Cambridge is a beautiful historic city known for its rich history and fantastic punting views.

But Cambridge has more to offer than its beautiful scenery.

In fact, there is a whole other side to Cambridge that you might not know about!

Read more: 14 gorgeous dogs looking for their forever homes in Cambs

So to fuel your thirst for knowledge about the place, we've come up with a list of 11 weird and wonderful facts about the city.

1. The first ever game of ‘football’ was played in Cambridge

Obviously we know that people had kicked a ball about before but there were no 'set rules' until 1863 when the university drew up the The 'Cambridge Rules' which influenced the Football Association’s original rules.

For example the original rule that “no player is allowed to loiter between the ball and the adversaries’ goal” formalised the offside rule.

2. Pink Floyd were formed in Cambridge

It's true! One of the world's most famous rock bands was actually formed in Cambridge.

Band members Syd Barrett, Roger Waters and David Gilmour were raised in Cambridge.

In London they met up with Nick Mason and Rick Wright.

But while students here in Cambridge they created the unique Pink Floyd sound.

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3. Cambridge was founded by the Vikings

Long before the students arrived the town had been settled by the Vikings.

They saw the potential of the River Cam for importing and exporting.

The Vikings' vigorous trading habits caused Cambridge to grow rapidly. During this period the centre of the town shifted from Castle Hill on the left bank of the river to the area now known as the Quayside on the right bank

4. Cambridge named its river

Unusually, Cambridge is not named after its river - rather the other way around!

Cambridge was first called ‘Granta Brygg’ because the river was called the Granta.

Then, because the town had become ‘Cambridge’, the assumption was that the river must therefore be the Cam, and so that was what it became!

5. Oliver Cromwell's head could be buried underneath you

Oliver Cromwell died in 1658 and was buried in Westminster Abbey, but when Charles II was restored to the throne three years later, he had his body dug up.

Cromwell’s head was then displayed on a spike for almost 25 years until a storm broke it. It was then buried in a secret Cambridge location.

6. Cambridge hosts one of the biggest folk festivals in the UK

In the summertime Cambridge is host to lots of different festivals but did you know that The Cambridge Folk Festival is one of the longest running and most famous folk festivals in the world?

The festival has won several awards over the last 50 years, including in 2014 the BBC Radio 2 Good Tradition Award.

7. Lord Byron kept a bear in his university accommodation

Aristocrat and poet Lord Byron was a student in Cambridge in the early 1800s.

Byron wanted to keep a pet dog in his university rooms, but this turned out to be against the rules. So he brought a bear with him instead, which was not explicitly banned.

8. The cows on The Midsummer Common have their own Twitter account

Cambridge might be a buzzing 21st century city, but its pastoral origins are still evident in the herds of cows grazing on common land.

The cattle on Midsummer Common are such a fixture of city life that they even have their own Twitter account. .

9. Cambridge University is entitled to a copy of every book that is published


The libraries are filled with first editions and original manuscripts, including the original Winnie the Pooh manuscript!

10. Cambridge has provided a stunning backdrop to many films and TV series

The city has been used as a background for lots of films and tv shows, including Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) and The Theory of Everything (2014), as well as ITV's Grantchester of course.

11. Cambridge has the highest number of cyclists in the UK

About 25 percent of Cambridge residents cycle to work, the highest number in the UK.