Whilst we are unable to offer provision for parents, carers and supporters during some of our programmes, this is a great opportunity to explore the city of Cambridge! We have collated some recommendations here whilst your young person spends the day with us.
Getting around
Cambridge is a small city, and so it's pretty easy to get around on foot. All of the recommendations below are within 20 minutes walking distance of Christ's, which is in the very centre of the city, making it highly convenient to reach any of the options below.
There are a number of University museums in Cambridge, which can be a great way to spend an hour or two, and are (mostly!) free to visit. Please note they are normally closed on Mondays.
The biggest is the Fitzwilliam Museum, with a range of permanent and temporary exhibitions.
If you're interested in sciences, consider checking out the Zoology, Sedgwick (Earth Sciences) or Whipple (history of science) museums, which can be found along the same street in Cambridge, Pembroke Street. If you're happy to walk a little further from the centre, you could also visit The Polar Museum.
We also have the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology on Pembroke Street, or you could visit the Museum of Classical Archaeology, which hosts a collection of Greek and Roman statue plaster casts.
If you're interested in contemporary and modern art, consider Kettle's Yard (ticketed).
For further details on all of these, visit https://www.museums.cam.ac.uk/.
The Market
In the very centre of Cambridge is Market Square - this market is here every day, and hosts a variety of vendors. Whether for a wander, a snack or lunch, it's hard to miss!
Grand Arcade & City Centre Shopping
The Grand Arcade is an indoor shopping centre, though there are many other particularly independent shops around the rest of the city centre. Try Magdalene and Bridge Street, St John's and Trinity Street, Sidney Street, Mill Road, King's Parade, Bene't Street and around the Market Square.
Eating and Drinking
There are lots of places to explore! In the city centre there are several options on Quayside (by Magdalene College), along Bridge Street, King Street, St Andrew's Street, Regent Street, St John's Street, King's Parade, and Bene't Street in particularly. If you want to walk a little further, there are also many excellent options along Mill Road (15-20 minutes, or up to around 30 minutes depending how far along you walk)!
Cinemas
Weather not so good, or fancy some time switched off? There are a few cinemas in Cambridge, including the Arts Picturehouse on Regent Street, the Everyman in the Grand Arcade, or you can go a little further out to The Light at the Leisure Park, which also has a bowling alley (this one is a little further out - you can also take the buses 1 toward Cherry Hinton/Fulbourn or the 3 toward Cherry Hinton from the centre of town, Emmanuel Street stops).
Cambridge is very pretty and it is well worth just wandering around the streets of the city. You may choose to visit some other colleges (you should check if they charge for entry*, and/or their opening times), take a walk along the river and Backs, and more. We have outlined some common options for visitors to Cambridge below.
*Colleges are usually happy for prospective students and their parents/carers to have a wander around for free. If you are without your young person, it may be that you fall under tourists or other visitors instead. They normally have webpages about visiting on each college's website, or signage outside the main entrance when they are open.
Walks around Cambridge
You don't necessary need to follow a guided route but you might like to check out some options here: https://www.sport.cam.ac.uk/cambridgewalks. From the centre of town, try Route 1, or if you'd like some greener, more open spaces check out routes 5 and 8. Fancy going a bit further? Try the walk to Granchester (Route 4).
Dinky Doors
Fun for young and old(er!), explore the city whilst keeping an eye out for Dinky Doors! These miniature art installations can be found around the city centre and beyond - how many can you find in a day?
You can choose to pay for a printed or online version which has a lot of extra features, or a pay-as-you-like (or free) option with a PDF and the approximate location of each door. All options explained here: https://www.dinkydoors.co.uk/tour
University Botanic Garden
The Botanic Garden is open daily from 10am-4pm and hosts over 8000 plant species. It is £8 for adults, but free for under 16s if you are visiting with other children.
Punting
There are a number of punting companies, if you would like a tour along the river (approximately 45 minutes) or to have a go yourself! Punts are flat-bottomed boats that can be pushed along the river with poles, as it's not that deep. Find out more and explore licensed companies here: https://www.visitcambridge.org/place-categories/punting/