Is this Cambridge walking route suitable for children?

Yes, it is very family-friendly. Children often enjoy the story of the time-eating grasshopper and the legend of the lions that walk at midnight.

What is the best time to see the Corpus Clock?

The clock is best viewed during the day or early evening when the blue LED lights are most visible. It is located on a public street, so you can see it at any time.

Is the Mathematical Bridge accessible for free?

You can view the Mathematical Bridge for free from the Silver Street bridge. To walk across it, you usually need to pay for entry to Queens' College during their visiting hours.

What is 'Reality Checkpoint' in Cambridge?

Reality Checkpoint is a historic lamp post located in the middle of Parker's Piece. It is famous for its name, which symbolizes the transition between the university 'bubble' and the real world.

Are there many hills on this walking route?

No, Cambridge is famously flat. This route involves no significant inclines, making it an easy-flat walk for people of all fitness levels.

Can I see the DNA pub without going inside?

Yes, you can see the exterior of The Eagle and its historic signage from Bene't Street. The narration focuses on the historical significance of the building's exterior.

Where does this self-guided walk end?

The route concludes at the Scott Polar Research Institute on Lensfield Road, which is conveniently located near the train station and the Botanic Garden.

Curiosities and Creatures: A Cambridge Family Adventure | Self-Guided Walking Tour

About This Guided Walking Tour

Uncover the whimsical side of England’s most famous university city with this self-guided walk through the heart of Cambridge. While the city is world-renowned for its academic prestige, its streets are also home to a collection of bizarre legends, mechanical monsters, and stone creatures that come to life at night—or so the stories say. This walking route is designed specifically for those who want to see the city from a different perspective, moving beyond the standard college gates to find the curiosities that make Cambridge truly unique. Begin your self-guided adventure at the iconic Mathematical Bridge, where you'll hear the truth behind the myths of Sir Isaac Newton’s construction skills. From there, your neighborhood stroll takes you toward the center of town to meet the 'Chronophage'—a terrifying, time-eating grasshopper that sits atop one of the world’s most unusual clocks. As you explore independently, you’ll discover the pub where the secret of life was first announced to the world and stand before the grand Fitzwilliam Museum, where stone lions are rumored to leave their pedestals for a midnight drink. This experience is perfect for curious minds of all ages. You will navigate the historic 'Reality Checkpoint' on Parker’s Piece and finish your journey searching for the elusive Snowy Owl at the Scott Polar Research Institute. Along the way, the route highlights the intersection of science and folklore, making it an ideal choice for a family-friendly afternoon. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a local looking for hidden gems, this audio walk provides a flexible way to see the sights without the constraints of a rigid schedule. There is no need to rush; the beauty of this walking route Cambridge offers is the ability to pause for a photo or a snack whenever the mood strikes. Discover at your own pace and let the mysteries of the city reveal themselves one stop at a time.

Tour Highlights & Things to See

The 'Chronophage' time-eating grasshopper on the Corpus Clock
The legendary Mathematical Bridge at Queens' College
The pub where the discovery of DNA was first announced
The 'Reality Checkpoint' lamp post on Parker's Piece
The midnight-strolling lions of the Fitzwilliam Museum
The Scott Polar Research Institute's snowy owl

Route Map

Numbers indicate the order of stops on the tour.

Tour Stops & Points of Interest (6)

1

Mathematical Bridge

Start exploring with Zigway at the Mathematical Bridge, a wooden structure that looks like it belongs in a puzzle. Located at Queens' College, this bridge is the subject of a very famous Cambridge myth. Legend has it that Sir Isaac Newton built it without using any nuts or bolts, relying solely on gravity and clever geometry. The story goes that later students took it apart to see how it worked and couldn't put it back together, forcing them to use the iron bolts you see today. In reality, the bridge was built 22 years after Newton died! It was actually designed by William Etheridge. Even though the Newton story is a myth, the sophisticated 'tangential-and-radial' design remains a masterpiece of 18th-century engineering.

2

The Corpus Clock

As you continue your neighborhood stroll, you will encounter one of the most unusual timepieces in the world. The Corpus Clock, unveiled in 2008 by Stephen Hawking, has no hands and no numbers. Instead, time is shown by blue LEDs shining through slits. Perched on top is the 'Chronophage' or 'Time-Eater'—a terrifying, metal grasshopper-like creature. Watch as its jaws snap every minute, symbolizing time being consumed. The clock is intentionally inaccurate; it only strikes the exact hour every five minutes, representing the irregularity of life. It’s a haunting yet fascinating reminder to make the most of every second while you explore independently.

3

The Eagle DNA Pub Exterior

Just a short walk away is The Eagle, a pub with a history that changed the world. Look up at the windows and the old stone walls. In 1953, Francis Crick and James Watson ran into this pub and announced they had discovered 'the secret of life'—the double helix structure of DNA. They had been working just around the corner at the Cavendish Laboratory. While the pub is famous for science, it’s also a place of memory; inside the RAF bar, the ceiling is covered in messages written by World War II pilots using cigarette lighters and lipstick. It’s a perfect example of how Cambridge blends world-changing discovery with personal history.

4

Fitzwilliam Museum Lions

Next on your walking route are the grand stone lions guarding the entrance to the Fitzwilliam Museum. These four lions, sculpted by William Nicholl, have been the subject of local folklore for generations. According to Cambridge legend, when the clock of nearby St. Mary’s Church strikes midnight, these lions come to life. They are said to climb down from their pedestals and walk to the nearby gutters to have a drink of water before returning to their posts by dawn. While they look perfectly still during the day, keep a close eye on them—you never know if you might catch a stone tail twitching!

5

Reality Checkpoint

Now, head toward the wide-open space of Parker’s Piece to find a single, ornate lamp post known as 'Reality Checkpoint.' This is one of the oldest cast-iron lamp posts in the city, but its name is what makes it famous. Some say it’s called Reality Checkpoint because it marks the boundary between the 'bubble' of the University and the 'real world' of the town. Others claim it was a meeting point for students and locals to settle their differences. During foggy nights, it serves as a literal landmark for people crossing the dark common, helping them find their way back to reality. It's a quirky piece of local identity in the middle of a historic park.

6

The Cambridge Snowy Owl

Finish your self-guided adventure at the Scott Polar Research Institute. Outside this building, you can find symbols of the Arctic and Antarctic, including the elusive Snowy Owl. This stop celebrates the brave explorers who traveled to the ends of the earth. The institute was founded as a memorial to Captain Scott and his companions who died returning from the South Pole. The Snowy Owl represents the mystery and beauty of the polar regions that Cambridge scientists have studied for decades. It’s a fitting end to a walk filled with creatures and curiosities, reminding us that there is always more to discover if we keep our eyes open.

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Explore “Curiosities and Creatures: A Cambridge Family Adventure” with your very own Private Tour Guide with Zigway. Start free on iPhone, skip the large group and the fixed routes, and hear the city come alive as you go.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The walk takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes to complete. The total distance is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km), making it a leisurely stroll through the city center.