Cambridge is best known for the University of Cambridge, which includes the renowned Cavendish Laboratory, the King's College Chapel, and the Cambridge University Library. The Cambridge skyline is dominated by the last two, along with the chimney of Addenbrooke's Hospital in the far south of the city and St. John's College Chapel tower in the north. Cambridge is renowned as one of England's two great university towns, steeped in history and tradition. It has been described as one of the most beautiful cities in Britain. Today Cambridge is a thriving city of some 100,000 people. (According to the 2001 census, the population was 108,863, including 22,153 students).

 Its commercial heart is surrounded by fine buildings and green open spaces. Cambridge has a wealth of museums and galleries covering a wide range of interests. In the area surrounding Cambridge there are a large number of attractions and places of interest, and London is just an hour away by train. The town is also known for the University sporting events against Oxford, especially the rugby union varsity match and the Boat Race. These are followed by people across the globe, many of whom have no connection to the institutions themselves.

Oxford is a city and local government district in Oxfordshire, England, with a population of 134,248 (2001 census). It is home to the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world.

It is known as the "city of dreaming spires", a term coined by Matthew Arnold in reference to the harmonious architecture of the university buildings. The Oxford suburb of Cowley has a long history of car making, and still produces BMW MINIs.

Oxford has numerous major tourist attractions, many belonging to the university and colleges. As well as several famous institutions, the town centre is home to Carfax Tower and a historical themed ride, The Oxford Story. In the summer, punting on the Thames (sometimes called the Isis as it flows through Oxford) and the Cherwell is popular.

Oxford and the surrounding area is home to an unusual number of highly academic schools, many of which receive pupils from around the world. Some of these are college schools, dating back centuries, which retain their links with the University and have kept the tradition of single sex education. Intellectual rivalry between the pupils of the different schools is frequent but generally good humoured.