Things to do with kids in Cambridge

Things to do with kids in Cambridge

1. See

   Botanic Garden of Cambridge University

   A relaxing way to spend a few hours, away from the hustle and bustle of the colleges and canals. Open to the public since 1846 this garden hosts some important botanic collections amongst its 10,000 or more species. In summer they have concerts on the lawn.

   Nov-Jan: 10AM-4PM, Feb-Mar and Oct: 10AM-5PM, Apr-Sep: 10AM-6PM, closed 24 Dec to 1 Jan·Adult admission £7.70, children, carers and Cambridge University students free

2. See

   Cambridge Science Centre

   An interactive science museum and educational charity which focuses on hands-on exhibits and outreach activities that engage children, families, and schools in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

3. See

   Denny Abbey and Farmland Museum

   Denny Abbey the only religious site in England to have been occupied at various times by three different monastic orders. Museum tells the history of farming in the fens.

   Adults £8.00, children £5.00, concessions £6.50. English Heritage members free

4. See

   Great St Mary's

   GSM

   Open daily, free. This fine example of 15th-century English Perpendicular architecture is on the market square opposite King's College. As well as viewing the beautiful nave, visitors can climb the bell tower (admission £6 adults, £4 children (5-16 years), £16 family (2 adults, 2 children)) for spectacular views over the city.

   Mon-Sat 10AM-5:30PM, Sun noon-5PM (may vary depending on service times)

5. See

   King's College and King's College Chapel

   The most visited attraction in Cambridge, the architecture of King's College Chapel towers above the town and its world-famous choir have spread its reputation around the globe.

   College grounds open term-time Mon-Fri 9:30AM–3:30PM, Sat 9:30AM–3:15PM, Sun 1:15PM–2:15PM and 5PM-5:30PM (summer only). Out of term Mon-Sat 9:30AM–4:30PM, Sun 10AM-5PM. Grounds closed during exams (late April to mid June) though Chapel is open. Chapel opening times vary, ring for details·£15 adults, £12.50 children/students with ID. 50p extra for weekend visits, £1 less for booking online in advance (recommended; King's gets extremely busy on weekends and ticket numbers are limited)

6. See

   St John's College

   Formerly the St Johns Hospital (13th century) before being refounded as a college in 1511, this college houses the oldest academic building in Cambridge (the "School of Pythagoras"). It has a number of large courtyards, and has the Cambridge "Bridge of Sighs".

   Adult £15, students and children £8

7. See

   The Centre for Computing History

   A small museum dedicated to the field of computing including video game consoles and arcade machines that can be played. The museum is also a hire-able venue for "Gaming Parties".

   Wed-Sun 10AM-5PM·Adults £12, children £8, concessions £10

8. See

   The Polar Museum

   A short walk from the Fitzwilliam Museum is The Polar Museum. It was a finalist for The Museum of the Year Prize in 2011. Its extraordinary collection covers the Arctic and Antarctic, native peoples and the Golden Age of Exploration of heroes such as Scott and Shackleton. It also serves as the National Memorial to Scott and his men, as well as being the public front of The Scott Polar Research Institute which continues their scientific work. Special events, exhibitions, tours, children's activities and behind the scenes Open Days are held quite often.

   Tue-Sat (and Sun on Bank Holiday Weekends) 10AM-4PM

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Cambridge (CC BY-SA 4.0).