'I live in world famous UK city overrun with tourists - there's nothing else to it'

Steeped in more than 800 years of heritage, Cambridge draws visitors from across the globe to experience its stunning architecture, world-famous educational institutions and distinctly English atmosphere. Nevertheless, residents argue the city centre has become overwhelmed with tourists, with the majority of people "only coming in for work".

Cambridge depends significantly on its tourism and hospitality industries, welcoming 8.1 million visitors annually. The city, whilst historic, is remarkably compact, meaning most tourists typically stay for just one day. Making up nearly a quarter of local employment, the industry is on the increase, yet the locals aren't too happy.

Ray Brenan, a local busker, told Express.co.uk: "Apart from a few old stones and its cobbled streets, I have nothing else nice to say anymore. Take away the universities and there's really nothing else to it, it's overrun with people visiting."

Cambridge is renowned for housing one of the world's finest universities, accommodating more than 25,000 students.

As a collegiate university, with administration split into smaller establishments, pupils reside and learn within their respective colleges.

Among the most celebrated colleges is Kings College, featuring its distinctive chapel architecture and central location.

Lengthy queues form outside the entrance gates along the streets, packed with tourists snapping photographs.

Local market trader Lorain Cheeseman described how "everyone just comes here to visit people at university".

"We get a really huge amount of visitors, everyone is always here on holiday," said Cheeseman. "There are a lot of students in the city, I don't live here anymore, I just come in to work."

Another market trader felt the same, saying she now just comes to work too. "I don't live here and I don't know many people who do nowadays."

The overwhelming majority of tourists that visit Cambridge are day-trippers arriving in heavily packed coaches, large groups of visitors get dropped off, spend a few hours exploring the city, and then get back onto the coaches.

Express trains from London also enable tourists to reach Cambridge in less than an hour.

Nevertheless, some local workers regard the influx of people positively.

"I love selling ice cream to the visitors. Everyone is so nice and really friendly, but it does get very very busy at the stall," said Kristof Santha, a local ice cream stand worker.

Masters student at Cambridge, Muhammad Mudassar, shared this view, saying: "people here are more friendly than other cities, but most people are students here like me".