The Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial site in England, 30.5 acres in total, was donated by the University of Cambridge. It lies on a slope with the west and south sides framed by woodland. The cemetery contains the remains of 3,812 of our military dead; 5,127 names are recorded on the Tablets of the Missing. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified. Most died in the Battle of the Atlantic or in the strategic air bombardment of northwest Europe.
From the flagpole platform near the main entrance, the great mall with its reflecting pools stretches eastward. It is from the mall that the wide, sweeping curve of the burial area across the lawn is best appreciated. Along the south side are the Tablets of the Missing, and at the far end is the memorial with a chapel, two huge military maps, stained glass windows bearing the state seals and military decorations, and a mosaic ceiling memorial honoring the dead of our air forces.
The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except December 25 and January 1. It is open on host country holidays. When the cemetery is open to the public, a staff member is on duty in the visitor building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
Cambridge American Cemetery is situated 3 miles west of the university city of Cambridge, England, on highway A-1303 and 60 miles north of London. By automobile from London it takes less than 2 hours. Cambridge may also be reached by railroad from King's Cross and Liverpool Street stations. Travel time is about 1 hour; train service is frequent. Taxicab service is available at Cambridge station. There are excellent hotels in the city.
Construction on the new visitor center at Cambridge American Cemetery began in August 2012. The cemetery will remain open throughout construction, although the main cemetery entrance will be closed. Access to the cemetery will be relocated temporarily onto the road from Coton crossroads to the village of Madingley. View a map to see this temporary entrance.
