5
Academic Venues
City of knowledge
This supplement gives focus to Cambridge, which has one
of the highest concentrations of academic venues
in the UK. Martin Fullard explores
cademic venues have
gained popularity in
recent years, and at CN
we are no strangers to
writing about them on an individual
basis. There are, however, towns and
cities across the UK that are famous
for their colleges and universities and
therefore are concentrated hubs for
academic venues. One such example
is Cambridge, and for this
supplement I elected to head to the
university city itself in order to
articulate its appeal.
From my home town of Guildford,
the drive took me little over two
hours and fifteen minutes. However,
if you’re catching a train from Kings
Cross, London, you’ll be there in 45
minutes.
Cambridge, of course, it known for
its university, one of the world’s
leading, and its armies of famous
alumni. With over 800 years of
history, delegates can tread in the
steps of famed alumni – from Isaac
Newton and Rosalind Franklin to
Charles Darwin. Jocelyn Bell Burnell
and Stephen Hawking; William
Wordsworth, Sylvia Plath and Samuel
Pepys. In more recent times,
Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson,
Zadie Smith and Prince Charles.
It’s the university facilities that
bring the appeal of academic
venues, which are popular with a raft
of industries such as pharma and
healthcare, technology and science.
However, away from the meeting
rooms and lecture theatres there are
some stunning sights to see. Calm,
distraction free locations, where
delegates can focus on the meeting’s
agenda and then enjoy unusual
spaces for break-outs and
refreshments in immaculate gardens
or quiet cloisters that are perfect for
relaxing or networking.
Today’s event planners want to
offer so much more than straight
presentations; the area has the
venues, the outside space, the
ambience, the technical ability, the
people, the culture, the imagination
and over 800 years of experience to
bring any event to life.
One of the best ways to experience
Cambridge is from the inside of a
magnificent College.
It’s the quintessential English
destination. The world-famous
colleges offer visitors a unique and
inspiring mix of spaces for
conferences, meetings while hotels
and other unique properties in the
The area has
the venues,
the outside
space, the
ambience,
the technical
ability, the
people, the
culture, the
imagination
and over
800 years of
experience
to bring any
event to life.
www.conference-news.co.uk
city and beyond offer options for all
types of events.
Historically, international events
hosted in Cambridge attract greater
delegate numbers than other
destinations; interesting landmarks,
museums and galleries give
delegates the opportunity to enjoy a
rich and varied social programme
too.
The MeetCambridge portfolio
offers a choice of over 70 stunning
venues, with something to suit every
taste and budget, from academic
venues to hotels and other unique
properties.
Add in activities such as punting
and ghost tours to give your
delegates a traditional Cambridge
experience.