University Arms Cambridge reopens today

The University Arms, Cambridge’s most historic hotel, has officially relaunched after a major two year, £80 million refurbishment and design collaboration between renowned interior designer, Martin Brudnizki and legendary classical architect, John Simpson.

Join Cambridge Network to celebrate its 21st anniversary at the first business event to be held in the newly refurbished University Arms ballroom on Monday 3rd September 6-8pm. Find out more about the party here.


The University Arms, Cambridge,is a landmark hotel located in the historic heart of the city, overlooking Parker's Piece. First opened in 1834, it has now reopened after a two year, £80m transformation.

University Arms is home to 192 beautiful and ‘playfully’ designed rooms and suites. Each suite is complete with private library curated by Heywood Hill, helping to retain a classically Cambridge feel and many on the top floor have access to private balconies overlooking Parker’s Piece, with bathrooms located inside the original domed turrets. The hotel also boasts a destination restaurant, bar, library, event space, underground valet car park and gym. The hotel will be quintessentially English and the literary and academic spirit of Cambridge will be one of its defining characteristics.

DESIGN

The refurbishment has been headed up by legendary classical architect, John Simpson and interior designer of the moment, Martin Brudnizki. John overseen the replacement of the building’s 1960s and ‘70s extensions, restoring the hotel’s façade to its former glory in-keeping with Cambridge’s better-known architectural heritage. University Arms is the first complete hotel project in the UK that Martin Brudnizki has worked on. He has been mindful to create an environment reminiscent of school days past, lazy afternoons spent on the banks of the River Cam and the raucous revelry of students.

DINING

Parker’s Tavern, by Chef Tristan Welch, is the hotel’s destination restaurant inspired by the communal dining halls synonymous with Cambridge Colleges. It is an English tavern serving locally sourced, seasonal food, with every dish designed to be a whimsical re-imagining of a British classic, sourced from field, fen and England’s seas. Alongside the 110-cover restaurant, Parker’s Tavern is also home to a 61-cover bar which leads into the hotel’s beautiful library which serves a ‘Historical Cambridge Afternoon Tea’. The Library pays homage to Cambridge’s academic heritage and features a bespoke library curated by Heywood Hill, one of London’s leading bookshops.  

HISTORY

First opened in 1834 as the city’s original hotel sitting on the iconic Parker’s Piece green, the University Arms has played an important role in the history of Cambridge. It was originally built as a coaching inn to provide a resting point for travellers before the development of railway network in Britain. A few years later in 1848, in the shadows of the hotel the defining rules of football were invented by locals playing on Parker’s Piece. The hotel has always been innovative and was the first hotel in city to have electricity, lavatories in each floor, while in 1904 the owner made the risky decision to convert the stable yard into a garage due to the increasingly popularity of the motorcar.

 

www.universityarms.com

 



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