With the solar shining on its historic schools, 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 incredible issues to do in Cambridge with youngsters, it’s ultimate 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 simple 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
Among the best issues to do in Cambridge with youngsters is to walk – ambling down little facet streets, previous a number of the attractive previous buildings, alongside the river, by {the marketplace}.
My daughter is all the time happier if she has a purpose moderately than meandering randomly although, so the quirky mini path of Dinky Doorways went straight to the highest of our checklist.
These miniature sculptures are hidden in plain sight – hidden properly sufficient that it’s properly price getting the path map – and all designed with a way of enjoyable.
The Teleport-o-matic was one among 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 Road, a mini reproduction of the well-known black Downing Road 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.
Observe 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 completely different choices to select from.
The Treasure Map Trails assortment consists of two completely different routes for Cambridge – select from a space-themed map across the Cambridge schools, 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 details to study alongside the way in which.
Or take a look at the vary of Treasure Trails, with 5 choices to select from. We adopted the Cambridge Central path, which included just a few Prime Trumps stats on a number of of the universities we handed, so that you get a mini potted historical past alongside the way in which.
It additionally 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 some of town’s well-known names.
Go to a school
There are 31 completely different schools 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 a part of the group to study extra concerning the metropolis and a few of its historical past and traditions.
In addition they run non-public household excursions, in addition to a string of different firms providing group excursions of Cambridge which is able to take you inside a number of the schools.
Should you want to go at your individual tempo, do this self-guided audio tour, narrated by a former Cambridge pupil.
And a number of the schools open to the general public too in case your coronary heart is ready on seeing a specific one – occasions range, some cost an entrance payment, and numbers are sometimes restricted. Nevertheless it’s price checking their particular person web sites to see whether or not you’ll be allowed to look inside.
Kings School does have a payment however you’ll be able to e-book on-line prematurely and it consists of an opportunity to see the gorgeous chapel, whereas Pembroke is open most days (some restrictions in examination time) as is Trinity School.
Go punting
I’ve very fond recollections of punting alongside the river with mates – however should you’d want to take a seat again and take in the views, it’s simple to seek out an choice the place another person does the onerous work of punting Cambridge’s waterways.
Helpful too should you’re travelling solo with youngsters: my daughter is joyful to assist paddling a kayak, however there’s no approach she may handle the punt’s pole, and it’s much less enjoyable should 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 schools from the water and leaves from close to Jesus Inexperienced, whereas this 50-minute chauffeured punting choice is nice for larger 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 plenty of Cambridge is best 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 exterior town centre, in addition to previous the universities and river, your complete route lasts round 80 minutes.
There are additionally household tickets accessible for as much as three kids aged five-15 (youngsters 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 wonderful 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 most of the different historic faculty buildings.
The 123 steps that make up the round staircase to the highest of the tower are pretty steep however nonetheless manageable even with youngsters. 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 previous Cambridge schools based in 1323.
Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
If there’s one factor all youngsters 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 plenty of extra at-home actions.
You not have to prebook tickets – the museum is closed on Sundays, should you’re visiting Cambridge with youngsters at a weekend.
Museum of Zoology
A part of the College of Cambridge’s Division of Zoology, the Museum of Zoology showcases the variety of animal life internationally.
One other of the free issues to do in Cambridge with youngsters, 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 research by researchers and college students.
The world-class assortment consists of specimens found by Charles Darwin himself and the skeleton of an extinct Dodo fowl.
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 baggage should not at the moment accessible to borrow. Closed on Mondays (besides financial institution holidays).
Cambridge Science Centre
Sitting on the outskirts of the historic metropolis centre close to the practice 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, expertise, engineering and maths (STEM), the interactive shows on the small science centre make it among the best museums in Cambridge for teenagers.
Together with a variety of interactive exhibitions, there are some enjoyable issues to do together with hands-on actions and attention-grabbing child-friendly exhibits, 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 masses to maintain youngsters engaged with enthusiastic workers readily available to encourage you to experiment.
Entry will get you an annual go (no single go to choice) priced £20 for adults, £7.50-£15 for teenagers and should be booked on-line prematurely. You may take a look at 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 seems to be again over two million years of human historical past.
One other free Cambridge museum, it’s filled with cool and strange artefacts, together with large totem poles from Canada, a full skeleton of a Roman lady, 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 no less than 500 years previous.
If that’s not sufficient to seize your youngsters’ creativeness, there are particular trails to comply with, together with Neglected Treasures which is appropriate for households with younger kids, together with trails primarily based round masks.
With its emphasis on completely different cultures and other people internationally, the Museum of Anthropology and Archeology is a captivating place to go to with older kids and youths too. Closed on Mondays.
Fitzwilliam Museum
Should you solely go to one museum in Cambridge with youngsters, the Fitzwilliam Museum is the College of Cambridge’s major museum website, containing artwork and antiquities from completely different cultures world wide.
One other free Cambridge museum, the exhibitions have some nice child-friendly crowd-pleasers like historic Egyptian coffins and a wrapped mummy, to a big armoury with medieval knights displayed on horseback and lots of 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 select 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 instructional wants and disabilities.
Admission is free and you may simply stroll in, though prebooking is suggested at busy occasions 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 youngsters, the Polar Museum on the Scott Polar Analysis Institute is fascinating should 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 authentic maps, diaries and garments worn by polar explorers to each the Arctic and Antarctic, youngsters can get palms on by attempting on just a few outfits, whereas there’s additionally data on how the poles are being affected by local weather change, with new analysis from the Institute’s scientists.
There’s an audio information geared toward youngsters as properly (plus one for adults) to present 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 outside with youngsters in Cambridge – and among the best is a go to to the gorgeous 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 residence 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 equivalent to treasure hunts, arts and craft stations, and drop-in instructional classes for teenagers.
Don’t neglect your digital camera for some nice household picture ops too. Children go free, grownup tickets value from £8.50.
Chill out on Jesus Inexperienced
One of many few drawbacks to visiting Cambridge with youngsters 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 sizzling day, there’s even an open-air swimming pool so that you can take pleasure in – open year-round, wetsuits really helpful when the temperature drops beneath 14C.
Be part of a Cambridge Ghost Tour
Older youngsters and youths 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 greatest identified for its historic college, town additionally has a fame for being one of the haunted locations within the UK with a historical past of apparitions spanning all the way in which again to the thirteenth century.
Lots of the Cambridge Schools have their very own ghosts, most of that are mentioned to be previous college students or professors who died on the faculty grounds, to not point out wandering Civil Conflict Troopers and the well-known demon canine referred to as Black Shuck.
Cambridge Ghost Excursions are appropriate for kids however with its spinechilling tales, this one is greatest suited to older kids and youths.
Ice cream at Jack’s Gelato
On a sunny day (or a cloudy one, if my daughter will get the prospect), you’ll be able to’t beat an ice cream. And whereas Jack’s Gelato isn’t the most affordable in Cambridge, it’s simply among the best.
With two completely different areas – Bene’t Road and All Saints Passage – there are some fabulous flavours to select from.
Darkish chocolate and sea salt was onerous to beat, however yow will discover mint stracciatella, yuzu sorbet or ginger juice and fudge ripple amongst others.
There’s even an choice to leap the queue (which may get fairly lengthy on sunny days) at Bene’t Road, should you order by way of the web site..
Cake at Fitzbillies
A Cambridge establishment, there’s now a department of Fitzbillies in Bridge Road and on in King’s Parade to affix the unique in Trumpington Road, based in 1920.
Most well-known for its sticky Chelsea buns (they make round 200,000 per 12 months), you’ll be able to seize one to remove or sit down within the cafe to relaxation your ft and refuel.
There’s afternoon tea as properly which you’ll eat in at Trumpington Road or get to remove to take out on a punt or take pleasure in 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 youngsters, you’re solely round half an hour from Ely, with the gorgeous Ely cathedral in addition to Nationwide Belief website Wimpole Corridor (take a look at my go to throughout an East Anglia street journey) and Saffron Walden in close by Essex
*First printed 2021, up to date 2025*
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Punting/Fitzwilliam Museum pictures courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
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