Cambridge

We visited at a couple of family history sites at Cambridge then stopped for a late lunch at a lovely park called Lamma's. However, as it was our first day on the road, we were a bit behind schedule as it took a bit to get used to the car and driving, so we decided not to go into the city centre as it was already quite congested by mid-afternoon. 

Cambridge has a population of about 150,000 people and dates back to prehistoric times, with evidence of farming over 3,500 years ago. The Romans built a fort here in around AD 70, the Anglo Saxons invaded in the 5th century, then the Vikings arrived in 875. William the Conqueror built a castle here in 1068 after the Normans took over, then the English eventually reclaimed the city. What an amazing amount of history for one place!

Cambridge is also famous for its university which was founded in 1209. We were already booked in to tour Oxford University later in our trip, however next time we'd like to visit Cambridge University as well, along with the city centre.

Family history connection

The first three photos are the Trumpington church in Cambridge, where my great grandmother Peg (Beatrice) Porter and my great grandfather Bert (Arthur) Shaw were married in 1919. She was born near Bury St Edmunds in 1894 which we visited next, and he was born in the Snowy Mountains in Australia in 1895. They met when he was injured in WWI and was taken to England for medical treatment. After they married, they moved to Australia, settling in Wonthaggi in 1925. 

We also visited Alpha Terrace, the street that Peg grew up in. Unfortunately her childhood house has since been replaced, but photos 4 and 5 are of the street. 

Earlier this year we were lucky to visit Bert and Peg's house in Wonthaggi and take some photos. My Mum and her siblings and cousins have many great memories of spending childhood days there with their grandparents.

The last three photos are photos we took as we drove through Cambridge.

View Cambridge on Google maps

Map image adapted from Location map of British Isles by Paasikivi on Wikimedia Commons

Map pin adapted from publicdomainvectors.org

Traveller's Pen compass logo by Stockcake

All other images by Traveller's Pen