University Arms Cambridge review: Even my toddler loved it

So far it’s taken me to self-catering apartments and an upmarket holiday park, which have both been enjoyable in their own right.

But if I’m honest I’ve been avoiding the big question – is it possible to enjoy the grandeur of a top class hotel when you have your 18-month-old to worry about?

Well, the time has come to find out and to do that we’re heading to Cambridge and the University Arms.

Cambridge is roughly a 90-minute drive from London or 50 minutes on the train from King’s Cross, so it’s an easy journey for a weekend away.

The University Arms, on the edge of Parker’s Piece, with Cambridge city centre behind (Image: University Arms Hotel) First commissioned in 1830, the University Arms has a storied past having gone through many different looks over the years.

In the 1960s the front section of the hotel was demolished and replaced with a modernist building which looked completely out of character next to what remained of the traditional façade.   

Fortunately, after being taken on by owners in 2017, this section was rebuilt now has the grand appearance that such an historic venue deserves.

The new entrance to University Arms (Image: University Arms Hotel) Located on Regent Street, it’s perfectly positioned for its patrons to head into the town centre for site seeing, shopping or punting.

It also overlooks Parker’s Piece, where in 1848 the first rulebook for Association Football was established. A sculpture commemorating this stands in the opposite corner of the park to the hotel.

The Room

In life I find the best way to avoid disappointment is to not expect too much in the first place.

But when you arrive at your room to find it is named after the city’s most famous son – Professor Stephen Hawking – you can’t stop yourself getting excited.

The bar has instantly been set as high as it can get, and your mind is racing with the possibilities of what could lay ahead on the other side of the door.

So, it’s testament to the University Arms that despite the high expectations it still delivers better than expected.

The Hawking suite (Image: University Arms Hotel) We enter an area big enough to comfortably live in permanently, with a huge bed at one end and then a screened off sitting area at the other – each with their own TVs.

There are floor to ceiling windows looking out onto Parker’s Piece which fill the room with natural light, adding to the airy feel to the space.

The bathroom meanwhile is equally expansive, with a shower separate to a huge rolltop bath and decadent marble his and hers sinks.

Our son enjoying the space and the window – perfect height for people-watching (Image: Sarah Murfitt) Our fears of our son being bored are instantly quashed as he races around the room excitedly, before helping his dad make light work of the delightful chocolate treats left out for our arrival.

We all make the most of the perfect vantage point for people-watching that the windows offer, as cyclists and pedestrians weave their way across the park.

When it comes to sleeping arrangements, the hotel has provided us with a proper, sturdy cot – much better than the travel cot that we would have brought – and the room is so big that we’re able to position this around the corner so that we can still have an evening together after our son’s bedtime.

The food

The hotel does offer a room service menu, but we were keen to experience the restaurant, Parker’s Tavern, as it is popular destination in its own right.

The vision of internationally-acclaimed designer Martin Brudnizki, it mirrors the communal dining halls synonymous with Cambridge colleges, with Cambridge Blue wall panelling, traditional solid-wood parquet flooring and original stained-glass windows with crest detailing looking out onto Parker’s Piece.

Parker’s Tavern (Image: University Arms Hotel) The menu is pleasingly unpretentious and hearty, with a focus on locally sourced, seasonal dishes.

We try the pumpkin soup and hand-dived scallop to start, but it’s our son’s choice from the children’s menu which steals the show. The look of wonder on his face when the melon boat with orange sails (a nod to university rowing) arrives at the table is a joy to behold.

We don’t feel uncomfortable sitting with our toddler and the staff go above and beyond to make us feel comfortable by fetching drawing materials to keep him occupied between courses.

The look of wonder at the arrival of the melon boat (Image: Sarah Murfitt) For our mains we enjoy venison meatballs and the poshest bubble and squeak you will find. The only blemish to the evening comes when the excitement of the day catches up with our son so we have to retire to our room quicker than anticipated.

For the foodies, the restaurant regularly puts on culinary events, such as its Nose to Tail banquet series, which aims to highlight the importance of sustainability and the reduction of food waste, by creating a menu sourced entirely from one animal and locally sourced vegetables.

The Holkham Estate venison meatballs with hispi cabbage (Image: Simon Murfitt, Newsquest)When it comes to breakfast there is an extensive buffet for us to fill up on before heading off to explore the city centre.

So, is it possible to enjoy a hotel stay with a toddler? Well, it’s a resounding yes if the hotel staff are keen to help wherever possible and your room is bigger than many apartments.

I would still shy away from staying in a cramped room for any length of time – but happily for us that couldn’t have been further from the truth on this occasion.