Cambridge - help needed with wedding

[Harrysmum]

We are travelling to Cambridge for a family wedding in a couple of weeks (BIL has finally taken the plunge). Dh is the best man so is ruled out of being helpful as is SIL who is a bridesmaid. We are staying 40 mins outside Cambridge (Hengrave Hall) as the reception is there after the service. Basically I need some advice on how to get 2 boys (2y10m and 7m) to the church for a 1.30pm start having had their lunch (where?) and dressed in their (clean!) wedding finery. And me too. First thoughts are leaving for the church (St Andrew the Great) after breakfast, parking (where?) and doing everything within walking distance of the church. Can anyone help with suggestions? Thanks.

St Andrew's is right in the centre of town, so loads of places to eat...the Stoneyard Centre on St. Andrew's Street does baked potato/sandwiches and is child friendly...the church is next to the Lion Yard shopping centre, on the other side of the Lion Yard is the market and Marks and Sparks cafe(upstairs) or sandwich shop (ground floor) Just about opposite the church (opposite Robert Sayle/John Lewis) is Burger King and Pizza Hut.

Parking is easy, but expensive. The closest is the Lion Yard at about £1.50 an hour, becoming outragous if you are there for more than four hours (I think I was relieved of £15!), or if you don't mind a 15 minute walk across Parker's Piece, the Queen Anne is about £0.70 an hour. Or you could Park and Ride (more challenging for getting back to the reception quickly) as the P&R buses all go to Drummer Street, 2 minutes walk from St. Andrew's.

The central library is in the Lion Yard, so if you are looking to fill time, you could look at board books in the dry/mud-free zone.

Hope this helps - I got married last year in the centre of Cambridge, bit of a parking challenge really!

Wedding is on a Sunday - is Robert Sayle/John Lewis open then because if it's anything like our local one it would be perfect for feeding both boys without any real stress and would have loos etc for changing purposes. We'll defintely be driving as I can't face park & ride with two littlies and a deadline (esp a wedding!). Thanks.

I'm not sure if they're open on Sundays...anyway, v old store about to be pulled to bits and rebuilt with a cafe... M&S is open...

Parking is much cheaper on Sundays

No, they aren't open on Sundays, and as Nome said, have no cafe. Marks is a better bet. Other idea is to use one of the city centre hotels for a quick lunch eg the Garden House. (they have a riverside terrace and cheapish bar food eg £5 for a filled chiabatta. Cheap-ish parking if you use the hotel, also proper bathrooms for clean-ups and changing. About 10mins walk from the church. Tel 01223 259988.

There is also a pizza expess not far away, up a bit from Robert Sale. But STAG is right in the centre of Cambridge and most of the shops are open. Also could go for a walk along the river - about 15 min walk away! There is also a park about 5 mins walk away! Hope you have a nice wedding!