Cambridge and Colonialism Tour - by Uncomfortable Cambridge™

Overview

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.