Places to go
These are just a handful of the activities I have tried out in Cambridge. I aim to keep this up to date but cannot be held responsible if information is incorrect. Please contact me to amend/add/remove a place. Some places will require booking in advance and/or run during specific months.
Museums/Centres
Cambridge Science Centre
Open everyday during term time 10 - 4pm. Open weekends only out of term time. | Milton | £7.50 - £20 for yearly membership | Under 2s free
Explore over 20 new, hands-on, and open-ended exhibits. Plus, discover our exciting new shows, and experiment in our STEMLab and Workshop spaces where young minds can challenge themselves with fresh concepts. There is a cafe, free parking and good changing facilities.
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Tip: During term time they sometimes fun StemTots on a Friday. Mainly aimed at walking and up. You can only buy an annual membership but it is well worth the price.
Museum of Zoology
Tues - Sat 10:00 - 16:30, Sun 12:00 - 16:30| Cambridge City Centre | Free
The diversity of animal life is on display in the University Museum of Zoology’s brand new galleries. From moths to monkeys, mammoths to manatees, discover stories of extinction, survival, evolution and exploration.
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Tip: There is a nice cafe upstairs with a variety of hot and cold food. Nearest car park is Grand Arcade.
Museum of Technology
Fri, Sat, Sun + additional days over holidays | £3.50 - 6 pp, Under 5 yrs free.
Cambridge Museum of Technology is the home of our industrial heritage. Learn about the story of sewage and waste disposal in the Victorian Pumping Station. Marvel at the town’s early high-tech companies in the Pye Building. Special "steam" days can be booked. Cafe outside + changing facilities.
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Tip: Free parking at the Tesco Superstore or Cheddars Lane. There is also a large train children can get in and push up and down some tracks outside.
Theatres/Shows
Various times/dates throughout the year
Cambridge has lots to offer on the theatre scene. With a variety of shows for all ages this can be a great weekend activity. Cambridge Junction and Corn Exchange offer accessible shows but do require booking in advance.
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Tip: The nearest car park to Corn Exchange is Grand Arcade and Cambirdge Junction has a multistory carpark or a quick walk from Cambridge station.
Softplay/Parks
Treetops Soft Play
Open everyday 10 - 3pm, closed for 30mins at 12:30 on weekends | Ely | £1.50 - 6.50pp | Under 6 months free
A small but lovely soft play area with separate spaces for babies, toddler and older children. There is also a sensory room which is nice for babies and toddlers. There is a cafe that does kids packed lunches and basic warm food plus some treats. Free parking and no need to book.
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Tip: On Tuesday morning they have a fun dance/sing class that is good for 2-5 year olds. Free with admission.
Bens Yard
Open dawn till dusk | Ely, CB7 | Free
An outdoor park with a large Ely Cathedral replicate children can climb on top, under and through. A small obstacle course and swings. It is an enclosed area with parking right outside. There is also a woodland walk, cafes, restaurant and a selection of small shops.
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Tip: The coffee is really nice and there is a smaller stall open next to the park during warmer months. The shops are great if you need to pick up a gift for someone.
Partyman World of Play
Closed Tues/Wed, Cambridge CB5 | £2.25 - 10.65 pp, Under 6 months free.
Large indoor soft play area with separate spaces for babies, toddlers and older children + a large inflatable mountain. Cafe serving snacks, hots food and ice cream. Free parking on site. No booking required.
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Tip: If you go more than once a month you may be better buying the membership.
Denny's Farm
Open Thurs - Sun, from late March - early November, Waterbeach, CB25 | Free - £8 pp
An abbey/museum with a great cafe, park and toy barn. There is also a tractor kids can climb on. There are several converted stables that have information and scenes about farming which are good for children of all ages. Lovely on warm day as lots of space for children to run around! They also have events every so often showing off engines and trains. Free parking and no booking needed.
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Tip: The entrance fee is actually for a 12 month pass.
Animals
Johnsons of Old Hurst
Open everyday except Monday | Huntington PE28 | £4- 5 pp
A fantastic zoo with crocodiles, lions, a bear, birds and more. There is also a large park with slides and BBQ in the zoo during the summer. All year round there is a tea room, steakhouse and farm shop as well. Very affordable at £5 per adult and £4 per child 3+. No need to book. Free parking.
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Tip: The woodland walk is lovely with animal statues dotted around. You can also see the lions very close up.
South Angle Farm Park
Open from Spring | Ely, CB7 | 10:00 - 17:00 | £7.95 - 8.90
You can see and feed many of our other animals by hand, including llamas, pigs, goats, chickens, ducks and geese, as well as enjoy our rabbits, guinea pigs, donkeys and tortoises and many others over 17 acres of beautiful farm walks and trails.
There is no longer a requirement to pre-book.
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Tip: Check website for open times/days as they can be a bit inconsistent.
Shepreth Wildlife Park
Open every day, Shepreth SG8 | £12.50 - 14.50 pp, Under 2's free.
Small zoo with lots of animals and a reptile indoor section. There is also a softplay area and great park with a cafe and sandpit. You can get close to the animals and there are dinosaurs scattered around as well. Not a huge amount of shelter in the rain but the softplay has a bit for toddlers/babies and a larger part for older children if you need shelter.
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Tip: You can also use Tesco vouchers!
Wimpole Hall Farm
Sessions most days | Royston, SG8 | £4.50 - 9 pp
From fully grown Shire horses to newly born piglets, there’s a wide range of farm animals to meet on your visit. There is a farm cafe and playground for younger visitors + the beautiful grounds to explore. Follow the Home Farm trail and learn about the animals and how they are cared for and the day-to-day goings on at the farm. No booking required.
Swimming
Toddler Splash
Sessions every day | Parkside Pool, CB1 | £3 - 6 pp
A fun swim session for under 5's and their parents/carers in our toddler pool equipped with water features. 3 pools of different depths with slides and water features.
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Tip: Changing rooms a bit cold so bring lots of towels. No free parking.
Splashpads
Open during the summer | Various locations | 10:00 - 18:00 | Free
Great fun for the warmer months. Dotted around central Cambridge. Lammas land has one outdoor pool 20-30cm deep, toilets and a small shop for snacks. Abbey Leisure has a splash pad behind the leisure centre with a park and water features but no pool. It is an enclosed area with lots of shade and free parking.