Saturday 9 April 2011

Cambridge again

We were back in Cambridge again last week.Ella finished school a week before her brothers so we were asked could we go and look after her(and it turned out a friend too!!).We visited Trinity College(above) and were persuaded by the porter to visit the Wren Library which is open to the public and we were so glad we did.It was completed in 1695 to the design of Christopher Wren.Famous past pupils include Isaac Newton.Most of his library is here,plus his writings and diagrams,his walking stick and even a lock of his hair.A.A.Milne attended Trinity and his manuscripts for Winnie the Pooh,House at Pooh Corner and others can be seen.There were medieval manuscripts to see.It was really interesting.A hidden gem.
Across from Trinity St Johns can be seen and of course,people punting.
This is Christs College.
On our last morning we decided to take Ella to the Orchard tea Rooms at Grantchester.A group of students asked Mrs Stevenson of Orchard House(pictured above in 1910). whether she would serve them tea in the orchard.This was in 1897 and that started a great Cambridge tradition and it became a popular venue.You could punt there from Cambridge.In order to supplement income the Stevensons took in lodgers and in 1910 it was Rupert Brooke.Friends came to visit and became known as the Grantchester Group and spent much of their time here.
From l to r-E.M.Forster,Rupert Brooke,Wittgenstein,Bertrand Russell,Augustus John,Keynes and Virginia Woolf.
The Stevensons' publicity card.1910.
Ella sat enjoying the sun(and scones,clotted cream and jam).You sit in the orchard in deckchairs.Bliss!
This is the original tearoom.As you can see ,nothing grand at all but alive with tradtion.
Do visit if you are in the Cambridge area.

6 comments:

  1. Oh how lovely ... I've just started getting into 'afternoon tea'. That looks such a lovely place to go. i've never been to Cambridge (or Oxford!) but it is on my list!
    Hope you're enjoying the weather!
    xxx

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  2. Oh, how lucky you were to see the Wren Library - it was closed the day I visited. I loved Trinity college and all its history - we saw Newton's quarters near the main gate and learned about Byron keeping his pet bear there:) I've never been to Grantchester it looks wonderful:)

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  3. Thanks for your comment - yes, you must visit Marrakech and of course I would love to meet you and show you around! Lovely photos of Cambridge, which I love. What a great day you had and very envious of your cream tea...

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  4. It is always fab to see where you have been and what you visited. Where next? Sx

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  5. Yes it's a lovely place isn't it? Loved the afternoon tea spot in the orchard. Will keep it in mind if we ever return.
    cheers
    Helen

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  6. I think I just might do that! We're staying in Cambridge for a few days quite soon. Looks like you had a lovely time!xx

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