Recommendations in Cambridge city?

[questionaboutcambridge]

We are going on holiday next year and flying from Stansted airport- we live in the north of England so it's an overnight stay the day before we fly. We've chosen Cambridge because we thought it would be nicer with more to do, and we planned to get there at about lunch time on the day before our flight (Saturday). So this gives us the rest of Saturday to find something to do. We also have plenty of time on the day of our flight (Sunday), as we don't fly til 7pm on the evening so aiming to be at the airport for 4pm ish (looking at travel times, leaving Cambridge at 3pm should give us ample time).

So.... we are staying at the Hilton in the city centre and we will have a (just turned) 4 year old with us. Does anyone have any suggestions of what we could do on either (or both) days to fill some time in Cambridge city centre with a 4 year old? I can see plenty of parks and museums etc not far from the hotel we are staying at, but does anyone have any specific suggestions of what might be best?

Thank you!

I should add that we've never been to Cambridge before so we know very little about it!

Zoology museum really near Hilton l, also Sedgewick - has a dinasour noth good for that age - check times as cant rememer when open, loads of lovely cafes, probably best play park is on Jesus green near the lido

Thank you! I spotted how close the zoology museum was, seems to be just across the road from what I can see? DD loves things like that, so could be an option! I'll check out the park too 😊

Hi OP

The usual suggestion for Cambridge is punting along the river to see the colleges but be warned that this is expensive. Depending on budget you will have just as much fun standing on Silver Street bridge and watching the punts go by/crash/people fall in.

In that hotel you are opposite some of the University museums and close to the Fitzwilliam Museum. To be honest, depending on your interest these can be quite boring for small people but the Zoology Museum might be good for your little one.

Try Fitzbillies (near your hotel) for food and the famous Chelsea buns. You might want to get one between all of you as they are soaked in syrup.

Something popular with small people that’s often missed is the Dinky Doors trail https://letsgopunting.co.uk/a-dinky-door-trail/ They are quite spread out across the city but they make a nice thing for children to look out for and they love to spot them. There’s one on the same road as your hotel.

One tip about getting to Stansted - in theory it’s quick but build in some wiggle room as there are often transport issues.

The fitzwilliam museum has a lot of Egyptian mummies if your child is into that kind of thing.

Also suits of armour and various other interesting things.

If it is the summer the Lammas land paddling pool might be open - it's swimming pool sized but paddling pool depth. There's a good play park alongside it and it's a nice walk along the river to get there.

These are such helpful suggestions, thank you all!

Thanks also @CatMum27 for the tip re building in a buffer for travel to the airport. I guess I naively thought we'd be fine with an hour on a Sunday afternoon as it's showing as 35-40 mins on a map, but maybe it'd be a good idea to leave a tad earlier!

The dinky doors trail is so cute! See this is why I love mumsnet - I don't think I'd have discovered that otherwise 😀

A Punting tour and a mooch round the museums will take up the best part of your time I think. You won't want to go shopping and carrying things so perhaps just add a nice meal.

@Octavia64 it's May - so not quite summer. Would that park still be open?

So many museums! And as they're free you can dip in and out for as long or short as you want. Apart from the museum of technology along by the river which isn't a uni one, but it's not expensive. You'll probably have more than enough to do in the centre of town OP but others reading this thread may not have noticed it.

www.museumoftechnology.com

It officially opened 29th May this year so maybe not.

www.cambridge-news.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/everything-know-lammas-land-pool-27013753.amp

www.cambridge.gov.uk/lammas-land-pool

@ErrolTheDragon
Oh wow the museums are free? Even better! Hadn't realised that.

Yes, afaik all the university ones inc the Fitzwilliam. They might charge for special exhibitions but that's not likely to be relevant with a 4yo.