🇬🇧 Cambridge, United Kingdom
Claran Guest House
📍 349, Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge, CB1 8DB
Your stay — Claran Guest House
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Cambridge.
The Property — Claran Guest House
The Claran Guest House in Cambridge is a charming, family-run B&B that exudes a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Its 19th-century facade and elegant interior design evoke a sense of classic Cambridge, while the friendly owners' attention to detail makes guests feel at ease. This 3-star gem caters to academic types, families, and couples seeking a peaceful retreat from the city's bustle. The lobby's comfortable seating area invites guests to linger over a cup of tea and plan their day.
Chronicles of Cambridge
Cambridge, founded in 1214, has evolved from a small market town to a world-renowned centre of learning and innovation. The city's historic centre features a stunning mix of medieval and Georgian architecture, from the iconic King's College Chapel to the picturesque River Cam. Cambridge's rich cultural identity is shaped by its prestigious universities, including the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University. The city's relaxed, intellectual atmosphere is palpable, with a thriving arts scene and a passion for science and technology. Visitors can explore the city's famous 'Backs', a scenic stretch of riverfront lined with beautiful colleges and gardens.
Best Time to Visit
Full Cambridge guide →Best months
June and September are the ideal months to visit Cambridge, offering pleasant temperatures (18-22°C) and manageable crowds. The summer solstice in June brings long days and beautiful sunsets, while September's harvest season means fewer tourists and lower prices.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak tourist season in Cambridge, driven by the Cambridge Folk Festival and the city's numerous summer events. Expect higher prices and larger crowds, but the city's vibrant atmosphere and festivals make it a great time to visit. Hotel prices surge during this period, so book well in advance.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the best budget-friendly shoulder months in Cambridge, with mild spring and autumn weather (10-15°C) and fewer tourists. These periods offer a great balance of affordability and comfort, making them ideal for families or budget-conscious travellers.
Weather & packing
Cambridge's climate is known for its unpredictable rain showers, so pack a waterproof jacket or umbrella. Be prepared for occasional temperature drops, even in summer, and dress in layers for a comfortable stay.
Live City Briefing — Cambridge
- The A14 road improvement project has led to changes in traffic patterns around Cambridge, so plan your journey in advance. The city's new guided busway, the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway, offers a convenient and efficient way to explore the surrounding area. The Cambridge Botanic Garden has recently reopened after a major redevelopment, featuring a stunning new glasshouse and expanded plant collections.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Claran Guest House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (above the 2nd floor) to minimize potential street noise from Cherry Hinton Road. These rooms are likely to be quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift, as the Claran Guest House is a 3-star hotel with a lift, which may be a bit older and noisier. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance might experience some background noise.
Best views
There are no specific view options mentioned in the data, but rooms on higher floors might offer a glimpse of the surrounding area.
Quietest floors
2nd floor and above
🔊 Noise notes
Guests may experience some street noise from Cherry Hinton Road, which can be busy. The hotel's location is in a relatively quiet area, but traffic noise can still be a consideration.
Insider tips
1. If you're driving, request a room near the front of the hotel for easier access to the parking area. 2. Consider requesting extra pillows or a hairdryer, as these may not be standard in every room.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Claran Guest House
free, 50 Mbps speed, 2-device limit per room
serves all floors, no stairs-only sections
complimentary digital newsstand through PressReader app, physical papers available in reception
15:00-22:00, early bag-drop available from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00, £10 fee after 11:00 on weekdays, £20 on weekends
available 24/7, £5 per day
step-free access, wheelchair-accessible entry, adapted rooms available on request
on-site parking £15 per night, nearest public car park (Park & Ride Cherry Hinton Road) £3.50 per day, EV charging £5 per session
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: £20 advance deposit + £50 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Philip Howard Catholic Church (502 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: St Thomas's Hall (745 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: St James (774 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Queen Edith Chapel (801 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Lichfield Park — 491 m · ~6 min walk
Cambridge Science Centre — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Ampitheatre — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 205 m · ~3 min walk
Polaris Pharmacy — 921 m · ~12 min walk
Perne Road's Co-Operative Food — 724 m · ~9 min walk
Addenbrooke's Bus Station — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →British Pound Sterling, GBP
Use high-street banks or Post Office branches for better rates than airport bureaux; Travelex and tourist-area exchange offices charge poor commissions.
Card and contactless payments accepted almost everywhere; chip-and-PIN standard; mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) widely supported in shops and restaurants.
10-15% in restaurants if service not included; rounding up or £1-2 for casual cafés; taxi drivers expect 10% or rounding; hotel staff typically receive £1-2 per service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Chain café coffee (Pret A Manger, Costa, Greggs) £2.00-2.50; independent cafés slightly cheaper at £2.00-2.20.
Meal deal at Tesco or Sainsbury's (sandwich + snack + drink) £3.50; fish and chips from takeaway £6.00-8.00.
Indian/Chinese takeaway main £8.00-10.00; pub-chain main course £10.00-13.00; ramen or Asian noodle bowl £8.00-9.50.
Market Hill has food stalls and independent vendors; The Grafton Centre food court offers budget chains; takeaway shops line Grange Road and King Street.
Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Asda throughout CB1; Lidl and Aldi offer cheapest prices on basics; outdoor market near Market Square for fresh produce deals.
Grafton Centre shopping mall has high-street chains (Topshop/Topman merged, but Uniqlo, H&M, Gap); vintage/secondhand shops on Grange Road; market stalls seasonally.
Stagecoach local buses £1.75 single or £5.00 day pass; Cityrider 7-day pass £25.00; National Express coaches from airport cheaper than trains (£10-15); cycling most economical (bike rental ~£20/day).
Walk or cycle most places—CB1 is compact and flat; buy groceries at supermarkets rather than tourist-area convenience stores; check Cambridge Student Union venues for cheap gigs and events open to visitors.
Good to know — Cambridge
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
CambridgeFor police, fire or ambulance in life-threatening situations, dial 999 or 112 from any phone (including mobiles without credit). For non-urgent police matters, call 101. For health advice that's not an emergency, call NHS 111.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Cambridge, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Claran Guest House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 205 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Polaris Pharmacy — 921 m · ~12 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Cambridge Station/City Centre → The Kendall Hotel vicinity
💡 Excellent for local exploration; buy Day Ranger ticket (£4.50) for unlimited travel; hotel is walkable from city center
London Stansted Airport → Cambridge Coach Station (10 min walk to hotel)
💡 Budget-friendly; book online for discounts; can be slow during peak times
London Stansted Airport → Cambridge Station (5 min walk to hotel)
💡 Most economical option; connect at London Liverpool Street or use direct services; purchase Railcard for discounts
London Stansted Airport → The Kendall Hotel, Cambridge
💡 Book in advance for better rates; journey time varies with traffic on M11 motorway
About Cambridge
Wikipedia ↗
Cambridge ( KAYM-brij) is a city and non-metropolitan district in the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It is the county town of Cambridgeshire and is located on the River Cam, 55 miles (89 km) north of London. As of the 2021 United Kingdom census, the population of the City of Cambridge was 145,7...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Claran Guest House?
Request a room on a higher floor (above the 2nd floor) to minimize potential street noise from Cherry Hinton Road. These rooms are likely to be quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Claran Guest House?
Avoid rooms near the lift, as the Claran Guest House is a 3-star hotel with a lift, which may be a bit older and noisier. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance might experience some background noise.
Is Claran Guest House noisy?
Guests may experience some street noise from Cherry Hinton Road, which can be busy. The hotel's location is in a relatively quiet area, but traffic noise can still be a consideration.
Which rooms have the best views at Claran Guest House?
There are no specific view options mentioned in the data, but rooms on higher floors might offer a glimpse of the surrounding area.
What are insider tips for staying at Claran Guest House?
1. If you're driving, request a room near the front of the hotel for easier access to the parking area. 2. Consider requesting extra pillows or a hairdryer, as these may not be standard in every room.
What time is check-in at Claran Guest House?
Check-in at Claran Guest House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Claran Guest House have Wi-Fi?
free, 50 Mbps speed, 2-device limit per room
Is there a city or tourist tax at Claran Guest House?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Claran Guest House?
Meal deal at Tesco or Sainsbury's (sandwich + snack + drink) £3.50; fish and chips from takeaway £6.00-8.00.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Claran Guest House?
Stagecoach local buses £1.75 single or £5.00 day pass; Cityrider 7-day pass £25.00; National Express coaches from airport cheaper than trains (£10-15); cycling most economical (bike rental ~£20/day).
When is the best time to visit Cambridge?
June and September are the ideal months to visit Cambridge, offering pleasant temperatures (18-22°C) and manageable crowds. The summer solstice in June brings long days and beautiful sunsets, while September's harvest season means fewer tourists and lower prices.
Top Attractions in Cambridge
💡 Go early in the morning before 9am—fewer tourists and the light hits the stonework well. Avoid sunny weekends when punters clog the path.
💡 Go on weekdays before 11am—school groups arrive later. Ask at the info desk for the free spotlights tour (Tues 1pm). Skip the temporary exhibition unless it's your thing—it costs extra.
💡 Continue to The Orchard tea garden for scones—cash only, no card. The path gets muddy after rain, so wear boots. Best from late April to September.
💡 Check the college website for free evensong services at 5:30pm on weekdays—you get in free and hear the choir. Arrive 15 minutes early.
💡 Entry is £8 but free for Cambridge residents with a library card. The best time is May-June when the irises are out. Bring a packed lunch—the café is overpriced.