Explore the hidden legacies of empire and colonialism that shaped Cambridge and its prestigious university. On this tour of central Cambridge, we explore the complex historical ties between the university, its benefactors, and Britain's colonial past. Learn how Cambridge’s architecture, scholars, and institutions were deeply influenced by the wealth and ideas derived from imperial expansion. Discover stories of resistance, exploitation, and the current ways in which the university and its museums continue to reckon with its colonial history. Led by current researchers at the university, this tour offers a critical perspective on Cambridge’s role in shaping global narratives and power structures, past and present. Recommended for age 12 and older. This tour was gratefully developed with support from the University of Cambridge Museums and through consultation with researchers and curators at the University of Cambridge.
Meet your guide outside the Round Church for an introduction to the tour.
Under the decorated gates of St. John's college, you will learn about the history of abolition in the city.
Stop at Trinity College to learn about one of its most notorious alumni and the history of Eugenics.
Observe a memorial from the South African War and engage in a discussion about historical memory.
At Gonville and Caius College, learn about the origins of statistics at the University.
Finish the tour by exploring the MAA and engaging with modern debates of object repatriation and restitution.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cambridge and Colonialism Tour - by Uncomfortable Cambridge™ lasts about 1h 30min. The itinerary has 6 stops.
Prices start at $88 per person for this Cambridge experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is Meet your guide outside the Round Church on Bridge Street. Guide will be wearing a bright green vest and carrying a tote bag with an Uncomfortable Cambridge™ Logo. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 20 participants.
Wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
A very interesting and enlightening tour, explaining the ways in which members of the University of Cambridge and City were complicit in legitimising colonialism over several centuries. The guide, Stefan, was very informative and engaging, asking searching questions for discussion.
I would highly recommend this tour. My guide, Oscar, was knowledgable and friendly (taking in good humour my many questions!) . The pace of the tour was perfect and I learnt so much about the University that I am currently attending, information gained will definitely help my research area. This is the second tour I have taken with the Uncomfortable Cambridge Group and they never disappoint - Thank you!
An outstanding tour by our guide Shubham Jain. Since there were only two of us and our guide, we enjoyed an in depth exchange of ideas beyond what we expected. Uncomfortable tours go beyond pointing out the sights. They uncover the stories and events that history chooses to forget. We recommend this tour highly.
Thank you so much for this kind review! Please join us again soon!
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge and Colonialism Tour - by Uncomfortable Cambridge™ | 1h 30min | 5.0 (3) | $88 | |
 The Original Uncomfortable Cambridge™ Tour | 1h 30min | 4.9 (53) | $27 | View |
 Cambridge University Tour by Alumni™ with optional King's Chapel | 1h 30min–2h 30min | 4.9 (2,594) | $31 | View |
 Cambridge University With Alumni: Optional Kings College Entrance | 2 hours | 4.9 (2,372) | $34 | View |
 Punting Tour in Cambridge | 45 min | 4.6 (1,732) | $109 | View |
 Shared Guided Punting Tour of Cambridge | 45 min | 4.8 (957) | $22 | View |
 Cambridge Tour by Alumni™ & Punting + Optional King's College | 2h 45min–3h 45min | 4.7 (770) | $77 | View |