The best Airbnbs in Cambridge for a historic UK stay

Make the most of Cambridge’s beautiful revierside location with a stay in a perfectly polished boutique houseboat. Hosted by a man who once worked as a boat builder, this wide-beam vessel has been expertly transformed into a very classy home for two. Here, you get to experience the best of both worlds: it’s a short walk into the city centre along the river and it’s moored just opposite Stourbridge Common, where you can watch the cows, cyclists and occasional horse riders enjoying the open space. In a word? Bliss.

Rooms? One. Sleeps two guests.
Mood? Unique boutique boat life.
Location perks? Right on the River Cam and just north of the city centre, so parking is free.
Budget range? Affordable.

Many of the more prettified properties available to book in Cambridge are located on the outskirts of town, but this boutique retreat in a lovingly maintained townhouse puts you within a stone’s throw of the centre of the action. Victorian grandiosity and strong colour schemes have been swapped here for a soothing neutral palette of dove greys, sparkling whites and sprinklings of soft pinks and blues. Regain your sense of peace before heading out for cream teas and/or pub lunches.

Rooms? Two. Sleeps four guests.
Mood? Country spa hotel.
Location perks? Its southern position means a short walk to the station (slightly longer to the centre) and it's opposite Cambridge University Botanic Gardens.
Budget range? Affordable between two, bargain between four.

A self-contained attic property, this home offers a neat taste of the old-school English vibe Cambridge is famous for – a lovely wooden desk with typewriter and vintage accessories dotted throughout – while remaining uncluttered and thoroughly modern. Extra points for that porthole window with garden views.

Rooms? One. Sleeps two guests.
Mood? Studio living.
Location perks? This Newnham flat is only a 20-minute walk from central Cambridge, but if you want to get there faster, the host has provided free bikes so you can whizz in and out in five.
Budget range? Reasonable.

Another nicely adapted Victorian townhouse, this time with a bold colour scheme and pleasingly cosy feel. Proving that 19th century doesn’t have to mean dark and gloomy, this two-bed is both light-filled and airy. You’re in the quiet neighbourhood of Chesterton, which is approximately 30 mins walk from the centre. The trade-off for the distance is getting to stay in a more spacious and unique home than you'd find for the same money closer in. If the weather permits, start the day with coffee on the patio and walk into town via Midsummer Common and Christ’s Pieces.

Rooms? Two. Sleeps four guests.
Mood? Vibrant character property.
Location perks? Two words: free parking.
Budget range? Affordable.

This self-contained apartment sends you outside of Cambridge itself and into the village of Impington. If you’re only planning on spending time in town, that might be a little inconvenient, but if you’re also planning on exploring the wider Cambridgeshire countryside – and frankly, you should be – then this is ideal. Clean, neat, dark features dominate inside, while outside you’ll find a sweet garden area that's perfect for summer evening drinks.

Rooms? One. Sleeps two guests.
Mood? Bachelor pad aesthetic.
Location perks? Walkable to the city centre, but also surrounded by cute village-style pubs (like The Boot in nearby Histon).
Budget range? Low-end.

While there is so much more to Cambridge than the university that is synonymous with its name, it’s impossible to deny the status and prominence of the world-famous institution. For those looking to get a little taste of student life (that doesn’t include last night’s beer breath), a stay in Christ’s College might be just the ticket. Only available outside of term time, the one-bed student rooms aren’t, internally, much to get excited by, but the college grounds are delightful.

Rooms? One. Sleeps one guest.
Mood? Student living. Literally.
Location perks? You’re right in the centre of town and, if you purchase breakfast tokens from the Porter’s Lodge, you can start the day with some hearty fare in the attractive dining room.
Budget range? Absolute bargain.

Located north of Cambridge in the village of Cottenham, this unique home is a former photography studio. As you can imagine, that means the light inside is excellent, with a stripped-back Scandi feel in each room. Stay here if you’re planning on splitting your time equally between the more cosmopolitan pleasures of Cambridge and the quintessentially East Anglian countryside (flat, very flat) that surrounds it. Pack picnics or look up country pubs and head out into the green.

Rooms? One. Sleeps two guests.
Mood? Cute cottage.
Location perks? It's only a 20-minute drive to Ely, all the car parks of which are free after peak time (8.30am).
Budget range? Cheap.

This is another property that sits outside Cambridge, but it’s almost a tree house. Almost. Sat amid the branches on some stilts, this unique property lies mid-way between Cambridge and Ely, and is surrounded by bucolic countryside. It’s charming, quirky and an advertisement for the beauty of wood. Plus, somehow, they’ve managed to fit a roll-top bath in there. We'd suggest heading out to test out your blister plasters with a long day of exploring in the city or countryside, then return to soak luxuriantly with a whiskey in hand.

Rooms? One. Sleeps two guests.
Mood? Log cabin style.
Location perks? There’s a field full of horses next door.
Budget range? Mid-range.

Trot on up the lavender-lined walkway and find yourself inside a lovely, one-bed apartment in north Cambridge. Stylishly decorated with some authentically modernist furniture, this generously sized home is the perfect base for a short- or long-length stay in the area. There’s a nice little patio area in the garden, which you’re welcome to use, including an evening hangout thanks to some well-positioned lights.

Rooms? One. Sleeps two guests.
Mood? Mid-mod charm.
Location perks? You’re only 300 metres from a bus stop or, alternatively, there is free parking just outside the property.
Budget range? Reasonable.

If we asked you to come up with some words to describe Cambridge, ‘historic’ would be a solid choice. However, this fast-growing city has been undergoing some pretty major evolutions in recent years, which includes the brand-new Eddington development. Created with sustainability in mind and located two miles outside the city centre, this new neighbourhood is home to Turing Locke, a boutique aparthotel. Inside, you’ll find chic contemporary living spaces with plenty of millennial pinks, Insta-friendly rose gold and – of course – house plants. We love the kitsch tiling in the bathroom that cries out for someone to karaoke it up in the shower to Cyndi Lauper or The Pretenders.

Rooms? One. Sleeps two guests.
Mood? Stunning natural wood style.
Location perks? Bring your bike, there's secure storage onsite and it's only a ten-minute cycle into the centre of the city.
Budget range? Reasonable.

An attractive barn renovation that seamlessly combines aspects of the original building with contemporary elegance. This home-from-home is located in the village of Horningsea, a quaint spot to the northeast of the city centre. The stunning high ceilings will be great for keeping you cool in summer or cosy in winter. Plus there are two local pubs down the road.

Rooms? Two. Sleeps four guests.
Mood? Barn conversion.
Location perks? It will take you a 25-minute riverside walk to get into the centre of Cambridge, which isn’t bad at all (especially considering how pretty it is).
Budget range? Very affordable.