The best things to do in Cambridge to take your mind off Week Five

It’s now officially Week Five, which for many (including myself) is the hardest part of term – you’re neither bright and bushy eyed for the start of term, nor powering through the final stretch. I’ve always found switching my brain out of work mode one of the most difficult things to do in Cambridge, as it often feels like my entire existence here is (and therefore has to be) centred around and geared towards work. But, it doesn’t have to be like that! Although Cambridge can feel like an inescapable bubble, in reality there are so many activities that you can do around the city to take your mind of your work, and Week Five, even just for a bit.

Go charity shopping by the Grafton

Burleigh Street (just next to the Grafton Centre) is a charity-shopper’s dream, with no less than 10 charity shops on the same street! Browsing an entire street’s worth of charity shops is a perfect way to spend a quiet morning or afternoon.

Visit the Botanical Gardens

I absolutely love the Botanical Gardens – the trees are looking absolutely gorgeous this time of year, and it’s a lovely way to reconnect yourself with nature and enjoy some peace and quiet outside of the hectic Cambridge bubble. And it’s free with a valid Camcard!

The beautiful autumn hues of the Botanical Gardens

Go to a formal with some friends

Although a bit more of a pricey activity, a formal with some good friends always hits the spot. It’s a nice opportunity to sit and chat for a couple of hours, have some (hopefully) good food (and maybe some wine). I find formals always cheer me up, and are a perfect distraction from work.

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Who doesn’t love a good formal?

Catch up with a friend you haven’t seen in a while

At Cambridge I sometimes feel like I meet so many people and never have enough time to properly keep up with all of them. So, taking some time to catch up with a friend you haven’t seen in a while is always a great thing to do. Chances are, if you haven’t seen each other in a while, you’ll have a lot of non-work related life updates to catch up on – therefore providing a perfect distraction from the Week Five blues!

Visit the Fitzwilliam Museum

Another free activity, the Fitzwilliam Museum is a lovely combination of both history and art, with absolutely stunning architecture (perfect for a BeReal!). Their current temporary exhibitions are also great, with a room dedicated to Women in Japanese Prints, and the work of contemporary artist Glenn Ligon displayed throughout the galleries, exploring the “social, cultural and political constructions of race”.

Just stunning!

I know Week Five can be tough (trust me – I’m a third year!), but on the bright side, it also means that we’re now officially closer to the end of term than the beginning, and that Bridgemas is coming!