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Cambridge Science Tour: Explore the Legacy of Eminent Scientists at Cambridge University
5.0
40 Ratings
Cambridgeshire
Discover the impressive history of science at Cambridge University. Explore the stories and scientific discoveries of eminent scientists such as Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Alan Turing, and Stephen Hawking on this engaging walking tour.
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Gonville and Caius College - We begin our tour with Stephen Hawking. Outside the college where he was employed, we discuss his life and time here in Cambridge.
- Corpus Clock - Learn about the mechanics of the hypnotic Corpus Clock and the strange creature which eats it.
- The Eagle - Discover the story of Rosalind Franklin and the controversy around the discovery of the structure of DNA at the site where Crick & Watson announced they had found the ‘secret of life’.
- West Hub - Hear about the lab group which has almost thirty Nobel Prize winners to its name at the site where some of the greatest scientific discoveries of the last one hundred and fifty years have occurred. Including James Clerk Maxwell, Ernest Rutherford and Dorothy Hodgkin.
- Peterhouse - Discover the famous alumni and scientists of Peterhouse - the oldest college in Cambridge.
- Mathematical Bridge - Learn about and see an incredible feat of engineering at the Mathematical Bridge.
- Darwin College - Learn about the life of Charles Darwin and his time here in Cambridge at the college where his son and grandchildren once lived.
- King’s College - Overlooking King’s from the Backs, discover the incredible and tragic story of the code-breaker and father of computer science Alan Turing.
- The Backs - We stroll along the idyllic Backs towards the other side of the river and the centre of town.
- St. John’s College - At one of the most famous colleges in Cambridge, hear about the famous scientists and alumni of St John’s including Paul Dirac.
- Trinity College - The college with the most Nobel Prize winners and the college of Isaac Newton, we finish our tour with the breathtaking history of science at Trinity College - right next to Newton’s ‘apple tree’.
What's Included
- Cambridge University Student Guide
What's Not Included
- Entry / Admission to Colleges
- Entry to research facilities / departments
Additional Information
Discover the impressive history of science at Cambridge University. Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Alan Turing and Stephen Hawking – these are just some of the scientists that have lived and studied at Cambridge. This walking tour will explore their stories, their scientific discoveries and their time here in Cambridge. See the site where the atom was split for the first time, the pub where the discovery of the structure of DNA was announced as well as many university colleges where great scientists lived and studied. All our tour guides are based at Cambridge University. Our tours are restricted to a maximum of 12 people so small groups are guaranteed. If you can not see a tour available for the date of your visit, please contact us to discuss booking a private tour.
Location
Great St Mary's
Senate House Hill
Our guide will meet you outside Great St Mary's Church. Look out for the white umbrella!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(40 Ratings)
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Daytrip45240183262
May 25, 2024
Excellent tour, super enriching! - Our family of three did the science tour. It was wonderful and super enriching. Our guide is a doctor student who is highly knowledgeable, professional, and friendly. We learned many stories about scientists affiliated with Cambridge. Visited several main colleges of Cambridge and some famous sites. For science lovers, I also recommend visiting a couple of museums before and after the tour. We did the museum of earth sciences before the tour and the polar museum after the tour. Amazing! We also purchased separate
tickets to visit the King's college chapel. Magnificent!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Compass573661
May 19, 2024
Brilliant tour - We had the pleasure of being guided around cambridge by Rowena yesterday. Her knowledge of the science and the stories of the people behind the discoveries is outstanding. Thoroughly recommended and a great introduction to the landmarks and colleges of Cambridge.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
306annabeln
May 17, 2024
A great experience in Cambridge supporting local business - The guide was very knowledgable able and very interesting! It was also nice to know it is a small, local female owned business.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
8kadenk
May 4, 2024
Science of Cambridge through the centuries... - Rowena was a fantastic, and personable, guide. She took us through the scientific history of Cambridge, both known and more relatively unknown and it was exactly what we were looking for! Good luck on your studies and cheers from Canada!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Estela_p
May 4, 2024
Fun and informative! - Really informative tour. The guide was very nice and accommodating. Would recommend to anyone visiting Cambridge!!
Review provided by Viator
Alyssamm2024
May 4, 2024
Incredible tour of science and history - Short review: Rowena was very knowledgeable, extremely friendly. Overall a really lovely your. Highly highly recommend.
If you are interested in science, Cambridge, history/women's history, I would definitely recommend this tour. Rowena gave us such wonderful details about the campus and the famous scientists that have studied and conducted research here. I would recommend booking a morning tour as Cambridge can get quite busy throughout the day. Absolutely a wonderful tour. Cannot recommend it enough
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A3642xsellenb
May 2, 2024
Amazing tour of Cambridge and science - The tour was fantastic. Rowena covers the history of the university, explains the university system, and, of course, covers the science of Cambridge as well. She is extremely knowledgeable and very accommodating. I spent a year in Cambridge studying (a number of years ago), and I found this tour accurate, illuminating and fascinating. Great pace of speaking and walking.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Scandinavleah
Apr 8, 2024
Great tour guide - The tour guide was so nice and went out of her way to help us meet up with the tour group when we were late. She was so passionate about science which made the tour truly enjoyable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
973elsbethd
Apr 6, 2024
Apple myths dispelled! - The walking tour was exactly as described, 90 min + filled with information about the colleges, its history of Royal inception, its scientists, and their achievements. Rowena told the Cambridge story well, balancing fact with historic anecdotes. A few myths were dispelled! Rowena met us exactly on time, doing her very best to contact latecomers, whom she directed to a convenient meeting place rather than delay the start of the tour. The walk was extensive through the town centre, with regular stops outside of Colleges, research bldgs or scenic points. Wear good walking shoes, and feel free to ask questions as Rowena is very knowledgeable, well versed in the history and lore of Cambridge through the ages.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lessontoolbox
Apr 5, 2024
Fantastic science tour of Cambridge - Very friendly, knowledgable and enthusiastic tour guide. We learned a lot about the history of Cambridge, the university, and the scientific history of the colleges. We highly recommend the tour. It makes so much more of a trip to the city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor