Excerpt from Touring C. S. Lewis' Ireland & England
by Perry C. Bramlett and Ronald H. Higdon

"Some things are beautiful beyond hope or belief..."

Cambridge is a city of just over 100,000 people, with a history dating back nearly 2,000 years to Roman times when a small garrison stood on what is now called Castle Hill, northwest of the Magdalene Bridge crossing the River Cam. It is located 60 miles by road north from London and about 80 mile northeast from Oxford.

Cambridge is arguably one of the most attractive and accessible small cities in England. Considered more "pastoral," quieter, and more secluded than busier and more congested Oxford, Cambridge is very inviting and appealing to visitors. One thing that sets it apart is compactness--a visitor can walk around and explore the historic city centre and see the old, beautiful colleges in a couple of days, unless, of course, one wants to explore more fully the individual colleges, the pubs and restaurants, the antique and book shops, and the other attractions. Also unique to Cambridge are "the Backs."

Eight of the central colleges--Darwin, Queen's, King's, Clare, Trinity Hall, Trinity, St. John's, and Magdalene--are positioned with their backs to the river, which runs through the city south to north. These colleges back on to the riverbank, giving rise to the name "the Backs." This 1,000-meter stretch with its grassy banks, old bridges, and beautiful flowers and gardens is perfect for walking tours and exploring the central city and its wonders.

Even before C. S. Lewis moved to Cambridge in January 1955, he had found many things about the city and the university he liked. After going to the university, he found its colleges charming and "intriguing," and on the whole, the town was quieter and more relaxed than Oxford. When he moved to Cambridge to teach, he discovered that the atmosphere was less formal and more hospital than Oxford. Many visitors to Cambridge have said and written the same thing. This is not to disparage Oxford, because it, too, is a wonderful, exciting, and in many ways unique city. But Cambridge is different, and it is hoped that the "C.S. Lewis visitor" to Cambridge, whether first-time or veteran, will note the differences and then celebrate both places.

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