Visiting Cambridge university with a car.

[Louis Balfour]

As per the title I need to go there tomorrow.

The uni warns that public car parking is limited and the nearest Just Park is a 35 minute walk away.

What is the smart move? Drive to Ely and get a local train?

TIA

[Louis Balfour]

MKnight702 said:

zbc said:

steveo3002 said:

id go park n ride

plus one. Been a few times over the past few years and always used a park and ride except once when I booked a space in the centre when we had more luggage. Park and Rides are excellent though

On the very rare occasion that I visit Cambridge I would always use P&R since I don't want to pay the stupid car parking charges in Cambridge.

I don’t mind paying stupid car park charges if it avoids park and ride.

[Louis Balfour]

It’s CB3 9EF faculty of history.

I note that the faculty’s site is more upbeat about parking nearby.

[Louis Balfour]

fiesta_STage3 said:

note the university bus leaves from Madingley P&R and goes almost straight to where you want (and is a relative more pleasant experience than the double deckers)

Thanks. I might have to cave in and travel by bus for the first time in maybe thirty years.

[Louis Balfour]

fiesta_STage3 said:

note the university bus leaves from Madingley P&R and goes almost straight to where you want (and is a relative more pleasant experience than the double deckers)

Well, the P&R was absolutely chocker with cars parked even where there were no spaces. If it had been possible to stack, people would have done it. So much for environmentally friendly transport solutions.

So we drove to the faculty and managed to park on street with no time limit, 0.4 miles away.

[Louis Balfour]

W12GT said:

Pay attention to the road signs! It’s a place designed to extract money from motorists. Note that if you drive through the centre, the signs with kettle you into a restricted access and you will get a fine! I know this from bitter experience and and fortunately won the challenge at appeal

Edited by W12GT on Friday 7th July 15:25

Well the road we are on has double yellows and we parked where they finish.

Let’s see!

[Louis Balfour]

fiesta_STage3 said:

Louis Balfour said:

Well the road we are on has double yellows and we parked where they finish.

Let’s see!

booo i just visited this thread to ask for a trip report and a bus verdict - don’t tell me you chickened out

So, we parked on Adams Road. All day. For Free. 0.4 miles from the faculty of History.

We owned Cambridge.

[Louis Balfour]

fiesta_STage3 said:

Louis Balfour said:

So, we parked on Adams Road. All day. For Free. 0.4 miles from the faculty of History. We owned Cambridge.

Bossed it!

The P&R was a shambles TBH.

If Balfour Jr. is offered a place, and accepts it, I can see it being a PITA logistically. Learning Chinese will also be required, to communicate with 90% of the people there.

[Louis Balfour]

fiesta_STage3 said:

Louis Balfour said:

Learning Chinese will also be required, to communicate with 90% of the people there.

Chinese people have bought into Cambridge in a big way this past 20 years.

I like Cambridge and (obviously) will be delighted if Jr is offered a place.

BUT, but, but, the degree to which the Uni is a spectacle for tourists is really off-putting. I get it, but I am sure some of them think they are visiting the real Hogwarts.

[Louis Balfour]

W12GT said:

Louis Balfour said:

fiesta_STage3 said:

Louis Balfour said:

Well the road we are on has double yellows and we parked where they finish.

Let’s see!

booo i just visited this thread to ask for a trip report and a bus verdict - don’t tell me you chickened out

So, we parked on Adams Road. All day. For Free. 0.4 miles from the faculty of History.

We owned Cambridge.

I’d wait 2weeks before being so confident - see what comes in the post. Yes, it really is that bad.

I love Cambridge and think it’s a beautiful place but every time we mention going we think of the hassle involved and end up somewhere else

What do you think they are going to send me?

[Louis Balfour]

W12GT said:

Louis Balfour said:

W12GT said:

Louis Balfour said:

fiesta_STage3 said:

Louis Balfour said:

Well the road we are on has double yellows and we parked where they finish.

Let’s see!

booo i just visited this thread to ask for a trip report and a bus verdict - don’t tell me you chickened out

So, we parked on Adams Road. All day. For Free. 0.4 miles from the faculty of History.

We owned Cambridge.

I’d wait 2weeks before being so confident - see what comes in the post. Yes, it really is that bad.

I love Cambridge and think it’s a beautiful place but every time we mention going we think of the hassle involved and end up somewhere else

What do you think they are going to send me?

They have cameras where there is restricted access. The kind of things that anywhere else you would get away with. There is one location where when you are sitting on traffic you got through what appears to be a width restriction, but in fact it is a bus gate. If you go through it and aren’t a bus then you can expect a fine…

Have a look here and you will see what I mean - half a dozen of them. Plus a fair number of other enforcement cameras. Some locations it is very easy to get t without realising it at the time….

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel...

Edited by W12GT on Sunday 9th July 14:12

If I got nabbed, so did a lot of others!

Let's see if I receive any love letters.