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

[fiesta_STage3]

the “university” is 50+ buildings distributed in and around the city and the strategy will depend. Which building and will it be at peak time?

[budgie smuggler]

As above it depends exactly which building but I usually use Park and Ride, seems pretty decent- I've never had any problems when using it.

[steveo3002]

id go park n ride

[zbc]

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

[WyrleyD]

Regular visitor to central Cambridge and always use the Park'n'Ride from Trumpington and it drops you outside John Lewis.

[MKnight702]

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.

[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.

[V8FGO]

Was quite a few years ago 5 maybe, but i dropped my son off for a visit to Magdalene.
There was on street (metered) parking on Chesterton Street near Albert St north side of the Cam.
15-20 min walk to the market square via Magdalene St - Bridge St.

[48Valves]

Park in the Grand Arcade which is in the centre of Cambridge and you are a 10/15 minute walk away.

There is some on street parking on Queen’s Road (A1134) but you will be lucky to get a space. Barton Road is the same.

Parking on that side of town isn’t great.

[stuthemong]

Adams road I don’t think is residential only (wasn’t a couple years back) - you can probably park on street there.

Worst case is pay and display on Queens road.

You could take the trumpingon park and ride and grab a bus/taxi from there.

[fiesta_STage3]

so the faculty of history is in west cambridge, and is one of the most tricky buildings to reliably park nearby. I could point you to lots of nearby roads you “might” find a space at, but it’s a bit of a rabbit warren there and you might drive round in circles. …..My advice would be: it’s a long walk from centre of town [having battles the congestion to get there!] and further from the train station. i would park at madingley road park n ride, and then walk (along the backs!) if i had a spare half hour, or catch a bus if i didn’t, or order a taxi (panther taxis).

[fiesta_STage3]

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)

[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.

[fiesta_STage3]

Louis Balfour said:

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

it’s a 10 min trip (during which you get to see the new west cambs campus and the infamous “backs”)… you can do it!

[Spindoctor]

Yes P&R from Trumpington is quick, easy and relatively cheap, and actually quite a nice experience. Cambridge council is at war with the car. Not worth the fight.

[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.

[W12GT]

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

[48Valves]

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

My wife seems to get a fine every week from driving into Cambridge. I think it would be cheaper to hire a personal driver for her.