Cambridge Historical Connections and Empire Tour

Explore the hidden legacies of empire and colonialism that shaped Cambridge and its prestigious university.
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On this tour of central Cambridge, we explore the complex historical ties between the university, its benefactors, and Britain's colonial past. Learn how Cambridge’s architecture, scholars, and institutions were deeply influenced by the wealth and ideas derived from imperial expansion. Discover stories of resistance, exploitation, and the current ways in which the university and its museums continue to reckon with its colonial history. Led by current researchers at the university, this tour offers a critical perspective on Cambridge’s role in shaping global narratives and power structures, past and present.
Recommended for age 12 and older.

This tour was gratefully developed with support from the University of Cambridge Museums and through consultation with researchers and curators at the University of Cambridge.

Meeting Point

The Round Church

Round Church Vestry, Bridge St, Cambridge CB2 1UB, UK

Meet your guide outside the Round Church on Bridge Street. Guide will be wearing a bright green vest and carrying a tote bag with an Uncomfortable Cambridge™ Logo.

What's included:

• Certified Uncomfortable Cambridge™ tour guide

Not included:

• Tips and gratuities

What to expect:

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

The Round Church Visitor Centre

Round Church, Bridge Street, Cambridge, CB2 1UB

Meet your guide outside the Round Church for an introduction to the tour.

15 minutes

St. John's College

St. John's St., Cambridge, CB2 1TP

Under the decorated gates of St. John's college, you will learn about the history of abolition in the city.

15 minutes

Trinity College

31 Trinity Street, , Cambridge, CB2 1TB

Stop at Trinity College to learn about one of its most notorious alumni and the history of Eugenics.

15 minutes

Great St Mary's Church (Church of England)

St. Marys Passage, King's Parade, Cambridge, CB2 3PQ

Observe a memorial from the South African War and engage in a discussion about historical memory.

15 minutes

Gonville and Caius College

Trinity Street, Cambridge, CB2 1TA

At Gonville and Caius College, learn about the origins of statistics at the University.

15 minutes

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DZ

Finish the tour by exploring the MAA and engaging with modern debates of object repatriation and restitution.

15 minutes