15 Signs You Grew Up In Cambridge That Only The Locals Will Know
Cambridge is a city like no other. It’s quiet and collected and has so much going on behind the locked college doors. Here are 15Â signs you grew up in Cambridge!
When The Sun Comes Out, You Went To Swim In The River
The River Cam is such a central part of the city. It’s run directly through the city and swimming in the river is the perfect way to spend a hot day. You would go up to ‘your special spot’ up Newnam or Granchester way and swim, have a bbq, and a really great day out.
Your Mum Wanted You To Go Hills Road, But You Thought Long Would Be More Fun
Hills Road was considered the more academic sixth form option. But Long Road was artier and wavier. It was a tough decision come results day (if your results permitted). This is one of the many signs you grew up in Cambridge!
When You Turned 18, You Had A Crap Night Out At Lola Los
You and all of your friends planned a crap night out at Lola Los for everything. When everyone started turning 18, there would be drinks at Regal in town and then a night out at Lola Los were you definitely had the loyalty card.
You’ve Been Out On The River At Night
Night punting, or night canoeing was part of your regular summer activity. You’d have fun, get drunk and then decide what a brilliant idea it would be to go out on the river. You’d pass no one else on the water and shout at people on the banks. Usually cheers-ing and laughing. This is one of the many signs you grew up in Cambridge!
You Always Have Your Bike With You
If you’re true Cambridge, you always had your bike with you. Even if you were just popping into town. You have to cycle. You’ve probably had at least one bike stolen in your life.
You Spent At Least One Summer Getting Drunk In A Field
Cambridge is surrounded by fields and despite the fact that Police used to survey them for ‘illicit activity’, you and your friends definitely drank underage on one of the fields. They would be really fun nights and you would meet so many people. This is one of the many signs you grew up in Cambridge!
You Remember The Cornish Pasty Man In The Market
RIP to the Cornish Pasty Man, the fisherman served us well. But is apparently now living in Scandinavia somewhere, being a fisherman to another market.
Going To Strawberry Fair Was A Huge Social Event
Strawberry Fair was a super cool day out. There were gigs, there were festival stalls and there were strawberries and cream. It was a really nice day out and got fun as you turned 18 and would stay all night having a few tinnies in the sun.
You’ve Never Actually Been In Any Of The Colleges
The Colleges of Cambridge are more of a backdrop of the city if you actually live here. They’re there and you know they’re there but they’re nothing to do with you so you ignore them.
Or If You Have, It Was When You Broke In Late At Night
Despite this, if you can catch a door just right, or jump a low wall you could spend hours of a night wondering around these beautiful places. They are incredible and do look like they’ve come from a fiction book.
You Know The Secrets Of The Colleges As If They Were Your Stories
You’d past so many tour groups that you’d learn all the stories. I will forever know that the Henry the VIII statue at St John’s College is holding a chair leg because a student stole his sword.
You Went On A School Trip To The Fitzwilliam Museum And Didn’t Look At Any Art
The Fitzwilliam is an incredible museum full of amazing art. However, as a year 8 student you didn’t look at any of it. Instead you took selfies with the lions out the front and wondered around aimlessly before you could leave.
You Had A ‘Great’ Night Out At Fiver At Junction
The fiver at Junction was the height of your week. There would be fanciable bands, that were your age, playing their guitars and singing their hearts out. You would have usually done shots with your friends before you went in and would have spent ages choosing your edgiest outfit.
Going To Strawberry Fair Was A Huge Social Event
Strawberry Fair was a super cool day out. There were gigs, there were festival stalls and there were strawberries and cream. It was a really nice day out and got fun as you turned 18 and would stay all night having a few tinnies in the sun.
You Would Go To The Cheap Night At Midsummer’s Fair
When you were 13 you definitely went to the funfair on cheap night. Most of the rides were £1 and the big ones were only £3.
You Know You Will Never See Half Of The City Because It’s Hidden by The University
Cambridge is such a strange city because you will never see half of it. Half of the city I locked behind the university gates and is not open to the public. As a resident, you will never know what half of the city looks like.
