CambridgeLocal
Castle, Cambridge

Castle

The hill where Cambridge began, north of the river, with museums and a quiet street below.

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The ward is named for a lost fortress, Cambridge Castle, whose earthen mound survives as Castle Mound. The ward lies north-west of the centre, across the river, and had 7,861 residents at the 2021 census. Castle Hill matters far beyond the castle: the Roman settlement of Duroliponte and the later British and Saxon centres stood here, and the hill's Old English name was Grantabrycge.

What's here

Castle Hill is the mound itself, the best place to start. Down the slope on Castle Street are Kettle's Yard, a gallery of modern art, and the Museum of Cambridge, the city's local-history museum. The Castle Inn is a pub in the same neighbourhood.

The area is quieter and more residential than the colleges. It is also changing: the North West Cambridge Development, with Eddington at its centre, has been adding homes nearby since the first residents moved in during 2017.

Getting around

From the city centre you cross the Cam to reach Castle. It neighbours Arbury, Market and Newnham wards, and Chesterton begins just east of Castle Hill. Castle Hill is one of the few noticeable rises in a flat city; the climb is short and worthwhile.

Places in Castle