A guide to working and living in Cambridge

Welcome
About Cambridge
Cambridge is one of Britains smaller cities but it is also one of the fastest growing. Only a hundred years ago, its population was just 36,000, and its main sources of employment were agriculture and the world famous Cambridge University. Today, the University is still a major employer but so is the hi-tech industry, the so called Cambridge Phenomenon. As Cambridges reputation has risen to rival that of Silicon Valley in the US, and new businesses have started up, people have poured in from all over the country. This has triggered a boom in property prices, and a major debate about housing, with suggestions that part of the citys Green Belt may have to be built on to accommodate the growing population, now well over 100,000 and spreading into surrounding villages. Cambridges position at the heart of East Anglia has also prompted many to dub it the regional capital. But despite its ultra modern image, the city has retained the picturesque charm that has delighted visitors from all over the world. Its narrow streets and historic colleges are famed everywhere, as are its legions of cycling students, and there can be few people who have not seen pictures of punts gliding down the willow lined River Cam. Between three and four million visitors come to enjoy the citys delights every year. Cambridge Tourist Information. This guide provides information for individuals and familes moving to Cambridge, particularly from overseas, who may never have lived in the UK before. For more information visit: www.justuk.org/uk/cambridge

Contents
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Shipping and Importing
A basic guide to importing and exporting goods and personal belongings using post, couriers, shipping and haulage firms.

Accommodation
There is considerable demand for property in Cambridge, here are some tips for renting and buying property in and around the area.

Household Services
Listings and information for common household suppliers and services.

Transport
General information for travelling around Cambridge, the UK and abroad.

Medical
General information for healthcare in the UK.

Education
Information regarding school term times and different levels of education.

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Employment
Employment information regarding the Cambridge area and contact listings.

Finance
Things you may need to know about banking and finance in the UK.

Shopping
Cambridge provides many small independent stores and specialist shops as well as large supermarkets and department stores. Find them here.

Dining Out
Cafs, fast food outlets pubs and restaurants are in abundance. Here is a basic guide.

Sports and leisure

Cambridge provides many interesting, cultural and historical and fun things to do. Here we list a few.

Events and festivals

Cambridge has a number of lively festivals and events which take place throughout the year. See this section for a list of events.

Shipping and importing

Post offices and couriers
Post Offices and most recognised International Couriers, International Haulage firms and shippers will help with documentation and legal information. The following is a basic guide.

Restricted goods
Prohibitions and restrictions exist to protect health and the environment. Some goods are banned completely, others are restricted and may be imported only with prior authority (such as a licence). The following items are restricted or banned: arcotic drugs N  irearms and ammunition including stun guns and F  gas canisters xplosives of any kind including fireworks E  bscene material including books, magazines, films, O  videotapes, DVDs, etc nimals of any kind whether live or dead, unless a A  British import licence has already been issued (PETS) oods made form endangered species such as furs, G  ivory or reptile skins eat, poultry and anything made from them M  lants including vegetables, fruits and seeds P  ounterfeit currency and other counterfeit goods C  such as fake watches and clothing. These may contravene UK copyright adio transmitters that are not approved for use in R  the UK nglers lead weights A  Goods imported contrary to a prohibition or restriction will be confiscated. Evasion of the controls may lead to legal proceedings.

Customs clearance and import duties

Household goods can be shipped into the UK without paying duty provided that you have owned and used them overseas for a period in excess of 6 months before leaving for the UK. As many shipments as you like are allowed provided that you complete a customs clearance (C3) for each shipment and that they all arrive within one year of your own entry. Duty will be payable after the one year limit has elapsed. Duty will also be applied to alcoholic drinks, tobacco and perfume. Cars and motorcycles maybe imported into the UK duty-free provided they have been owned and used overseas for at least 6 months.

Documentation
Imports must be accompanied by: n inventory of all the goods in English A  copy of your passport including blank pages A  Other documents will be finalised after you arrive in the UK It is not essential to be in the UK when the goods arrive, but you must arrive no later than 6 months after your belongings. You may have to pay a deposit of duty and tax, this will be repaid when you arrive and can prove that you qualify for relief. You do not have to be present during the customs clearance process.

Pets
The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) allows the importation of dogs or cats into the UK from selected countries. The animal is required to be micro chipped, vaccinated against rabies and blood tested before a pet passport is issued. The animal must usually have to wait 6 months from the date of the blood test before entering the UK with the passport or spend the rest of the 6 months in UK quarantine. This is reduced to 1 days for EU countries. Animals from non listed countries are required to undergo a period of 6 months quarantine. Further information can be found at www.defra.gov.uk

Professional equipment
Machinery, equipment and other items used as part of your business can be brought into the UK duty-free provided they are imported as part of your household goods shipment.

Accommodation
Property in Cambridge
There is considerable demand for property in Cambridge and due to lack of space in the city, the stock is not increasing fast enough to suppress the demand. As a result sales prices and rents are high and not far off rates in many areas of London. Property size and types are not commonly measured in square feet or metres, but more usually in numbers of bedrooms and reception rooms. Air conditioning is very rare in residential UK property. Much of Cambridges housing stock is made up of relatively small houses built 100-10 years ago and known as Victorian houses. It should be noted that parking is rare, cars, driveways and garages were not a major consideration 10 years ago! Most people have to park their car on the street outside their home, or do without a car altogether. Prices for Victorian terraced houses vary vastly, but expect to pay around 0,000 for a -3 bedroom (approximately 11m/103 sqft) terraced house or from 900 to rent. Although Victorian -3 bedroom terraced houses are the most prevalent in Cambridge, there are other property types available and recently there have been several large apartment blocks (mostly  bedroom approx. 0m/630 sqft) built around by the train station and by the river to the east of the city centre. These new apartments sell for around 80,000 or rent from 1,100-1,0 (many couples and families budget up to and around 100 for a reasonable home in Cambridge and high quality larger family homes often cost around 1600-,000 at the top of market or from 00,000 to buy).

Glossary
Vendor The person or couple selling a property. EstateAgent Company appointed by vendor to market and sell their property. LettingAgent Company that manages and markets properties to rent on behalf of landlords. Flat An apartment. Semi-detached A house that is built right next door to another, sharing the same dividing wall. Terrace A block of several houses that all share dividing walls on each side except for the end terraces that are effectively semi-detached. Townhouse A terraced house, often with 3 or more floors. Duplex An apartment on several floors. Maisonette An apartment with its own front door (on the ground floor) that is not accessed through a communal area. RelocationAgent Buyers agent who is hired to help buyer to find quality accommodation quickly and provides knowledge on all aspects of the local area e.g. schools, services, recreation etc.

Specific information can be provided to you by  Paul Eaton from Relocation East Anglia.  mail@relocation-east-anglia.co.uk

Buying a house
Conveyancing Legal work and local searches carried out by solicitor for sale and purchase of property. Legal work includes drawing up the contracts and deeds of ownership, registering with, and paying fees for the Land Registry Agency, transferring the funds from the buyer and mortgage lender to the vendor and paying the Government the Stamp Duty. Searches Shows up Local Authority obligations such as road widening schemes, tree preservation orders, breaches of planning law etc. A Water Search may sometimes be carried out to check the drainage in the local area. It is specific to the property you plan to buy and will not tell you about neighbours properties and planning orders. Stamp Duty A property purchase tax (1% of sales value for properties 1,000-0,000, 3% for properties 0,00100,000, % for properties above 00,000). Exchange of Contracts Legally binding moment in which neither buyer nor vendor can back out of the deal. Often the buyer will hand over at least a 10% deposit to secure the property. Completion The moment when all the funds have been transferred and the sale is complete. The buyer now owns the property and can physically take the keys and move in. Discuss loan requirements with an independent mortgage broker (e.g. Charcol Direct at mortgages. charcolonline.co.uk) and get a mortgage agreed in principal before beginning the house buying process Register with all Estate Agents in the area (e.g. high end Bidwells at www.bidwells.co.uk, Carter Jonas at www.carterjonas.co.uk, Savills at www. savills.co.uk; others Redmayne Arnold & Harris at www.rah.co.uk, JSM Hockeys at www.hockeys.co.uk, Bush at www.bush.uk.net, Pocock & Shaw at www. pocock.co.uk and www.rightmove.co.uk) Other sources of information on available properties are the local newspapers (Cambridge Evening News has a property supplement on Thursdays and there are other publications available locally on Thursdays). View lots properties before making your decision Choose one you like and place an offer the offer is accepted then instruct a solicitor to begin If conveyancing. Any ongoing issues with planning, complaints, the environment should be found and declared by the solicitor when they carry out the Local Searches. The buyer can withdraw from the sale at any time up to the Exchange of Contracts is strongly advised to instruct a surveyor to check It the property for structural faults, particularly those that may require costly repairs. Please note that a Mortgage Survey and Valuation is NOT a report on the structural condition of the property and will not be sufficient to reveal any potentially costly maintenance issues! Review the surveyors report and decide to withdraw, re-negotiate or continue with sale Agree on a date for Exchange of contracts and completion Instruct a removal company

Renting
Cambridge Evening News (property.cambridgeThe news.co.uk/search/results.aspx) and www.rightmove. co.uk are good starting places to look at some of the local rental properties Pets are not usually allowed in rented accommodation, but there are some exceptions Leases are not usually less than 6 months. You can ask to be released from the contract earlier, but if the agent cannot find a replacement tenant then you would be liable for the rent. Standard Tenancy Contracts are for 6 months then rolling on month by month at the end of the minimum period until tenant or landlord gives notice Unfurnished means empty except for carpets, curtains, and kitchen equipment (oven, fridge, washing machine). Occasionally washing machines are also not included Furnished properties can include tables, chairs, sofas, book shelves, beds. Some often, but do not always, also include kitchen utensils, pots, pans, cutlery or crockery, toasters, kettles. Bed linen and televisions are not normally provided Dishwashers, microwave ovens and tumble dryers are not normally available in small to medium sized rented properties. Some larger family sized homes may have enough space for dishwashers and tumble dryers, but these are not standard equipment in rental properties Services (heating, telephone, electricity, gas and water) and Council Tax are not included in the rent Estimates for one person in a  bedroom apartment could be very approximately 3 per month (utilities , council tax 10, telephone and broadband and TV licence 0) Cambridge very few letting agents are open on In Saturdays to show properties and they are required by law to give outgoing tenants several days notice of each viewing. Do not expect to turn up on a Friday hoping to see houses that weekend References required by landlord or letting agent are usually employer, bank and previous landlord (if applicable) holding deposit/application fee (up to 0) is A payable on choosing a property to reserve it whilst references are taken and then to pay for reference search and general administrative paperwork Dilapidation deposit held during the tenancy period is equal to about 6 weeks rent One months rent in advance must also be paid in cleared funds by the start date of the lease Some letting agents insist on the tenant taking out a Contents insurance (about 80 annually to insure items for around ,000)

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Short term serviced rental apartments

It is possible to rent an apartment for a shorter period than the minimum 6 months. Temporary short term serviced apartments do exist in Cambridge. These executive or holiday apartments are well furnished and come fully inclusive of bills and equipment. They normally have broadband connection, TV, bed linen and are cleaned regularly. However they cost on average around the same price as an hotel room (80-10 per night) or - times as much as a normal rental and so are more comfortable and flexible than a hotel for periods longer than a few nights (e.g. Clarence House at www.clarencehouse.org.uk, Cambridge Apartments at www.cambridgeapartments.co.uk, Your Space Apartments at www.yourspaceapartments.com, Alexandra Apartments at www.alexandraapartments. co.uk).

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Household services
Cambridgeshire County Council
Based at Shire Hall on Castle Hill, the County Council is the local government that runs education, transport, health and social services, waste disposal and environment, trading standards, and libraries and heritage in both the city and the county. www. cambridgeshire.gov.uk is loaded with information. Politically, Cambridge city is led by the Liberal Democrats, but in the county outside of the city of Cambridge, the Conservative Party enjoys the most popularity.

Refuse and recycling

Cambridge citizens are encouraged to be green and recycle their waste. Households generally have a black wheelie bin for placing bags of general rubbish that cannot be recycled and is destined for the landfill site; a green wheelie bin or brown sack for placing items like food and garden waste that can easily be biodegraded and made into garden compost (available free from the council to all really good gardeners and environmentalists!); black boxes for newspapers, cans and glass; blue box for plastic bottles. In many cases the black wheelie bin is collected weekly (sometimes only fortnightly depending on street) and the recyclable bins fortnightly on alternate weeks. There are recycling sites (see www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/ navigation/environment/rubbish-waste-and-recycling) where you can dispose of your recyclable waste yourself rather than wait for the councils dustbin men to collect on your designated day.

Cambridge City Council

Based in the Guildhall on the Market Square, the City Council (www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/portal) looks after Housing, Leisure and Recreation, Waste Collection, Local Planning, Council Tax Collection and Environmental Health in the city.

Emergency services
The emergency telephone number is 999 in the UK You will then be asked which service you require (i.e. Police, Fire or Paramedic). Cambridges main Police station is Parkside Station and is next door to the Fire Station opposite Parkers Piece (on the cross roads of Parkside, Mill Road, East Road and Gonville Place. Crime (00/ statistics per 1,000 of the population within the local authority area). Crime Cambridge City Council Sexual offences 1 Violence against the person  Robbery offences  Burglary dwelling offences  Theft of a motor vehicle offences 3 Theft from a vehicle offences 8 (Population 11,800 Households ,000)

Libraries
There are several libraries located in Cambridge city (see www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/leisure/libraries) and around the region with excellent resources provided by the County Council. The main city library is located in the Lion Yard (but has temporarily closed whilst work continues on the construction of the Grand Arcade shopping facilities). Other libraries in Cambridge can be found on Milton Road (Ascham Road junction), Barnwell Road, Arbury Court, Rock Road (off Cherry Hinton Road). There are 3 ways to join the library: fill in a joining form at any library; telephone 08 0  (lines open 8am -8pm, Mon-Sat) and give them your details; fill in the online library joining form. Your name, address, date of birth and proof of identity are that is required.

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Council tax
The County and City Councils services are funded by tax and notably by Council Tax, a tax levied on property. This tax also funds the local Police and Fire services. The amount of Council Tax paid is dependant on the size and location of each home. In 006 the average Cambridge home fell into Tax Band D and paid 1,9 spread out across the year (there are discounts for people living alone and exemptions for students and people on benefits, but the range of standard Council Tax paid in 006 was 81-,6).

Post Office and Royal Mail

Post Offices do not just provide a mailing service or sell stamps and stationery. The Post Office also provides government forms (e.g. passports and driving licences), foreign currency, insurance and other financial services such as banking and investments, phone cards and domestic telephone services. There are many Post Offices located around Cambridge. Royal Mail provides the mail services. First Class (0.3 for small letter) is the standard service that aims for next day delivery and Second Class (0.3 for small letter) usually takes a day or so longer.

Water services
Tap water in and around Cambridge is perfectly safe to drink and is provided by Cambridge Water or Anglian Water. These companies look after all sewerage, supply and waste water services. It should be noted, however, that although harmless (even healthy!) to drink the water in Cambridge, it is quite hard and leaves lime scale marks. It is advisable to de-scale regularly washing machines, dishwashers and kettles.

Telephones and broadband internet

British Telecom (BT) owns most landline infrastructure with a small number of cable companies owning the cable networks. Deregulation has opened the industry to many small firms who are able to piggyback on the existing infrastructure. As a result it is often, but not always, cheaper to have domestic telephone lines first connected to BT and then to use a low cost router for cheaper international, national, local and per minute calls. In Cambridge British Telecom (BT) and Virgin Media are the only 2 choices for fixed line (landline) telephone connection. Neither are particularly expensive (around 1 for a basic line), but with a BT line you can then use one of hundreds of companies that piggy back on the BT line to provide you with much cheaper calls (check www.uswitch.com for a thorough list of companies providing cheap international calls and free national calls). Although BT provides a good broadband service, you can also tap into the hundreds of broadband service providers that use BT lines (again try www. uswitch.com or www.moneysupermarket.com for a good list). You cannot use other low cost telephone routers or broadband companies with Virgin Media cable. However, besides telephone and broadband, Virgin Media also provide digital television.

Electricity and gas

The domestic fuel market in the UK is de-regulated. Households can choose from many suppliers and although the raw energy product is essentially the same, the services provided and payment packages are not! Fortunately www.uswitch.com and www. moneysupermarket.com provide help.

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Mobile telephones
Mobile (cellular) phones run on a slightly different frequency to that of North America and some other continents. Tri-Band phones are said to be universal. It is advisable to check with your handsets manufacturer to find out if it can be used in the U.K and Europe. Vodafone, Orange, O, T-Mobile, 3 and Virgin are the main networks and all have shops in Cambridge city centre or Grafton Centre. It is possible to buy packages of SIM cards only, pay as you go, pay monthly contracts (minimum contract length is usually 1 months). It is preferable to seek advice on the best package for your needs at a shop that sells products from all networks (e.g. The Link, Car Phone Warehouse) as opposed to a shop owned by a specific network. Reception coverage is fairly good throughout the UK for all networks, but there are still black spots where you may not receive any reception on one network and clarity on another. Reception in Cambridge is strong for all networks. Video tapes recorded on any PAL system are compatible, so tapes will work on UK equipment even if they were originally recorded on PAL BG equipment. DVDs and players are often region compatible so it is advisable to hire or purchase a multi-region DVD player in order to be able to play any DVD from any region. The UKs region is . Satellite (Sky), digital and cable digital TV are popular and available in most areas.

Radio
Before taking radios to the UK make sure that they can receive signals on the following frequencies: 13 9 Khz LW MW 30 1600 Khz 88 108 Mhz FM Some stations and their frequency in Cambridge: BBC Cambridgeshire FM 96/9. (a local BBC station) Q103 FM 103 (a local station) BBCRadio4  FM 93.3, LW 198 KHz (a national station) BBC World Service MW 68 KHz ((an international station) Digitalradio (DAB) is now widespread and popular

Television
If you use a television you must buy a TV licence from any post office, online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/index. jsp or by post. A licence costs 131.0 per year (00) or you can pay monthly with a direct debit. This is compulsory and there authorities really do have an ingenious system of finding out whether you are watching television and have not paid for a licence! The licence ostensibly pays for all the BBC services. The UK uses the PAL ITV system for televisions and VCRs. This system is the same that is used in South Africa, Hong Kong and Ireland. Equipment working on the PAL BG system can be converted to work in the UK Equipment from France, North and South America, the West Indies and the Philippines will not work in the UK and cannot be converted. If in doubt check before you leave for the UK.

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Newspapers
Local newspaper is The Cambridge Evening News. Published from Monday to Saturday, it offers coverage of national and local news, sport, business and events across the region. There are six supplements given away free with the paper: Sport on Monday, The Business on Tuesday, Jobfinder on Wednesday and Friday, Property Extra and Scene on Thursday, Drive on Friday and The Magazine on Saturday. National Newspapers are split between the more serious papers known as broadsheets (e.g. The Times, Independent, Guardian, Telegraph, Financial Times) and the more sensationalist, even frivolous papers known as tabloids (e.g. The Sun, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, Daily Express, Star and Sport).

Storage
If you require extra long term storage outside of your own home, service is provided by these local companies: Cambridge Storage Ltd 1-16, Mercers Row, Cambridge CB 8HY Tel: 013 36 Web: www.cambridgeselfstorage.co.uk Peaks Storehouse The Old Maltings, 13, Ditton Walk, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 8PY Tel: 013 10691 Web: www.peaks-storehouse.co.uk TheBigGreenBoxCo  0, Mariners Way, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 1BN Tel: 013 303 Web: www.biggreenbox.co.uk Pickfords Self Store Unit , Cambridge Leisure Park, Clifton Way, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB1 DY Tel: 013 888 Web: www.pickfordsselfstore.co.uk  Stevens Storage LTD , Oakington Rd, Girton, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 0QH Tel: 013 3 Web: www.cambridgeselfservicestorage.co.uk

Insurance
In the UK personal liability insurance is not compulsory and very few individuals who are not employers or professionals (e.g. lawyers, accountants, financial adviser, architects, consultants and designers). There are hundreds of insurance companies for car, holiday, home, pets, accident etc. Most people simply choose  or  from the Yellow Pages and go with the best quote. You can usually get a cheaper premium by applying for it online. Try www.moneysupermarket.com or www.uswitch.com for a list of insurers.

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Transport
Travel
Cambridge is located about 60 miles to the north of London and about 100 miles to the east of Birmingham. Road links are excellent to the M11 Motorway for easy access to London to the south, A1 major road for access east towards the coast and west towards the Midlands and the North. Stansted Airport (0 minutes away) and Luton Airport (60 minutes) are the nearest airports particularly for low cost European flights with Ryan Air and EasyJet. The main bus and coach station at Drummer Street, between the Market Square and Grafton Centre, provides transport to the local region and National Express (see www.nationalexpress.com) coaches around the country as well as to the main London airports (Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton). Single and Return (round trip) tickets can purchased online through the National Express website or on the local (Stagecoach) buses themselves, but you should purchase tickets in advance for National Express coaches travelling further than the local region and to the airports. The rail network provides links southbound to Stansted Airport and  main London stations (Kings Cross and Liverpool Street) and northbound via Ely to Norwich and Peterborough and onwards to the Midlands and further north.

Air
Cambridge has its own small private airport where you can hire helicopters, learn to fly or charter a private flight. Stansted is 30 miles to the south of Cambridge and is the nearest major airport accessible via train, coach or car in about 3- minutes. Luton Airport is about 1 hour away and accessible by car or coach from Cambridge. Heathrow, west of London, is 89 miles away from Cambridge and takes -3 hours in car, . hours by airport coach and about -3 hours by train (Cambridge to London Kings Cross then Piccadilly tube to Heathrow). Gatwick, to the south of London, is 9 miles away and takes -3 hours by car, 3. hours by Airport coach and . hours by train (London Kings Cross to Victoria Station then Gatwick Express). The airport coach service travels between all airports and connects with Cambridge.

Rail
Cambridge Train Station (10 minutes walk to the south of the Market Square) has several trains to London (Liverpool Street and Kings Cross Stations) each hour, often with a non-stop 0 minute express train to and from London Kings Cross each hour. There are trains to the north giving access to other parts of the local region and to the Midlands and north of the UK. There is usually at least one train an hour to Stansted Airport that takes a little over half an hour.

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Cycling
You can purchase train tickets at Cambridge Station just before you leave, but it is advisable to purchase tickets in advance as long queues form at peak hours. Tickets can be purchased online at www.thetrainline.com, from the cashier or from the automated machines. London Travel Cards (for unlimited train, tube and bus travel in the capital for one day) can also be bought at the same time. Discount Railcards (www.railcard.co.uk) can be purchased that provide up to one third off train travel for families, travellers aged 16- or older if in further education and 60+ and for anyone travelling during off-peak times only. Eurostar rail journeys currently depart from London Waterloo Station, but this will soon be moved to Kings Cross St. Pancras later in 00, allowing for very convenient and easy travel from Cambridge to Paris, Brussels and other mainland European destinations in a few hours. For more information visit www.eurostar.com Traffic in Cambridge is very congested. The city centre has been pedestrianised (except for buses and taxis), making shopping and visiting much more pleasant, but this only makes traffic on the main routes through Cambridge even heavier. Given that Cambridge is only around 3 miles across, walking to the city centre is rarely more than  minutes especially since the terrain is flat apart from the occasional bridge. Cycling, therefore, is the most sensible mode of transport in Cambridge and 1 in  residents cycles to work. Cyclists are well catered for with clearly marked cycle paths on roads and pavements and across parks. However, it should be noted that bicycles are road vehicles and must abide by the similar rules as other road vehicles (e.g. stopping at traffic lights, going the correct way along one-way streets, turning lights on at dusk and night time!) or face penalties from the police. Unfortunately it is not compulsory to wear a cycle helmet, but it is very strongly advised to do so. Due to the demand for bicycles in Cambridge it will be no surprise to hear that the bike theft is very high in Cambridge, contributing to what seem like inflated crime figures. An easy solution to this is to use a good strong D-lock to attach the bike to a post. Better still is to use  locks to tie the wheels to the frame thus preventing theft of unlocked components of your bike. Bicycles can be purchased, repaired and hired from many cycle shops in Cambridge. Halfords (www. halfords.com) is a national cycle sales and auto parts chain with branches on Jesus Lane and Newmarket Road retail park. Station Cycles (www.stationcycles. co.uk) , City Cycle Hire (www.citycyclehire.com) in Newnham; there are cycle shops all the way along Mill Road and on Chesterton Road and The BikeMan stall in the market Square provides a good maintenance and repair service).

Bus and coach

Cambridge city bus services (run by Stagecoach) are named Citi 1 to  and incorporate the Park and Ride services (Stagecoach Bus information and timetables). Buses are reasonably frequent and most routes go to the city centre (Drummer Street Bus Station), but be warned that it is not particularly easy to travel by bus from one area to another in Cambridge without going via the city centre! For more information visit www.stagecoachbus.com/cambridge

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Cars and driving

General Information (January 00) Cambridge Rush Hours: 8am-9.30am and .30pm-6.30pm National speed limits: 30 MPH (0 KPH) in built-up areas (Other limits apply in some urban areas) 60 MPH (80 KPH) on most roads 0 MPH (110 KPH) on motorways Legal blood alcohol limit: 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood Annual Road Fund Licence: 100-160 (engine size and fuel type dependant) Motor Insurance: approx. 0-1000 Fuel prices: Unleaded petrol 0.89 per litre Diesel 0.91 per litre Fuel Purchase: Most filling stations are self service. Take note of your fuel pump number then fill your vehicle and finally pay at counter quoting your pump number 3 factors should be considered when thinking about driving in Cambridge: heavy traffic congestion, relative lack of parking and expensive car parks, and high price of fuel in UK. The majority of homes around central Cambridge were built in an era before motor cars and so few have driveways or garages. Most residents have to find a place to park on the street outside their home and those that live close to the centre even have to pay the city council around 0 per year for this privilege. There are four major car parks around the city centre: Lion Yard (being expanded and incorporated into the Grand Arcade car park in 00/8) and Park Street are the closest to the Market Square; the Grafton Centre currently has the largest capacity and finally there is the Queen Ann Terrace car park on Gonville Place next to Parkside Pools and Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre. However, Park and Ride in Cambridge has facilities. There are  sites north, south east, south west, east and west at Cowley Road (off Milton Road), Babraham Road, Trumpington, Newmarket Road and Madingley Road (No. buses). Parking is free and return bus tickets are  (00) with buses circulating between sites and city centre every 10-1 minutes. For more information on Park and Ride see www.stagecoachbus.com/uploads/parkandride.pdf

Seat belts and child car seats

Seat belts are compulsory for driver and all passengers except where not available (e.g. buses). Since September 006 all children under 1 or up to 1.3 metres in height must wear the correct restraint (i.e. booster seat or car seat). Further information at www. childcarseats.org.uk

Driving licences
Most overseas licences are valid in the UK for a period of 1 year after your arrival. Before the 1 months period elapses, a UK Provisional Licence must be obtained and the standard driving tests passed. (Ordinary EU driving licences are valid in the UK and do not require further road tests). The minimum age at which you can take a driving test and obtain a full car driving licence in the UK is 1 years. Anyone wishing to obtain a licence to drive a motorcycle in the UK must complete Compulsory Basic Training (CBT). After CBT 16 year olds may drive a motorcycle up to 0cc; 1 year olds may drive motorcycles up to 1cc and are limited to machines of up to 33 Break Horse Power (BHP) for  years. Riders over 1 years may take a test to qualify them to ride motorcycles over  BHP.

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Buying a car
The major motor dealerships all have coverage in and around Cambridge, but the easiest one-stop shop would be the Marshall Motor Groups huge multi-dealership site, at the end of Newmarket Road, selling both new and used cars. The local newspaper, Cambridge Evening News, is a useful local source when looking for more economically priced used cars sold privately or by smaller dealerships.

Motor insurance
It is compulsory to hold motor insurance for at least third party risks in the UK The cost of motor insurance will differ depending on age, driving record, occupation and type of vehicle insured. As a very rough guide, a middle age man with a good driving record could expect to fully comprehensively insure himself for a family saloon for a premium of between 0 and 1,000.

Importing cars
You may import any number of cars into the UK duty free provided you have both owned and used them outside the EU for at least 6 months. You may not sell a car within 1 months of importing it. Where duty is payable, rates are approximately 10% of the value. In addition, Value Added Tax (VAT) is payable at a rate of 1. % of the value + duty + shipping costs. You will need to complete customs declaration forms, provide registration documents and proof of ownership for car.

MOT Test Certificate

Every 1 months cars aged over 3 years must pass a road worthiness test known as an MOT test. Many motor repair garages are able to carry out this test. If your car fails you will have a limited time to have repairs carried out before a re-test. If it fails again then the car is not allowed to be driven.

Safety and fuel emission regulations

Cars over 3 years old must be tested annually (MOT test) to ensure that they are roadworthy and do not contravene emission regulations. MOT safety certificates are issued by approved garages for a fee of approximately 45. A current MOT certificate and certificate of insurance are required to obtain a road fund licence, which costs around 10 for 1 months depending on the engine size of the vehicle. Left-hand drive vehicles are acceptable.

Road Fund Licence

There are nearly no major toll roads in the UK (M6 toll motorway between Birmingham and Manchester being the main exception) although some tolls apply to bridge crossings and tunnels. Driving in the UK is, therefore, funded almost totally by road tax. All vehicles must be licensed and a tax disc purchased and displayed on the left hand side of the vehicle windscreen. The Road Fund Licence (or tax disc) in 00 costs between  and 88 for 6 months (100-160 for 1 months) depending on engine size and fuel type. Tax discs can be obtained by post or at Post Offices by presenting current Motor Insurance Certificate and MOT Test Certificate.

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Medical
Hospitals
The Cambridge region is fortunate enough to have  of the countrys leading hospitals in Addenbrookes, the University of Cambridges teaching hospital, and The Papworth (about 10 miles west of Cambridge), an internationally recognised heart centre. There are also many smaller specialised hospitals, clinics and treatment centres spread around the region. Addenbrookes Hospital has an excellent reputation for all care including biomedical research, cancer treatment, organ transplants and maternity treatment at its Rosie Hospital (www.addenbrookes.org.uk).

Private medical care

Although all UK residents enjoy free NHS care, the main disadvantage of the system is that there can occasionally be long waits for certain treatments. Some people opt for Private Medical Insurance in order to pay for private care. This enables them to the same treatment as provided by the NHS, but on more preferential grounds: for example being seen more quickly than NHS patients; the opportunity to stay in a private and more luxurious room in a private hospital instead of the large dormitory wards in NHS hospitals, more flexible visiting hours, better food.

Healthcare
The UK operates the National Health Service (NHS). This is a public health system funded by the taxpayer, which is generally considered to be of an excellent standard. It provides everything from hospital care, counselling and pregnancy care to a  hour telephone advice service. The NHS enables residents and visitors from the European Union to have free healthcare (except for notable exceptions such as prescription drugs, which cost around 6 per prescription, and dental care). You can visit the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department of a hospital without an appointment or visit a specialist with a referral from your GP, optician or dentist. Besides hospital care, the NHS also provides the following services.

Doctor/General Practitioner (GP)

Family physicians are referred to as GPs. They mostly operate from a Surgery. If you are resident in UK for longer than a month or two then you should register with a GP. Most people go to their nearest Surgery or medical practice, but you can register with any doctor you want (as long as they are taking on new patients!) for free. You can find your local doctor by visiting www.nhs. uk/England/Doctors/LocalSearch.aspx After registering (often your name and address is sufficient) you will later receive an NHS Card providing you with your NHS number and doctors name. Your local Doctors surgery provides a range of services, including general medical advice and treatment, prescriptions, referral to a specialist or hospital (where appropriate), jabs and tests (such as immunisations, blood tests or cervical smears).

0

Pharmacies, chemists and medicines

Pharmacists and chemists are different names for the same facility and they provide many medicines, creams and ointments to treat different ailments as well as prescriptions for drugs written by your own doctor. Prescription drugs cost a flat rate of 6.40 (2007 rate), no matter what the drug. The most common high street chemists are Boots and Superdrug (both also sell extensive ranges of cosmetics and toiletries), but there are plenty of independents.

Opticians
Although sight tests and eye health examinations are not compulsory, for legal driving you are required to be able to read a car registration plate from a certain distance. It is sensible to visit an optician for a test at least every  years. You are entitled to free tests if you are under 19 years old and in full time education, over 60 years old, registered blind or partially sighted, diagnosed as having diabetes or glaucoma or are at risk of glaucoma or receiving state benefits. Finding a local optician is quite easy. There are many opticians on the high streets and shopping areas and you are able to make appointments for tests without much of a wait. Boots, Dolland & Aitchison, Specsavers and Vision Express are some of the more well known nationwide chains of opticians that can be found in Cambridge.

Dentist
There are many dental clinics in and around Cambridge. A small number are still taking on new NHS patients. In general if you sign up as an NHS instead of a private patient then you can receive check-ups and treatment for sometimes as little as a quarter of the private price. However the limited funding from the government means that although the treatment is carried out by the same dentist, you may have to wait several weeks in some cases to see your dentist as well as face a much more rushed appointment than if you take the private route. If your teeth appear to be in general good health it makes more sense to find a dentist taking on new NHS patients and receive infrequent check-ups. If you think that your teeth require more frequent care and treatment then you should probably sign up as a private patient in order to have them seen to quickly rather than have to wait whilst the pain builds up over a number of weeks. You can find your nearest dental centre and those that are taking on NHS patients by visiting www.nhs. uk/england/dentists/registeringNHSPatientsSearch.aspx

1

Education
School term times
The academic year is split into 3 terms autumn, spring and summer. Dates vary from year to year, but are roughly 1st week of September to week before Christmas; nd week of January to early April, mid/late April to mid July.

Primary schools
Primary Schools generally teach pupils from age -11. There are about  in Cambridge city. Children normally begin primary school (in the Reception class) in the September before their th birthday. Most children attend the school nearest to their home (in their catchment area), but they can apply to other schools, but whether they get in depends on local demand with priority given to pupils inside the catchment area.

Important examinations
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)  year courses taken by 1/16 year olds of -11 academic subjects. General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A-Level)  year courses taken by 18 year olds of 3 or occasionally up to  academic subjects.

Secondary (high schools)

Also known locally as Community Colleges and Village Colleges and teach pupils aged 11-16 or up to 18. These are much bigger than primary schools. Several primary schools normally feed into a particular secondary school, but choice also varies on whether you want your child to stay on at the school after the GCSE examinations (normally taken at age 1/16) for another  years to take A-levels, since not all schools provides this service.

State schools (Local Authority funded)

There are only a few government funded Nursery Schools in Cambridge city, but many more fee paying day care centres. Applications for the spring term take place by the previous December. However, you will need to have a Cambridge address before applying. www.childcarelink.gov.uk can provide information about all the playgroups, day-care centres and nursery schools in the different areas of Cambridge.



Sixth form colleges

Although some schools have provision for A-Level courses after GCSE exams are completed around age 16, many do not and so pupils look to Sixth Form Colleges. These institutions are also part of the state system and teach pupils for a further  years after GCSE examinations so that they can take their ALevels. In Cambridge there are 3 state funded Sixth Form Colleges: Hills Road, Long Road and Cambridge Regional College. There are other fee-paying colleges for A-Levels courses. www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/education/schools provides comprehensive information about schools in Cambridge including the application process. The government reports for all schools can be found at www.ofsted.gov.uk and Performance Tables at www. cambridgeshire.gov.uk/education/about/performance

University
Students are usually required to have taken A-Levels, although this is not always the case for some more vocational colleges. University tuition fees can be up to 300 per term and students are encouraged to take out Student Loans at preferential rates to pay for this. Repaying the loan does not begin until finishing University and the rates of interest and repayment are very favourable (00). Universities have entrance criteria for each course based on A-Level results and numbers of places available. University application is very structured (e.g. you can only apply to six universities in any one year). Further information can be found at www.ucas.com

Cambridge language schools

There are many language schools in Cambridge that teach English as a foreign language. Quality varies so make sure the school is recognised by the British Council. Higher quality schools are often members of one of these professional associations: FIRST, ARELS or IALC.

Private (Independent and fee paying schools)

The private education system is well catered for in and around Cambridge. Preparatory (or Prep) Schools are the equivalent of Primary Schools and mostly teach pupils up to age 13 (rather than 11). There can be an Entrance Exam (known as Common Entrance) for the senior fee-paying independent schools (confusingly known as Public Schools!). Sometimes there are waiting lists for the schools so check availability for each as well as their entrance criteria. Fees vary from around 000 per term at prep and pre-prep schools up to 000 per term at some senior boarding schools. More information on Private education can be found at www. iscis-east.co.uk

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Employment
Job opportunities
Cambridge is fortunate to have many job opportunities and low unemployment rates and performs well comparatively (1.% unemployment compared to 1.9% in the eastern region as a whole and .6% nationally in 006). Prospects for highly skilled workers are well known with the thriving hi-tech and bio-tech sectors in and around Cambridge, but there is also a high demand for skilled tradesmen such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, nurses, teachers and care workers, all of whom are in short supply. Cambridges proximity by road and rail to London and other large towns (e.g. Peterborough, Norwich, Ipswich, Milton Keynes and Stevenage) also increases the potential for finding employment. Working hours in the UK vary around an average of a 35-40 hour working week comprising of five 9am-5pm working days. Minimum statutory holiday entitlement is 0 days. Useful contacts and sources for employment and information: ambridge Evening News JobFinder ( jobs. C  cambridge-news.co.uk/jobs) (Newspaper supplement on sale Wednesdays and Fridays) he Cambridge Network (www.cambridgenetwork. T  co.uk) aims to bring together like minded people from business, academia and the global high technology community for the benefit of the Cambridge region by having its members share resources. It is a particularly good organisation that can help networking, job hunting, training and raising profiles. Its members can advertise jobs vacancies, general news, seminars and meetings using the umbrella of the organisation and tapping into a huge network of potential individuals and groups. he University of Cambridge employs over T  3000 non-academic staff in mostly service and administrative positions and publishes a list of job vacancies here (including academic roles) www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/personnel/jobs/ vacancies.cgi ddenbrookes Hospital is the biggest employer in A  Cambridgeshire, employing over 6000 staff. Current vacancies can be found here www.addenbrookes.org.uk/working/apply.html ambridge Science Park off Milton Road was created C  by Trinity College in 190 and is the UKs oldest and most prestigious science park. There are over 90 hi-tech companies employing over ,000 personnel from small start-ups and spin-outs to subsidiaries of multinational corporations www.cambridge-science-park.com/jobs



Employment agencies
There are hundreds of agencies listed in the local directories. www.city-visitor.com/cambridge/ employmentagency.html lists some of them. Employment, or recruitment, agencies can offer a useful filtering service and since they are paid per successful candidate they introduce to a recruiter, they can certainly work well for the person looking for either full-time, or part-time, employment.



Finance
Bank accounts
You will need to open a Bank Account as soon as possible. Most utility companies insist on payment direct from your bank account and most employers pay salaries by direct deposit. Personal banking in the UK is generally free if accounts are in credit. There is mostly no charge for debit cards, writing or cashing cheques, making withdrawals or deposits, direct debits or standing orders, statements or general advice from your own bank. It is not illegal to allow your bank account to become overdrawn, but you can be charged expensive penalties if your bank has not first authorised the facility. To open a UK bank account you will need: dentification (Passport, driving licence) I  roof of UK address (utility, telephone bill, council P  tax demand) etter from your employer stating that you work L  for them ou may also need details of overseas bank accounts Y  in order for bank to check your credit status (the last 3 months of bank statements are very useful for helping to prove credit worthiness and identification) There are many banks and financial institutions to choose from. These are the most easily found on UK high streets. bbey A  arclays B  o-Operative C  alifax H  SBC H  loyds TSB L  atWest N  oyal Bank of Scotland R  Building Societies previously specialised in just mortgages (long term loans for buying properties), but now both banks and building societies tend to provide similar services including personal and business banking, credit cards, overdraft facilities, savings accounts, loans and mortgages, foreign currency exchange, pensions, investments, etc.

Online banking
Many banks operate internet banking to enable you to check and download statements, recent transactions and to move money around your accounts or make payments to others. Many banks have branches in the centre of Cambridge around the Market Square, Grafton Centre and on some of the larger streets like Chesterton, Cherry Hinton, Hills and Mill Roads for example.

Cash-Point machines
(Automated Teller Machines or ATMs) are located on most streets and in, or just outside, all large supermarkets. Most banks allow you to withdraw money from any cash-point machine without paying a fee. Warning: some cash-point machines located in petrol service stations, restaurants and pubs and mini-mart shops often charge you a few pounds to withdraw money.

6

Paying without cash

Cheques are still used, but rarely in shops as they favour cash, credit or debit cards. If you still wish to use cheques you should write the payees name on the top line, then the amount in words on the next  lines below followed by the word only so that nothing more can be added. The date is written in the space in the top right of the cheque (Day/Month/Year is the order used in the UK) and your signature goes in the space in the bottom right. You may occasionally be asked for your Cheque Guarantee Card, which guarantees that the cheque will be paid and will not bounce even if funds are not present in the account on which the cheque is drawn. Many debit cards also guarantee cheques up to certain amounts (e.g. 0, 100, 0).

Paying bills
Most utility companies prefer for you to pay your bills by monthly Direct Debit. This is a mandate that is set up by the company and authorised by you enabling an automatic payment of your bill each month direct from your bank account. You can pay for nearly all regular bills and even credit card repayments in this way so that you never forget a payment date and face a heavy penalty.

Debit cards
Sometimes called Switch cards after one of the companies that organised the system but often double up as ATM or cash-point cards since they draw money directly from your current account. After paying for your purchase with your debit card in the supermarket (and even some pubs!) you may be asked if you would like cash-back. The cashier will then add the cash you ask for to the debit card receipt. This is another way of obtaining cash instead of using a cash-point machine or ATM. When you make a purchase with a credit or debit card you will be asked to type your  digit PIN (Personal Identification Number) into a machine in order to authorise the transaction. Occasionally you may simply be asked to sign a form and your signature on the card will be checked with that on the newly signed form.



Shopping
What?
Cambridge provides many small independent stores, computer, sports, bicycle and other specialist shops and open air market stalls as well as several large department stores, retail parks and huge supermarkets, which can provide everything for a one-stop shop.

Where?
Cambridge is split into several main shopping areas: The Historic Centre has a mall known as the Lion Yard, which will be linked to the forthcoming brand new Grand Arcade shopping centre in late 00/early 008. The Grand Arcade will provide a modern home for one of Cambridges oldest and famous department stores, Robert Sayle/John Lewis (temporarily located outside the Grafton Centre on Burleigh Street) as well as multistorey car parking and many more shops. Outside the Lion Yard is a street of shops known as the Petty Cury, which leads to the Market Square. Cambridge Market is open from 9.30am-.30pm Mon-Sat and 10.30am.30pm on Sundays. Some of the items on sale include fruit and vegetables, flowers, fish, breads, sweets, clothes, hats, second hand books, records and CDs and artwork. On Sundays there are more craft and farmers market stalls. On Saturdays in All Saints Garden there is an Art and Craft Market whose motto we make what we sell is the artisans genuine guarantee. Grafton Centre is a large shopping mall that includes  department stores (Debenhams and BHS) restaurants, CD and book shops, baby and toddler stores, a few craft and market stalls and a cinema. There is a multi-storey car park attached to this shopping centre. It is located only a short walk away from the Historic Centre with the main Bus and Coach Station acting as a divider The Beehive Centre 10 minutes to the east of the Grafton Centre is a retail park with plenty of car parking outside the shops amongst which there is an Asda supermarket, furniture and home furnishings stores, superstores selling baby and toddler produce, discount designer clothes and electrical components and sports equipment

When?
Shoppinghours The first important issue concerning shopping in the UK is opening hours. Generally shops open from 9.00am until .30pm Monday to Saturday. On Sundays in England and Wales most shops are allowed to open for only 6 hours, so many shops open their doors from 11am until pm (others choose 10am-pm). Evening shopping Supermarkets and convenience stores, such as Spar, Co-Op, Mace, Budgens and some newsagents may open for business from 8am until 10pm or even later. ASDA, in the Beehive Centre, opens until midnight on Monday to Friday and Tesco in Cherry Hinton stays open all week, closing only on Saturday and Sunday nights.

8

 Across the road from the Beehive Centre along Newmarket Road is Cambridge Retail Park, also with plenty of car parking and bus stops. Superstores located here include home improvement (DIY shops), home furnishing and furniture warehouses, home electronics, computers and domestic appliances and catalogue warehouse shop (Argos) Most of Cambridges motor dealerships (used and new) can also be found along Newmarket Road culminating in the Marshall Motor Groups huge multi-dealership site on the edge of Cambridge opposite the Marshall Airport.

In most UK supermarkets you can place your fruit and vegetables into bags which are weighed and priced at the counter when you finish your shopping. There are a few exceptions, notably Waitrose, where you can weigh and check the price yourselves at the fruit and vegetable section. At some of the bigger supermarkets you can ask for someone to help you pack your items at the cashiers counter, but mostly the customer packs their own bags. City Centre: Sainsbury, Sidney Street (Open M-F 9am-9pm, Sat 8am 10pm, Sun 11am-pm) Marks & Spencer (M&S), Market Square (Open Mon-Tue 9am-6.30pm, Wed-Thu 9am-pm, Fri-Sat 8.30am-pm, Sun 11am-pm) Grafton Centre: M&S Simply Food, (Open Mon-Tue & Sat 9am6.30pm, Wed-Fri 9am-8pm, Sun 11am-pm) (There is also a small Simply Food store at the Train Station) Supermarkets around Cambridge: esco, Newmarket Road (Open M-Sat .30am-10pm, T  Sun 11am-pm) Asda, Beehive Centre (Open M-F 6am-1pm, Sat 6am-10pm, Sun 10am-pm) Sainsbury, Coldhams Lane (Open M-F 8am-10pm, Sat .30am-10pm, Sun 10am-pm. Petrol Station  hours) Waitrose, Trumpington (Open M-F 8am-9pm, Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 10am-pm) Tesco, Fulbourn and Cherry Hinton (Open Mon 8amSat 10pm, Sun 10am-pm)

Types of shops
Supermarkets these stores now sell nearly all household items from food, toiletries and domestic cleaning products to bed linen, electrical appliances, books, CDs and banking and insurance services. It is possible to do all your weekly shopping in just one supermarket and sit down for a bite to eat. Tesco, Sainsbury and Asda are the nations leading supermarkets; Waitrose and M&S Simply Food are more upmarket and, consequently, more expensive; Aldi (Histon Road) is a smaller store offering good value for money; Iceland (Histon Road) is predominantly a frozen produce store. Many of the large supermarkets also provide online shopping and home deliveries in the Cambridge area (Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury and Asda). M&S (Market Square) and Iceland will deliver your shopping to your home once you have chosen it in the store.

9

Specialist food and drink stores

The large supermarkets have gradually replaced more traditional local food shops such as butchers, bakers, green grocers, delicatessens and fish mongers, but there are some that still thrive in Cambridge in Burleigh Street (outside the Grafton Centre) and more suburban areas such as Chesterton Road, along Mill Road and in Newnham. Health food shops are not so common. Holland & Barrett is a nationwide high street shop that sells vitamins, supplements, foods and other healthy items (shops in Lion Yard and Grafton Centre). Of note amongst other health food and organic shops are Arjuna on Mill Road and The Emerald Wholefoods market stall and Cambridge Health Foods on Bridge Street. Organic foods are becoming more and more sought after in the UK. Besides shopping for fruit and vegetables at the markets stalls in the town centre and various specialised shops in the busier shopping streets, you can now order Vegetable Boxes from local growers and have these delivered to you once a week or whenever you like (e.g. Waterland Organics and Cambridge Organic Food Company). Ethnic supermarkets for buying Oriental, Indian, African etc ingredients can be found in particular in several stores along Mill Road (El Amin, Cho Mee, Balvs). Off Licences are shops that sell alcoholic drinks to be consumed off the premises (pubs, bars and restaurants may sell alcohol to be consumed on the premises only). Threshers, Oddbins, Victoria Wines and Bacchanalia are a few that can be found around Cambridge.

Argos catalogue shops

This is a popular and useful warehouse shop in which you can browse a thick catalogue of very wide ranging products (e.g. jewellery, sports equipment, toys, home furnishings, consumer electronics, garden equipment etc). You choose your items and fill in the codes on a form at the Argos store and a few minutes later your items are picked and brought out for you to take away. Stores are in Fitzroy Street outside Grafton Centre and Cambridge Retail Park on Newmarket Road. Book shops are well provided in Cambridge. Besides several second-hand and charity stores, there are several large book superstores: Borders (also sells CDs and DVDs), Waterstones and Heffers (Blackwells) are the largest in the city centre. The UKs electricity supply is 0-0V AC. All electrical equipment of this voltage is compatible, but you will most likely have to change the plug or use an adaptor. Equipment that runs on 110V will not work in the UK unless you purchase the correct transformer adaptor. Light bulbs most commonly have bayonet fittings although screw bulbs are also available.

30

General price guide

These are some typical prices for common household goods 006: Hardware item Stereo Hi-Fi Television Video/DVD player 3-piece suite Double bed Mattress Double wardrobe Washing machine Tumble dryer Adults Bicycle Pop CD New family saloon car Daily item 1 litre ( Pints) milk Loaf of bread Small tub/block of butter Whole chicken (medium) Soap (in a dispenser) Washing up liquid Washing machine powder Chocolate snack bar Can of fizzy drink Sandwich Daily newspaper 1 litre of unleaded petrol Average cost 300-00 100-00 -300 0-100 0-00 0-00 0-600 300-00 10-300 -00 -11 1000 Average cost 0.60 0.0 0. .00 1.10 0.80 .00 0.0 0.50 .0 0.0 0.89

31

Dining out
Restaurants
For simplicity this section can be divided simply into Cafs, Fast food outlets, Pubs and Restaurants, but for a superb and comprehensive guide to eating in and around Cambridge, register at www.localsecrets. com. Restaurants of all different standards, prices and cuisines exist right across Cambridge, with the majority located along the main routes through the city centre (e.g. Hills Road to Castle Street and Trumpington Street to Bridge Street). General Restaurant and Standard Eating Times: Breakfast 7.30-9.00 (e.g. breakfast cereal, toast only very occasionally a cooked meal!) (Elevenses 10-11 mid-morning tea break) Lunch 12.00-2.00 (sandwich, salad or hot meal, but often lighter than dinner) (Teatime -6 light meal particularly, but not exclusively, for children) Dinner 6.30-8.30 (to sit down to meal) (Supper late meal or snack that is less substantial than dinner occasionally used in the old fashioned sense to mean dinner or the main evening meal)

Cafs and coffee houses

Generally small snack bars that most often sell hot and cold drinks, cakes, sandwiches and light meals (most commonly All Day Breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage and beans!). Coffee houses providing takeaway coffees, like Starbucks, are now quite popular in the UK. These are usually only open during the day or very early evening. It is common practice to choose your food and pay for it at the counter before eating or drinking. Although the British drink a wide range of teas, unless you specifically state otherwise, your tea is likely to be a basic breakfast style black tea accompanied with milk and sugar.

3

Fast food outlets and takeaways

The usual American fast food chains are spread around Cambridge, but there are also takeaways, or chippies, selling fish and chips (a national treat of fish, e.g. cod, fried in a crispy batter), burgers or kebabs (Greek/Turkish sandwiches of marinated and grilled chicken or lamb). Oriental (known as Chinese, but covering any South East Asian cuisine) and Indian (probably more Bangladeshi than actually Indian) takeaways are really found everywhere! Be warned that although this exotic cuisine is largely cherished by the British, the takeaways produce food adapted to the British taste and so will not necessarily be as authentic as dishes eaten in those particular countries (slightly more cooking oil and MSG food additive than perhaps should be used)! Even so, it must be emphasised that Indian food in the UK is arguably some of the best outside of Asia. Everyone has their favourite takeaway or restaurant so it is best to sample a few with local residents to make up your own mind. Pubs, or Public Houses, are much more than plain bars. They are often warm, homely places full of historical character (and characters!) providing a meeting point for friends and locals to have a drink or a meal. Opening hours differ considerably, some are open all day, others are open at lunchtime and then again from late afternoon through to 11pm or sometimes after midnight since the licensing laws changed in England. Beware that some pubs (and restaurants) do not take food orders after pm and may close at .30pm/3pm for the afternoon! The type of food on offer in pubs varies greatly, as does the quality. There are pubs that place the emphasis on their cuisine and are known as Gastro-Pubs. These are much more similar in style to restaurants than traditional drinking pubs and often look like upmarket pubs with restaurant menus or traditional pub menus but made to a high standard. Traditional pub menus might include Ploughmans lunch (a salad with cold meats, cheeses and pickles), steak and chips, fish and chips, hot meat pies (e.g. beef and ale, pork and cider, steak and kidney or Cornish Pastie) and even a curry dish. Children are generally allowed in pubs to eat and are accepted in pub beer gardens with their parents if they are not eating.

33

Sports and leisure

Things to see
Cambridge provides many interesting, cultural and historical, beautiful and fun pursuits, events and things to see. Visitors first stop should be Tourist Information on Wheeler Street, behind the Guild Hall on the Market Square.

Museums
TheFitzwilliamMuseum Trumpington St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 1RB Tel: 013 33900 The largest Cambridge museum with the most variety (including paintings, glass, porcelain and ancient antiquities). The building itself is magnificent. Cambridge & County Folk Museum -3, Castle St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 0AQ Tel: 013 319 Displays of everyday living in bygone times. Cambridge Museum of Technology Old Pumping Station, Cheddars Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 8LD Tel: 013 36860 Located in the Old Steam Pumping Station, exhibits of engines, boilers, printing presses and other prized engineering equipment from the last few centuries. Imperial War Museum Duxford Duxford Airfield, Duxford, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB QR Tel: 013 83000 Europes premier aviation museum including tanks, military vehicles as well as planes. Newmarket National Stud Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 0XE Tel: 01638 66689 Over 00 acres of pastures on the edge of Newmarket, the UKs historic home of horse racing, for Thoroughbred breeding. Fascinating tours and insights into the Sport of Kings.

Colleges
There are 31 colleges that make up the University of Cambridge and are highly popular tourist attractions open to the public at certain times of the year for a small fee (or free if you live in Cambridge). Kings College Chapel and Peterhouse, the oldest and smallest college founded in 18, are particularly worth visiting.

Punting
A fun way to see some of the famous colleges and spend a leisurely hour or two is to take a punt out along the Backs, the one mile stretch of the Cam that flows through College grounds. These shallow hulled boats are traditionally propelled by pushing against a long pole placed onto the river bed at the rear of the boat. You can be chauffeured and given a guided tour, or have a go yourself, which although very hard work for novices, is satisfying and amusing! You can also hire punts for trips from Cambridge to the beautiful village of Grantchester, a pastoral idyll. Punt hire from Scudamores and Granta Punting.

3

University Museums
Cambridge University Botanic Garden Cory Lodge, Bateman St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 1JF Tel: 013 3366 A fabulous 0 acre site including lakes, glasshouses, rock gardens, mature trees and exotic species. ScottPolarResearchInstitute Lensfield Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 1ER Tel: 013 3360 A centre for research and information on both polar regions. University Museum of Zoology Downing St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 3EJ Tel: 013 33660 Range of recent and fossil animals including specimens collected by Charles Darwin. Museum Of Archaeology and Anthropology Downing Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 3DZ Tel: 013 33316 Local antiquities and archaeological and ethnographic artefacts from around the world. University Museum Of Classical Archaeology Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 9DA Tel: 013 3313 Extensive collections of plaster casts of Greek and Roman statues. Whipple Museum History of Science Free School Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 3QA Tel: 013 330906 History of Science: scientific instruments and models including an outstanding collection are microscopes and telescopes. Sedgwick Museum University of Cambridge, Downing St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 3EQ Tel: 013 3336 Earth Sciences: fossils, rocks and minerals from around the world.

Art Galleries
Besides the Fitwilliam Museum there are also galleries at Kettles Yard, at the All Saints Garden Art and Craft Fair and various galleries notably along Kings Parade and Trinity Street.

3

Theatres
Cambridge Arts Theatre 6, St. Edwards Passage, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 3PL Tel: 013 8933  For major theatre productions and national tours. ADCTheatre Park St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 8AS Tel: 013 39 Mumford Theatre Anglia Polytechnic University, East Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire Tel: 08 196 30 Cambridge Corn Exchange 3, Parson Court, Wheeler St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 3QE Tel: 013 381 For rock, pop, comedy and opera. TheJunction Cambridge Leisure Park, Clifton Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB1 GX Tel: (013) 1111 Also for rock, pop, comedy.

Cinema
TheArtsPictureHouse 38-39, St. Andrews St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 3AR Tel: 013 99 Arthouse and international. Cineworld Cambridge Leisure Park, Clifton Road Tel. 081 00 000 Multi screen Cinema complex. VueCinema The Grafton Centre, East Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB1 1PS Tel: 081 00 Multi screen Cinema.

Zoos
Linton Zoological Gardens Hadstock Road, Linton Tel. 013 891308 About  minutes south east of Cambridge. Shepreth Wildlife Park Station Rd, Shepreth, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 6PZ Tel: 0163 66 About  minutes to the south west of Cambridge.

36

Sports and recreation facilities

Kelsey Kerridge Sports Hall Queen Anne Terrace, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB1 1NA Tel: 013 66 The Sports Hall is run by the Cambridge Sports Hall Trust Ltd. Facilities include a multi-purpose hall large enough for two full-size five-a-side football courts, squash and badminton courts, the Ultimate fitness suite, a climbing wall, a projectile gallery as well as a bar area. The centre is situated next to the Queen Anne Terrace car park, off Parkers Piece. Cambridge Lakes Golf Course Trumpington Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 8FA Tel: 013 3 Cambridge Golf Club Longstanton, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 3DR Tel: 019 89388  Cambridge National Golf Meridian Court, Comberton Rd, Toft, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 RY Tel: 013 600

Swimming pools
Parkside Swimming Pool Gonville Place, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB1 1LY Tel: 013 6100 Next door to Kelsey Kerridge. Abbey Swimming Pool Abbey Pool, Pool Way, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 8NT Tel: 013 133 JesusGreenOutdoorSwimmingPool Jesus Green, Chesterton Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 3BD Tel: 013 309 Public paddling pools for children: Kings Hedges (near the Learners Pool); Coleridge Recreation Ground, Davy Road; Lammas Land, Newnham; Cherry Hinton Hall.

Squash clubs
Cambridge Squash Club 9, Histon Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 3NF Tel: 013 38088 Science Park Squash Club Cambridge Science Park. Contact, QTON, Tel. (013) 8136

Tennis
Outdoor Public Courts Christs Pieces, Jesus Green Cambridge Lawn Tennis Club Wilberforce Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 0EQ Tel: 013 310 Cocks & Hens Lawn Tennis Club Clerk Maxwell Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 0RU Tel: 0199 306 Next Generation Club Cambridge 1-, Coldhams Lane Business Park, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB1 3LH Tel: 013 0100

Golf Courses and Driving Ranges

Girton Golf Club (Cambridge Ltd) Dodford Lane, Girton, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 0QE Tel: 013 6169 Gog Magog Golf Club Shelford Bottom, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 3AB Tel: 013 66

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Fitness and Health Clubs

Greens Health & Fitness 13, Cromwell Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB1 3BA Tel: 013 00 L.A Fitness plc Unit 3, Cambridge Leisure Park, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB1 DY Tel: 080 06611 The Atrium Club 6, Newmarket Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 8DZ Tel: 013  Riverside Health & Fitness Club within Cambridge Garden House, Granta Place, Mill Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 1RT Tel: 013 9989 The Glassworks Health Club The Glassworks, Thompsons Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 8AQ Tel: 013 30060 Next Generation Club Cambridge 1-, Coldhams Lane Business Park, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB1 3LH Tel: 013 0100

Recreational grounds
Parks and open spaces and childrens play areas throughout the city: AlexandraRecreationGround (Carlye Road) Arbury Adventure Playground (Wagstaff Close) Arbury Town Park (Campkin Road) BarnwellRecreationGround (Barnwell Road) Cherry Hinton Hall (Colville Road, Cherry Hinton) Cherry Hinton Recreation Ground (High Street) ChestertonRecreationGround (Church Street) Chestnut Grove Recreation Ground (West Chesterton) Christs Pieces (Central Cambridge) CoeFen (Newnham, Trumpington Street) Coldhams Common (Coldhams Lane) ColeridgeRoadRecreationGround (Coleridge Road) DittonFieldsRecreationGround (Off Newmarket Road) Dudley Road Play Area Fison Road Play Area GreenEndRoadRecreationGround HistonRoadRecreationGround JesusGreen (Chesterton Road, River Cam)

Rowing
Cambridge 99 Rowing Club The Boat House, Kimberley Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB 1HJ Tel: 013 361  Champion Of The Thames Rowing Club City Of Cambridge Rowing Club.

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Recreational grounds (contd)

Kelsey Crescent Play Area (Teversham Drift, Teversham) Kendal Way Recreation Ground Kings Hedges Recreation Ground  (Albemarle Way) LammasLand (Teversham Drift, Teversham) MidsummerCommon (Mitchams Corner, Nr Jesus Green) Molewood/HazelwoodClose Nightingale Avenue Recreation Ground (Queen Ediths Way, South Cambs) Nuns Way Recreation Ground Petersfield (Mill Road, Gwydir Street) Peverel Road Play Area Romsey Road Recreation Ground ScotlandRoadRecreationGround Sheeps Green Shelley Row Play Area (Mount Pleasant Walk) ShenstoneGreen (Staffordshire Street) St Albans Road Recreation Ground St Matthews Piece (Sturton Street) Parkers Piece Stourbridge Common (Fen Road, Chesterton) Stourbridge Grove Play Area TrumpingtonRecreationGround (Byron Square)

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Events and festivals

Cambridge has variety
Cambridge has a number of lively festivals and events which take place throughout the year, in and around central Cambridge. The residents of Cambridge like to party and Cambridges extensive calendar of festivals and events includes lively Cambridge street fairs, Cambridge carnivals, parades, punting events and numerous rowing races on the River Cam in central Cambridge. Local Cambridge newspapers and leading magazines in Cambridge regularly publish the latest cultural events and Cambridge festivals, and also contain up-to-date listings of events nearby Cambridge. Cambridges helpful tourist information office on Wheeler Street is always a useful source for current events and festivals in Cambridge. In addition to this more information can be found at www.visitcambridge.org National Public Holidays: January New Years Day 1st Good Friday/Easter Monday late March or early April First and last Monday in May Last Monday in August th December Christmas Day 6th December Boxing Day If Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Years Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the next weekday becomes a public holiday.

Calendar of Festivals and Events

January Events and Festivals in Cambridge New Years Day general festivities and celebrations take place throughout Cambridge on this national holiday February Events and Festivals in Cambridge: Snowdrop Season late February, spectacular spring flowers at Anglesey Abbey in Lode, close to Cambridge Carnival Procession late February, this popular Rag Cambridge college festival takes place in central Cambridge Lent Bumps late February, the Cambridge University college boat teams race on the River Cam March Events and Festivals in Cambridge Cambridge Science Week mid March, with leading experts holding talks, lectures, and demonstrations across Cambridge, on a wide range of scientific subjects Wimpole Home Farm Lambing Weekends mid March to early April, a chance to see newborn lambs as spring arrives in Cambridge Thriplow Daffodil Weekend late April, masses of daffodils are in bloom at this popular village festival in Thriplow Village, nearby Cambridge May Events and Festivals in Cambridge Reach Fair early May, a popular fair held in the Reach Village, close to central Cambridge Stilton Cheese Rolling early May, this is one of the more unusual events in Cambridge and takes place in the historic village of Stilton Oxfam Sponsored Walk mid May, this popular Cambridge charity event starts at Chilford Hall in Cambridge Cambridge Beer Festival late May, held at Jesus Green in Cambridge, with over 10 Real Ales, more than 60 foreign beers, ciders, English wines and a vast array of food

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Calendar of Festivals and Events (contd)

June Events and Festivals in Cambridge Strawberry Fair early June, held at Midsummer Common in Cambridge, marking the arrival of summer, with numerous outdoor events and festivals Duxford D-Day Anniversary Show early June, held at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, close to Cambridge Cambridge Childrens Festival early June, with many special events for children, held at Jesus Green in Cambridge College June Bumps mid June, the Cambridge University college boat teams race on the River Cam June Week mid June, general celebrations, festivals and special events take place throughout Cambridge Cambridge Midsummer Fair mid June, held at Midsummer Common in Cambridge, with many popular events and celebrations East of England Country Show mid June, a large and varied country show held in Peterborough, close to Cambridge Singing on the River mid June, outdoor concerts held at Kings College River Bank in central Cambridge University Honorary Degree Day mid June, held at various venues in central Cambridge East Anglian Flower and Garden Show mid June, a large gardening show with many horticultural exhibits and events, held at Bourne Airfield, close to Cambridge National Bike Week mid June, various cycling events, races and festivals are held throughout the Cambridge area Jazz and Brass in the Parks late June, outdoor jazz and brass bands perform at a number of central parks in Cambridge Wisbech Rose Fair late June to early July, this popular rose festival is held in Wisbech, close to Cambridge July Events and Festivals in Cambridge Cambridge Shakespeare Festival early July, College Gardens, many famous Shakespeare plays are performed outdoors at a number of Cambridge University college gardens, attracting around ,000 people Aquafest early July, held at the Riverside in Ely, on the outskirts of Cambridge Cambridge Open Studios held during the weekends in July at various venues in Cambridge Cambridge Film Festival mid July, this popular Cambridge event is held at various cinemas throughout Cambridge and has become of one of the major film premier festivals in the UK Jazz and Brass in the Parks various days throughout July, outdoor jazz and brass bands perform at a number of central parks in Cambridge Folk Weekend mid July, this popular festival is Ely held in Ely, close to Cambridge Pop in the Park mid July, held at Parkers Piece in Cambridge, this huge free party features live bands, stalls, funfairs, outdoor film screenings and fireworks Day Out mid July, held at Parkers Piece in Big Cambridge, with outdoor music events and parties World Pea Shooting Championships mid July, one of the more unusual Cambridge events, held in nearby Witcham Village Flying Legends Air Show mid July, with many exciting demonstrations, held at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, close to Cambridge Summer Sunday mid July, Parkers Piece, Cambridge Cambridge Summer Recitals mid July to mid August, Cambridge London to Cambridge Cycle Ride late July Cambridge Town Bumps (rowing tournament) late July, Cambridge Cambridge Folk Music Festival late July, Cambridge

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Calendar of Festivals and Events (contd)

August Events and Festivals in Cambridge Duxford Military Vehicle Show early August, a large number of military vehicles are displayed at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, nearby Cambridge Comedy Marquee Club early August, held at The Jesus Green in Cambridge Childrens Theatre Marquee childrens events The held at Jesus Green in Cambridge Shuttleworth Collection mid August, a Military Pageant held at Bedford, nearby Cambridge Cambridge Shakespeare Festival mid August, many famous Shakespeare plays are performed outdoors at a number of Cambridge University college gardens, attracting around ,000 people Jazz and Brass in the Parks mid August, outdoor jazz and brass bands perform at a number of central parks in Cambridge Fenland Country Fair late August, held at StowCum-Quy Village, nearby Cambridge Ives Music and Arts Festival late August, this St. popular music and arts festival is held in St. Ives, nearby Cambridge September Events and Festivals in Cambridge Duxford Flying Show early September, with many exciting demonstrations, held at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, close to Cambridge Heritage Open Days mid September, held at various locations throughout Cambridge Haddenham Steam Rally mid September, this popular steam event features a large number of working steam engines, held at Haddenham, nearby Cambridge Stanley Thurston Fun Fair mid September, a popular fun fair held at Midsummer Common in Cambridge Chariots of Fire Race mid September, this team relay race attracts large crowds of spectators in central Cambridge and raises funds for many charities October Events and Festivals in Cambridge Duxford Flying Show early October, with many exciting demonstrations, held at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, close to Cambridge World Conker Championships mid October, an unusual and enjoyable Cambridge event, held in nearby Ashton November Events and Festivals in Cambridge Firework Celebrations and Funfair early November, general festivities held at Midsummer Common in Cambridge Cambridge Music Festival mid November, live music and concerts held in central Cambridge Christmas Lights Switch On late November, the citys Christmas lights are switched on in central Cambridge by a celebrity to mark the beginning of the Christmas season



Calendar of Festivals and Events (contd)

December Events and Festivals in Cambridge Pantomime Season Christmas pantomimes are held at various theatres in and around Cambridge Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols December The th, a Christmas concert held at Kings College Chapel in Cambridge and broadcast around the World New Years Eve December 31st, general festivals, parties and events take place throughout Cambridge, culminating in spectacular fireworks at midnight

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