Cambridge Walking Tour of Science History

Discover the impressive history of science at Cambridge University. Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Alan Turing and Stephen Hawking – these are just some of the scientists that have lived and studied at Cambridge. This walking tour will explore their stories, their scientific discoveries and their time here in Cambridge. See the site where the atom was split for the first time, the pub where the discovery of the structure of DNA was announced as well as many university colleges where great scientists lived and studied. All our tour guides are based at Cambridge University. Our tours are restricted to a maximum of 12 people so small groups are guaranteed.
If you can not see a tour available for the date of your visit, please contact us to discuss booking a private tour.

Meeting Point

Great St Mary's

The University Church, Senate House Hill, Cambridge CB2 3PQ, UK

Our guide will meet you outside Great St Mary's Church. Look out for the white umbrella!

What's included:

• Cambridge University Student Guide

Not included:

• Entry / Admission to Colleges
• Entry to research facilities / departments

What to expect:

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Gonville and Caius College

Trinity Street, Cambridge, CB2 1TA

We begin our tour with Stephen Hawking. Outside the college where he was employed, we discuss his life and time here in Cambridge.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Corpus Clock

58 Trumpington St, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, CB2 1RH

Learn about the mechanics of the hypnotic Corpus Clock and the strange creature which eats it.

5 minutes

The Eagle

The Eagle, Cambridge CB2 3QN, UK

Discover the story of Rosalind Franklin and the controversy around the discovery of the structure of DNA at the site where Crick & Watson announced they had found the 'secret of life'.

5 minutes

West Hub

Cambridge CB3 0FZ, UK

Hear about the lab group which has almost thirty Nobel Prize winners to its name at the site where some of the greatest scientific discoveries of the last one hundred and fifty years have occurred. Including James Clerk Maxwell, Ernest Rutherford and Dorothy Hodgkin.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Peterhouse

Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1RD

Discover the famous alumni and scientists of Peterhouse - the oldest college in Cambridge.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Mathematical Bridge

Queens' College, Cambridge, CB3 9ET

Learn about and see an incredible feat of engineering at the Mathematical Bridge.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Darwin College

Silver Street, Cambridge, CB3 9EU

Learn about the life of Charles Darwin and his time here in Cambridge at the college where his son and grandchildren once lived.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

King's College

King's Parade, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1ST

Overlooking King's from the Backs, discover the incredible and tragic story of the code-breaker and father of computer science Alan Turing.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

The Backs

Queen's Road, Cambridge, CB3 9AH

We stroll along the idyllic Backs towards the other side of the river and the centre of town.

Pass by without stopping

St. John's College

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

At one of the most famous colleges in Cambridge, hear about the famous scientists and alumni of St John's including Paul Dirac.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Trinity College

31 Trinity Street, , Cambridge, CB2 1TB

The college with the most Nobel Prize winners and the college of Isaac Newton, we finish our tour with the breathtaking history of science at Trinity College - right next to Newton's 'apple tree'.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included