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The Waterman

East Anglia Cambridgeshire Cambridge

From £109 a night
8 Guest Rooms
Pub with Rooms

A contemporary and welcoming pub with rooms close to the heart of Cambridge

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This suburban pub is just a hop from the River Cam and Jesus Green and a short walk from the iconic city centre. Cambridge may loom large in the collective imagination, but in reality, it's rather small and can get very busy indeed, as students, locals, tour groups and myriad cycles compete for space in the tangled labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets around the historic university. What better then, to escape the fray – and inflated prices – of the city centre and stay at The Waterman, a laid-back watering hole with rooms?

Inside, there are eight rooms painted in contemporary shades, with geometric print bedspreads and blinds to match, plus custom artwork adorning the walls. Each comes complete with a Smart TV, digital radio and tea- and coffee-making facilities, and all have an en-suite with a shower and Duck Island toiletries. Some noise from the pub is inevitable – worth keeping in mind if you go to bed particularly early. Choose a 'Double Deluxe' and enjoy a super king that can also be converted into two singles if you're travelling with friends; opt for a 'Cosy Double' if you're staying solo. Either way, a complimentary breakfast is included at No. 30, their coffee shop next door. Tasty options include The Waterman or Gardeners’ – Full or Veggie English – Eggs Benedict, Florentine or Royale, and pastries.

Back at the pub, there are a few nods to the Cambridge we’ve seen in films – a collection of pipes and old boat-race posters, plus the odd oar and cap. There's also a courtyard known as the Secret Garden, and a little room off there called the Potting Shed that's full of garden antiques and paraphernalia. Staff are very pleasant, and there's a weekly changing selection of craft tipples to mull over, be it Lilley’s mango cider, bitter from Barsham Brewery or red ale from Tiny Rebel. What's more, Camra members get a 10% discount. And if you're planning a celebration or get-together, the Potting Shed (which has its own bar hatch) and No. 30 are available for private hire.

For lunch or dinner, try the twice-cooked lamb shoulder served with tabbouleh, courgettes and salsa verde, or their harissa-marinated chicken kebab. Vegetarian and vegan options include miso-roast aubergine and a Future Farm™ burger. There's also a tempting range of nibbles and small plates such as hot smoked trout with beetroot salad, horseradish and rosemary cream, and whipped feta with courgettes, marinated tomato, mint, basil and pine nut pesto. Sundays aren't just about roasts: the likes of Caesar salad and fish and chips feature as well, and come evening, there's live music in the Secret Garden.

In terms of location, you're just a 10-minute walk along the river to the centre (you arrive right next to a punting station, should you want to continue your exploration afloat), and Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge’s unique art gallery, is a brief amble away. In the other direction, follow the Cam as it cuts across Midsummer and Stourbridge Commons to the pretty village of Fen Ditton with its waterside pubs – a longer route, taking 45 minutes. If you fancy treating yourself to a Michelin-starred meal, check out nearby Midsummer House before heading back to The Waterman for a pre-bed nightcap.

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Open

Open all year.

Pricing

Double rooms from £109 a night, with breakfast included in their next-door coffee shop, No. 30, when you book direct.

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