Cambridge Attractions and Entertainment

Historic Cambridge has myriad attractions to keep you busy and interested throughout your stay in the city, whether you enjoy looking around museums and galleries or simply relaxing on a punt along the River Cam, there is certainly something for everyone.

1. Cambridge Museums
2. Entertainment and the Arts
3. Outdoor Attractions and Activities for the Kids
4. Historic Buildings, Monuments and Gardens
5. Shopping in Cambridge

Cambridge Museums

The city of Cambridge has a wealth of fascinating museums, many of which are centered around the world famous university, the museums in Cambridge include:

• Whipple Museum History of Science:
  Contains a collection of scientific instruments and models dating from the Middle Ages up until the present day. The museum is part of the university’s History and Philosophy of Science department.
• University Museum of Zoology:
  This fascinating tells depicts the concepts of Biodiversity and Evolution, the collection dates back to 1814, with some of the exhibits collected by the godfather of evolution, Charles Darwin.
• Denny Abbey and Farmland Museum:
  Tells the story of Cambridge farming through the ages, and the history and inhabitants of Denny Abbey over the years.
• Kettle’s Yard Museum:
  Houses a fine collection of art from the early part of the century.
• Imperial War Museum:
  Located at Duxford, this museum highlights the part played by RAF Duxford in World War II. The centre also houses a collection of aircraft from vintage bi-planes, spitfires up until Gulf War fighter jets.
• Cambridge Museum of Technology:
  Located in the old Pumping Station, the museum tells the story of the change on technology in the region through the ages.
• Fitzwilliam Museum:
  Located in Trumpinton Street this museum houses fine collections of paintings, sculpture, pottery, antiques, coins and medals.
• Sedgwick Museum:
  A must-see museum in Cambridge, located in the university departments in Downing Street the Sedgwick Museum houses over one million fossils, some of which being over 3000 million years old.

Entertainment and the Arts

For those of an artistic nature Cambridge will not disappoint – there are many galleries in which to while away the hours. In addition there are theatres, some affiliated to the university, in which to catch a show; and local cinemas to take in the latest releases.The arts and entertainment offering include:

• Wysing Arts:
  Located in the Bourn countryside, Cambridge, the centre has many permanent outdoor sculptures and regular exhibitions. Wysing Arts offers workshops for both adults, children and families alike.
• Conservatory Gallery and Business:
  Open Saturdays and the first Sunday of each month, the gallery displays art in a range of media, and also offers wartercolour workshops.
• Cambridge Brass Rubbing:
  Offers assorted facsimile brasses of various Tudor Kings and Queens.

Outdoor Attractions and Activities for the Kids

There is plenty to door in Cambridge to keep the children occupied, especially in summer when you can take a punt down the river Cam, or perhaps a picnic in some of the beautiful adjacent countryside; or maybe even a game of golf in the county’s numerous golf clubs. Other outdoor attractions include:

• Linton Zoo:
  A spectacular range of plants and animals are on view at this zoo in Linton, Cambridge – including tarantulas, snakes, parrots lizards, leopards, tapirs, tigers and zebras.
• Milton Country Park:
  This country park area in Milton, on the northern outskirts of Cambridge is a great place to burn off energy with a brisk walk, the park is also a great conservation area for plants and animals.

Historic Buildings, Monuments and Gardens

Cambridge is steeped in heritage and history, and there is an abundance of impressive architecture, historic buildings and monuments, and gardens many of which are centered around the university. They include:

• Cambridge University Botanic Garden:
  This impressive garden is a sight for the eyes containing countless species of plants and teeming with birdlife, this garden is Cambridge’s must-see horticultural attraction.
• Round Church:
  One of only four round churches in England.
• Historic University Colleges:
  Colleges of interest an worth visiting in and around the university include: Christ’s College, Clare College, Corpus Christi College, Emmanuel College, Jesus College, King’s College, Newnham College, Pembroke College, Peterhouse, Queen’s College, St John’s College and Trinity College.

Cambridge Shopping

Cambridge caters for shoppers as well as historians and culture vultures, they local shopping hotspots include:

• The Beehive Centre
• Grafton Centre
• Main Square Shopping Centre