Indoor Activities
Cambridge Open Studios (Summer Time)
Local artists open their homes free to the public. Free brochures available nearer the time.
Fitzwilliam Museum
Trumpington Street Cambridge CB1 Tel:01223 332 900
Baby slings & toddler reins available for hire as no prams are allowed in the galleries. Features: Children's trails, Cafe & Shop.
Admission Free. Open Tues-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 2.15-5pm Closed Monday.
Kettles Yard
Castle Street Cambridge CB3 0AQ Tel:01223 352 124
Early 20th century art displayed in a unique & beautiful domestic setting with a separate gallery.
Admission Free. House Open Tues-Sun 2-4pm Gallery Tues-Sun 11.30-5pm
Cambridge and County Folk Museum
2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge CB3 0AQ 01223 355 159
See the life of Cambridge people since 1700.
Small Admission Charge. Open Mon-Sat 10.30-5pm Sun 2-5pm
Museum of Zoology
Downing Street, Cambridge 01223 336 650
Zoological specimens of insects, mammals & sea animals.
Admission Free. Open Mon-Fri 10.00-16.45 CLOSED Bank Holidays.
Sedgwick Museum
Downing Street, Cambridge 01223 333 456
Collection of geological specimens.
Admission Free. Open Mon-Fri 10.00-13.00 and 14.00-17.00 Sat 10.00-16.00
Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology
Downing Street, Cambridge 01223 333 516
Prehistoric and local archaeology.
Admission Free. Open Tues-Sat 2.00-4.30pm
For baby / toddler, massage and yoga, music / drama / dance / art, foreign language groups, soft play and baby signing contact your local library,
health visitor, doctor’s surgery or community centre for information. Try
The National Childbirth Trust (NCT).
Also ask about your local toy library.
Scribbles Ceramics Ltd
Victoria House, 2 Park Lane, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8AX Tel: 01638 661555
Painting pottery fun for the whole family and hand and foot prints.
Open Mon–Sat 10.00–6.00pm (Closed Wednesday Except School Holidays) Sun 11.00-4.00pm
Parents and Babies Club - 'The Big Scream'
Arts Picture House, 38-39 St Andrews Street, Cambridge CB2 3AR Tel:08707 551 242
Weekly film screenings only for parents and their under ones. Members only.
Cheeky Monkeys Ltd
Chaplins Farm, Babraham Road, Fulbourn CB1 5HR Tel:01223 881 658
Farm theme, ideal for under 5’s, café, outdoor area with tractors, party venue, farm produce available
Funky Funhouse
8 Mercers Row, Cambridge CB5 8HY Tel:01223 304 705
Separate areas for under 4’s and older children, café. Theme party rooms
Open daily 10am-6pm.
Free Rhymetimes and Storytimes in Libraries
Rhymetime sessions are aimed at babies and toddlers, Storytimes for 18 months upwards.
Look out for the Summer Reading challenge for all ages to promote reading, library borrowing - quizzes and prizes.
Click for information about your local library.
Abbey Leisure Centre, Pool Way, Whitehill Road, Cambridge CB5 8NT Tel:01223 213 352
Kings Hedges Learner Pool, Kings Hedges, Cambridge Tel:01223 213 352
Parkside Pools, Gonville Place, Cambridge CB1 1LY Tel:01223 446 104
The Cambridge Corn Exchange
Wheeler Street, Cambridge CB2 3QE Tel:01223 357 851
A variety of productions for children - theatre, dance & music
The Mumford Theatre
Anglia Ruskin University East Road Cambridge CB1 1PT Tel:0845 196 2320
Regular productions for children
Cambridge Arts Theatre
6 St Edwards Passage, Cambridge CB2 3PJ Tel 01223 503 333
Productions for a variety of audiences including children.
The Junction
Clifton road, Cambridge CB1 7GX Tel:01223 511 511
Variety of children’s theatre, drama courses for 3yrs + also available.
Outdoor Activities
Cambridge University Botanic Gardens
Cory Lodge, Bateman Street, Cambridge CB2 1JF Tel:01223 336 265
Beautiful gardens & glasshouses interest all year round. Picnic areas, cafe & shop. Children free.
Open Nov-Jan 10-4pm Feb-Oct 10am-5pm
Castle Mound
Castle Hill, Cambridge
Climb up the grassy mound of William the Conqueror’s castle to see views of Cambridge (free).
Castle Mound
Castle Hill, Cambridge
Climb up the grassy mound of William the Conqueror’s castle to see views of Cambridge (free).
Grantchester Meadows
Grantchester, Cambridge
Take a stroll along the river from Cambridge to Grantchester & have a picnic (free).
Jesus Green Lock
Jesus Green, Cambridge
See the lock, feed the ducks and enjoy the grass and children’s play area (free).
Lammas Land
Newnham, Cambridge
Grass expanse with children’s play areas, also paddling pool in the summer (free).
The Backs
Central Cambridge
Wonderful views of the backs of the colleges from across the River Cam (free).
Fulbourn Fen Nature Reserve
Stonebridge Lane, Cambridge (Wildlife Trust since 1967)
This is part of the manor grounds, pleasant woodland walk (free).
Lime Kiln Close Nature Reserve
Cherry Hinton Road, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge
Located opposite The Robin Hood Public House, Cherry Hinton an abandoned chalk working not suitable for prams (free).
Wandlebury Country Park
Off the Babraham Road, Cambridge Tel:01223 248706 (Cambridge Preservation Society)
4 miles south east of Cambridge off A1307 explore the iron age hill fort, nature trail and walks through the woods, large open grass part and barbecue area (car park charge).
Abbey Paddling Pool, behind The Abbey Swimming Pool, Cambridge
Cherry Hinton Hall, Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge
Coleridge Recreation Ground, Coleridge Road ,Cambridge
Lammas Land Recreation Ground, Newnham, Cambridge also learner pool by river
Kings Hedges Recreation Ground, Kings Hedges, Cambridge
Note: Paddling pools are only open 29th May-10th September
Jesus Green Swimming Pool, Jesus Green, Cambridge Tel:01223 302 579
Open air pool by the River Cam, changing rooms, grassy areas for sunbathing, refreshment facilities.
Note: Not shallow so unsuitable for young children Open May to Sept(charge)
Linton Zoo
Hadstock Road, Linton, Cambridgeshire CB1 6NT Tel:01223 891 308
Committed to the conservation of endangered species this wildlife breeding centre has keeper talks, animal encounters, lots of activities, play area & cafe. Open daily 10am -6pm
Shepreth Wildlife Park
Willersmill, Station Road, Shepreth, Nr Royston, Herts, SG8 6PZ Tel :01763 262 226
6 miles south Cambridge easy access by train as next to Shepreth station. See rabbits to tigers, indoor bug city & waterworld. Play areas, picnic tables, cafe & shop.
Open daily 10am-6pm
Further Afield
Hedingham Castle
Castle Hedingham, Essex. CO9 3DJ Tel:01787 460 261
Off B1058 between Sudbury & Castle Headingham
A well preserved Norman keep with banquet hall, woodland walks, shop, café & picnic areas.
Open April-September Sundays only 10-5pm and School Holidays
Mountfitchet Castle
Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex CM24 8SP Tel:01279 813 237
5 mins from Stansted Mountfichet train station.
A Norman motte and bailey castle & village reconstruction. Also visit The House On The Hill Toy Museum next door.
Open March-November 10-5pm
Anglesey Abbey
Quy Road, Lode, Cambridgeshire Tel:01223 810 080
98 acres of grounds open all year round, Abbey open in the summer along with Lode Mill.
Audley End House & Gardens
Saffron Walden Tel:01799 522 399
1 mile west of Saffron Walden on B1383 lies a Jacobean mansion presented as it was in the 18th & 19th Centuries. Also
miniature railway nearby Tel:01799 541 354
Open March-October (charge for rides).
Kentwell Hall
Long Melford, Suffolk CO10 9BA Tel:01787 310 207
Moated Tudor mansion with gardens, shop, café, under 5’s free
Check website for opening times.
Ickworth House
Ickworth, The Rotunda, Horringer Bury St Edmunds IP29 5QE Tel:01284 735 270 (National Trust)
Unusual Georgian House and landscape park, playground, shop & restaurant.
Wimpole Hall and Home Farm
Arrington, Cambridgeshire Tel:01223 206 000 (National Trust)
The Wimpole Estate is 8 miles south west of Cambridge.
Park open all year round walk to the Folly, visit the hall & farm with rare breeds, children’s activities, play area, adventure playground, café. Bus available from town centre.
Check website for opening times of non-park areas.
Planet Zoom
Angel Drove, Ely CB7 4DT Tel:01353 668 666
Separate area for under 4’s, café. Easy access by train as very near Ely Station.
Open daily 10am-6pm Advisable to book in wet school holidays.
Fowlmere Nature Reserve (RSPB)
Near Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire Tel:01763 208 265
8 miles South west of Cambridge. The reedbeds & pool areas are fed by natural chalk springs & a crystal clear chalk stream runs through the reserve. Board walks & pathways, suitable for prams.
Open at all time, Admission donation to RSPB.
Milton Country Park
Milton, Cambridge Tel:01223 420 060
4 miles north Cambridge off A10/A14, lakes & woodland, visitor centre, playgrounds, café (free).
Wicken Fen
National Nature Reserve, Lode Lane, Wicken Ely CB7 5XP Tel:01353 720 724 (National Trust)
Fenland landscape & activities.
Visitor centre open Tues-Sun 10am-5pm (Charge).
Duxford Imperial War Museum
Duxford (Junction 10 off M11) Tel:01223 83500
Free shuttle bus from Cambridge City Centre.
Airplanes, interactive exhibits, train to hangars, outdoor play areas, cafes & shop Under 16’s free.
The Farmland Museum & Denny Abbey
Denny Abbey, Ely Road, Waterbeach, Cambridge CB5 9PQ Tel:01223 860988
On the A10 between Cambridge & Ely An interactive museum, picnic & play area. Under 5’s free
Burwash Manor Barns
New Road Barton, CB3 7BD Tel:01223 263 423
Shops & café in a farm setting, with free children’s outdoor play area.
Dinosaur Adventure Park
Weston park, Lenwade, Norwich, Norfolk NR9 5JW Tel:01603 876 310
Audley End Miniature Train Rides meet Santa in his grotto.
Burwash Manor Barns array of activities including seeing Father Christmas.
Grafton Centre, Cambridge free Christmas show with festive songs, movement & display.
Scotsdale Garden Centre, Shelford Special Christmas sleigh rides to meet Father Christmas.
Science Week and Music Workshops organised by Cambridge University activities for families February / March.
Strawberry Fair Usually the first Saturday of June all day on Midsummer Common - music, food stalls suitable for families.
Children's Festival On Jesus Green - June organised by Cambridge City Council.
Pop in the Park / Big Day Out A Weekend of music and fun on Parker's Piece at the beginning of July. Cambridge Fire Station is usually open to the public situated opposite.
The Big Draw Art events held in the Botanic Gardens and Fitzwilliam Museum in October - look out for other dates.
Do you have any recommendations to share? Please email us at
enquiries@capablenannies.co.uk
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