{"id":3973,"date":"2022-10-28T15:30:45","date_gmt":"2022-10-28T15:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hoptraveler.com\/index.php\/2022\/10\/28\/the-best-things-to-do-in-cambridge-with-kids\/"},"modified":"2022-10-28T15:30:46","modified_gmt":"2022-10-28T15:30:46","slug":"the-finest-issues-to-do-in-cambridge-with-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hoptraveler.com\/index.php\/2022\/10\/28\/the-finest-issues-to-do-in-cambridge-with-children\/","title":{"rendered":"The finest issues to do in Cambridge with children"},"content":{"rendered":"

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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) \u2013 and with some improbable issues to do in Cambridge with children, it\u2019s superb for households.<\/p>\n

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comprises affiliate hyperlinks*<\/a><\/h6>\n

If you\u2019re on the lookout for a household metropolis break that gained\u2019t break the bank, Cambridge is especially good, with some nice free museums and a centre that\u2019s straightforward to stroll round.<\/p>\n

After an sudden last-minute journey for work (reviewing The Fellows House lodge<\/a> with my daughter), I used to be reminded that with quick trains to King Cross<\/a>, it\u2019s a very easy day journey from London<\/a> as effectively.<\/p>\n

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Find the Dinky Doors<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One of one of the best issues to do in Cambridge with children is to walk \u2013 ambling down little aspect streets, previous among the beautiful outdated buildings, alongside the river, via {the marketplace}.<\/p>\n

My daughter is all the time happier if she has a objective moderately than meandering randomly although, so the quirky mini path of Dinky Doors<\/a> went straight to the highest of our checklist.<\/p>\n

These miniature sculptures are hidden in plain sight \u2013 hidden effectively sufficient that it\u2019s effectively value getting the path map<\/a> (there\u2019s a tour too for those who fancy) \u2013 and all designed with a way of enjoyable.<\/p>\n

The Teleport-o-matic was one in all my favourites (solely 3p to teleport 3 yards), in addition to the on a regular basis treasures of Wonder Emporium and the very sudden inhabitant of 10 1\/4 Downing Street, a mini reproduction of the well-known black Downing Street door.<\/p>\n

There are doorways being added on a regular basis, so preserve checking again to see the tiny portals to new worlds which pop up.<\/p>\n

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Follow a Treasure<\/strong> Trail<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Another 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.<\/p>\n

The Treasure Map Trails assortment consists of two totally different routes for Cambridge \u2013 select from a space-themed map across the Cambridge faculties<\/a>, or one other of the centre of Cambridge<\/a>, with 10% off utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS.<\/p>\n

Kids must preserve their eyes open for among the quirky indicators, statues and different sights as you go, plus there are a string of info to be taught alongside the way in which.<\/p>\n

Or take a look at the vary of Treasure Trails<\/a>, with 5 choices to choose from.<\/p>\n

We adopted the Cambridge Central path, which included a couple of Top 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.<\/p>\n

It additionally led us to the stunning fashions of Cambridge close to St Mary the Great, in addition to to stare upon among the ornament on Trinity College (wrongly, because it turned out, however I\u2019m nonetheless glad we did!) and launched us to a couple of town\u2019s well-known names.<\/p>\n

Visit a school<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are 31 totally different faculties in Cambridge and when you can\u2019t pop in and take a peek at all of them, there are numerous methods to get a glimpse inside their partitions.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a free strolling tour of Cambridge from Footprints Tours<\/a>, 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. <\/p>\n

They additionally run personal household excursions<\/a>, in addition to a string of different corporations providing group excursions of Cambridge<\/a> which is able to take you inside among the faculties.<\/p>\n

If you favor to go at your personal tempo, do this self-guided audio tour<\/a>, narrated by a former Cambridge scholar.<\/p>\n

And a few of the universities<\/a> open to the general public too \u2013 occasions differ, some cost an entrance price, and numbers are sometimes restricted at current. But it\u2019s value checking their particular person web sites to see whether or not you\u2019ll be allowed to look inside.<\/p>\n

Kings College<\/a> does have a price however you may guide on-line prematurely and it consists of an opportunity to see the gorgeous chapel, whereas Pembroke<\/a> is open most days (some restrictions in examination time) as is Trinity College<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Go punting<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I’ve very fond reminiscences of punting alongside the river with pals \u2013 however for those who\u2019d choose to sit down again and take in the views, it\u2019s straightforward to seek out an possibility the place another person does the exhausting work.<\/p>\n

Handy too for those who\u2019re travelling solo with children: my daughter is completely satisfied to assist paddling a kayak, however there\u2019s no method she may handle the punt\u2019s pole, and it\u2019s much less enjoyable for those who don\u2019t get a relaxation at any level!<\/p>\n

This 45-minute punting tour<\/a> is nice for shorter consideration spans, however lengthy sufficient to see among the faculties from the water and leaves from close to Jesus Green, whereas this 50-minute chauffeured punting<\/a> possibility is nice for greater teams.<\/p>\n

Or Scudamore\u2019s Punting<\/a> boasts of being the primary to deliver pleasure punting to town, and have each boat rent and tour choices.<\/p>\n

Take a hop-on hop-off bus tour<\/strong><\/h2>\n

With its pedestrianised slender streets, there\u2019s no query that lots of Cambridge is healthier seen on foot, however for a straightforward solution to see among the highlights, the hop-on hop-off bus tour<\/a> is nice for drained legs.<\/p>\n

Taking you to among the sights outdoors town centre, in addition to previous the universities and river, the whole route lasts round 80 minutes.<\/p>\n

There are additionally household tickets accessible for as much as three youngsters aged five-15 (children aged 4 and beneath are free\u2026 however could have to sit down in your knee if the bus is busy).<\/p>\n

Climb Great St Mary\u2019s Tower<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Experience among the most superb panoramic views over Cambridge by climbing to the highest of Great St Mary\u2019s Tower<\/a>, the excessive level of the historic University Church. <\/p>\n

From the particular statement platform on the tower, you\u2019ll get unbeatable views out over the rooftops to Kings College Chapel and most of the different historic school buildings.<\/p>\n

The 123 steps that make up the round staircase to the highest of the tower are pretty steep however nonetheless manageable even with children. Just take it sluggish and regular, particularly when descending.<\/p>\n

Tickets are on sale within the church reward store, and don\u2019t should be prebooked: final entry is half an hour earlier than closing time. <\/p>\n

Do have a look contained in the medieval church when you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

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Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If there\u2019s one factor all children love, it\u2019s dinosaurs, proper? And the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences<\/a> is the go-to place for prehistoric creatures in Cambridge.<\/p>\n

One of the 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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 lot of extra at-home actions.<\/p>\n

Prebook your free ticket <\/a>on-line right here \u2013 the museum is closed on Sundays, for those who\u2019re visiting Cambridge with children at a weekend.<\/p>\n

Museum of Zoology<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Part of the University of Cambridge\u2019s Department of Zoology, the Museum of Zoology<\/a> showcases the range of animal life internationally.<\/p>\n

Another of the free issues to do in Cambridge with children, you may uncover 1000’s of specimens inside, from tiny bugs to a 21m Fin whale, that are used for educational examine by researchers and college students. <\/p>\n

The world-class assortment consists of specimens found by Charles Darwin himself and the skeleton of an extinct Dodo hen.<\/p>\n

For mini zoologists, there are some nice trails<\/a> (additionally free!) to comply with across the galleries, together with rainbow of colors, aimed on the youngest guests, and the highlights path. <\/p>\n

There are usually explorer baggage to borrow too, together with talks and different family-friendly occasions though these usually are not presently an possibility. Closed on Mondays.<\/p>\n

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Cambridge Science Centre<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Sitting on the outskirts of the historic metropolis centre close to the practice station, the Cambridge Science Centre<\/a> is good for getting arms on.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Along with a variety of interactive exhibitions, there are some enjoyable hands-on actions and attention-grabbing child-friendly exhibits and talks to take a look at at weekends and through college holidays too (no must prebook).<\/p>\n

From constructing DNA sequences to discovering fossils and strolling in house, there\u2019s hundreds to maintain children engaged with enthusiastic workers readily available to encourage you to experiment. <\/p>\n

Tickets price \u00a35 for adults, \u00a34.50 for teenagers, and you may take a look at what\u2019s on<\/a> right here.<\/p>\n

Museum of Archeology and Anthropology\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Next door to the Sedgwick Museum, you\u2019ll additionally discover the University\u2019s Museum of Archeology and Anthropology<\/a> which appears again over two million years of human historical past. <\/p>\n

Another free Cambridge museum, it\u2019s full of cool and strange artefacts, together with big totem poles from Canada, a full skeleton of a Roman girl, early African stone instruments and spears thrown by Captain Cook on his voyages to the Pacific.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There are even some freeze-dried potatoes from Peru that are no less than 500 years outdated.<\/p>\n

If that\u2019s not sufficient to seize your children\u2019 creativeness, there are particular trails to comply with<\/a>, together with Overlooked Treasures which is appropriate for households with younger youngsters, together with trails primarily based round masks.<\/p>\n

With its emphasis on totally different cultures and folks internationally, the Museum of Anthropology and Archeology is an interesting place to go to with older youngsters and teenagers too. Closed on Mondays.<\/p>\n

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Fitzwilliam Museum<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you solely go to one museum in Cambridge with children, the Fitzwilliam Museum<\/a> is the University of Cambridge\u2019s essential museum website, containing artwork and antiquities from totally different cultures around the globe. <\/p>\n

Another 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 a whole bunch of historic weapons.<\/p>\n

Plus there are common momentary exhibitions, so that you\u2019ll all the time discover one thing new whenever you go to, together with free museum trails to choose up as you discover \u2013 you\u2019re inspired to deliver your personal pencils to sketch what you see as effectively.<\/p>\n

The museum has additionally been shortlisted as Best Accessible Museum within the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Awards for its work to incorporate youngsters with particular instructional wants and disabilities.<\/p>\n

Prebooking is suggested at busy occasions, with free admission tickets<\/a> accessible a few months prematurely. Closed on Mondays (besides financial institution holidays).<\/p>\n

Cambridge Botanic Gardens<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While the museums in Cambridge are nice regardless of the climate, when the solar shines there are some nice locations to get open air with children in Cambridge \u2013 and top-of-the-line is a go to to the gorgeous Cambridge University Botanic Gardens<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Spread over a formidable 40 acres not removed from the station (and strolling distance from town centre), Cambridge\u2019s Botanical Garden is house to a group of over 8,000 plant species from all around the world.<\/p>\n

There are loads of actions to maintain the youngsters 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 periods for teenagers. <\/p>\n

Don\u2019t neglect your digital camera for some nice household photograph ops too. Kids go free, grownup tickets price from \u00a37.50.<\/p>\n

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Relax on<\/strong> Jesus Green<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One of the few drawbacks to visiting Cambridge with children is that it does get busy with vacationers in peak season \u2013 so if you wish to escape the crowds within the streets, head north to sprawling Jesus Green.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The giant inexperienced house runs alongside the River Cam, making it a stunning place to sit down and watch the punts and geese float by for some time. <\/p>\n

The park additionally has a playground for smaller youngsters, a picnic space and a kiosk promoting drinks and ice cream.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And if it\u2019s a very sizzling day, there\u2019s even an open-air swimming pool<\/a> (open solely in the course of the summer time months, wetsuits beneficial) so that you can get pleasure from.<\/p>\n

Join a Cambridge Ghost Tour<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Older children and teenagers with an curiosity in all issues spooky will love listening to tales of town\u2019s frightful previous and modern-day hauntings on a Cambridge Ghost Tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While Cambridge is finest identified 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 way in which again to the thirteenth century. <\/p>\n

Many of the Cambridge Colleges 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 War Soldiers and the well-known demon canine referred to as Black Shuck.<\/p>\n

Cambridge Ghost Tours are appropriate for kids however with its spinechilling tales, this one is finest fitted to older youngsters and teenagers.<\/p>\n

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Ice cream at Jack\u2019s Gelato<\/strong><\/h2>\n

On a sunny day (or a cloudy one, if my daughter will get the prospect), you may\u2019t beat an ice cream. And whereas Jack\u2019s Gelato <\/a>isn\u2019t the most affordable in Cambridge, it\u2019s simply top-of-the-line.<\/p>\n

With two totally different areas \u2013 Bene\u2019t Street and All Saints Passage \u2013 there are some fabulous flavours to select from. <\/p>\n

Dark chocolate and sea salt was exhausting to beat, however you will discover mint stracciatella, yuzu sorbet or ginger juice and fudge ripple amongst others.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s even an choice to bounce the queue<\/a> (which may get fairly lengthy on sunny days) at Bene\u2019t Street, for those who order by way of the web site..<\/p>\n

Cake at Fitzbillies<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A Cambridge establishment, there\u2019s now a brand new department of Fitzbillies<\/a> in Bridge Street to hitch the unique in Trumpington Street, based in 1920.<\/p>\n

Most well-known for its sticky Chelsea buns (they made round 160,000 final 12 months), you may seize one to remove or sit down within the cafe to relaxation your ft and refuel. <\/p>\n

There\u2019s afternoon tea as effectively which you’ll eat in at Trumpington Street or get to remove to take out on a punt or get pleasure from as a picnic<\/p>\n

For extra concepts of issues to do when you\u2019re visiting Cambridge with children, you\u2019re solely round half an hour from Ely, with the gorgeous Ely cathedral<\/a> in addition to National Trust website Wimpole Hall<\/a> (take a look at my go to throughout an East Anglia highway journey<\/a>) and Saffron Walden<\/a> in close by Essex<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

*First revealed 2021, up to date 2022<\/em>*<\/p>\n

PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN CAMBRIDGE WITH KIDS<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Disclosure: This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks \u2013 any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee<\/em><\/p>\n

Punting\/Fitzwilliam Museum photographs courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels<\/p>\n

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