The times celebrities have been spotted in Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire is a county its locals proudly champion – and it is also a hotspot for celebrity visits

The city of Cambridge is filled with charm and beauty, which attracts many visitors – including celebrities. Icons Matt Damon and George Clooney working out in a Cambridge gym and a number of A-listers including David Beckham on a punt are just a few of the wealthy and well-known who love our city.

Big names have given residents a surprise many times with their iconic visits. CambridgeshireLive has compiled a selection of spectacular stars who have been spotted over the years.

Matt Damon and George Clooney gave staff a shock at Kelsey Kerridge gym after they turned up to play basketball. At the time, in 2013, they were reportedly filming scenes at the Imperial War Museum Duxford for a World War Two movie, The Monuments Men.

Football legend David Beckham was spotted on the River Cam on a punt in 2015 during a day trip to Cambridge. During their visit, he took his son Brooklyn to meet the renowned scientist Stephen Hawking.

Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden and Tamzin Outhwaite wrapped up warm and also took to the river for Tamzin’s birthday. The pair were spotted to be enjoying a birthday cake as they cruised along the river.

Other stars who have gone punting and enjoyed a lazy cruise in Cambridge include popstar Olly Murs, Sir Tom Jones, Jimmy Carr, Sherlock’s Martin Freeman, and Alien actress Sigourney Weaver.

Former 007 actor, Pierce Brosnan, was once spotted riding a motorbike when he visited the city. In 2004, the couple of Big Brother, Stuart Wilson and Michelle Bass, were also spotted punting.

A few years later, in 2007, James Whale and Lloyd Grossman took a punt with a curry to promote Britain’s Biggest Curry Party in aid of cancer research.

Stephen Fry took to the river on his return to Cambridge to see the university, and his former college, Queens’. According to the Traditional Punting Company, Stephen seemed to be struggling to not fall in the river during his ride.

Punting on the Cam is a long-lived tradition that the city of Cambridge is widely known for. The first punt on the river was built at Chesterton Boatyard in the 20th century, and one of those involved in the work was Maurice Scudamore, an apprentice there. In 1903, he founded the now famous punt hire firm Scudamore’s.