List of museums in Cambridgeshire facts for kids

This article is a list of cool museums you can visit in Cambridgeshire, England. Museums are special places that collect and take care of interesting objects. These objects can be about history, art, science, or culture. They let people like you see these collections and learn new things. This list also includes art galleries and university art spaces.

Museums in Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire is home to many amazing museums, each offering a unique peek into different worlds. From ancient history to modern technology, there's something for everyone to explore!

Historic Homes and Mills

Many museums in Cambridgeshire are old houses or mills that tell stories of the past.

• Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill in Lode is a beautiful 1930s house. It's run by the National Trust and has a collection of rare clocks. You can also explore its lovely gardens and a working flour mill.
• Bourn Windmll in Bourn is an old open trestle post mill. It shows how wind power was used long ago.
• Burghley House near Peterborough is a grand 16th-century country house. It has amazing gardens and collections of fine art and decorative items.
• Elton Hall in Elton is a historic baronial hall with beautiful gardens. It sits on a large estate.
• Hinchingbrooke House in Huntingdon is a Tudor country house. It was once home to famous families like the Cromwells and the Sandwich families.
• Houghton Mill in Houghton is a restored water mill. The National Trust takes care of it.
• Kimbolton Castle in Kimbolton was the last home of King Henry VIII's first queen, Catherine of Aragon. You can sometimes take tours there.
• Longthorpe Tower in Longthorpe is a 14th-century tower. It has three stories and features incredible medieval wall paintings.
• The Manor (Cambridgeshire) in Hemingford Grey is one of Britain's oldest continuously lived-in houses. It became famous from the "Green Knowe" books by Lucy Boston.
• Oliver Cromwell's House in Ely was the home of Oliver Cromwell, a famous 17th-century English leader. It also serves as a tourist office.
• Peckover House & Garden in Wisbech is a Georgian merchant's townhouse. It's run by the National Trust and has a lovely Victorian walled garden.
• Wimpole Hall in Wimpole is an opulent mansion with gardens and grounds. It's also cared for by the National Trust.
• Wisbech Castle in Wisbech is a Regency villa and its grounds. It's managed by the Wisbech Town Council.

History and Local Life Museums

These museums focus on the history of the area and how people lived.

• Blacked-Out Britain War Museum in Huntingdon shows what everyday life was like in Britain during World War II.
• Burwell Museum in Burwell has themed exhibits. You can see old farm tools, period rooms, military items, and even a Roman pottery. There's also a Victorian school room and vintage vehicles.
• Chatteris Museum in Chatteris explores the local history and culture of the area.
• Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon tells the story of Oliver Cromwell, a key figure in 17th-century England.
• Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey in Waterbeach covers agriculture and local history. It also features a historic abbey that dates back to the 12th century.
• Ely Museum in Ely is located in the Bishop's old prison. It shares the history, culture, and natural history of the area.
• March and District Museum in March focuses on local history and culture.
• Museum of Cambridge in Cambridge (formerly the Cambridge and County Folk Museum) shows local history and culture. It has displays of everyday life from different time periods.
• Norris Museum, Cambridgeshire in St Ives explores local history and culture.
• Octavia Hill's Birthplace House in Wisbech is the home of Octavia Hill. She was a 19th-century social reformer and helped start the National Trust.
• Peterborough Museum in Peterborough covers many topics. You can find local history, art, archaeology, natural history, and even Jurassic fossils there.
• Ramsey Rural Museum CIO in Ramsey shows the history of rural life in the Fenland area. It has period rooms, old businesses, and farm equipment.
• St Neots Museum in St Neots shares local history and culture, and you can even see old prison cells.
• Thorney Heritage Museum in Thorney focuses on local history and culture.
• Whittlesey Museum in Whittlesey tells the story of local history and culture.
• Wisbech & Fenland Museum in Wisbech has collections on local history, culture, natural history, and decorative arts.

Science, Technology, and Archaeology

Discover how things work and learn about ancient times at these museums.

• Cambridge Museum of Technology in Cambridge is located in an old sewage pumping station. It has equipment and items from local industries.
• Cambridge Science Centre in Cambridge offers hands-on science exhibitions. You can join workshops, watch shows, and listen to talks.
• Centre for Computing History in Cambridge explores technology and how computers have changed our world.
• Flag Fen Bronze Age Centre and Archaeology Park in Peterborough is an open-air site. It has reconstructions and finds from a Bronze Age settlement.
• Prickwillow Museum in Prickwillow shows the history of the Fens landscape. It explains how drainage systems were created and features restored diesel engines in an old pumping station.
• Railworld in Peterborough focuses on sustainable transport. It has model trains, real railway locomotives, and railway memorabilia.
• The Polar Museum in Cambridge is part of the University of Cambridge. It covers the history and science of explorations in the Arctic and Antarctic.
• Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences in Cambridge, part of the University of Cambridge, is all about geology. You can see rocks, minerals, and fossils.
• Stretham Old Engine in Stretham is a working steam engine. It's a great example of old technology.
• Whipple Museum of the History of Science in Cambridge, part of the University of Cambridge, has historic scientific instruments. It tells the story of how science has developed.
• Wimpole Home Farm in Arrington is an 18th-century working farm. It's operated by the National Trust.

Art and University Collections

These museums and galleries showcase art and special collections from the University of Cambridge.

• Cambridge University Library in Cambridge, part of the University of Cambridge, has changing exhibits. These show art, history, and culture from its vast collections.
• Cambridge University Museum of Zoology in Cambridge, part of the University of Cambridge, has specimens of fossil and living animals.
• Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, part of the University of Cambridge, is a major art museum. It has fine art, coins, Egyptian collections, ancient artifacts, and art from Asia and the Near East.
• Kettle's Yard in Cambridge, part of the University of Cambridge, is an art gallery. It features 20th and 21st-century art.
• Lawrence Room in Cambridge, at Girton College, Cambridge (part of the University of Cambridge), displays artifacts from Anglo-Saxon, Egyptian, and Classical Mediterranean times.
• Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Cambridge, part of the University of Cambridge, has artifacts from England, Ancient Rome, Africa, and the Pacific. It also features amazing sculptures.
• Museum of Classical Archaeology in Cambridge, part of the University of Cambridge, has plaster casts of Greek and Roman sculptures.
• New Hall Art Collection in Cambridge, at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge (a women's college of University of Cambridge), features works by women artists.
• People's Portraits Exhibition in Cambridge, at Girton College, Cambridge (part of the University of Cambridge), is a long-term exhibition. It shows portraits of everyday people painted by the Royal Society of Portrait Painters.
• Rupert Brooke Museum in Grantchester focuses on the life and works of the poet Rupert Brooke. It's next to The Orchard tea garden.
• Ruskin Gallery in Cambridge is part of Anglia Ruskin University.
• Stained Glass Museum in Ely is located inside Ely Cathedral. It displays historic and modern stained glass art.
• Taggart Gallery and Museum in Great Staughton is a shop with a museum. It features historic decorative tiles.
• Wysing Arts Centre in Bourn is a center for contemporary arts.

Military History Museums

Learn about important military events and history.

• Imperial War Museum Duxford in Duxford is a large museum. It has military aircraft, vehicles, artillery, and even small naval vessels.
• Tower Museum Bassingbourn near Royston tells the history of RAF Bassingbourn during World War II.
• Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum in Waterbeach covers the history of RAF Waterbeach until 1966 and Waterbeach Barracks.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

Sometimes museums close or move their collections. Here's one that used to be in Cambridgeshire.

• Fenland & West Norfolk Aviation Museum in Wisbech used to display military aviation items, including from World War II and other conflicts. Its collection has since moved to the City of Norwich Aviation Museum in Norfolk.

Images for kids

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  Anglesey Abbey

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  Cambridge Museum of Technology

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  Cambridge University Library

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  Cambridge University Museum of Zoology

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  Cromwell Museum

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  Denny Abbey

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  Elton Hall

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  Fitzwilliam Museum

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  Flag Fen Bronze Age Centre

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  Hinchingbrooke House

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  Houghton Mill

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  Imperial War Museum Duxford

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  Kettle's Yard

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  Kimbolton Castle

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  Longthorpe Tower

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  The Manor at Hemingford Grey

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  Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

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  Museum of Cambridge

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  Oliver Cromwell's House

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  Peckover House

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  Peterborough Museum

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  Prickwillow Museum

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  Railworld

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  The Polar Museum

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  Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences

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  Stained Glass Museum

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  Stretham Old Engine

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  Thorney Heritage Museum

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  Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum

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  Whipple Museum of the History of Science

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  Wimpole Hall

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  Wimpole Home Farm

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  Wisbech & Fenland Museum