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 unbelievable issues to do in Cambridge with children, it’s best for households.
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Should you’re on the lookout for a household metropolis break that gained’t break the bank, Cambridge is especially good, with some nice free museums and a centre that’s straightforward 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 King Cross, it’s a very easy day journey from London as effectively.
Discover the Dinky Doorways
Among the finest 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to do in Cambridge with children is to walk – ambling down little aspect streets, previous a number of the beautiful outdated buildings, alongside the river, by way of {the marketplace}.
My daughter is all the time happier if she has a purpose moderately than meandering randomly although, so after we had been instructed concerning the mini path of Dinky Doorways, this 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 (there’s a tour too should you fancy) – 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 Surprise Emporium and the very surprising inhabitant of 10 1/4 Downing Road, a mini reproduction of the well-known black Downing Road door.
Comply with a Treasure Path
One other nice strategy to see Cambridge on foot is to observe one of many Treasure Trails across the metropolis – there are 5 to select from.
Our Cambridge Central path 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 best way.
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 Faculty (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 completely different schools in Cambridge and whilst 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 possibly can be a part of the group to be taught extra concerning 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 a number of the schools.
Should you favor to go at your individual tempo, do that self-guided audio tour, narrated by a former Cambridge pupil.
And a few of the universities open to the general public too – occasions fluctuate, some cost an entrance price, and numbers could also be extra restricted at current. But it surely’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 price however you possibly can e-book on-line upfront and it contains an opportunity to see the gorgeous 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 pals – however should you’d favor to take a seat again and absorb the views, it’s straightforward to search out an possibility the place another person does the exhausting work.
Useful too should you’re travelling solo with children: my daughter is glad to assist paddling a kayak, however there’s no method she might 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 possibility is nice for larger teams.
Or Scudamore’s Punting boasts of being the primary to carry pleasure punting to town, and have each boat rent and tour choices.
Take a hop-on hop-off bus tour
With its pedestrianised slender streets, there’s no query that plenty of Cambridge is healthier seen on foot, however for a simple strategy 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 takes round 80 minutes.
There are additionally household tickets obtainable for as much as three youngsters aged five-15 (children 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 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 Faculty 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 children. Simply take it gradual and regular, particularly when descending.
Tickets are on sale within the church present 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 whilst 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 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 hundreds of different fossil, rock and mineral specimens.
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 numerous extra at-home actions.
Prebook your free ticket on-line right here.
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 possibly can uncover hundreds of specimens inside, from tiny bugs to a 21m Fin whale, that are used for tutorial research 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 observe across the galleries, together with rainbow of colors, aimed on the youngest guests, and the highlights path.
There are usually explorer baggage to borrow too, together with talks and different family-friendly occasions though these are usually not presently an possibility.
Cambridge Science Centre
Sitting on the outskirts of the historic metropolis centre close to the practice 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, expertise, engineering and maths (STEM), the interactive shows on the small science centre make it top-of-the-line museums in Cambridge for teenagers.
Together with a spread of interactive exhibitions, there are some enjoyable hands-on actions and fascinating child-friendly exhibits and 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 area, there’s hundreds to maintain children engaged with enthusiastic employees available to encourage you to experiment.
Tickets price £5 for adults, £4.50 for teenagers, and you’ll take a look at what’s on right here.
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 to be like 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 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 outdated.
If that’s not sufficient to seize your children’ creativeness, there are particular trails to observe, together with Missed Treasures which is appropriate for households with younger youngsters, together with trails primarily based round masks.
With its emphasis on completely different cultures and folks the world over, the Museum of Anthropology and Archeology is an interesting place to go to with older youngsters and teenagers too.
Fitzwilliam Museum
Should you solely go to one museum in Cambridge with children, the Fitzwilliam Museum is the College of Cambridge’s essential museum website, containing artwork and antiquities from completely different cultures all over the world.
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.
Plus there are common short-term 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 carry your individual 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.
Have to be prebooked, with free admission tickets obtainable a few months upfront.
Cambridge Botanic Gardens
Nonetheless good the museums in Cambridge, there are some nice locations to get outside with children in Cambridge – and top-of-the-line is a go to to the gorgeous Cambridge College Botanic Gardens.
Unfold over a powerful 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 all around the world.
There are many actions to maintain the youngsters occupied within the gardens too, together with self-led household trails and particular seasonal occasions corresponding to treasure hunts, arts and craft stations, and drop-in academic periods for teenagers.
Don’t neglect your digital camera for some nice household photograph ops too. Children go free, grownup tickets price from £6.30.
Loosen up 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 massive inexperienced area runs alongside the River Cam, making it a beautiful 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.
And if it’s a very sizzling day, there’s even an open-air swimming pool (open solely throughout the summer season months) so that you can take pleasure in.
Join 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 recognized for its historic college, town additionally has a fame for being some of the 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 aged 5 plus 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 possibility), you possibly can’t beat an ice cream. And whereas Jack’s Gelato isn’t the most affordable in Cambridge, it’s simply top-of-the-line.
With two completely different places – Bene’t Road and All Saints Passage – there are some fabulous flavours to select from.
Darkish chocolate and sea salt was exhausting 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) at Bene’t Road, should you order through the web site..
Cake at Fitzbillies
A Cambridge establishment, there’s now a brand new department of Fitzbillies in Bridge Road to hitch the unique in Trumpington Road, based in 1920.
Most well-known for its sticky Chelsea buns (they made round 160,000 final 12 months), you possibly can 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
For extra concepts of issues to do whilst you’re visiting Cambridge with children, 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
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN CAMBRIDGE WITH KIDS
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Punting/Fitzwilliam Museum pictures courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
