Fun ways to enjoy the city without letting the elements destroy your college puffer
Michaelmas term: an eight-week turmoil of stressful work and steadily worsening weather. After taking the time to get used to endless deadlines and reading lists, sometimes you just need a day to relax and refresh. You look out your window, ready to take a stupid walk for your stupid mental health, and you see the worst – rain.
And on those days when you can’t go for a picnic on Jesus Green, or your rowing outing gets cancelled because of torrential weather, it can be hard to know what to do to chase away the academic-rigour blues. But never fear, we’ve collected a list of the seven best things to do on rainy days as a Cambridge student.
A little-known gem in town is The Box Room, a board game café next to Parker’s Piece, and the only one in Cambridge. For those who haven’t been to one before, a board game café sells the usual range of coffee and cakes but also gives you the option of playing the many games they have at their disposal. The Box Room boasts over 500 games, which you can access for only £2 per person per hour. It can be a super fun way to catch up with friends and discover new board games while staying warm and dry.
Dozens of shows are put on by Cambridge students every week, whether it be a Christmas pantomime held in your college, an opera your flatmate is playing the clarinet in, or a musical at the ADC. Whatever you’re interested in, there will be a play here that caters to you. Maybe you’ll even end up in one of them yourself!
Image credit: N. Chadwick via Creative Commons License
Nothing beats a hot cup of tea or coffee to warm you up after a walk through winter rain, and there’s no shortage of spots to grab a cuppa in town. So take an hour out at The Locker or Espresso Library to read through this week’s most scandalous Camfesses, listen to the new Taylor Swift album, and eat unreasonable amounts of avocado toast.
(Tip for freshers: a disproportionate amount of Crushbridges are aimed at students seen in Pret or Waterstones Café)
One of the things that nearly everyone wants to do before they graduate is visit The Fitzwilliam Museum, a stunning piece of architecture which hosts half a million artefacts and pieces of art from around the world. Why not tick it off the bucket list on a rainy day?
Even if history and art aren’t your vibe, Cambridge will have the museum for you, with options ranging from rocks and fossils to anthropology. Check out the full list of options here.
Image credits: Vedika Mandapati
In a world ravaged by rain, our only solace is fairy lights and pretty colours, so why not take a trip to the Grand Arcade and browse for items to brighten your room? Take a friend and play ‘who can find the whackiest item from Flying Tiger?’ Visit New Look to finally achieve your dreams of being the ‘best-dressed’ at the Sidgwick site, or do a photo shoot in the Ted Baker changing rooms, trying on clothes you can’t afford.
Few people ever manage to visit every library in Cambridge, but a rainy day can be the perfect time to start trying. Whether you plan on working, reading, or watching Netflix on your laptop, going with a friend to their department library lets you explore new parts of town and discover the perfect study spot. Just make sure you choose one with a radiator that you can cuddle up to while you watch the rain come down!
Image credits: Vedika Mandapati
If you don’t mind getting a bit damp, the rain can be incredibly atmospheric, especially against the backdrop of the stunning college buildings. Go put on a waterproof (not the puffer, do not ruin the puffer) and have your main character/”I’m in a music video” moment walking through Cambridge in search of cows, dinky doors and cute photo spots to elevate your *edgy* Instagram.
Feature image credit: Rosie Smart-Knight
8 things to do in Cambridge for Lunar New Year
Best things to do in Cambridge over the winter break
5 things you need to do before the end of Michaelmas term
Escapism and exposure therapy in one sitting
The Tab sat down with the former speaker of the House of Commons to discuss personality in Parliament, party politics, and the public’s changing mood
Getting to know the people changing the way we give this May Week
Yes, I review the cafes and gift shops as much as I do the educational value.
Crying in the library? We’ve got you sorted
Y2k aesthetics meet a period drama, accompanied by a fictional talking sheep
A brilliantly performed piece exploring art, identity, and the pressures both can face
Wondering how to celebrate LGBTQ+ history month this February?
The UN visit Jesus College to discuss the legacy of racism and slavery
‘People don’t just fill the streets and march through their city on a whim. There is genuine outrage and hurt by this decision and it’s important decision-makers see this’
How to not be an NPC anymore
‘Let them eat cake’ takes on a new meaning in this y2k nepo-baby-inspired production
Paula Vogel’s play is ‘joyous, beautiful and poignant’
An article so I don’t have to explain my course to anyone again
This hilarious and dark tale excels on the ADC stage
‘We would not be calling this action if we thought that there was another way’
To have and to hold, in sickness (exam season) and in health (Wednesday night Revs)
New year, same me
Because why assassinate the prime minister of Malaysia when you can cry over an essay?
This moving show highlights the role of time, loss and change in romantic relationships
They said I love you after TWO WEEKS 🚨🚨🚨
Show me the money!!
Ok, now I’ll have to watch it
Everyone who hated this stupid little masterpiece hates fun
He had Ron quaking in his little boots
The incident was apparently caught on camera, but the BBC has chosen not to air the footage on the show
Um?
A bunch of 20 somethings playing high schoolers never gets old
‘I would spend around £2,000’
‘She blackmailed me into going up to mum and asking if she was a virgin’
Omg it’s Parker from Liv and Maddie!
The devil works hard, but Love Island producers work harder
PLEASE NO
I can hear wedding bells for Shaq and Tanya already
‘The ending is really satisfying’
Over 430 people donated to her fake GoFundMe page
Other female Twitch streamers have spoken out about the AI videos made of them
The toughest hero on telly is a middle aged woman from Yorkshire
She told the other Islanders to ‘keep being your authentic selves’ 😬
I’m not over the fact Farmer Will and his brother are not twins
Also some clues which point at if you’re watching one