Few cities in Britain carry such a heady mix of history, intellect and heritage as Cambridge. This compact university city, crisscrossed by the lazy loops of the River Cam and lined with ancient colleges, has been a place of both great thinking and great drinking for centuries. Like in much of the UK, beer has long been at the heart of its story: medieval scholars and monks brewed their own ale to sustain them through long nights of study; 17th-century inns kept scholars supplied with strong, nut-brown brews; Even today, the city’s historic pubs, many unchanged for centuries, stand as living testaments to that heritage. Step inside The Eagle, for instance, where RAF pilots once scrawled their names on the ceiling during the Second World War, or sip a pint at The Pickerel Inn, reputedly Cambridge’s oldest pub, and you’ll feel the weight of generations pressing softly against the low beams and worn stone floors.
But Cambridge’s beer story isn’t only about the past. Its status as a world-renowned university town has always kept its drinking culture lively.. Students have crowded into pubs for centuries to argue over philosophy or poetry across frothy pints; today, the same energy fuels a craft beer scen., Microbreweries and taprooms have sprung up alongside the city’s historic taverns, introducing bold IPAs, farmhouse saisons and inventive sours to a community that still reveres the comfort of a perfectly poured cask ale. In a place where history and academia shape almost every street corner, beer is the perfect bridge between the past and present.
Although Cambridge may not be as developed as other UK cities when it comes to forward-thinking microbreweries, the city has long been a hub for real ale and cask traditions as long as its storied university has existed. Championed by local CAMRA groups and its famous annual beer festival, cask ale is mostly the order of the day, yet in recent years a new wave of independent breweries and contemporary craft beer bars has transformed the drinking scene. Here, traditional riverside pubs rub shoulders with industrial-chic taprooms and bottle shops where the taps rotate as often as the seasons.
Breweries & Taprooms in Cambridge
While Cambridge’s pub culture is as old as its storied University campus, its brewing scene has recently been rejuvenated by a handful of independent brewers who are making their mark with bold recipes and atmospheric taprooms. It may not have as many breweries as other UK cities of a similar size, but the ones that it does have are worth a visit.
Calverley's Brewery
On the edge of the city centre, down a quiet side street just off Mill Road, Calverley’s Brewery is slightly difficult to find and easy to miss. However, once you find it, it becomes hard to leave.
Founded by brothers Sam and Tom, the brewery has earned a reputation for experimentation and is the only real modern craft brewery in the city. Their hazy IPAs are often fruit-forward, bursting with citrus and tropical notes, while their saisons lean on peppery yeast character and spice. Specials appear regularly. The taproom itself is a great place to sip a pint. Housed in what appears to be a former industrial building, it’s stripped back with bare brick and communal tables. Expect vinyl nights, occasional street food pop-ups, and a rotating chalkboard of beers that make each visit different.
Where: 23A Hooper St
When: Tues to Fri 5pm – 11pm; Saturday 12pm – 11pm
The Cambridge Brew House
One of the city’s only true brewpubs, The Cambridge Brewhouse offers the novelty of drinking a pint brewed metres from where you’re sitting. It has the slight vibe of a chain pub, but it is worth coming to sample their house beers, often sessionable pale ales, bitters, and seasonal stouts, rather than hop-forward IPAs or anything experimental, all brewed on site in a gleaming kit visible from the bar.
Guest lines provide extra variety, ensuring regulars always have something new to try. The food is standard pub fare, with burgers, pies, and sharing platters making it a good all-rounder. While not as atmospheric or historic as some of the other pubs in the city, the interior mixes old and new, with exposed beams and brewing equipment side by side. This is a good place to visit for a tangible link between Cambridge’s ancient pubs and its modern brewing movement.
Where: 1 King St.
When: Mon to Thurs 12pm – 11pm; Friday & Saturday 12pm – 12am; Sunday 12pm – 10pm
Craft Beer Bars in Cambridge
While Cambridge’s pub culture is as old as its storied University campus, its brewing scene has recently been rejuvenated by a handful of independent brewers who are making their mark with bold recipes and atmospheric taprooms. It may not have as many breweries as other UK cities of a similar size, but the ones that it does have are worth a visit.
Pint Shop
Pint Shop is probably my favourite craft beer spot in Cambridge, and a place is always my first port of call when I visit the city. Set in a Georgian townhouse just a few doors down from the Corn Exchange, its stripped-back industrial interior is typical of a craft beer bar but quite distinctive when compared to the city’s more historic pubs.
With 20 taps and an extensive bottled list, the beer offering spans the globe but has a firm focus on some of the UKs best microbreweries. Upstairs, private rooms make it popular for gatherings, while the ground floor bar is generally buzzing with people and conversation most evenings, making it often hard to get a seat. Settle in with a few pints and a freshly made sausage roll or scotch egg from their counter, and see why I love this place so much.
Where: 10 Peas Hill
When: Sun to Thurs 12pm – 11pm; Friday & Saturday 12pm – 12am
Thirsty
Part bottle shop, part taproom, Thirsty has quickly become one of the city’s most beloved beer spots. The bar keeps around a dozen rotating keg lines, ranging from UK favourites like Cloudwater and Verdant to Belgian classics and West Coast IPAs from across the Atlantic. A fridge filled with cans and bottles offers even more choice, perfect for takeaway or tasting flights. Outside, the courtyard comes alive in summer with food trucks that tend to change on a weekly basis. Staff are knowledgeable and approachable, always happy to recommend a beer based on your mood or taste.
Where: 46 Chesterton Rd
When: Tues & Weds 3pm – 11pm; Thurs to Sat 12pm – 11pm; Sun 12pm – 10pm
The Alex
Beloved by locals, The Alexandra Arms, affectionately known to those in the know as The Alex, effortlessly blends the atmosphere of a neighbourhood pub with the beer choice of a specialist craft bar. It’s a Greene King pub, but not tied exclusively to the brewery, meaning that you’ll find a rotating line-up of cask and keg often highlights some of the UK’s most interesting independent breweries, from Norfolk’s Duration Brewing to further afield brewers such as Manchester’s Track and Leeds’ Northern Monk.
The space itself is warm and inviting, with plenty of seating both indoors and in its beer garden, which becomes a social hub in summer. The kitchen serves up excellent pub food, and it’s a good spot for a Sunday roast. The staff take pride in guiding guests through the beers on offer, making it a welcoming stop for both seasoned beer enthusiasts and casual drinkers.
Where: 22-24 Gwydir St
When: Mon to Thurs 12pm – 11pm; Fri & Sat 12pm – 11.30pm; Sun 12pm – 5pm
Craft Beer Pubs in Cambridge
Cambridge has a proud reputation as a city of pubs, many of which have long supported real ale and cask traditions. For all the appeal of cutting-edge craft, these establishments remain central to Cambridge’s beer identity, combining historic charm with a deep respect for brewing heritage.
The Cambridge Blue
Long considered one of the jewels in Cambridge’s pub crown, The Cambridge Blue offers one of the city’s largest selections of real ale. With around 14 cask lines and an ever-changing roster of keg and bottled beers, it’s a haven for beer hunters. The pub is cosy inside, with wood beams and low ceilings, while a leafy beer garden at the back offers space to spread out in warmer months. Food comes courtesy of a resident smokehouse kitchen, making it a strong choice for dinner as well as drinks. For atmosphere, variety, and sheer dedication to beer, The Cambridge Blue remains a local favourite
Where: 85-87 Gwydir St
When: Mon to Sat 12pm – 11pm; Sun 12pm – 10.30pm
The Architect
Located on Castle Street, the Architect combines an airy, modern interior with a devotion to real ale and craft beer. The bar champions a rotating line-up of cask from local breweries, often alongside a couple of interesting keg choices, ensuring variety for every visit. Its food menu emphasises quality pub staples such as burgers, fish and chips, and Sunday roasts. The pub’s name nods to the building’s former life as the office of a Victorian architect, lending it a sense of character and history.
Where: 43 Castle St
When: Tues to Thurs 12pm – 10.30pm; Fri & Sat 12pm – 11.30pm; Sun 12pm – 10pm
The Maypole
Family-run and fiercely independent, you’ll find The Maypole near Parker’s Piece, where it remains one of the city’s most characterful pubs. Its cask ale selection leans on local breweries, while its keg lines bring in continental lagers, Belgian classics, and adventurous modern styles. The food menu adds an Italian twist: the pub is known for its fresh pasta and pizza, unusual but welcome in a city of pie-heavy pubs. With its friendly welcome, bustling interior, and lively garden, The Maypole offers a distinctive blend of Cambridge tradition and cosmopolitan flair.
Where: 20A Portugal Pl.
When: Sun to Thurs 11.30am – 2.30pm & 5.30pm – 11pm; Friday 11.30am – 2.30pm & 5.30pm – 12am; Saturday 11.30am – 12am
The Blue Moon
This indie-spirited pub on Norfolk Street is as much a cultural hub as it is a drinking spot. The beer range is famously eclectic, with five or six casks complemented by a dozen keg lines. Expect to see local favourites from Cambridge and the surrounding counties, alongside cult names from further afield. The interior is relaxed and a little bohemian, plastered with gig posters and artwork, setting the scene for the pub’s busy schedule of live music, film nights, and community events.
Where: 2 Norfolk St.
When: Mon to Weds 4pm – 12am; Thurs 4pm – 1am; Fri 4pm – 2am; Saturday 2pm – 2am; Sun 2pm – 10.30pm
Kingston Arms
Tucked away on Kingston Street, The Kingston Arms is a classic backstreet pub that has long been a favourite with ale enthusiasts. It offers a carefully curated line-up of cask and keg, often spotlighting East Anglian breweries. The atmosphere is relaxed and sociable, with a mix of locals and beer tourists drawn by its reputation for quality. While it doesn’t chase trends, the Kingston prides itself on keeping its beer impeccably well.
Where: 33 Kingston St.
When: Mon to Sat 11.30am – 11pm; Sun 12pm – 10.30pm
The Eagle
Perhaps Cambridge’s most famous pub, The Eagle dates back to the 14th century and has earned legendary status for more than just its pints. During the Second World War, RAF airmen used cigarette lighters and candles to scrawl their names on the ceiling of the back room, a memorial still preserved today and entirely covers the paintwork.
Even more famously, it was here in 1953 that Francis Crick and James Watson announced to fellow drinkers that they had “discovered the secret of life,” unveiling their DNA double-helix breakthrough, commemorated by a blue plaque next to the door. Today, the Eagle serves a range of cask ales, including their own house brew, in an atmospheric setting steeped in history, making it a must-visit for any Cambridge itinerary. It’s also a great place to stop for some typical pub food.
Where: Bene’t St.
When: Mon to Sat 11am – 12pm; Sun 12pm – 10.30pm
The Mill
Few pubs in Cambridge boast a more photogenic setting than The Mill, perched on the river with punts drifting past its terrace. The pub itself is traditional, with low beams, wood furniture, and a roaring fire in winter, while the outdoor seating comes alive in summer as drinkers spill onto the riverside. The beer selection blends well-kept cask ales with a small but thoughtful craft keg list, meaning you can opt for a classic bitter or a contemporary pale depending on your mood. Its riverside position makes it a favourite stop on a lazy afternoon pub crawl
Where: 14 Mill Ln
When: Mon to Sat 12pm – 11pm; Sun 12pm – 9pm
Cambridge Beer map
Whether you are planning a Cambridge pub crawl or just want to locate one of the breweries mentioned above, this map includes all the best and micrpubs, bars, and microbreweries that were covered in this guide.
Using this map: This map shows both the city’s breweries (red icons), pubs (black icons) and craft beer bars (orange icons). The list can be seen and filtered by toggling the icon on the top left-hand-side of the map, and each location can be explored further by clicking them. Expand the map by clicking the icon on the top right-hand-side.
Where to Stay in Cambridge
Cambridge isn’t short of places to stay. Being a thriving, historic university city and major tourist draw, there are hotels to suit every taste, style and budget. From stylish rooms in landmark buildings to homely student flats, Cambridge has a wide choice.
There are plenty of hip hotels in the historic centre if you are looking to be close to all of the main sights while soaking up the collegiate atmosphere (not to mention being a stumbling distance from some of the best restaurants and bars). Head beyond these prestigious surroundings into the Cambridgeshire countryside that borders Cambridge and you’ll find yourself in picturesque fenland villages offering cosy rooms in traditional pubs and quaint rental cottages, which thankfully have good transport links to the city.
Ibis Cambridge Central Station
While an Ibis hotel may be a far from glamourous, their cookie-cutter design and service means that you always know what you are getting and they are ideal if you are looking for somewhere convenient to stay on a budget.
With 231 rooms, this is the largest hotel in the city and it is only a short hop from the train station. it’s contemporary and stylish enough too.
University Arms
The oldest hotel in the city, originally built in 1831 as a coach house beside Parker’s Piece, the University Arms provides an indulgent stay that oozes scholastic elegance.
The hotel was rebuilt by classical architect John Simpson (who is reponsible for parts of both Buckingham and Kensington Palaces), with interiors contributed by Martin Brudnizki. Thanks to Brudnizki, each bedroom is wonderfully designed, painted in shades of Cambridge blue with white tile bathrooms and adorned with eclectic, retro furnishings. The 12 suites have Hayward Hill curated libraries built around the Cambridge-associated characters they are named after and other rooms have terraces overlooking the city common.
The Gonville Hotel
On the opposite side of Parker’s Piece to the University Arms, the exceedingly classy Gonville Hotel takes luxury to the next level. Whether you choose to take a complimentary ride in one of the hotel’s two Bentleys, use their Bobbin bikes to explore the riverside, or relax at their decadent Espa spa and two on-site fine dining restaurants, the city’s best boutique is pricey, but a real one-off experience.
How to Get to Cambridge
Although Cambridge does have its own small airport, the closest major hub to the city is London Stansted, situated 30 miles to the south. From Stansted’s train station, it’s possible to catch a direct Cross Country train towards Birmingham and alight at Cambridge.
If you’re travelling from central London, you can catch the slower train from London Liverpool Street, which takes around 1hr 30mins or the popular fast train that travels directly from Kings Cross and takes around an hour.
Book train travel from London to Cambridge here.
Pre-booking a private transfer from Stansted Airport is also a good option. The service often costs around the same price as an Uber, with the bonus that you will not need to wait for your pick up or potentially have to traipse to a meeting point. This is particularly useful if arriving late at night, meaning you won’t have to worry about the stress of finding a taxi when you’re tired. I usually use Get Transfer, who will arrange for a driver to meet you on arrival. They will always arrive at a specified time or check the latest flight arrival times in case of delays. Pick-up at the airport with a nameplate is also included in the service price.
Cambridge is connected to many locations via the A14, M11, A10 and the A428 from Cambourne, making driving an easy option. However, city centre parking can be expensive.
I would suggest using one of the multiple park and ride services on offer instead to beat the traffic and high parking charges. Trumpington is the most easily accessible for those arriving via the M11 or A10, while Madingley Road park and ride services the M11 from Stansted Airport/London and the A1303.
