The Credentials
Perched on the edge of Cambridge’s Parker’s Piece, the historic green where university students first codified modern football rules in the mid-19th century, the 189-room University Arms Cambridge is nothing short of a local institution.
First opening its doors in 1834 as a coaching inn, the hotel has long served weary travellers making the journey into this ancient university city, back when rail travel was still a novelty. Often cited as Cambridge’s oldest hotel, it is now part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. A recent £80 million renovation (completed in 2018) restored classical grandeur to the hotel’s façade, with an imposing stone porte-cochère and elegant interiors.
The location remains pretty perfect: steps from the city’s cobbled lanes and serenely overlooking one of Cambridge’s most iconic green spaces. It’s also easily accessible from London, with direct trains clocking in at under an hour from Liverpool Street Station and King’s Cross. It’s about a twenty-minute walk to the station from the hotel.
Sleep
I stayed in one of the Terrace Suites, and if ever a room begged you to linger, this was it. You’re looking at generous living space and a spacious ninth-floor outdoor terrace with lovely views over Parker’s Piece, perfect for a morning coffee or an evening glass of something sparkling as dusk settles.
The décor across the hotel nods to its scholastic heritage, with signature pops of calm green-blue (a bit bluer than the official Pantone for Cambridge Blue). All are decorated with nods to the university’s most famous pupils (Virginia Woolf, Lord Byron, Isaac Newton, A.A. Milne, etc.), giving it a quintessentially British feel. There are also hand-painted dustbins and plenty of books throughout.
One of the real treats in my suite was the freestanding bathtub with golden feet, set in front of French doors. I also loved the branded bathrobes, custom William Edwards china (showing the façade of the hotel), and in-room Nespresso machines. Oh, and the heated floors in the bathrooms — a dream!
Dine
University Arms’ restaurant, Parker’s Tavern, draws inspiration from Cambridge’s collegiate dining halls, but delivers a contemporary British menu with East Anglian ingredients. Though the hotel also houses a lovely library for afternoon tea, this was where my meals (breakfast and dinner) took place.
On the plus side: the fish and chips were exemplary – crisp, golden batter encasing succulent, flaky fish, accompanied by buttery peas and a bright tartare that lifted the whole dish. The pork chop was another stand-out: robust and well-seared.
A word of caution: I tried the quail Scotch eggs, and unlike the otherwise polished menu, these arrived with the pork centre undercooked and raw in places. I’d advise skipping them next time.
Breakfast is made up of a generous buffet of fresh fruit, viennoiserie, and lots of hot options. There’s also a made-to-order menu, which costs extra.
Who goes there?
During my stay, the atmosphere felt cosmopolitan yet relaxed. I spotted mainly older couples on city breaks and a few solo travellers.
Out & About
Step outside and you’re moments from the best Cambridge has to offer. Take a stroll across Parker’s Piece or borrow one of the hotel’s branded bicycles (painted in that lovely blue) for a gentle spin around town.
Beyond that, historic colleges, museums, riverside punting, and independent cafés are all within easy reach. I recommend the Fitzwilliam Museum, grabbing a honey-sticky Chelsea bun at Fitzbillies, and then starting the evening with a pint of Eagle Lager at The Eagle, the historic pub where, in 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick famously announced to fellow patrons that they had uncovered the structure of DNA, often paraphrased as having “discovered the secret of life”.
The Worst Thing
The only real disappointment came at dinner with those undercooked quail Scotch eggs, a rare misstep in an otherwise nice menu.
The Best Thing
Without hesitation: the bathtub in the Terrace Suite. Another charming touch is the recording of Alan Bennett reading The Wind in the Willows in the ground-floor bathrooms.
The Details
Rooms start from £225 per night, including breakfast.
Regent Street, Cambridge CB2 1AD
