Days out near Cambridge

[BendingSpoons]

We are staying South of Cambridge in the summer holidays. I would like recommendations of active days out nearby (ideally up to 45 mins drive). DC are 9 & 6. 9yo likes being active e.g. swimming, adventure playgrounds etc and will moan if we are 'just' walking. 6yo easier to please and particularly enjoys digging in the sand, swimming. I would prefer outdoor places rather than indoor climbing walls etc although useful to have a mixture in case the weather is not in our favour.

I saw the beach at Bury Lane garden centre that could be an option, and I know there is sometimes a funfair in central Cambridge. I am also considering Grafton Water. Thanks for your help!

There's one in Waterbeach, actually, which is just outside Cambridge.
https://www.theplaygrounduk.com/locations

Lammas Land in Cambridge has a large paddling pool and a tiny, free, learner swimming pool,
People swim in the river there, but I wouldn’t.

Send me a message if you’d like a suggestion of somewhere to park.

Ooh just thought of a couple more in Northants.

Stanwick Lakes near Wellingborough - it's on my wish list as it looks amazing: https://stanwicklakes.org.uk/activities/#play

Wicksteed Park in Kettering. A fun day out.
https://wicksteedpark.org/

There’s a ‘castle’ and toy museum at Stansted mountfitchet which isn’t too far from Duxford. Saffron Walden has gardens with a maze and there is a museum with some interactive kids things. Good play area near the maze. Nice place for you to visit too. Some different shops.

If you can cope with an hour and a half in the car, you could go up to Hunstanton. Lovely beach, nice traditional funfair on the prom as well.

Bury Lane also has strawberry picking! Audley End is really nice, miniature railway, but might be a bit young for your nine year old.

Phoenix Cycleworks at Kentford, just down the A14.

There's also Cammas Hall Farm which is not far from Bishop's Stortford. It has a maize maze, play area and footgolf.
https://www.cammashall.co.uk/fun-at-the-farm

Linton zoo

Electric boat trips on the river, from St. Ives quay. It would be worth booking but they have plenty that go, so you wouldn't necessarily have to make a definite plan until you know of the weather or other things you'll do.
Elsenham, near Stansted, has a great adventure golf course as well.

She definitely would love this!

Thank you everyone some great suggestions. Fingers crossed for some decent weather in the summer holidays.

I was eyeing up Hunstanton for a longer day trip or posdibly a night away nearby, so glad to hear it suggested.

We have done Audley End before but looks like there is quite a bit on for the summer festival, so might be a nice option.

Cammas Hill Farm is one I've never heard of but not too far down the M11.

I'm liking the recommendations for paddling, sand pits, mini golf, mazes. These are all things my 6yo enjoys and I want to make sure we focus some days on him, and not just his (slightly more opinionated) older sister!

I have made notes of all these places, looked at some and will keep looking. Some e.g. Wicksteed Park are not as far away as I thought.

Stanwick Lakes looks amazing! One that would work for older cousins too.

Stansted Mountfichet is a wonderful reconstruction of a Norman castle with chicken and deer wandering round. My kids loved it at those ages.

There is a little wildlife park in Shepreth. My son took me there for my birthday as it has capybara
https://sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk/

If you like mini golf, there is one near Elsenham and Stansted (https://golfworldstansted.co.uk/plan-a-visit/). I would also echo the recommendations for Anglesey Abbey, Wimpole and Thetford Forest (High Lodge).

Audley End House might be an option - it also has a playground. It’s separate from the miniature railway.

DH mentioned Shepreth actually. We went years ago but the kids don't remember.

I've seen Audley End House, so will take a look at that too.

Ely is lovely and you can maybe go by train from where you are staying or free parking if not. Brilliant kids playground in the country park, walkable from the station along the river. Nice little town centre. Boat trips. And best of all, a branch of Tom's Cakes. Ben's Yard mentioned above is nearby too

The Northants suggestions are quite a long way from south of Cambridge.
The beds, Northants and Cambs Wildlife Trust run bat punting trips on the Cam. It's in Cambridge but it's a change from coffee and a mooch round the shops. They also run children 's activities at some of the Reserves so the website might be worth a check.

Slightly further than 40 mins,
but as others have mentioned Hunstanton, you might like to consider a trip on the Wash Monster! I did this myself as a child and recently took my own children. To be honest, the launch and landing (driving straight into and out of the sea on wheels) is the most exciting part , so you could probably do the shortest trip. We also visited the ship wreck (Sheraton?) on Hunstanton beach. Only visible at low tide - very eerie and beautiful colours. Great to walk amongst and wonder at the wreckage! We also saw groups of seals on the beach, sorry, can't remember where!

Here’s an article about good places to see seals in Norfolk. All are quite a long way from Duxford, but possible since you say you are considering a night away.

If you are up for drives, Woburn and even Whipsnade aren’t horrifically far.

Peterborough lido is heated. The (free) cathedral near it is worth a look.

Grantchester meadows is nice for a riverside walk and maybe a picnic. Also some of the museums in Cambridge are quite nice for children and often have activities planned during the school holidays.

Kentwell hall is about an hour away- amazing place.
they do historical reenactments.

There's a Meerkat Experience 20 mins up the A10 from Cambridge and I bet they would like punting in Cambridge itself.

If yoj are willing to go as far as some of the suggestions on here bearing in mind traffic in the area then Church Farm at Stow Bardolph up by Downham Market comes into play too.