University Arms is one of Cambridge’s most atmospheric settings for a Christmas party. As the city’s oldest hotel, it offers stunning, Edwardian architecture with a lively spirit: a combination that feels particularly well suited to festive gatherings that call for a little grandeur.
At Christmas, the Ballroom comes into its own. Wood-panelled walls, stained-glass windows adorned with college crests and views across wintery Parker’s Piece create a setting that feels both stately and inviting. The room can host up to 180 guests seated or 200 standing, making it ideal for larger corporate Christmas dinners, end-of-year receptions or black-tie celebrations.
For smaller festive gatherings, the Ballroom can be divided into The Crick and The Watson, more intimate rooms that retain the character of the main hall. These spaces are well suited to team Christmas lunches, alumni dinners or private parties where conversation and atmosphere matter as much as the menu.
Speaking of menus, food is a highlight. The hotel’s culinary team crafts bespoke festive options, drawing inspiration from Parker’s Tavern, the in-house brasserie known for its creative take on British classics. Think starters such as smoked salmon with caperberries and chive cream or ham hock croquettes with celeriac remoulade, followed by comforting mains like Gressingham duck breast with grand marnier sauce, carrot, spring onion and orange segments or oven-roasted Norfolk chicken on lemon butter sauce, pumpkin seeds and grapefruit. Desserts such as Cambridge burnt cream or chocolate mousse provide an indulgent finish - exactly the kind of dishes that suit a long December evening. As for drinks, the creative cocktail menu provides lots of libation inspiration, with concoctions such as Sir Jack’s Bait, made with Havana 7* Ojo de Tigre Joven Tobala/Espadin, toasted fennel seed and Peychaud’s and orange bitters.
And, with 189 bedrooms on site, University Arms also allows Christmas parties to extend into the night. Guests can settle into light-filled rooms overlooking Regent Street, avoiding the late train scramble altogether.