With the solar shining on its historic faculties, there are few UK cities as beautiful as Cambridge (though Oxford all the time has a particular place in my coronary heart) – and with some implausible issues to do in Cambridge with children, it’s superb for households.
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Should you’re in search of a household metropolis break that received’t break the bank, Cambridge is especially good, with some nice free museums, household pleasant sights and a centre that’s straightforward to stroll round.
After an sudden last-minute journey for work (reviewing The Fellows Home lodge with my daughter), I used to be reminded that with quick trains to Kings Cross, it’s a very easy day journey from London as properly.
Discover the Dinky Doorways
Top-of-the-line issues to do in Cambridge with children is to walk – ambling down little aspect streets, previous a number of the beautiful outdated buildings, alongside the river, by {the marketplace}.
My daughter is all the time happier if she has a aim quite than meandering randomly although, so the quirky mini path of Dinky Doorways went straight to the highest of our record.
These miniature sculptures are hidden in plain sight – hidden properly sufficient that it’s properly value getting the path map – and all designed with a way of enjoyable.
The Teleport-o-matic was one in every of my favourites (solely 3p to teleport 3 yards), in addition to the on a regular basis treasures of Marvel Emporium and the very sudden inhabitant of 10 1/4 Downing Avenue, a mini duplicate of the well-known black Downing Avenue door.
There are doorways being added on a regular basis, so preserve checking again to see the tiny portals to new worlds which pop up.
Comply with a Treasure Path
One other nice solution to see Cambridge on foot is to comply with a treasure hunt path across the metropolis, and there are a number of totally different choices to choose from.
The Treasure Map Trails assortment contains two totally different routes for Cambridge – select from a space-themed map across the Cambridge faculties, or one other of the centre of Cambridge, with 10% off utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS.
Children have to preserve their eyes open for a number of the quirky indicators, statues and different sights as you go, plus there are a string of info to study alongside the best way.
We’ve accomplished varied related trails which led us to the stunning fashions of Cambridge close to St Mary the Nice, in addition to to stare upon a number of the ornament on Trinity School (wrongly, because it turned out, however I’m nonetheless glad we did!) and launched us to a couple of town’s well-known names.
Go to a school
There are 31 totally different faculties in Cambridge and when you can’t pop in and take a peek at all of them, there are numerous methods to get a glimpse inside their partitions.
There’s a free strolling tour of Cambridge from Footprints Excursions, so you’ll be able to be part of the group to study extra in regards to the metropolis and a few of its historical past and traditions.
Additionally they run non-public household excursions, in addition to a string of different firms providing group excursions of Cambridge which can take you inside a number of the faculties.
Should you want to go at your individual tempo, do that self-guided audio tour, narrated by a former Cambridge scholar.
And a number of the faculties open to the general public too in case your coronary heart is about on seeing a selected one – instances range, some cost an entrance price, and numbers are sometimes restricted. However it’s value checking their particular person web sites to see whether or not you’ll be allowed to look inside.
Kings School does have a price however you’ll be able to ebook on-line upfront and it contains an opportunity to see the attractive chapel, whereas Pembroke is open most days (some restrictions in examination time) as is Trinity School.
Go punting
I’ve very fond reminiscences of punting alongside the river with pals – however in the event you’d want to take a seat again and take in the views, it’s straightforward to seek out an choice the place another person does the arduous work of punting Cambridge’s waterways.
Helpful too in the event you’re travelling solo with children: my daughter is comfortable to assist paddling a kayak, however there’s no manner smaller children might handle the punt’s pole, and it’s much less enjoyable in the event you don’t get a relaxation at any level!
This 45-minute punting tour is nice for shorter consideration spans, however lengthy sufficient to see a number of the faculties from the water and leaves from close to Jesus Inexperienced, whereas this 50-minute chauffeured punting choice is nice for greater teams.
Or Scudamore’s Punting boasts of being the primary to convey pleasure punting to town, and has each boat rent and tour choices.
Take a hop-on hop-off bus tour
With its pedestrianised slim streets, there’s no query that loads of Cambridge is healthier seen on foot, however for a straightforward solution to see a number of the highlights, the hop-on hop-off bus tour is nice for drained legs.
Taking you to a number of the sights outdoors town centre, in addition to previous the universities and river, the whole route lasts round 80 minutes.
There are additionally household tickets out there for as much as three kids aged five-15 (children aged 4 and underneath are free… however might have to take a seat in your knee if the bus is busy).
Climb Nice St Mary’s Tower
Expertise a number of the most superb panoramic views over Cambridge by climbing to the highest of Nice St Mary’s Tower, the excessive level of the historic College Church.
From the particular remark platform on the tower, you’ll get unbeatable views out over the rooftops to Kings School Chapel and lots of the different historic school buildings.
The 123 steps that make up the round staircase to the highest of the tower are pretty steep however nonetheless manageable even with children. Simply take it gradual and regular, particularly when descending.
Tickets are on sale within the church reward store, and don’t must be prebooked: final entry is half an hour earlier than closing time.
Do have a look contained in the medieval church when you’re there too, which has been the college church since 1209, or cease to refuel within the Michaelhouse cafe, named for one of many outdated Cambridge faculties based in 1323.
Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
If there’s one factor all children love, it’s dinosaurs, proper? And the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences is the go-to place for prehistoric creatures in Cambridge.
One of many string of free museums in Cambridge, this fascinating metropolis centre assortment has a number of full dinosaur skeletons and the cranium of a T-Rex named Stan, in addition to 1000’s of different fossil, rock and mineral specimens.
For households, the child-friendly Cambridge museum additionally has a number of free gallery trails to comply with, puzzle and colouring stations and exercise packs with a number of extra at-home actions.
You now not have to prebook tickets – remember that the museum is closed on Sundays, in the event you’re visiting Cambridge with children at a weekend.
Museum of Zoology
A part of the College of Cambridge’s Division of Zoology, the Museum of Zoology showcases the range of animal life the world over.
One other of the free issues to do in Cambridge with children, you’ll be able to uncover 1000’s of specimens inside, from tiny bugs to a 21-metre Fin whale, that are used for educational examine by researchers and college students.
The world-class assortment contains specimens found by Charles Darwin himself and the skeleton of an extinct Dodo hen.
For mini zoologists, there are some nice trails (additionally free!) to comply with across the galleries, together with rainbow of colors, aimed on the youngest guests, and the highlights path.
There are sometimes talks and different family-friendly occasions, though the explorer luggage will not be at the moment out there to borrow. Closed on Mondays (besides financial institution holidays).
Cambridge Science Centre
Sitting on the outskirts of the historic metropolis centre close to the prepare station, the Cambridge Science Centre is right for getting palms on.
Designed with the needs of encouraging kids and younger folks to get extra concerned with science, know-how, engineering and maths (STEM), the interactive shows on the small science centre make it among the best museums in Cambridge for youths.
Together with a spread of interactive exhibitions, there are some enjoyable issues to do together with hands-on actions and attention-grabbing child-friendly reveals, plus talks to take a look at at weekends and through college holidays too (no have to prebook).
From constructing DNA sequences to discovering fossils and strolling in area, there’s hundreds to maintain children engaged with enthusiastic workers available to encourage you to experiment.
Entry will get you an annual cross (no single go to choice) priced £20 for adults, £7.50-£15 for youths and have to be booked on-line upfront. You’ll be able to try what’s on right here too.
Museum of Archeology and Anthropology
Subsequent door to the Sedgwick Museum, you’ll additionally discover the College’s Museum of Archeology and Anthropology which appears again over two million years of human historical past.
One other free Cambridge museum, it’s full of cool and strange artefacts, together with large totem poles from Canada, a full skeleton of a Roman girl, early African stone instruments and spears thrown by Captain Cook dinner on his voyages to the Pacific.
There are even some freeze-dried potatoes from Peru that are a minimum of 500 years outdated.
If that’s not sufficient to seize your children’ creativeness, there are particular trails to comply with, together with Missed Treasures which is appropriate for households with younger kids, together with trails based mostly round masks.
With its emphasis on totally different cultures and folks the world over, the Museum of Anthropology and Archeology is an interesting place to go to with older kids and teenagers too. Closed on Mondays.
Fitzwilliam Museum
Should you solely go to one museum in Cambridge with children, the Fitzwilliam Museum is the College of Cambridge’s most important museum website, containing artwork and antiquities from totally different cultures all over the world.
One other free Cambridge museum, the exhibitions have some nice child-friendly crowd-pleasers like historical Egyptian coffins and a wrapped mummy, to a big armoury with medieval knights displayed on horseback and a whole lot of historic weapons, together with the artwork galleries.
Plus there are common momentary exhibitions, so that you’ll all the time discover one thing new once you go to, together with free museum trails to choose up as you discover – you’re inspired to convey your individual pencils to sketch what you see as properly.
The museum has additionally been shortlisted as Finest Accessible Museum within the Children in Museums Household Pleasant Museum Awards for its work to incorporate kids with particular academic wants and disabilities.
Admission is free and you may simply stroll in, though prebooking is suggested at busy instances to keep away from queueing. Closed on Mondays (besides financial institution holidays).
Scott Polar Analysis Institute
One of many extra uncommon locations to go to in Cambridge with children, the Polar Museum on the Scott Polar Analysis Institute is fascinating in the event you’re within the expeditions to a number of the most inhospitable elements of our planet – in addition to for younger environmentalists.
In addition to seeing a number of the unique maps, diaries and garments worn by polar explorers to each the Arctic and Antarctic, children can get palms on by attempting on a couple of outfits, whereas there’s additionally info on how the poles are being affected by local weather change, with new analysis from the Institute’s scientists.
There’s an audio information aimed toward children as properly (plus one for adults) to offer extra details about a number of the most important gadgets within the assortment. Free to enter, closed Sundays and Mondays (together with Financial institution Holidays).
Cambridge Botanic Gardens
Whereas the museums in Cambridge are nice regardless of the climate, when the solar shines there are some nice locations to get outdoor with children in Cambridge – and among the best is a go to to the attractive Cambridge College Botanic Gardens.
Unfold over a formidable 40 acres not removed from the station (and strolling distance from town centre), Cambridge’s Botanical Backyard is house to a group of over 8,000 plant species from everywhere in the world.
There are many actions to maintain the children occupied within the gardens too, together with self-led household trails and particular seasonal occasions resembling treasure hunts, arts and craft stations, and drop-in academic periods for youths.
Don’t overlook your digital camera for some nice household picture ops too. Children 16 and underneath go free, grownup tickets value from £9.50.
Calm down on Jesus Inexperienced
One of many few drawbacks to visiting Cambridge with children is that it does get busy with vacationers in peak season – so if you wish to escape the crowds within the streets, head north to sprawling Jesus Inexperienced.
The big inexperienced area runs alongside the River Cam, making it a stunning place to take a seat and watch the punts and geese float by for some time.
The park additionally has a playground for smaller kids, a picnic space and a kiosk promoting drinks and ice cream.
And if it’s a very scorching day, there’s even an open-air swimming pool so that you can get pleasure from – open year-round, wetsuits really helpful when the temperature drops beneath 14C.
Be a part of a Cambridge Ghost Tour
Older children and teenagers with an curiosity in all issues spooky will love listening to tales of town’s frightful previous and modern-day hauntings on a Cambridge Ghost Tour.
Whereas Cambridge is finest identified for its historic college, town additionally has a repute for being one of the crucial haunted locations within the UK with a historical past of apparitions spanning all the best way again to the thirteenth century.
Lots of the Cambridge Schools have their very own ghosts, most of that are stated to be previous college students or professors who died on the faculty grounds, to not point out wandering Civil Battle Troopers and the well-known demon canine often known as Black Shuck.
Cambridge Ghost Excursions are appropriate for kids however with its spinechilling tales, this one is finest fitted to older kids and teenagers.
Ice cream at Jack’s Gelato
On a sunny day (or a cloudy one, if my daughter will get the possibility), you’ll be able to’t beat an ice cream. And whereas Jack’s Gelato isn’t the most cost effective in Cambridge, it’s simply among the best.
With two totally different places – Bene’t Avenue and All Saints Passage – there are some fabulous flavours to select from.
Darkish chocolate and sea salt was arduous to beat, however you will discover mint stracciatella, yuzu sorbet or ginger juice and fudge ripple amongst others.
There’s even an choice to leap the queue (which might get fairly lengthy on sunny days) at Bene’t Avenue, in the event you order through the web site..
Cake at Fitzbillies
A Cambridge establishment, there’s now a department of Fitzbillies in Bridge Avenue and on in King’s Parade to affix the unique in Trumpington Avenue, based in 1920.
Most well-known for its sticky Chelsea buns (they make round 200,000 per yr), you’ll be able to seize one to remove or sit down within the cafe to relaxation your toes and refuel.
There’s afternoon tea as properly which you’ll eat in at Trumpington Avenue or get to remove to take out on a punt or get pleasure from as a picnic – assured to get the thumbs up from the entire household.
For extra concepts of issues to do when you’re visiting Cambridge with children, you’re solely round half an hour from Ely, with the attractive Ely cathedral in addition to Nationwide Belief website Wimpole Corridor (try my go to throughout an East Anglia street journey) and Saffron Walden in close by Essex
*First revealed 2021, up to date 2026*
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Punting/Fitzwilliam Museum photographs courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
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