What to do and see in Cambridge, England: The Best Museums

September 11, 2021 Karren Gelb

Cambridge might be best known for its university, home to some of the world’s greatest minds (Milton, Darwin, Hawking, etc.). But there’s a vibrant theater and arts scene here as well, and you’ll find fantastic contemporary restaurants mixed in with traditional pubs. Climb the tower of Great St. Mary’s Church for sweeping views of the city.
Restaurants in Cambridge

1. Bottisham Airfield Museum

Wilbraham Road Bottisham, Cambridge CB25 9BU England +44 1223 813952 [email protected] http://www.bottishamairfieldmuseum.org.uk
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 23 reviews

Bottisham Airfield Museum

An engaging museum that tells the story of a busy WW2 airfield that was used by the RAF, USAAF and Belgian Air Force and played an important part in D-day. A warm, friendly welcome awaits with lots of interesting and interactive exhibits that tell the story of the people at the airfield.

Reviewed By Mobile625431

A wonderful trip out in the jeeps to see the fantastic work the volunteers have completed to make this a truly wonderful museum. Well worth a visit.

2. Fitzwilliam Museum

Trumpington Street Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge CB2 1RB England +44 1223 332900 [email protected] http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,499 reviews

Fitzwilliam Museum

Museum houses vast collections of antiquities from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, including exhibits of English and European pottery and glass, furniture, clocks, Chinese jades, and ceramics from Japan and Korea.

Reviewed By Sebulus-Palmer - March, United Kingdom

I've been going to 'The Fitz' since I was a kid. My first favourite area, back as a nipper, was the arms and armour area. Then I moved on to the contemporary art galleries, in my teens (around secondary/sixth-form age I used to love to go and sketch there; learning from the masters in an inspiring environment!). More recently my wife and I have been getting more into the medieval, renaissance and suchlike, and enjoying such a temporary exhibitions as appeal to us, and these can be very varied: from medieval illuminated manuscripts to early gold coins, or Dutch paintings of Vermeer's era, etc. There's a nice cafe and shop area as well. And they even put on talks, concerts, and all sorts. We've moved further from Cambridge recently, making trips to The Fitz less frequent, and I/we miss it. It's like having a London style museum out in the 'the sticks'. Highly recommended.

3. Cambridge Museum of Technology

The Old Pumping Station Cheddars Lane Entrance on Riverside, Cambridge CB5 8LD England +44 1223 500652 [email protected] http://www.museumoftechnology.com/
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 42 reviews

Cambridge Museum of Technology

Cambridge Museum of Technology is the home of our industrial heritage. Based in the city’s historic sewage pumping station, the Museum helps people to explore, enjoy, and learn about their industrial heritage by celebrating the achievements of local industries and the people who worked in them. The large site on the River Cam has green spaces for picnics and a fun, relaxed atmosphere for families. There are audio-visual displays, hands-on exhibits, and children’s activities, as well as traditional museum displays and historic buildings. The Victorian Pumping Station with its original machinery showcases 19th-century engineering and technology. Displays on the forgotten industries of Cambridge reveal an alternative side of the city’s history to the famous colleges. And the story is brought into the 20th Century with exhibitions on innovative local companies in our new building.

Reviewed By E9278EEcarolinem - Cambridge, United Kingdom

Fantastic music, covering a side of Cambridge that often gets completely forgotten. Much bigger than it first appears and absolutely fascinating!

4. Museum of Cambridge

2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge CB3 0AQ England +44 1223 355159 [email protected] http://www.museumofcambridge.org.uk
Excellent
48%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 73 reviews

Museum of Cambridge

Discover the vibrant history of the past 300 years of Cambridge and Cambridgeshire life in a beautiful 17th century timber-framed building, the former White Horse Inn. Our objects relate to everyday lives, the customs and traditions of local people, places and events. Visit our nine themed rooms that explore a different aspect of how people have lived, worked and played since the 1660s in the city and county. Our museum celebrates the ordinary and eccentric: discover our weird and wonderful collections, from familiar household objects, paintings and toys to Fen folklore cures and remedies. Admire the crafts and skills of generations. Reminisce about our vacuum cleaners and televisions. Explore the fascinating stories of local people – find the Giant’s Boot, the prize belt of the long-distance champion of the world, witch bottles and the real Muffin Man! We’re a short walk from the city centre, through the medieval town on the River Cam and next to Kettle's Yard art gallery and house.

5. Kettle's Yard

Castle Street, Cambridge CB3 0AQ England +44 1223 748100 [email protected] http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk/
Excellent
77%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 342 reviews

Kettle's Yard

Come to Kettle's Yard to enjoy art in an inspiring setting. Experience changing exhibitions in our new galleries and explore a wonderful collection of art in a historic house. And it is all free. The new Kettle's Yard opened in February 2018 with galleries, creative spaces for activities and a cafe and a shop. There are free, changing exhibitions to visit throughout the year, showing artists from around the world. We also have a variety of events for all ages, from workshops to music concerts. Visit our website to find out what's on. In the House you can enjoy paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramics and textiles. Works of art are displayed alongside natural objects like shells, pebbles and plants to create a unique place that many enjoy for its tranquility and beauty. We offer lots of art activities for all ages. Many of these are free and drop in, with no need to book. Find out about all our upcoming events on our website.

Reviewed By dr8484 - London, United Kingdom

A distinctive collection of 20th century art and a gallery exhibiting contemporary and modern art arranged in this modest private house - now part of the uni. Wonderful.

6. Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DZ England +44 1223 333516 http://maa.cam.ac.uk/
Excellent
50%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 231 reviews

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

Come to the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge to see world-class collections of art and artefacts from all over the world. Objects ranging from stone tools and pots to sculptures and paintings represent cultures and histories over millennia. Great recent and contemporary works reflect the diversity of peoples worldwide, and the resilience of indigenous cultures confronted by globalisation

Reviewed By DigiDi - Reading, United Kingdom

We found this museum whilst wandering around Cambridge so glad we did, there was so much to see on the different floors with many exhibits. There is also the photographs from the opening of Tutankhamen tomb. Worth going to as also a beautiful building

7. Museum of Classical Archaeology

Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge CB3 9DA England +44 1223 330402 [email protected] http://www.classics.cam.ac.uk/museum
Excellent
54%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 24 reviews

Museum of Classical Archaeology

Cross the Silver Street bridge and stroll under the leafy canopy of Sidgwick Avenue to discover the Museum of Classical Archaeology. The collections range from enormous plaster casts of Greek and Roman sculpture to the smallest sherds of ancient pots. The casts are not mere copies, but are historical objects in their own right and many date to the eighteenth century. Traditionally, the casts formed a teaching collection but today the Museum welcomes school groups, families and many other visitors through its doors. All are welcome and admission is free. Check the website for information on tours and events.

Reviewed By Archaeobuff - Sydney, Australia

This place was as good if not better than the Victoria Museum Casts room. The best classical sculptures from around theworld are collected here. Their quality is outstanding - whether imitating marble or bronze. A bit off the beaten tourst track but well worth hunting out. You may be lucky like me and be the only one there. It is inside the University grounds so keep on going in and you will find it. The highlight is the painted Kouros - it gives you an inkling of what these white marble statues we see today were like in ancient Greek times - luridly painted in all the colours you can imagine - the temples too.

8. The Polar Museum, Scott Polar Research Institute

Lensfield Road University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1ER England +44 1223 336540 [email protected] http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/museum/
Excellent
56%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 407 reviews

The Polar Museum, Scott Polar Research Institute

The Polar Museum: Discover the extraordinary stories of Earth's coldest, driest, windiest, highest and deadliest places, from heroes to modern climate science. The Museum is part of the Scott Polar Research Institute, established in 1920 as part of the University of Cambridge, which is a centre of excellence in the study of the Arctic and Antarctic. Research covers both the natural and social sciences and is often interdisciplinary. The Institute also houses the World's premier Polar Library and extensive archival and photographic collections of international importance on the history of polar exploration. A range of sculptures are displayed in the Institute grounds.

Reviewed By cooker3000 - Dublin, Ireland

I love reading about Antarctica and the explorers so this is right up my street. It documents the story of the polar explorers north and south along with a lot of artifacts from their expeditions. It also covers the native people from the Arctic region. You can try on clothes that they would wear so great for kids too. It's small enough so somewhere you can visit for an hour.

9. Sedgwick Museum of Geology

Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EQ England +44 1223 333456 [email protected] http://www.sedgwickmuseum.org
Excellent
51%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 304 reviews

Sedgwick Museum of Geology

This museum houses an extensive collection of geological specimens from around the world, which are used by scholars worldwide as part of their research activities.

Reviewed By TJeinsteinwood - Deal, United Kingdom

Came across the museum and we were drawn in by the woolly mammoth carved in the stonework outside. Some steep steps up to the museum but so worth it, especially with children. Laid out in time periods with some incredible fossils including t-rex and Icthysaurus. Interesting collection of Darwin too. Go there as you won't be disappointed!

10. University Museum of Zoology

Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ England +44 1223 336650 [email protected] http://www.museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk/
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 156 reviews

University Museum of Zoology

The University Museum of Zoology is one of Cambridge's major attractions. It reopened in 2018 after a five year redevelopment programme. It offers the visitor an opportunity to explore new galleries displaying the diversity of animal life. Find out about evolution of life on earth, discover stories of extinction, survival and pioneering exploration.

Reviewed By Skarkreality - Newtownabbey, United Kingdom

A good range of exhibits from all classes of the animal kingdom. well laid out, staff knowledgeable, friendly and helful.

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