Skip to main content
Welcomehome Relocations Destination Login
  • Welcome to
    ​Cambridge  

Especially For You!

All About Cambridge

Cambridge is a thriving, diverse city located in southwestern Ontario. Cambridge is united by its heritage, rivers, cultures and common future.

The City of Cambridge has a rich cultural history which is reflected in the picturesque limestone buildings. Located at the convergence of the Grand River and the Speed River, Cambridge has four distinct centres: Galt, Hespeler, Preston and Blair. 


Cambridge offers live theatre, museums and Canada’s longest continually operating farmers’ market. 


The City of Cambridge has a population of 138,479 (2021 census).


Transportation

Located along Canada's major highway, Highway 401, Cambridge is close to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), three airports and several United States border crossings.

 Bus

Grand River Transit (GRT) is the public transit system within the Region of Waterloo. It operates daily bus services, primarily in the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo. 

By Air

The Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) is located in Breslau just minutes from Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. Toronto’s Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is located approximately 45 minutes from the Region. 

Geography

Cambridge as a city covers land area of 112.82 square kilometres. The coordinates are latitude 43 degrees 23' N, longitude 80 degrees 15' W, with an elevation of approximately 300 metres.


Cambridge is located in Southwestern Ontario at the convergence of the Grand and Speed Rivers, and along the Galt and Paris Moraines. The river value is host to a stretch of the Grand River Forest, containing Carolinian forest species rare to Canada, such as tulip trees, and black walnut. The surrounding geography is used for agricultural purposes, interspersed with a mixture of northern and southern forest species known as the Carolinian-Canadian Transitional Biotic Province. The network of River Trails allows for hiking and biking enthusiasts to enjoy the Grand River's natural assets, which include rare ferns, Carolinian forest species, limestone bluff outcroppings and sensitive wetlands.


Government

Cambridge is governed by a Mayor and 8 Councillors


Social Insurance Number

Banking
in 
​Canada

Ontario Driver's License

Click here for more information

Ontario
Health Insurance

Emergency Services

Call 911 if you require fire, police, or an ambulance!

Health811

Phone: 811 or 1-866-797-0000 or visit: Website

  Health 811 is a free, confidential telephone service you can call to get health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse 24 hours a day 7 days per week. This is a qualified health professional, who can assess your symptoms and help you decide your best first step. They can help you decide whether to care for yourself, make an appointment with your doctor, go to a clinic, contact a community service or go to a hospital emergency room.     

Health811 has also added an online chat option. 


Where to Stay & Eat

Things to See
and DO

City of Cambridge​

Hospitals
and Clinics

History of Cambridge​

Transportation

Religion

Childcare

Education

The schools in Cambridge are operated by 3 different public school boards:


Waterloo Region District School Board

The WRDSB is one of the larger district school boards in Ontario and operates 26 elementary and 5 secondary schools in Cambridge. 

 

Waterloo Catholic District School Board

The WCDSB is the corporate body overseeing the Waterloo Region’s catholic schools. There are 15 elementary and 2 secondary schools under this school board in Cambridge. 

 

Mon Avenir Conseil Scolaire Catholique

The Mon Avenir Catholic School Board is the Catholic separate French language school board for the Greater Golden Horseshoe area which includes the Region of Waterloo. They have 1 elementary and 1 high school in Cambridge. 


Private School Listing

For a detailed list of the private schools in Cambridge and the surrounding areas, please visit: www.ourkids.net


Post Secondary

Ontario's publicly funded postsecondary education system is made up of 20 universities, 24 colleges of applied arts and technology and other facilities. Ontario has some of the best programs, offered by renowned experts, in the world.


Colleges

Colleges offer a range of programs: certificate programs that are one-year or less, two- to three-year diplomas, apprenticeships, and degrees. Some colleges also offer programs in partnership with a university to grant both a degree and a diploma. 

A list of Ontario colleges can be found at Ontario Colleges.

 

Universities

Publicly funded universities offer three and four-year undergraduate degrees, as well as post-graduate and professional programs.

 

Some universities offer partnerships with a college to grant a degree and a diploma concurrently. Co-op programs are also available.

 

Admission Requirements

Each Ontario university sets its own admission standards. These vary depending on the type of degree, program and your personal situation (e.g., enrolling in a program for the first time versus applying as a mature student). Please contact a school directly to see what you need to apply.

 

For information on applications, please visit the Ontario University Application Centre.

 

A list of the Universities in Ontario can be found by visiting: Ontario's public universities. 



   

Recreation

The City of Cambridge Parks, Recreation and Culture Department offers a variety of programs and activities for its residents. For more information on their programs, please visit Recreation and Programs.

 The City of Cambridge maintains 12 recreational facilities across the City, including indoor and outdoor poolsarenasbanquet halls and older adult community centres. A detailed list of their facilities can be viewed online here.  

 

Parks and Trails

The City of Cambridge has more than 365 hectares of parkland. A number of these  parks have picnic areas and playing fieldsCambridge has over 50 km of natural and urban trails throughout the city and 18 km of these trails travel along the historic Speed and Grand Rivers. Learn more about the Cambridge trail system (pdf download).

 

Conservation areas

Conservation areas within Cambridge include Shade's Mills park, Dumfries Conservation Area, Chilligo Conservation Area and Valens Conservation Area.


Cambridge Calendar of Events/Special Events

 To find out what’s going on in Cambridge, please visit: Calendar of Events or Special Events and Festivals


Arts & Culture

Cambridge Centre for the Arts

60 Dickson Street Website

Cambridge, ON Phone: 519-740-4681 ext #4376

 Cambridge Centre for the Arts (CCA) encourages appreciation for the arts. 

 

Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge

 The Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge offers great live theatre all-year-round. The theatre hosts events presented by Drayton Entertainment, private performances and events by other presenters.


Shopping

Cambridge Centre

355 Hespeler Road 

Cambridge, ON Website

 Cambridge Centre features over 700,000 square feet of shops and services. Featuring clothing stores, restaurants and a food court, health and beauty stores, jewelry, gift shops, entertainment and more, Cambridge Centre is conveniently located on Hespeler Road, just minutes from Hwy 401.

 

Downtown Cambridge

55 Ainslie Street North

Cambridge, ON Website

 Historic downtown Cambridge – formerly known as Galt – features unique shops and specialty retailers, diverse restaurants, as well as business and professional service providers.  Also located in this area of the city is the Cambridge Farmers’ Market. Operating since 1830, it is one of the oldest markets in Canada and features fresh local food, homemade crafts, and other unique items.

 

Preston Towne Centre

761 King Street, East
Cambridge, ON N3H-3N8 

Preston Towne Centre is a people and pedestrian-friendly place, with a walkable core, inviting streetscape and community vibe. People of all ages to come here to shop, spend time, and enjoy themselves. Centrally located in Cambridge, Preston Towne Centre is home to boutique retail shopsrestaurants and more.                                                                                   

Area Videos