The Museum of Cambridge

Talk: The Strange History and Homelife of Renaissance Magicians
2025-10-17 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London) | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Join author Rachel Morris for a highly atmospheric exploration of the charismatic magicians of the Tudor and Renaissance courts and the wives and families who kept the whole magical show on the road.
All things were believable back then – wizards, alchemy, fairies, angels. This is the story of those magical times.
This event will offer a luminous deep dive into the lives of men from Dee to Kepler to Bruno, who were also scientists, astrologers, mathematicians and alchemists.
The remarkable ideas of these magical men still permeate modern culture, from Philip Pullman to C S Lewis. But what do we know of the rest of their households – the lovers, wives, mothers and daughters?
In The Years of the Wizard Rachel Morris also vividly reimagines the less documented lives of the magicians’ families and lovers whose stories have too often been overshadowed by those of the powerful men in their company.
Women supported the travelling households by packing up the libraries, feeding the assistants, entertaining the patrons and educating the children as well as archiving, documenting and collaborating on magical work. Without them, this astonishing era of discovery would have ground to an emphatic halt.

About the speaker:
Former director of the museum-making company Metaphor, Rachel Morris has been part of the creation, design and delivery of some of the most exciting displays, renovations and museums of the last few decades, from the new Cast Courts at the V&A and the Ashmolean, Oxford to the Terracotta Warriors at the British Museum and Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Rachel is also the author of The Museum Makers and two novels.

Supporting the Museum of Cambridge
The Museum of Cambridge is an independent Charity and is not part of either the Cambridge Council or the University of Cambridge. We kindly suggest a donation of £8, which includes the talk, and entry to the Museum of Cambridge (usually £7 for Standard, £6 for Concession). Your donation supports the daily running and conservation care of the Museum, an independent charity.

Book Now!

Accessibility
You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email sumyin.wong@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Event attendees with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Photography and Videography
Please note that this talk will be recorded for future viewing online. Please also note that photographs will be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.

Tour: Cambridge in Context
2025-10-18 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-10-25 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-11-22 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-11-29 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-12-06 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-12-13 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-12-27 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-01-03 10:30 - 12:00 and 1 more date | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Want to hear about the history of Cambridge beyond just the history of the University?

Explore Cambridge’s evolution with the Museum of Cambridge.
Discover the stories that shaped one of the world’s most famous cities on our Cambridge in Context walking tour. Led by expert guides from the Museum of Cambridge, this journey through time brings the city’s rich social history to life, from the first Roman city to the present day.
our adventure begins at the Museum’s own home – a beautiful Grade II-listed 16th-century building – before you make your way up to Castle Mound, the site of a once-mighty Norman fortress built in the 11th century. Though the castle itself has long since disappeared, the remaining Motte still offers commanding panoramic views over Cambridge. From this historic vantage point, your guide will reveal how the city’s story first began.
From there, you will be led along Castle Street up to Magdalene Bridge, once the only entrance into the historic city, uncovering tales of change, innovation, and resilience that have shaped Cambridge through the centuries. Along the way, your guide will point out the landmarks and hidden corners that reveal just how much the city has transformed.
The tour concludes back at the Museum, where your ticket includes free admission. With your newfound understanding of Cambridge’s history, you’ll see the Museum’s collection in a whole new light – imagining the city as it was for generations before us.
Click here to book now: Museum of Cambridge – Cambridge in Context Tour

From the Crusades to the Windrush Generation: Black History in Cambridge & East Anglia
2025-10-23 18:15 - 19:15 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
This event is part of a series of Black History Month events at the Museum of Cambridge; find other events here.
Join us for a talk by local historian Dr Carol Brown-Leonardi exploring black history in Cambridge and East Anglia, tracing stories of resilience and history of the black contribution to English society from the Crusades to the present day.
Explore the remarkable life of Olaudah Equiano, the African abolitionist whose powerful autobiography helped shift public opinion against the transatlantic slave trade.
Hear the stories of the Caribbean communities who arrived in the UK and Cambridge in the 1950s and 1960s, establishing thriving local communities. Recently collected oral histories are featured as part of the Legacies of Windrush exhibition which is on until 26th January 2026.
This is a companion event to our exhibition, ‘Legacies of Windrush in Cambridge’, which aims to shine a light on the lives and experiences of the Caribbean Windrush community and those who left an indelible mark on Cambridge and the UK.

Supporting the Museum of Cambridge
The Museum of Cambridge is an independent Charity and is not part of either the Cambridge Council or the University of Cambridge. We kindly suggest a donation of £5, which supports the daily running and conservation care of the Museum, an independent charity.

Book Now!

Accessibility
You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email enquiries@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Event attendees with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Photography and Videography
Please note that this talk will be recorded for future viewing online. Please also note that photographs will be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.

October Half Term at the Museum of Cambridge
2025-10-25 - 2025-11-02 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
October Half Term at the Museum of Cambridge
There’s both tricks and treats at the Museum of Cambridge this Half Term, with corn dolly crafting and a witch bottle trail.

Have a go at making your own straw creation at FREE drop-in crafts this October Half Term.
🌾 Corn Dolly Crazy
📍 Make a harvest token to give to a loved one, or somewhere for the spirits to live through the winter. This craft is steeped in history, and accessible to all children 7+.
⏰ All sessions run 11:00 – 15:00 in the Enid Porter Room
Saturday 25th October
Sunday 26th October
Monday 27th October
Thursday 30th October
Friday 31st October
Saturday 1st November
🎟 No Booking required, just pop by!

Plus, create your own witch bottle on a brand-new trail through the Museum. Standard admission applies, children 16 and under go FREE!
🧹 Witch Bottle Trail
📍 Travel around the Museum of Cambridge, gathering ingredients for your witch bottle – a protective spell against witchcraft. By the end of your visit, you’ll have your very own bottle to take away.
⏰ Available during Museum opening hours all Half Term.
Monday – Saturday 10:00-17:00
Sunday 11:00-16:00
🎟 Included with Museum admission, children 16 and under FREE!

October Half Term - Corn Dolly Crazy
2025-10-25 11:00 - 15:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
October Half Term – Corn Dolly Crazy
Have a go at making your own straw creation at FREE drop-in crafts this October Half Term.

🌾 Corn Dolly Crazy
📍 Make a harvest token to give to a loved one, or somewhere for the spirits to live through the winter. This craft is steeped in history, and accessible to all children 7+.
⏰ All sessions run 11:00 – 15:00 in the Enid Porter Room
Saturday 25th October
Sunday 26th October
Monday 27th October
Thursday 30th October
Friday 31st October
Saturday 1st November
🎟 No Booking required, just pop by!

Dates:
Saturday 25th October
Sunday 26th October
Monday 27th October
Thursday 30th October
Friday 31st October
Saturday 1st November

Times:
11:00 – 15:00

Tickets:
No tickets are required, pop by the Enid Porter Room any time while the event is running!

Place:
The Enid Porter Room
Museum of Cambridge
2-3 Castle Street
Cambridge
CB3 0AQ

Accessibility:
The Enid Porter Room has level access into the space. You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email enquiries@museumofcambridge.org.uk.

Getting Here:
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop nearby on Bridge Street. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.

Photography:
Please note that photographs may be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.

Healthy Events:
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for COVID-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to welcome you at the Museum on another day.

October Half Term - Corn Dolly Crazy
2025-10-26 11:00 - 15:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
October Half Term – Corn Dolly Crazy
Have a go at making your own straw creation at FREE drop-in crafts this October Half Term.

🌾 Corn Dolly Crazy
📍 Make a harvest token to give to a loved one, or somewhere for the spirits to live through the winter. This craft is steeped in history, and accessible to all children 7+.
⏰ All sessions run 11:00 – 15:00 in the Enid Porter Room
Sunday 26th October
Monday 27th October
Thursday 30th October
Friday 31st October
Saturday 1st November
🎟 No Booking required, just pop by!

Dates:
Sunday 26th October
Monday 27th October
Thursday 30th October
Friday 31st October
Saturday 1st November

Times:
11:00 – 15:00

Tickets:
No tickets are required, pop by the Enid Porter Room any time while the event is running!

Place:
The Enid Porter Room
Museum of Cambridge
2-3 Castle Street
Cambridge
CB3 0AQ

Accessibility:
The Enid Porter Room has level access into the space. You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email enquiries@museumofcambridge.org.uk.

Getting Here:
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop nearby on Bridge Street. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.

Photography:
Please note that photographs may be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.

Healthy Events:
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for COVID-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to welcome you at the Museum on another day.

October Half Term - Corn Dolly Crazy
2025-10-27 11:00 - 15:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
October Half Term – Corn Dolly Crazy
Have a go at making your own straw creation at FREE drop-in crafts this October Half Term.

🌾 Corn Dolly Crazy
📍 Make a harvest token to give to a loved one, or somewhere for the spirits to live through the winter. This craft is steeped in history, and accessible to all children 7+.
⏰ All sessions run 11:00 – 15:00 in the Enid Porter Room
Monday 27th October
Thursday 30th October
Friday 31st October
Saturday 1st November
🎟 No Booking required, just pop by!

Dates:
Monday 27th October
Thursday 30th October
Friday 31st October
Saturday 1st November

Times:
11:00 – 15:00

Tickets:
No tickets are required, pop by the Enid Porter Room any time while the event is running!

Place:
The Enid Porter Room
Museum of Cambridge
2-3 Castle Street
Cambridge
CB3 0AQ

Accessibility:
The Enid Porter Room has level access into the space. You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email enquiries@museumofcambridge.org.uk.

Getting Here:
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop nearby on Bridge Street. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.

Photography:
Please note that photographs may be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.

Healthy Events:
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for COVID-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to welcome you at the Museum on another day.

Little Feet, Big Impressions
2025-10-29 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-11-12 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-11-26 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-01-07 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-01-21 10:30 - 12:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Little Feet, Big Impressions at the Museum of Cambridge!
Join us for our programme of FREE storytelling and activities every two weeks for families with children aged 1-5.
Be welcomed into the Museum’s purpose-built event space, the Enid Porter Room, with complementary tea and coffee, before entering our 16th-century building to explore the objects on display with some storytelling. Then return to the Enid Porter Room for a sensory activity related to the story you heard.
Sessions run every other Wednesday from 10:30 – 12:00.
This is NOT a drop-in session, and will begin at the advertised start time.
Tickets are FREE, but places must be booked in advance. Please book here.

October Half Term - Corn Dolly Crazy
2025-10-30 11:00 - 15:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
October Half Term – Corn Dolly Crazy
Have a go at making your own straw creation at FREE drop-in crafts this October Half Term.

🌾 Corn Dolly Crazy
📍 Make a harvest token to give to a loved one, or somewhere for the spirits to live through the winter. This craft is steeped in history, and accessible to all children 7+.
⏰ All sessions run 11:00 – 15:00 in the Enid Porter Room
Thursday 30th October
Friday 31st October
Saturday 1st November
🎟 No Booking required, just pop by!

Dates:
Thursday 30th October
Friday 31st October
Saturday 1st November

Times:
11:00 – 15:00

Tickets:
No tickets are required, pop by the Enid Porter Room any time while the event is running!

Place:
The Enid Porter Room
Museum of Cambridge
2-3 Castle Street
Cambridge
CB3 0AQ

Accessibility:
The Enid Porter Room has level access into the space. You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email enquiries@museumofcambridge.org.uk.

Getting Here:
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop nearby on Bridge Street. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.

Photography:
Please note that photographs may be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.

Healthy Events:
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for COVID-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to welcome you at the Museum on another day.

October Half Term - Corn Dolly Crazy
2025-10-31 11:00 - 15:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
October Half Term – Corn Dolly Crazy
Have a go at making your own straw creation at FREE drop-in crafts this October Half Term.

🌾 Corn Dolly Crazy
📍 Make a harvest token to give to a loved one, or somewhere for the spirits to live through the winter. This craft is steeped in history, and accessible to all children 7+.
⏰ All sessions run 11:00 – 15:00 in the Enid Porter Room
Friday 31st October
Saturday 1st November
🎟 No Booking required, just pop by!

Dates:
Friday 31st October
Saturday 1st November

Times:
11:00 – 15:00

Tickets:
No tickets are required, pop by the Enid Porter Room any time while the event is running!

Place:
The Enid Porter Room
Museum of Cambridge
2-3 Castle Street
Cambridge
CB3 0AQ

Accessibility:
The Enid Porter Room has level access into the space. You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email enquiries@museumofcambridge.org.uk.

Getting Here:
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop nearby on Bridge Street. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.

Photography:
Please note that photographs may be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.

Healthy Events:
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for COVID-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to welcome you at the Museum on another day.

Talk: Strange Creatures and Mysterious Beings of Cambridgeshire
2025-10-31 18:00 - 19:30 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
It’s time for our annual Halloween live podcast event! Hosted by Ruth McPhee of the Ruth is Stranger than fiction podcast, this Halloween we will take a spooky but light-hearted journey through the folklore of Cambridgeshire. What fearsome animals and devilish beings stalk the fields and fens of our county? Black riders, unearthly lights, spectral dogs and (alleged) giant cats – the Shug Monkey is only the beginning!

About the speaker:
Ruth is Stranger than Fiction is a podcast about all things East Anglia, but particularly things of an unusual, folkloric, or macabre nature. An exploration of past episodes will reveal hauntings, murders, witch trials, scandals, diseases, ghouls, smugglers, and other dark tales from across the region.

Supporting the Museum of Cambridge
The Museum of Cambridge is an independent Charity and is not part of either the Cambridge Council or the University of Cambridge. We kindly suggest a donation of £10, which includes the talk, an alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) beverage, and entry to the Museum of Cambridge (usually £7 for Standard, £6 for Concession). Your donation supports the daily running and conservation care of the Museum, an independent charity.

Book Now!

Accessibility
You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email sumyin.wong@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Event attendees with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Photography and Videography
Please note that this talk will be recorded for future viewing online. Please also note that photographs will be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.

October Half Term - Corn Dolly Crazy
2025-11-01 11:00 - 15:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
October Half Term – Corn Dolly Crazy
Have a go at making your own straw creation at FREE drop-in crafts this October Half Term.

🌾 Corn Dolly Crazy
📍 Make a harvest token to give to a loved one, or somewhere for the spirits to live through the winter. This craft is steeped in history, and accessible to all children 7+.
⏰ All sessions run 11:00 – 15:00 in the Enid Porter Room
Saturday 1st November
🎟 No Booking required, just pop by!

Dates:
Saturday 1st November

Times:
11:00 – 15:00

Tickets:
No tickets are required, pop by the Enid Porter Room any time while the event is running!

Place:
The Enid Porter Room
Museum of Cambridge
2-3 Castle Street
Cambridge
CB3 0AQ

Accessibility:
The Enid Porter Room has level access into the space. You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email enquiries@museumofcambridge.org.uk.

Getting Here:
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop nearby on Bridge Street. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.

Photography:
Please note that photographs may be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.

Healthy Events:
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for COVID-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to welcome you at the Museum on another day.

Talk: A Cambridge Diary: A 365 day project that took 13 years
2025-11-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Martin Bond is a professional photographer who has lived in Cambridge all his life. His personal photography project — A Cambridge Diary, saw him post a photograph of his hometown online every day for more than thirteen years. At the end of last year at number 5,000, he published his final continuous daily picture receiving the attention of national and international media including The Guardian, BBC and Smithsonian Magazine. He has published two books – ’Town & Gown’ and ’Time & Space’ – each with a picture for every day of the year selected from his archive of photographs. Martin will be talking about his Cambridge Diary project, his photography and the importance of the viewer in the creative process.

About the speaker:

Martin Bond was born in Cambridge and has lived in the city all his life. His grandparents ran The Little Rose Public House, which still trades on Trumpington Street opposite the Fitzwilliam Museum. His mother was an invoicing clerk at Pye Telecommunications, while his father, a carpenter, worked for Coulson & Son, both businesses with a long history in Cambridge. He has a younger sister and two nephews.
Martin’s chequered career includes employment as a building surveyor with Coulson & Son, a retail manager for Andy’s Records, a singer in professional show band Cops, Advertising Manager for the Cambridge Evening News and Marketing Director for London media agency Mediaforce.
In 2001 Martin left his job in the City and started working as a freelance graphic artist. During this period of self-employment one of his clients asked about some photography work and occasional requests developed into regular assignments for prestigious brands including Jaguar and Coutts & Co. Accidentally, Martin found that he had become a professional photographer and has continued in this profession.
Find out more about Martin at acambridgediary.co.uk and cambridgebooks.co.uk

Supporting the Museum of Cambridge
The Museum of Cambridge is an independent Charity and is not part of either the Cambridge Council or the University of Cambridge. We kindly suggest a donation of £8, which includes the talk and entry to the Museum of Cambridge (usually £7 for Standard, £6 for Concession). Your donation supports the daily running and conservation care of the Museum, an independent charity.

Book Now!

Accessibility
You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email sumyin.wong@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Event attendees with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Photography and Videography
Please note that this talk will be recorded for future viewing online. Please also note that photographs will be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.

Pub Quiz Night Fundraiser
2025-11-06 18:00 - 21:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
We’re hosting our inaugural fundraising Pub Quiz Night!
Are you looking for our upcoming Pub Quiz? We’re hosting our next fundraising Pub Quiz Night on 19th March 2026! Find out more and book your tickets here.
DATE: 6th November 2025
TIME: Quiz takes place from 7pm-9pm. Doors open at 6pm to explore the Museum beforehand
LOCATION: The Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, CB3 0AQ
COST: £15 per person (includes free drink and free private museum entry)
Join us for a night of facts, fun and fundraising as the Museum of Cambridge hosts its first pub quiz evening. Why a pub quiz we hear you ask? Well, the museum is housed in a grade-II listed 17th century inn and we felt it was time to honour that past with some traditional pub entertainment!
So, grab your friends, family or colleagues and come and compete for the title of ’Brain of Cambridge’! The top teams will also win some great prizes kindly donated by local Cambridgeshire businesses, including:

A £50 voucher for Tradizioni
A £35 voucher for My Persian Kitchen
Some juice from Cambridge Juice Company
Tickets for The Cambridge Museum of Technology

Tickets cost £15 per person and this includes one free drink (kindly provided by local brewery, Bishop Nick Brewery) as well as free entry to the museum on the night (this may or may not give you a sneaky advantage on the night should some related questions come up…..wink wink).
Due to space, there is a maximum number of 5 people per team. Our booking form will ask those booking two tickets or less if they are happy to be teamed up with other people. This is entirely optional, just let us know on the form.
Tickets are limited so book now to secure your place!
All proceeds will go towards the continued running of the Museum and the conservation of its objects, helping us to keep the Museum open and preserve the stories of Cambridge and its people.
More information can be found in our FAQs below.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS VIA THE FORM BELOW

FAQs

Can I book as an individual or a couple/pair of friends – or do I have to book as part of a team?
You can book up to five tickets at once, including individual tickets. This can be done via the booking form. If you are booking two tickets or less, please book using the individual ticket option and let us know via the form whether you are happy to be teamed with other people.

Is there a maximum number for a team?
Teams are limited to 5 people per team, maximum. This is due to space in the Enid Porter Room. There is no minimum number of people per team

Can I just turn up on the night?
Due to a lack of space, bookings need to be made in advance but you can change the names of people you have booked for if necessary

Are there prizes?
Prizes will be given to the top three/two teams. Prizes have been donated by local businesses (more details coming soon).

Where is the Museum of Cambridge/the Enid Porter Room?
The Museum of Cambridge can be found at 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, CB3 0AQ. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard, on Castle Hill, at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street, only an 11-minute walk from the market square. The Enid Porter Room is to the left of the main entrance.

Is there parking at the Museum?
Unfortunately, there is no parking at the Museum of Cambridge, however, we are very accessible by public transport and only a short walk from the centre of Cambridge. You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop nearby on Bridge Street. Find out more about how to get to the Museum by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website’s ‘Getting Here’ page.

Do I have to visit the museum before the quiz? Could I use my free entry to the museum on another day?
Entry to the Museum on the night is optional, but there may be questions on the collection included in the quiz. If you would like to use your free entry to the Museum at a different time after the date of the quiz you may.

Will there be any food available?
In the spirit of the tavern, snacks such as crisps will be available to purchase on the night, as will additional beers, wine and soft drinks.

Other information
Accessibility:
The Enid Porter Room has level access into the space. This activity will involve moving through the Museum of Cambridge which has uneven floors and narrow doorways and a non-accessible lift. You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email enquiries@museumofcambridge.org.uk.

Photography:
Please note that photographs may be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.

Healthy Events:
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for COVID-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to welcome you at the Museum on another day.

A 1920s Christmas at the Museum of Cambridge
2025-11-08 - 2026-01-05 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
A 1920s Christmas at the Museum of Cambridge

The Museum of Cambridge is turning back the clock for Christmas this year. Join us in the historic White Horse Inn for a 1920s Christmas morning: the decorations are up in the bar, dinner is being prepared in the kitchen, and the table is laid in the dining parlour.

Discover Christmas in Cambridge, a century ago
With decorations throughout the Museum alongside all-new interpretation on the traditions of the Roaring 20s, we’re thrilled to invite you to a cosy Christmas in our historic 400-year-old building!
Wind your way through our festive rooms, and learn about what people ate for Christmas, traditions of the era, and how Christmas dinner was set!
Take your time to decorate a reproduction Christmas card from the Museum’s collection, read a story in a comfy nook and write your Christmas list surrounded by toys from the past.
Learn about homemade crafts based on our exhibition here, and try your hand at home!
The Museum of Cambridge Christmas experience is now open until Monday January 5 2026. Visit a 1920s Christmas alongside all our wonderful objects on display, including our temporary exhibition, ‘Legacies of Windrush in Cambridge’. Standard entry with donation to the Museum (an independent charity) is £7.70, or £6 for concessions. Children 16 and under always enter free.

It’s never too early to start Christmas shopping!
We are highlighting local artists in Cambridge and Cambridgeshire this festive season! Step inside our Museum Shop and discover a treasure trove of locally inspired gifts, books, and treats. Everything we stock is carefully chosen to celebrate our local heritage — from iconic cards and unique gifts to fascinating books on local history.
You’ll also find:

Christmas decorations, cards, and gifts
Locally produced honey and delicious confectionery
Handmade jewellery
Beautiful tea towels and homeware
Toys and games for curious minds
Second hand books for all ages
Gifts and souvenirs all about Cambridge

Find out what local suppliers we stock here.

Talk: A Very Merry 1920s Christmas!
Tuesday 9 December, 6:00-7:00PM
Take a light hearted look at Christmas in the 1920s with Dr Emma Bastin and explore Christmas decorations and gifts; parties and events; and of course, food and drink! We’ll explore the glitz and glamour of high society Christmases, but also see how ordinary people celebrated this most exciting time of year. Pull on your Christmas jumper and shimmy into your sequined dress, and join us for a festive talk and a glass of mulled wine!
Find out more and book your place here.

Getting Here:
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop nearby on Bridge Street. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.

Community Exhibition: The Angels Foundation UK
2025-11-24 - 2026-01-25 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
The Museum of Cambridge is delighted to host The Angels Foundation UK, a charity which provides essential, trauma-informed services designed to support domestic abuse survivors and their families as they rebuild their lives.
About The Angels Foundation UK :
The Angels Foundation UK support individuals and families in Cambridgeshire fleeing domestic abuse, providing essential furniture, flooring, and appliances through our ‘Back to Life’ project. With a trauma-informed approach, they offer wraparound support and counselling to help survivors and their children heal, rebuild, and break the cycle.
If you’re interested in learning more about their work, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Flyers with more information will be available alongside the display. Link to The Angels Foundation UK website: www.angelsfoundation.com/home
The Angels Foundation UK community exhibition will be on display until 25 January 2026. Standard admissions rates apply. Entry is £7.70 with a donation, £6 for concession and free for 16 years and under.
Accessibility
You can read about our accessibility information on our website here Accessibility – The Museum of Cambridge. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email enquiries@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Visitors with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.

Talk: A Very Merry 1920s Christmas!
2025-12-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Take a light hearted look at Christmas in the 1920s with Dr Emma Bastin and explore Christmas decorations and gifts; parties and events; and of course, food and drink! We’ll explore the glitz and glamour of high society Christmases, but also see how ordinary people celebrated this most exciting time of year. Pull on your Christmas jumper and shimmy into your sequined dress, and join us for a festive talk and a glass of mulled wine!

About the speaker:

Dr Emma Bastin is a historian specialising in the interwar years. She particularly loves anything to do with society, culture and consumerism. She has worked with BBC History Extra, the London Transport Museum, Auctionet Academy and Art Fund. She is Treasurer of the Art Deco Society UK and is working on her first book on Vogue editor Alison Settle.
Find out more from Emma here: www.emmabastin.com
Supporting the Museum of Cambridge
The Museum of Cambridge is an independent Charity and is not part of either the Cambridge Council or the University of Cambridge. We kindly suggest a donation of £10, which includes the talk, an alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) beverage, and entry to the Museum of Cambridge (usually £7 for Standard, £6 for Concession). Your donation supports the daily running and conservation care of the Museum, an independent charity.

Book Now!

Accessibility
You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email sumyin.wong@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Event attendees with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Photography and Videography
Please note that this talk will be recorded for future viewing online. Please also note that photographs will be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.

Talk: Firestarter: From Shelford hero to the gallows on Castle Hill
2025-12-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Firestarter: The Fiery Life and Controversial Death of John Stallon, the Shelford Arsonist is part true-crime mystery, part historical investigation. Set in the early 19th century, it is the tale of a farm worker who gains notoriety for setting multiple fires on farms in a village near to Cambridge. It is also the story of how that village determines to rid itself of a man whose actions are not only disruptive but are a distraction from the drive for ‘progress’.
Was Stallon a revolutionary or a compulsive sociopath? A wronged man or a terrorist? History can’t tell us with certainty which of these labels fits John Stallon best, but each reader can make their own judgment, based on the evidence Firestarter claws back from history’s obscure sources.
Join Fraser Grace, author of Firestarter, as he reads from his book and talks about the joys and challenges of bringing ‘undocumented lives’ from the nineteenth century into print.

About the speaker:

Fraser Grace is a freelance writer, and Senior Teaching Associate at the University of Cambridge, co-directing the Creative Writing Masters’ programme in Writing for Performance.
Best known as a playwright, his play Breakfast with Mugabe was first produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company directed by Antony Sher in 2005, before being broadcast by BBC Radio 3 and The World Service. Further productions followed in the UK and the USA, and most recently at The Market Theatre, Johannesburg in July/August 2025.
His new book Firestarter is available from Galileo Publications, and can be purchased at the Museum shop.

Supporting the Museum of Cambridge
The Museum of Cambridge is an independent Charity and is not part of either the Cambridge Council or the University of Cambridge. We kindly suggest a donation of £8, which includes the talk and entry to the Museum of Cambridge (usually £7 for Standard, £6 for Concession). Your donation supports the daily running and conservation care of the Museum, an independent charity.

Book Now!

Accessibility
You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email sumyin.wong@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Event attendees with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Photography and Videography
Please note that this talk will be recorded for future viewing online. Please also note that photographs will be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.
