Cambridge and 1 in 4 residents cycles to work. 60+ and for anyone travelling during off-peak times only. Cyclists are well catered for with clearly marked cycle Eurostar rail journeys currently depart from London paths on roads and pavements and across parks. Waterloo Station, but this will soon be moved to However, it should be noted that bicycles are road Kings Cross St. Pancras later in 2007, allowing for very vehicles and must abide by the similar rules as other convenient and easy travel from Cambridge to Paris, road vehicles (e.g. stopping at traffic lights, going the Brussels and other mainland European destinations in a correct way along one-way streets, turning lights on at few hours. For more information visit www.eurostar.com dusk and night time!) or face penalties from the police. Unfortunately it is not compulsory to wear a cycle Bus and coach helmet, but it is very strongly advised to do so. Cambridge city bus services (run by Stagecoach) are Due to the demand for bicycles in Cambridge it will named Citi 1 to 7 and incorporate the Park and Ride be no surprise to hear that the bike theft is very high services (Stagecoach Bus information and timetables). in Cambridge, contributing to what seem like inflated Buses are reasonably frequent and most routes go to crime figures. An easy solution to this is to use a good the city centre (Drummer Street Bus Station), but be strong D-lock to attach the bike to a post. Better still warned that it is not particularly easy to travel by bus is to use 2 locks to tie the wheels to the frame thus from one area to another in Cambridge without going preventing theft of unlocked components of your bike. via the city centre! For more information visit www.stagecoachbus.com/cambridge Bicycles can be purchased, repaired and hired from many cycle shops in Cambridge. Halfords (www. halfords.com) is a national cycle sales and auto parts chain with branches on Jesus Lane and Newmarket Road retail park. Station Cycles (www.stationcycles. co.uk) , City Cycle Hire (www.citycyclehire.com) in Newnham; there are cycle shops all the way along Mill Road and on Chesterton Road and The BikeMan stall in the market Square provides a good maintenance and repair service).

17 Cars and driving

General Information (January 2007) south east, south west, east and west at Cowley Road (off  Cambridge Rush Hours: 8am-9.30am and Milton Road), Babraham Road, Trumpington, Newmarket 4.30pm-6.30pm Road and Madingley Road (No.77 buses). Parking is free  National speed limits: and return bus tickets are £2 (2007) with buses circulating 30 MPH (50 KPH) in built-up areas (Other limits apply between sites and city centre every 10-15 minutes. in some urban areas) For more information on Park and Ride see 60 MPH (80 KPH) on most roads www.stagecoachbus.com/uploads/parkandride.pdf 70 MPH (110 KPH) on motorways  Legal blood alcohol limit: 80 milligrams per 100 Seat belts and child car seats millilitres of blood  Annual Road Fund Licence: £100-£160 (engine size Seat belts are compulsory for driver and all passengers and fuel type dependant) except where not available (e.g. buses). Since  Motor Insurance: approx. £250-£1000 September 2006 all children under 12 or up to 1.35  Fuel prices: Unleaded petrol £0.89 per litre metres in height must wear the correct restraint (i.e. Diesel £0.91 per litre booster seat or car seat). Further information at www.  Fuel Purchase: Most filling stations are self service. Take childcarseats.org.uk note of your fuel pump number then fill your vehicle and finally pay at counter quoting your pump number Driving licences

3 factors should be considered when thinking about Most overseas licences are valid in the UK for a period driving in Cambridge: heavy traffic congestion, relative of 1 year after your arrival. Before the 12 months period lack of parking and expensive car parks, and high price of elapses, a UK Provisional Licence must be obtained and fuel in UK. the standard driving tests passed. (Ordinary EU driving licences are valid in the UK and do not require further The majority of homes around central Cambridge road tests). were built in an era before motor cars and so few have driveways or garages. Most residents have to find a place The minimum age at which you can take a driving test to park on the street outside their home and those that and obtain a full car driving licence in the UK is 17 years. live close to the centre even have to pay the city council around £50 per year for this privilege. There are four Anyone wishing to obtain a licence to drive a major car parks around the city centre: Lion Yard (being motorcycle in the UK must complete Compulsory expanded and incorporated into the Grand Arcade car Basic Training (CBT). After CBT 16 year olds may park in 2007/8) and Park Street are the closest to the drive a motorcycle up to 50cc; 17 year olds may drive Market Square; the Grafton Centre currently has the motorcycles up to 125cc and are limited to machines largest capacity and finally there is the Queen Ann of up to 33 Break Horse Power (BHP) for 2 years. Riders Terrace car park on Gonville Place next to Parkside Pools over 21 years may take a test to qualify them to ride and Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre. However, Park and motorcycles over 47 BHP. Ride in Cambridge has facilities. There are 5 sites north,

18 Buying a car Motor insurance

The major motor dealerships all have coverage in It is compulsory to hold motor insurance for at least and around Cambridge, but the easiest one-stop third party risks in the UK The cost of motor insurance shop would be the Marshall Motor Group’s huge will differ depending on age, driving record, occupation multi-dealership site, at the end of Newmarket Road, and type of vehicle insured. As a very rough guide, selling both new and used cars. The local newspaper, a middle age man with a good driving record could Cambridge Evening News, is a useful local source when expect to fully comprehensively insure himself for a looking for more economically priced used cars sold family saloon for a premium of between £250 and privately or by smaller dealerships. £1,000.

Importing cars MOT Test Certificate

You may import any number of cars into the UK duty Every 12 months cars aged over 3 years must pass free provided you have both owned and used them a road worthiness test known as an MOT test. Many outside the EU for at least 6 months. You may not sell a motor repair garages are able to carry out this test. car within 12 months of importing it. If your car fails you will have a limited time to have repairs carried out before a re-test. If it fails again then Where duty is payable, rates are approximately 10% of the car is not allowed to be driven. the value. In addition, Value Added Tax (VAT) is payable at a rate of 17.5 % of the value + duty + shipping costs. Safety and fuel emission You will need to complete customs declaration forms, regulations provide registration documents and proof of ownership for car. Cars over 3 years old must be tested annually (MOT test) to ensure that they are roadworthy and do Road Fund Licence not contravene emission regulations. MOT safety certificates are issued by approved garages for a fee There are nearly no major toll roads in the UK (M6 of approximately £45. A current MOT certificate and toll motorway between Birmingham and Manchester certificate of insurance are required to obtain a road being the main exception) although some tolls apply fund licence, which costs around £150 for 12 months to bridge crossings and tunnels. Driving in the UK depending on the engine size of the vehicle. Left-hand is, therefore, funded almost totally by road tax. All drive vehicles are acceptable. vehicles must be licensed and a tax disc purchased and displayed on the left hand side of the vehicle windscreen. The Road Fund Licence (or tax disc) in 2007 costs between £55 and £88 for 6 months (£100-£160 for 12 months) depending on engine size and fuel type. Tax discs can be obtained by post or at Post Offices by presenting current Motor Insurance Certificate and MOT Test Certificate.

19 Medical

Hospitals Private medical care

The Cambridge region is fortunate enough to have 2 Although all UK residents enjoy free NHS care, the of the country’s leading hospitals in Addenbrooke’s, main disadvantage of the system is that there can the University of Cambridge’s teaching hospital, and occasionally be long waits for certain treatments. The Papworth (about 10 miles west of Cambridge), Some people opt for Private Medical Insurance in an internationally recognised heart centre. There order to pay for private care. This enables them to the are also many smaller specialised hospitals, clinics same treatment as provided by the NHS, but on more and treatment centres spread around the region. preferential grounds: for example being seen more Addenbrooke’s Hospital has an excellent reputation quickly than NHS patients; the opportunity to stay in a for all care including biomedical research, cancer private and more luxurious room in a private hospital treatment, organ transplants and maternity treatment instead of the large dormitory wards in NHS hospitals, at its Rosie Hospital (www.addenbrookes.org.uk). more flexible visiting hours, better food.

Healthcare Doctor/General Practitioner (GP)

The UK operates the National Health Service (NHS). Family physicians are referred to as GPs. They mostly This is a public health system funded by the taxpayer, operate from a Surgery. If you are resident in UK for which is generally considered to be of an excellent longer than a month or two then you should register standard. It provides everything from hospital care, with a GP. Most people go to their nearest Surgery or counselling and pregnancy care to a 24 hour telephone medical practice, but you can register with any doctor advice service. The NHS enables residents and visitors you want (as long as they are taking on new patients!) from the European Union to have free healthcare for free. (except for notable exceptions such as prescription drugs, which cost around £6 per prescription, You can find your local doctor by visiting www.nhs. and dental care). You can visit the Accident and uk/England/Doctors/LocalSearch.aspx Emergency (A&E) department of a hospital without an appointment or visit a specialist with a referral from After registering (often your name and address is your GP, optician or dentist. Besides hospital care, the sufficient) you will later receive an NHS Card providing NHS also provides the following services. you with your NHS number and doctor’s name.

Your local Doctors’ surgery provides a range of services, including general medical advice and treatment, prescriptions, referral to a specialist or hospital (where appropriate), jabs and tests (such as immunisations, blood tests or cervical smears).

20 Pharmacies, chemists and Opticians medicines Although sight tests and eye health examinations are Pharmacists and chemists are different names for the not compulsory, for legal driving you are required to same facility and they provide many medicines, creams be able to read a car registration plate from a certain and ointments to treat different ailments as well as distance. It is sensible to visit an optician for a test at prescriptions for drugs written by your own doctor. least every 2 years. Prescription drugs cost a flat rate of £6.40 (2007 rate), no matter what the drug. The most common high You are entitled to free tests if you are under 19 years street chemists are Boots and Superdrug (both also sell old and in full time education, over 60 years old, extensive ranges of cosmetics and toiletries), but there registered blind or partially sighted, diagnosed as are plenty of independents. having diabetes or glaucoma or are at risk of glaucoma or receiving state benefits.

Dentist Finding a local optician is quite easy. There are many opticians on the high streets and shopping areas There are many dental clinics in and around and you are able to make appointments for tests Cambridge. A small number are still taking on new without much of a wait. Boots, Dolland & Aitchison, NHS patients. In general if you sign up as an NHS Specsavers and Vision Express are some of the more instead of a private patient then you can receive well known nationwide chains of opticians that can be check-ups and treatment for sometimes as little as found in Cambridge. a quarter of the private price. However the limited funding from the government means that although the treatment is carried out by the same dentist, you may have to wait several weeks in some cases to see your dentist as well as face a much more rushed appointment than if you take the private route.

If your teeth appear to be in general good health it makes more sense to find a dentist taking on new NHS patients and receive infrequent check-ups. If you think that your teeth require more frequent care and treatment then you should probably sign up as a private patient in order to have them seen to quickly rather than have to wait whilst the pain builds up over a number of weeks.

You can find your nearest dental centre and those that are taking on NHS patients by visiting www.nhs. uk/england/dentists/registeringNHSPatientsSearch.aspx

21 Education

School term times Primary schools

The academic year is split into 3 terms – autumn, Primary Schools generally teach pupils from age spring and summer. Dates vary from year to year, but 4-11. There are about 24 in Cambridge city. Children are roughly 1st week of September to week before normally begin primary school (in the Reception Christmas; 2nd week of January to early April, mid/late class) in the September before their 5th birthday. April to mid July. Most children attend the school nearest to their home (in their catchment area), but they can apply Important examinations to other schools, but whether they get in depends on local demand with priority given to pupils inside the General Certificate of Secondary Education catchment area. (GCSE) – 2 year courses taken by 15/16 year olds of 5-11 academic subjects. Secondary (high schools)

General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Also known locally as Community Colleges and (A-Level) – 2 year courses taken by 18 year olds of 3 Village Colleges and teach pupils aged 11-16 or up or occasionally up to 5 academic subjects. to 18. These are much bigger than primary schools. Several primary schools normally feed into a particular secondary school, but choice also varies on whether State schools you want your child to stay on at the school after the (Local Authority funded) GCSE examinations (normally taken at age 15/16) for another 2 years to take A-levels, since not all schools There are only a few government funded Nursery provides this service. Schools in Cambridge city, but many more fee paying day care centres. Applications for the spring term take place by the previous December. However, you will need to have a Cambridge address before applying. www.childcarelink.gov.uk can provide information about all the playgroups, day-care centres and nursery schools in the different areas of Cambridge.

22 Sixth form colleges University

Although some schools have provision for A-Level Students are usually required to have taken A-Levels, courses after GCSE exams are completed around age although this is not always the case for some more 16, many do not and so pupils look to Sixth Form vocational colleges. University tuition fees can be up Colleges. These institutions are also part of the state to £3070 per term and students are encouraged to system and teach pupils for a further 2 years after take out Student Loans at preferential rates to pay for GCSE examinations so that they can take their A- this. Repaying the loan does not begin until finishing Levels. In Cambridge there are 3 state funded Sixth University and the rates of interest and repayment Form Colleges: Hills Road, Long Road and Cambridge are very favourable (2007). Universities have entrance Regional College. There are other fee-paying colleges criteria for each course based on A-Level results and for A-Levels courses. numbers of places available. University application is very structured (e.g. you can only apply to six www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/education/schools universities in any one year). Further information can be provides comprehensive information about schools found at www.ucas.com in Cambridge including the application process. The government reports for all schools can be found at Cambridge language schools www.ofsted.gov.uk and Performance Tables at www. cambridgeshire.gov.uk/education/about/performance There are many language schools in Cambridge that teach English as a foreign language. Quality varies so make sure the school is recognised by the British Private (Independent and fee Council. Higher quality schools are often members of paying schools) one of these professional associations: FIRST, ARELS or IALC. The private education system is well catered for in and around Cambridge. Preparatory (or Prep) Schools are the equivalent of Primary Schools and mostly teach pupils up to age 13 (rather than 11). There can be an Entrance Exam (known as Common Entrance) for the senior fee-paying independent schools (confusingly known as Public Schools!). Sometimes there are waiting lists for the schools so check availability for each as well as their entrance criteria. Fees vary from around £2000 per term at prep and pre-prep schools up to £7000 per term at some senior boarding schools. More information on Private education can be found at www. iscis-east.co.uk

23 Employment

Job opportunities

Cambridge is fortunate to have many job opportunities Useful contacts and sources for employment and and low unemployment rates and performs well information: comparatively (1.4% unemployment compared to 1.9%  Cambridge Evening News JobFinder (jobs. in the eastern region as a whole and 2.6% nationally cambridge-news.co.uk/jobs) (Newspaper supplement in 2006). Prospects for highly skilled workers are well on sale Wednesdays and Fridays) known with the thriving hi-tech and bio-tech sectors  The Cambridge Network (www.cambridgenetwork. in and around Cambridge, but there is also a high co.uk) aims to bring together like minded people from demand for skilled tradesmen such as plumbers, business, academia and the global high technology electricians, carpenters, nurses, teachers and care community for the benefit of the Cambridge workers, all of whom are in short supply. region by having its members share resources. It is a particularly good organisation that can help Cambridge’s proximity by road and rail to London and networking, job hunting, training and raising profiles. other large towns (e.g. Peterborough, Norwich, Ipswich, Its members can advertise jobs vacancies, general Milton Keynes and Stevenage) also increases the news, seminars and meetings using the umbrella of potential for finding employment. the organisation and tapping into a huge network of potential individuals and groups. Working hours in the UK vary around an average of a  The University of Cambridge employs over 35-40 hour working week comprising of five 9am-5pm 3000 non-academic staff in mostly service and working days. Minimum statutory holiday entitlement administrative positions and publishes a list of job is 20 days. vacancies here (including academic roles) www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/personnel/jobs/ vacancies.cgi  Addenbrooke’s Hospital is the biggest employer in Cambridgeshire, employing over 6000 staff. Current vacancies can be found here www.addenbrookes.org.uk/working/apply.html  Cambridge Science Park off Milton Road was created by Trinity College in 1970 and is the UK’s oldest and most prestigious science park. There are over 90 hi-tech companies employing over 5,000 personnel from small start-ups and spin-outs to subsidiaries of multinational corporations www.cambridge-science-park.com/jobs

24 Employment agencies

There are hundreds of agencies listed in the local directories. www.city-visitor.com/cambridge/ employmentagency.html lists some of them. Employment, or recruitment, agencies can offer a useful filtering service and since they are paid per successful candidate they introduce to a recruiter, they can certainly work well for the person looking for either full-time, or part-time, employment.

25 Finance

Bank accounts

You will need to open a Bank Account as soon as To open a UK bank account you will need: possible. Most utility companies insist on payment  Identification (Passport, driving licence) direct from your bank account and most employers pay  Proof of UK address (utility, telephone bill, council salaries by direct deposit. tax demand)  Letter from your employer stating that you work Personal banking in the UK is generally free if accounts for them are in credit. There is mostly no charge for debit cards,  You may also need details of overseas bank accounts writing or cashing cheques, making withdrawals or in order for bank to check your credit status (the deposits, direct debits or standing orders, statements or last 3 months of bank statements are very useful for general advice from your own bank. helping to prove credit worthiness and identification)

It is not illegal to allow your bank account to become There are many banks and financial institutions to overdrawn, but you can be charged expensive penalties choose from. These are the most easily found on UK if your bank has not first authorised the facility. high streets.  Abbey Online banking  Barclays  Co-Operative Many banks operate internet banking to enable you to  Halifax check and download statements, recent transactions  HSBC and to move money around your accounts or make  Lloyds TSB payments to others. Many banks have branches in the  NatWest centre of Cambridge around the Market Square, Grafton  Royal Bank of Scotland Centre and on some of the larger streets like Chesterton, Cherry Hinton, Hills and Mill Roads for example. Building Societies previously specialised in just mortgages (long term loans for buying properties), Cash-Point machines but now both banks and building societies tend to provide similar services including personal and business (Automated Teller Machines or ATMs) are located banking, credit cards, overdraft facilities, savings on most streets and in, or just outside, all large accounts, loans and mortgages, foreign currency supermarkets. Most banks allow you to withdraw exchange, pensions, investments, etc. money from any cash-point machine without paying a fee. Warning: some cash-point machines located in petrol service stations, restaurants and pubs and mini-mart shops often charge you a few pounds to withdraw money.

26 Paying without cash Paying bills

Cheques are still used, but rarely in shops as they Most utility companies prefer for you to pay your bills favour cash, credit or debit cards. If you still wish to by monthly Direct Debit. This is a mandate that is set use cheques you should write the payee’s name on the up by the company and authorised by you enabling top line, then the amount in words on the next 2 lines an automatic payment of your bill each month direct below followed by the word “only” so that nothing from your bank account. You can pay for nearly all more can be added. The date is written in the space regular bills and even credit card repayments in this in the top right of the cheque (Day/Month/Year is way so that you never forget a payment date and face the order used in the UK) and your signature goes in a heavy penalty. the space in the bottom right. You may occasionally be asked for your “Cheque Guarantee Card”, which guarantees that the cheque will be paid and will not “bounce” even if funds are not present in the account on which the cheque is drawn. Many debit cards also guarantee cheques up to certain amounts (e.g. £50, £100, £250).

Debit cards

Sometimes called “Switch” cards after one of the companies that organised the system but often double up as ATM or cash-point cards since they draw money directly from your current account. After paying for your purchase with your debit card in the supermarket (and even some pubs!) you may be asked if you would like “cash-back”. The cashier will then add the cash you ask for to the debit card receipt. This is another way of obtaining cash instead of using a cash-point machine or ATM.

When you make a purchase with a credit or debit card you will be asked to type your 4 digit PIN (Personal Identification Number) into a machine in order to authorise the transaction. Occasionally you may simply be asked to sign a form and your signature on the card will be checked with that on the newly signed form.

27 Shopping

What? Where?

Cambridge provides many small independent stores, Cambridge is split into several main shopping areas: computer, sports, bicycle and other specialist shops The Historic Centre has a mall known as the Lion Yard, and open air market stalls as well as several large which will be linked to the forthcoming brand new department stores, retail parks and huge supermarkets, Grand Arcade shopping centre in late 2007/early 2008. which can provide everything for a one-stop shop. The Grand Arcade will provide a modern home for one of Cambridge’s oldest and famous department stores, When? Robert Sayle/John Lewis (temporarily located outside the Grafton Centre on Burleigh Street) as well as multi- Shopping hours – The first important issue concerning storey car parking and many more shops. Outside the shopping in the UK is opening hours. Generally shops Lion Yard is a street of shops known as the Petty Cury, open from 9.00am until 5.30pm Monday to Saturday. On which leads to the Market Square. Cambridge Market Sundays in England and Wales most shops are allowed is open from 9.30am-4.30pm Mon-Sat and 10.30am- to open for only 6 hours, so many shops open their 4.30pm on Sundays. Some of the items on sale include doors from 11am until 5pm (others choose 10am-4pm). fruit and vegetables, flowers, fish, breads, sweets, clothes, hats, second hand books, records and CDs and Evening shopping – Supermarkets and convenience artwork. On Sundays there are more craft and farmers stores, such as Spar, Co-Op, Mace, Budgens and some market stalls. On Saturdays in All Saints Garden there is newsagents may open for business from 8am until an Art and Craft Market whose motto “we make what 10pm or even later. ASDA, in the Beehive Centre, we sell” is the artisans’ genuine guarantee. opens until midnight on Monday to Friday and Tesco in Cherry Hinton stays open all week, closing only on  Grafton Centre is a large shopping mall that Saturday and Sunday nights. includes 2 department stores (Debenhams and BHS) restaurants, CD and book shops, baby and toddler stores, a few craft and market stalls and a cinema. There is a multi-storey car park attached to this shopping centre. It is located only a short walk away from the Historic Centre with the main Bus and Coach Station acting as a divider  The Beehive Centre 10 minutes to the east of the Grafton Centre is a retail park with plenty of car parking outside the shops amongst which there is an Asda supermarket, furniture and home furnishings stores, superstores selling baby and toddler produce, discount designer clothes and electrical components and sports equipment

28  Across the road from the Beehive Centre along In most UK supermarkets you can place your fruit and Newmarket Road is Cambridge Retail Park, also vegetables into bags which are weighed and priced with plenty of car parking and bus stops. Superstores at the counter when you finish your shopping. There located here include home improvement (DIY shops), are a few exceptions, notably Waitrose, where you can home furnishing and furniture warehouses, home weigh and check the price yourselves at the fruit and electronics, computers and domestic appliances and vegetable section. At some of the bigger supermarkets catalogue warehouse shop (Argos) you can ask for someone to help you pack your items at the cashier’s counter, but mostly the customer packs Most of Cambridge’s motor dealerships (used and new) their own bags. can also be found along Newmarket Road culminating in the Marshall Motor Group’s huge multi-dealership site City Centre: on the edge of Cambridge opposite the Marshall Airport.  Sainsbury, Sidney Street (Open M-F 9am-9pm, Sat 8am – 10pm, Sun 11am-5pm) Types of shops  Marks & Spencer (M&S), Market Square (Open Mon-Tue 9am-6.30pm, Wed-Thu 9am-7pm, Supermarkets – these stores now sell nearly all Fri-Sat 8.30am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm) household items from food, toiletries and domestic cleaning products to bed linen, electrical appliances, Grafton Centre: books, CDs and banking and insurance services. It is  M&S Simply Food, (Open Mon-Tue & Sat 9am- possible to do all your weekly shopping in just one 6.30pm, Wed-Fri 9am-8pm, Sun 11am-5pm) (There is supermarket and sit down for a bite to eat. also a small Simply Food store at the Train Station)

Tesco, Sainsbury and Asda are the nations leading Supermarkets around Cambridge: supermarkets; Waitrose and M&S Simply Food are more  Tesco, Newmarket Road (Open M-Sat 7.30am-10pm, upmarket and, consequently, more expensive; Aldi Sun 11am-5pm) (Histon Road) is a smaller store offering good value for  Asda, Beehive Centre (Open M-F 6am-12pm, money; Iceland (Histon Road) is predominantly a frozen Sat 6am-10pm, Sun 10am-4pm) produce store.  Sainsbury, Coldhams Lane (Open M-F 8am-10pm, Sat 7.30am-10pm, Sun 10am-4pm. Petrol Station Many of the large supermarkets also provide online 24 hours) shopping and home deliveries in the Cambridge area  Waitrose, Trumpington (Open M-F 8am-9pm, (Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury and Asda). M&S (Market Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 10am-4pm) Square) and Iceland will deliver your shopping to your  Tesco, Fulbourn and Cherry Hinton (Open Mon 8am- home once you have chosen it in the store. Sat 10pm, Sun 10am-4pm)

29 Specialist food and drink stores Argos catalogue shops

The large supermarkets have gradually replaced This is a popular and useful warehouse shop in which more traditional local food shops such as butchers, you can browse a thick catalogue of very wide ranging bakers, green grocers, delicatessens and fish mongers, products (e.g. jewellery, sports equipment, toys, home but there are some that still thrive in Cambridge in furnishings, consumer electronics, garden equipment Burleigh Street (outside the Grafton Centre) and more etc). You choose your items and fill in the codes on a suburban areas such as Chesterton Road, along Mill form at the Argos store and a few minutes later your Road and in Newnham. items are picked and brought out for you to take away. Stores are in Fitzroy Street outside Grafton Centre and Health food shops are not so common. Holland & Barrett Cambridge Retail Park on Newmarket Road. is a nationwide high street shop that sells vitamins, supplements, foods and other healthy items (shops Book shops are well provided in Cambridge. Besides in Lion Yard and Grafton Centre). Of note amongst several second-hand and charity stores, there are other health food and organic shops are Arjuna on Mill several large book superstores: Borders (also sells CDs Road and The Emerald Wholefoods market stall and and DVD’s), Waterstones and Heffers (Blackwells) are Cambridge Health Foods on Bridge Street. the largest in the city centre.

Organic foods are becoming more and more sought The UK’s electricity supply is 220-240V AC. All electrical after in the UK. Besides shopping for fruit and equipment of this voltage is compatible, but you will vegetables at the markets stalls in the town centre most likely have to change the plug or use an adaptor. and various specialised shops in the busier shopping Equipment that runs on 110V will not work in the UK streets, you can now order Vegetable Boxes from local unless you purchase the correct transformer adaptor. growers and have these delivered to you once a week or whenever you like (e.g. Waterland Organics and Light bulbs most commonly have bayonet fittings Cambridge Organic Food Company). although screw bulbs are also available.

Ethnic supermarkets for buying Oriental, Indian, African etc ingredients can be found in particular in several stores along Mill Road (El Amin, Cho Mee, Balv’s).

Off Licences are shops that sell alcoholic drinks to be consumed off the premises (pubs, bars and restaurants may sell alcohol to be consumed on the premises only). Threshers, Oddbins, Victoria Wines and Bacchanalia are a few that can be found around Cambridge.

30 General price guide

These are some typical prices for common household goods 2006:

Hardware item Average cost Stereo Hi-Fi £300-£700 Television £100-£500 Video/DVD player £75-£300 3-piece suite £750-£1500 Double bed £250-£500 Mattress £250-£500 Double wardrobe £250-£600 Washing machine £300-£500 Tumble dryer £150-£300 Adult’s Bicycle £75-£400 Pop CD £7-£11 New family saloon car £15000

Daily item Average cost 1 litre (2 Pints) milk £0.60 Loaf of bread £0.70 Small tub/block of butter £0.75 Whole chicken (medium) £4.00 Soap (in a dispenser) £1.10 Washing up liquid £0.80 Washing machine powder £4.00 Chocolate snack bar £0.40 Can of fizzy drink £0.50 Sandwich £2.50 Daily newspaper £0.40 1 litre of unleaded petrol £0.89

31 Dining out

Restaurants Cafés and coffee houses

For simplicity this section can be divided simply into Generally small snack bars that most often sell hot and Cafés, Fast food outlets, Pubs and Restaurants, but cold drinks, cakes, sandwiches and light meals (most for a superb and comprehensive guide to eating in commonly “All Day Breakfast” of eggs, bacon, sausage and around Cambridge, register at www.localsecrets. and beans!). Coffee houses providing takeaway coffees, com. Restaurants of all different standards, prices and like Starbucks, are now quite popular in the UK. These cuisines exist right across Cambridge, with the majority are usually only open during the day or very early located along the main routes through the city centre evening. It is common practice to choose your food (e.g. Hills Road to Castle Street and Trumpington Street and pay for it at the counter before eating or drinking. to Bridge Street). Although the British drink a wide range of teas, unless you specifically state otherwise, your tea is likely to be a General Restaurant and Standard Eating Times: basic “breakfast” style black tea accompanied with milk  Breakfast 7.30-9.00 (e.g. breakfast cereal, toast and sugar. – only very occasionally a cooked meal!) (“Elevenses” 10-11 mid-morning tea break)

 Lunch 12.00-2.00 (sandwich, salad or hot meal, but often lighter than dinner) (Teatime 4-6 light meal particularly, but not exclusively, for children)

 Dinner 6.30-8.30 (to sit down to meal) (Supper – late meal or snack that is less substantial than dinner – occasionally used in the old fashioned sense to mean dinner or the main evening meal)

32 Fast food outlets and takeaways

The usual American fast food chains are spread Pubs, or Public Houses, are much more than plain bars. around Cambridge, but there are also takeaways, They are often warm, homely places full of historical or “chippies”, selling fish and chips (a national treat character (and characters!) providing a meeting point of fish, e.g. cod, fried in a crispy batter), burgers or for friends and “locals” to have a drink or a meal. kebabs (Greek/Turkish sandwiches of marinated and Opening hours differ considerably, some are open all grilled chicken or lamb). day, others are open at lunchtime and then again from late afternoon through to 11pm or sometimes after Oriental (known as “Chinese”, but covering any midnight since the licensing laws changed in England. South East Asian cuisine) and Indian (probably more Beware that some pubs (and restaurants) do not take Bangladeshi than actually Indian) takeaways are really food orders after 2pm and may close at 2.30pm/3pm found everywhere! Be warned that although this for the afternoon! The type of food on offer in pubs exotic cuisine is largely cherished by the British, the varies greatly, as does the quality. There are pubs that takeaways produce food adapted to the British taste place the emphasis on their cuisine and are known as and so will not necessarily be as authentic as dishes “Gastro-Pubs”. These are much more similar in style to eaten in those particular countries (slightly more restaurants than traditional drinking pubs and often cooking oil and MSG food additive than perhaps look like upmarket pubs with restaurant menus or should be used)! Even so, it must be emphasised that traditional pub menus but made to a high standard. Indian food in the UK is arguably some of the best Traditional pub menus might include “Ploughman’s” outside of Asia. Everyone has their favourite takeaway lunch (a salad with cold meats, cheeses and pickles), or restaurant so it is best to sample a few with local steak and chips, fish and chips, hot meat pies (e.g. beef residents to make up your own mind. and ale, pork and cider, steak and kidney or Cornish Pastie) and even a curry dish. Children are generally allowed in pubs to eat and are accepted in pub “beer” gardens with their parents if they are not eating.

33 Sports and leisure

Things to see Museums

Cambridge provides many interesting, cultural and The Fitzwilliam Museum historical, beautiful and fun pursuits, events and things Trumpington St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 1RB to see. Visitors’ first stop should be Tourist Information Tel: 01223 332900 on Wheeler Street, behind the Guild Hall on the The largest Cambridge museum with the most variety Market Square. (including paintings, glass, porcelain and ancient antiquities). The building itself is magnificent. Colleges Cambridge & County Folk Museum There are 31 colleges that make up the University of 2-3, Castle St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 0AQ Cambridge and are highly popular tourist attractions Tel: 01223 355159 open to the public at certain times of the year for Displays of everyday living in bygone times. a small fee (or free if you live in Cambridge). Kings College Chapel and Peterhouse, the oldest and smallest Cambridge Museum of Technology college founded in 1284, are particularly worth visiting. Old Pumping Station, Cheddars Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB5 8LD Tel: 01223 368650 Punting Located in the Old Steam Pumping Station, exhibits of engines, boilers, printing presses and other prized A fun way to see some of the famous colleges and engineering equipment from the last few centuries. spend a leisurely hour or two is to take a punt out along the Backs, the one mile stretch of the Cam that Imperial War Museum Duxford flows through College grounds. These shallow hulled Duxford Airfield, Duxford, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire boats are traditionally propelled by pushing against a CB22 4QR Tel: 01223 835000 long pole placed onto the river bed at the rear of the “Europe’s premier aviation museum” including tanks, boat. You can be chauffeured and given a guided tour, military vehicles as well as planes. or have a go yourself, which although very hard work for novices, is satisfying and amusing! You can also Newmarket National Stud hire punts for trips from Cambridge to the beautiful Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 0XE Tel: 01638 666789 village of Grantchester, a pastoral idyll. Punt hire from Over 500 acres of pastures on the edge of Newmarket, Scudamores and Granta Punting. the UK’s historic home of horse racing, for Thoroughbred breeding. Fascinating tours and insights into the Sport of Kings.

34 University Museums

Cambridge University Botanic Garden Whipple Museum History of Science Cory Lodge, Bateman St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire Free School Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 1JF Tel: 01223 336265 CB2 3QA Tel: 01223 330906 A fabulous 40 acre site including lakes, glasshouses, History of Science: scientific instruments and models rock gardens, mature trees and exotic species. including an outstanding collection are microscopes and telescopes. Scott Polar Research Institute Lensfield Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 1ER Sedgwick Museum Tel: 01223 336540 University of Cambridge, Downing St, Cambridge, A centre for research and information on both polar Cambridgeshire CB2 3EQ Tel: 01223 333456 regions. Earth Sciences: fossils, rocks and minerals from around the world. University Museum of Zoology Downing St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 3EJ Art Galleries Tel: 01223 336650 Range of recent and fossil animals including specimens Besides the Fitwilliam Museum there are also galleries collected by Charles Darwin. at Kettles Yard, at the All Saints’ Garden Art and Craft Fair and various galleries notably along Kings Parade Museum Of Archaeology and Anthropology and Trinity Street. Downing Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 3DZ Tel: 01223 333516 Local antiquities and archaeological and ethnographic artefacts from around the world.

University Museum Of Classical Archaeology Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 9DA Tel: 01223 335153 Extensive collections of plaster casts of Greek and Roman statues.

35 Theatres Cinema

Cambridge Arts Theatre The Arts Picture House 6, St. Edwards Passage, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire 38-39, St. Andrews St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 3PL Tel: 01223 578933 CB2 3AR Tel: 01223 572929 For major theatre productions and national tours. Arthouse and international.

ADC Theatre Cineworld Park St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB5 8AS Cambridge Leisure Park, Clifton Road Tel: 01223 359547 Tel. 0871 200 2000 Multi screen Cinema complex. Mumford Theatre Anglia Polytechnic University, East Road, Cambridge, Vue Cinema Cambridgeshire Tel: 0845 196 2320 The Grafton Centre, East Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB1 1PS Tel: 0871 2240240 Cambridge Corn Exchange Multi screen Cinema. 3, Parson Court, Wheeler St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 3QE Tel: 01223 357851 Zoos For rock, pop, comedy and opera. Linton Zoological Gardens The Junction Hadstock Road, Linton Tel. 01223 891308 Cambridge Leisure Park, Clifton Road, Cambridge, About 25 minutes south east of Cambridge. Cambridgeshire CB1 7GX Tel: (01223) 511511 Also for rock, pop, comedy. Shepreth Wildlife Park Station Rd, Shepreth, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 6PZ Tel: 01763 262226 About 25 minutes to the south west of Cambridge.

36 Sports and recreation facilities

Kelsey Kerridge Sports Hall Cambridge Lakes Golf Course Queen Anne Terrace, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire Trumpington Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 8FA CB1 1NA Tel: 01223 462226 Tel: 01223 324242 The Sports Hall is run by the Cambridge Sports Hall Trust Ltd. Facilities include a multi-purpose hall large Cambridge Golf Club enough for two full-size five-a-side football courts, Longstanton, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire squash and badminton courts, the Ultimate fitness CB24 3DR Tel: 01954 789388 suite, a climbing wall, a projectile gallery as well as a bar area. The centre is situated next to the Queen Anne Cambridge National Golf Terrace car park, off Parker’s Piece. Meridian Court, Comberton Rd, Toft, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB23 2RY Tel: 01223 264700 Swimming pools Squash clubs Parkside Swimming Pool Gonville Place, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB1 1LY Cambridge Squash Club Tel: 01223 446100 295, Histon Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB4 3NF Next door to Kelsey Kerridge. Tel: 01223 358088

Abbey Swimming Pool Science Park Squash Club – Cambridge Science Park. Abbey Pool, Pool Way, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire Contact, QTON, Tel. (01223) 813264 CB5 8NT Tel: 01223 213352 Tennis Jesus Green Outdoor Swimming Pool Jesus Green, Chesterton Rd, Cambridge, Outdoor Public Courts – Christ’s Pieces, Jesus Green Cambridgeshire CB4 3BD Tel: 01223 302579 Public paddling pools for children: King’s Hedges (near Cambridge Lawn Tennis Club the Learners’ Pool); Coleridge Recreation Ground, Davy Wilberforce Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire Road; Lammas Land, Newnham; Cherry Hinton Hall. CB3 0EQ Tel: 01223 312550

Golf Courses and Driving Ranges Cocks & Hens Lawn Tennis Club Clerk Maxwell Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire Girton Golf Club (Cambridge Ltd) CB3 0RU Tel: 01799 530564 Dodford Lane, Girton, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 0QE Tel: 01223 276169 Next Generation Club Cambridge 21-25, Coldhams Lane Business Park, Cambridge, Gog Magog Golf Club Cambridgeshire CB1 3LH Tel: 01223 401200 Shelford Bottom, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB22 3AB Tel: 01223 247626

37 Fitness and Health Clubs Recreational grounds

Greens Health & Fitness Parks and open spaces and children’s play areas 213, Cromwell Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire throughout the city: CB1 3BA Tel: 01223 245200 Alexandra Recreation Ground (Carlye Road) L.A Fitness plc Arbury Adventure Playground Unit 34, Cambridge Leisure Park, Cambridge, (Wagstaff Close) Cambridgeshire CB1 7DY Tel: 0870 0667151 Arbury Town Park (Campkin Road) The Atrium Club Barnwell Recreation Ground 64, Newmarket Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB5 (Barnwell Road) 8DZ Tel: 01223 522522 Cherry Hinton Hall (Colville Road, Cherry Hinton) Riverside Health & Fitness Club Cherry Hinton Recreation Ground within Cambridge Garden House, Granta Place, Mill (High Street) Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 1RT Chesterton Recreation Ground Tel: 01223 259989 (Church Street) Chestnut Grove Recreation Ground The Glassworks Health Club (West Chesterton) The Glassworks, Thompsons Lane, Cambridge, Christ’s Pieces Cambridgeshire CB5 8AQ Tel: 01223 305060 (Central Cambridge) Coe Fen Next Generation Club Cambridge (Newnham, Trumpington Street) 21-25, Coldhams Lane Business Park, Cambridge, Coldham’s Common Cambridgeshire CB1 3LH Tel: 01223 401200 (Coldhams Lane) Coleridge Road Recreation Ground Rowing (Coleridge Road) Ditton Fields Recreation Ground Cambridge ‘99 Rowing Club (Off Newmarket Road) The Boat House, Kimberley Rd, Cambridge, Dudley Road Play Area Cambridgeshire CB4 1HJ Tel: 01223 367521 Fison Road Play Area Champion Of The Thames Rowing Club Green End Road Recreation Ground City Of Cambridge Rowing Club. Histon Road Recreation Ground Jesus Green (Chesterton Road, River Cam)

38 Recreational grounds (contd)

Kelsey Crescent Play Area (Teversham Drift, Teversham) Kendal Way Recreation Ground King’s Hedges Recreation Ground  (Albemarle Way) Lammas Land (Teversham Drift, Teversham) Midsummer Common (Mitchams Corner, Nr Jesus Green) Molewood/Hazelwood Close Nightingale Avenue Recreation Ground (Queen Ediths Way, South Cambs) Nuns Way Recreation Ground Petersfield (Mill Road, Gwydir Street) Peverel Road Play Area Romsey Road Recreation Ground Scotland Road Recreation Ground Sheep’s Green Shelley Row Play Area (Mount Pleasant Walk) Shenstone Green  (Staffordshire Street) St Albans Road Recreation Ground St Matthew’s Piece (Sturton Street) Parker’s Piece Stourbridge Common (Fen Road, Chesterton) Stourbridge Grove Play Area Trumpington Recreation Ground  (Byron Square)

39 Events and festivals

Cambridge has variety Calendar of Festivals and Events

Cambridge has a number of lively festivals and events January Events and Festivals in Cambridge which take place throughout the year, in and around  New Year’s Day – general festivities and celebrations central Cambridge. The residents of Cambridge like to take place throughout Cambridge on this national party and Cambridge’s extensive calendar of festivals and holiday events includes lively Cambridge street fairs, Cambridge carnivals, parades, punting events and numerous February Events and Festivals in Cambridge: rowing races on the River Cam in central Cambridge.  Snowdrop Season – late February, spectacular Local Cambridge newspapers and leading magazines in spring flowers at Anglesey Abbey in Lode, close to Cambridge regularly publish the latest cultural events Cambridge and Cambridge festivals, and also contain up-to-date  Rag Carnival Procession – late February, this popular listings of events nearby Cambridge. Cambridge college festival takes place in central Cambridge Cambridge’s helpful tourist information office on  Lent Bumps – late February, the Cambridge Wheeler Street is always a useful source for current events University college boat teams race on the River Cam and festivals in Cambridge. In addition to this more information can be found at www.visitcambridge.org March Events and Festivals in Cambridge  Cambridge Science Week – mid March, with leading National Public Holidays: experts holding talks, lectures, and demonstrations  1st January – New Year’s Day across Cambridge, on a wide range of scientific  Good Friday/Easter Monday – late March or early April subjects  First and last Monday in May  Wimpole Home Farm Lambing Weekends – mid  Last Monday in August March to early April, a chance to see newborn lambs  25th December – Christmas Day as spring arrives in Cambridge  26th December – Boxing Day  Thriplow Daffodil Weekend – late April, masses of daffodils are in bloom at this popular village festival If Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day falls in Thriplow Village, nearby Cambridge on a Saturday or Sunday, the next weekday becomes a public holiday. May Events and Festivals in Cambridge  Reach Fair – early May, a popular fair held in the Reach Village, close to central Cambridge  Stilton Cheese Rolling – early May, this is one of the more unusual events in Cambridge and takes place in the historic village of Stilton  Oxfam Sponsored Walk – mid May, this popular Cambridge charity event starts at Chilford Hall in Cambridge  Cambridge Beer Festival – late May, held at Jesus Green in Cambridge, with over 120 Real Ales, more than 60 foreign beers, ciders, English wines and a vast array of food

40 Calendar of Festivals and Events (contd)

June Events and Festivals in Cambridge July Events and Festivals in Cambridge  Strawberry Fair – early June, held at Midsummer  Cambridge Shakespeare Festival – early July, College Common in Cambridge, marking the arrival of Gardens, many famous Shakespeare plays are summer, with numerous outdoor events and festivals performed outdoors at a number of Cambridge  Duxford D-Day Anniversary Show – early June, held University college gardens, attracting around 25,000 at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, close to people Cambridge  Aquafest – early July, held at the Riverside in Ely, on  Cambridge Children’s Festival – early June, with the outskirts of Cambridge many special events for children, held at Jesus Green  Cambridge Open Studios – held during the in Cambridge weekends in July at various venues in Cambridge  College June Bumps – mid June, the Cambridge  Cambridge Film Festival – mid July, this popular University college boat teams race on the River Cam Cambridge event is held at various cinemas  June Week – mid June, general celebrations, festivals throughout Cambridge and has become of one of and special events take place throughout Cambridge the major film premier festivals in the UK  Cambridge Midsummer Fair – mid June, held at  Jazz and Brass in the Parks – various days throughout Midsummer Common in Cambridge, with many July, outdoor jazz and brass bands perform at a popular events and celebrations number of central parks in Cambridge  East of England Country Show – mid June, a large  Ely Folk Weekend – mid July, this popular festival is and varied country show held in Peterborough, close held in Ely, close to Cambridge to Cambridge  Pop in the Park – mid July, held at Parker’s Piece in  Singing on the River – mid June, outdoor concerts Cambridge, this huge free party features live bands, held at King’s College River Bank in central stalls, funfairs, outdoor film screenings and fireworks Cambridge  Big Day Out – mid July, held at Parker’s Piece in  University Honorary Degree Day – mid June, held at Cambridge, with outdoor music events and parties various venues in central Cambridge  World Pea Shooting Championships – mid July,  East Anglian Flower and Garden Show – mid June, one of the more unusual Cambridge events, held in a large gardening show with many horticultural nearby Witcham Village exhibits and events, held at Bourne Airfield, close to  Flying Legends Air Show – mid July, with many Cambridge exciting demonstrations, held at the Imperial War  National Bike Week – mid June, various cycling Museum in Duxford, close to Cambridge events, races and festivals are held throughout the  Summer Sunday – mid July, Parker’s Piece, Cambridge area Cambridge  Jazz and Brass in the Parks – late June, outdoor jazz  Cambridge Summer Recitals – mid July to mid and brass bands perform at a number of central August, Cambridge parks in Cambridge  London to Cambridge Cycle Ride – late July  Wisbech Rose Fair – late June to early July, this  Cambridge Town Bumps (rowing tournament) – late popular rose festival is held in Wisbech, close to July, Cambridge Cambridge  Cambridge Folk Music Festival – late July, Cambridge

41 Calendar of Festivals and Events (contd)

August Events and Festivals in Cambridge September Events and Festivals in Cambridge  Duxford Military Vehicle Show – early August, a large  Duxford Flying Show – early September, with many number of military vehicles are displayed at the exciting demonstrations, held at the Imperial War Imperial War Museum in Duxford, nearby Cambridge Museum in Duxford, close to Cambridge  The Comedy Marquee Club – early August, held at  Heritage Open Days – mid September, held at Jesus Green in Cambridge various locations throughout Cambridge  The Children’s Theatre Marquee – children’s events  Haddenham Steam Rally – mid September, this held at Jesus Green in Cambridge popular steam event features a large number of  Shuttleworth Collection – mid August, a Military working steam engines, held at Haddenham, nearby Pageant held at Bedford, nearby Cambridge Cambridge  Cambridge Shakespeare Festival – mid August, many  Stanley Thurston Fun Fair – mid September, a famous Shakespeare plays are performed outdoors popular fun fair held at Midsummer Common in at a number of Cambridge University college Cambridge gardens, attracting around 25,000 people  Chariots of Fire Race – mid September, this team  Jazz and Brass in the Parks – mid August, outdoor relay race attracts large crowds of spectators in jazz and brass bands perform at a number of central central Cambridge and raises funds for many parks in Cambridge charities  Fenland Country Fair – late August, held at Stow- Cum-Quy Village, nearby Cambridge October Events and Festivals in Cambridge  St. Ives Music and Arts Festival – late August, this  Duxford Flying Show – early October, with many popular music and arts festival is held in St. Ives, exciting demonstrations, held at the Imperial War nearby Cambridge Museum in Duxford, close to Cambridge  World Conker Championships – mid October, an unusual and enjoyable Cambridge event, held in nearby Ashton

November Events and Festivals in Cambridge  Firework Celebrations and Funfair – early November, general festivities held at Midsummer Common in Cambridge  Cambridge Music Festival – mid November, live music and concerts held in central Cambridge  Christmas Lights Switch On – late November, the city’s Christmas lights are switched on in central Cambridge by a celebrity to mark the beginning of the Christmas season

42 Calendar of Festivals and Events (contd)

December Events and Festivals in Cambridge  Pantomime Season – Christmas pantomimes are held at various theatres in and around Cambridge  The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols – December 24th, a Christmas concert held at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge and broadcast around the World  New Year’s Eve – December 31st, general festivals, parties and events take place throughout Cambridge, culminating in spectacular fireworks at midnight

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