With the solar shining on its historic schools, there are few UK cities as pretty as Cambridge (though Oxford all the time has a particular place in my coronary heart) – and with some unbelievable issues to do in Cambridge with youngsters, it’s excellent for households.
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When you’re searching for 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 surprising 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 effectively.
Discover the Dinky Doorways
Among the best issues to do in Cambridge with youngsters is to walk – ambling down little facet streets, previous among the attractive outdated buildings, alongside the river, by means of {the marketplace}.
My daughter is all the time happier if she has a aim moderately than meandering randomly although, so the quirky mini path of Dinky Doorways went straight to the highest of our listing.
These miniature sculptures are hidden in plain sight – hidden effectively sufficient that it’s effectively price getting the path map – and all designed with a way of enjoyable.
The Teleport-o-matic was certainly one of my favourites (solely 3p to teleport 3 yards), in addition to the on a regular basis treasures of Surprise Emporium and the very surprising inhabitant of 10 1/4 Downing Road, a mini duplicate of the well-known black Downing Road door.
There are doorways being added on a regular basis, so hold checking again to see the tiny portals to new worlds which pop up.
Comply with a Treasure Path
One other nice method to see Cambridge on foot is to observe a treasure hunt path across the metropolis, and there are a number of totally different choices to select from.
The Treasure Map Trails assortment contains two totally 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 hold their eyes open for among the quirky indicators, statues and different sights as you go, plus there are a string of information to be taught alongside the way in which.
Or try the vary of Treasure Trails, with 5 choices to select from. We adopted the Cambridge Central path, which included a number of 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 among the ornament on Trinity Faculty (wrongly, because it turned out, however I’m nonetheless glad we did!) and launched us to some of the town’s well-known names.
Go to a school
There are 31 totally 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 may be part of the group to be taught extra in regards to the metropolis and a few of its historical past and traditions.
Additionally they run personal household excursions, in addition to a string of different corporations providing group excursions of Cambridge which can take you inside among the schools.
When you favor to go at your personal tempo, do this self-guided audio tour, narrated by a former Cambridge pupil.
And a few of the universities open to the general public too in case your coronary heart is ready on seeing a specific one – instances differ, some cost an entrance charge, and numbers are sometimes restricted. However it’s price checking their particular person web sites to see whether or not you’ll be allowed to look inside.
Kings Faculty does have a charge however you may guide on-line prematurely and it contains an opportunity to see the attractive chapel, whereas Pembroke is open most days (some restrictions in examination time) as is Trinity Faculty.
Go punting
I’ve very fond reminiscences of punting alongside the river with associates – however for those who’d favor to take a seat again and take in the views, it’s simple to search out an choice the place another person does the onerous work of punting Cambridge’s waterways.
Useful too for those who’re travelling solo with youngsters: my daughter is glad to assist paddling a kayak, however there’s no approach she might handle the punt’s pole, and it’s much less enjoyable for those who don’t get a relaxation at any level!
This 45-minute punting tour is nice for shorter consideration spans, however lengthy sufficient to see among 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 carry pleasure punting to the town, and has each boat rent and tour choices.
Take a hop-on hop-off bus tour
With its pedestrianised slender streets, there’s no query that loads of Cambridge is healthier seen on foot, however for a straightforward method to see among the highlights, the hop-on hop-off bus tour is nice for drained legs.
Taking you to among the sights outdoors the 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 youngsters aged five-15 (youngsters aged 4 and beneath are free… however could have to take a seat in your knee if the bus is busy).
Climb Nice St Mary’s Tower
Expertise among 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 statement platform on the tower, you’ll get unbeatable views out over the rooftops to Kings Faculty 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 youngsters. Simply take it sluggish and regular, particularly when descending.
Tickets are on sale within the church present store, and don’t should 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 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.Â
For households, the child-friendly Cambridge museum additionally has a number of free gallery trails to observe, puzzle and colouring stations and exercise packs with a number of further at-home actions.
You not have to prebook tickets – the museum is closed on Sundays, for those who’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 may uncover 1000’s of specimens inside, from tiny bugs to a 21-metre Fin whale, that are used for tutorial examine by researchers and college students.
The world-class assortment contains 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 observe 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 presently 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 good for getting fingers on.
Designed with the needs of encouraging youngsters 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 probably the greatest museums in Cambridge for teenagers.
Together with a spread of interactive exhibitions, there are some enjoyable issues to do together with hands-on actions and fascinating child-friendly exhibits, plus talks to take a look at at weekends and through faculty holidays too (no have to prebook).
From constructing DNA sequences to discovering fossils and strolling in house, there’s masses to maintain youngsters engaged with enthusiastic workers readily 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 teenagers and have to be booked on-line prematurely. You may try what’s on right here too.
Museum of Archeology and AnthropologyÂ
Subsequent door to the Sedgwick Museum, you’ll additionally discover the College’s Museum of Archeology and Anthropology which appears to be like again over two million years of human historical past.
One other free Cambridge museum, it’s filled with cool and weird artefacts, together with large totem poles from Canada, a full skeleton of a Roman girl, early African stone instruments and spears thrown by Captain Prepare dinner on his voyages to the Pacific.Â
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 youngsters’ creativeness, there are particular trails to observe, together with Ignored Treasures which is appropriate for households with younger youngsters, together with trails primarily based round masks.
With its emphasis on totally different cultures and folks internationally, the Museum of Anthropology and Archeology is a captivating place to go to with older youngsters and teenagers too. Closed on Mondays.
Fitzwilliam Museum
When you solely go to one museum in Cambridge with youngsters, the Fitzwilliam Museum is the College of Cambridge’s primary museum web site, 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 if you go to, together with free museum trails to select up as you discover – you’re inspired to carry your personal pencils to sketch what you see as effectively.
The museum has additionally been shortlisted as Greatest Accessible Museum within the Children in Museums Household Pleasant Museum Awards for its work to incorporate youngsters 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 youngsters, the Polar Museum on the Scott Polar Analysis Institute is fascinating for those who’re within the expeditions to among the most inhospitable elements of our planet – in addition to for younger environmentalists.
In addition to seeing among the unique maps, diaries and garments worn by polar explorers to each the Arctic and Antarctic, youngsters can get fingers on by attempting on a number 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 may be an audio information aimed toward youngsters as effectively (plus one for adults) to present extra details about among the most vital objects 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 open air with youngsters in Cambridge – and probably the greatest 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 the 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 reminiscent of treasure hunts, arts and craft stations, and drop-in academic periods for teenagers.
Don’t neglect your digicam for some nice household photograph ops too. Children go free, grownup tickets value from £8.50.
Loosen up 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.Â
The big inexperienced house 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 youngsters, a picnic space and a kiosk promoting drinks and ice cream.Â
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 beneficial when the temperature drops under 14C.
Join a Cambridge Ghost Tour
Older youngsters and teenagers with an curiosity in all issues spooky will love listening to tales of the town’s frightful previous and modern-day hauntings on a Cambridge Ghost Tour.
Whereas Cambridge is finest recognized for its historic college, the town additionally has a repute for being probably the most haunted locations within the UK with a historical past of apparitions spanning all the way in which again to the thirteenth century.
Most 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 school 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 youngsters however with its spinechilling tales, this one is finest fitted to older youngsters and teenagers.
Ice cream at Jack’s Gelato
On a sunny day (or a cloudy one, if my daughter will get the prospect), you may’t beat an ice cream. And whereas Jack’s Gelato isn’t the most cost effective in Cambridge, it’s simply probably the greatest.
With two totally 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 you’ll find 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, for those who 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 yr), you may seize one to remove or sit down within the cafe to relaxation your toes and refuel.
There’s afternoon tea as effectively which you’ll be able to 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 attractive Ely cathedral in addition to Nationwide Belief web site Wimpole Corridor (try 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 photos courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels