1.Visit a village fete
An English summer weekend wouldn’t be complete without sipping a lemonade under bunting, browsing some prize parsnips and buying cakes for 20p at a quintessential village fete. There are lots coming up: Girton Feast Week runs 3-12 July; The Shelford Feast is a popular one, taking place between 6 and 12 July with a comedy night and mini beer festival; and the Milton Summer Fayre is held on 11 July. Who’s first for welly wanging?
2.Watch The Bumps
From 21 until 24 July, Cambridge’s rowing clubs will take each other on for a unique race along the Cam at Fen Ditton. The Town Bumps sees crews line up, single file, and set off down the river with the aim of ‘bumping’ the boat in front. Those bumped, or overtaken, are out. Take a beer and join the spectators on the banks for one of Cambridge’s most exciting summer activities! Starts 4.55pm from Baits Bite Lock. The Plough at Fen Ditton is a good spot from which to cheer on your mates.
3.See some art
July is fabulous for anyone curious about exploring the local art scene. Cambridge Open Studios runs each weekend this month, inviting the public to step inside the workspaces of over 400 artists in and around the city. Read more on page 24. As part of Open Studios, Burwash Manor will be hosting their annual Artists’ Marquee. Visit this picturesque setting in Barton and see jewellery, ceramics, paintings and more.
4.Go to Cambridge Summer Music Festival
For two weeks this summer, Cambridge plays host to a festival of classical music, performed in some of the most stunning locations in the country. Cambridge Summer Music Festival features familiar favourites by Beethoven and Gershwin as well as jazz numbers, ancient choral music and at least one world premier. It runs from 17 July to 1 August. Highlights include trumpeter and local hero Alison Balsom performing at Trinity College Chapel, on 22 July.
5.Have a laugh!
Cambridge Comedy Festival gets bigger every year. It takes place at Cambridge Junction, 14-19 July, with a line-up including Ed Byrne, Richard Herring and Mark Watson. We caught up with Mark Watson to find out about his student days at Cambridge and how he felt after spending 27 hours on stage for Comic Relief (ill, mostly).
