The Museum of Cambridge

Thanks to You: Free Entry to the Museum for National Lottery Players
2019-11-28 10:30 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Your National Lottery ticket purchases are a key part to securing our local heritage.
To say thank you, we would like open the Museum to you for free.
Everyone here at the Museum of Cambridge are hugely grateful to everyone who has played the National Lottery. Your ticket purchases have helped to support and sustain our projects over many years.
As a thank you, please come and enjoy free entry to the Museum on Thursday 28 November. Just bring a lottery ticket.

Terms and conditions:
– One redemption per picket shown.
– All National Lottery games qualify (including National Lottery draw-based games and National Lottery scratchcards). Proof of purchase of a National Lottery game can be either hard copy ticket or digital.
– The date of draw / purchase is not relevant.
– Please check the museum website prior to visiting.
– The Museum of Cambridge has the right to refuse entry in the unlikely event of venue reaching capacity, as well as unforeseen circumstances.
– In the event of enquiries on the day, the manager’s decision is final.

Exhibition: Hiraeth
2019-11-06 10:30 - 2019-12-16 16:30 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Hiraeth is an ‘untranslatable’ Welsh word conveying a sense of deep longing for a home which you cannot return to, or which maybe never was.
Its closest English equivalent would be ‘homesickness’, but it’s closer to the Portuguese saudade or the Russian toska.
The word was the inspiration for a project supported by the student volunteering organisation Cambridge Hub, exploring how different groups of people relate to home and belonging in Cambridge and how we map our memories in relation to place and material.
In the summer of 2019, the Hiraeth Project particularly focused on migrant memories, and the challenges of constructing a home and identity in the context of displacement. The work from this fantastic project will be on display at the Museum of Cambridge in a unique exhibition related to these stories and memories.
The exhibition will explore how different groups of people relate to home and belonging in Cambridge, through audio recordings of participants talking about places in the city, maps of the city they drew from memory, alongside photos and further information about the project. There will also be the opportunity for visitors to the exhibition to contribute their own memories to a collective map of Cambridge, both as part of the exhibition and during a participatory mapping workshop on the 9th November, as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences.

November Walking Tour: Hidden Cambridge and the Museum of Cambridge
2019-11-03 10:30 - 12:00 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Journey through the streets of Hidden Cambridge to the Museum of Cambridge
A walking tour for local residents who have always meant to explore the side streets and alleyways but never quite had the time, as well as for visitors to our city who want to discover more of Cambridge beyond King’s Parade.
Join us as we explore Hidden Cambridge, taking in the streets, alleys, buildings and history of the people living in the area between St John’s College and Quayside — the centre of trade that made the town a thriving inland port long before the first students arrived — before crossing the river to Castle Hill and the location of the Roman settlement of Duroliponte, the 2,000 year-old forerunner of the city we know today.
The 90-minute tour will end at the Museum of Cambridge. While it may not resemble a Greek temple, this small, independent museum located in a former coaching inn has a big story to share. Suffused with the history of the local people of Cambridge, it contains an eclectic collection of everyday objects used in day-to-day life, from vacuum cleaners and washing machines to false teeth and mantraps!
The tour will be led by a Cambridge Badged Guide, who will give their time for free – reflecting their high regard for both the Museum of Cambridge and the local history of our city.
Tickets are available at £10.00 per person, which includes an annual pass to the Museum, from the Visit Cambridge website.
Children under 12 years of age can attend for free when accompanied by an adult.
The Round ChurchPortugal PlaceThrough the Door of St Peter’sThe Hawks’ Club

Spooky Tales with Sarah Brady
2019-10-26 15:00 - 15:30, 2019-10-26 14:00 - 14:30, 2019-10-23 15:00 - 15:30, 2019-10-23 14:00 - 14:30 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Our visitors don’t just come during the day…
At night, the Museum is said to have it’s fair share of ghosts too!
Storyteller, Sarah Brady, will be telling us more about the ghosts at the Museum, along with some other spooky local stories, at 2pm and 3pm on Wednesday 23 October and Saturday 26 October for 4, half hour family sessions.
This event is FREE

October Walking Tour: Hidden Cambridge and the Museum of Cambridge
2019-10-06 10:30 - 12:00 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom

Cambridge Festival of Cycling Talk: Did Queen Victoria Ride a Bike?
2019-09-25 18:30 - 19:30 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
A story of the birth of the simplest yet essential and popular machines known to man.
This talk is part of the Cambridge Festival of Cycling. It will cover the development of the bicycle in an informal and relaxed way and build a picture of the world into which it had been born, the Victorian Age and Industrial Revolution and on into the 21st century.
Imagine a world without a wheel. Around 3500BC the potters of Mesopotamia started using a simple turntable. They had created a wheel. Men and women used wheels in pairs, threes, fours and fives but not until 1790 was a machine created with two wheels which they could sit astride and move using their legs. The bicycle had arrived. It took another 30 years for it to be fitted with steering! The addition of pedals took another 10 years!
Free.

Open Cambridge: Museum of Cambridge Open Days
2019-09-14 10:30 - 17:00, 2019-09-13 10:30 - 17:00 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Looking for a good opportunity to visit us?
Why not pop in on Friday 13th or Saturday 14th September. You’ll be able to visit us for FREE!
We’re a unique, quirky historic space. A place where visitors can discover and celebrate the social history and diverse stories of the people of Cambridge and its surrounding areas. As an independent organisation that is volunteer led, we usually charge entry. This ensures that we can keep our doors open and continue to welcome all.
For these two days, we’re offering a rare opportunity to visit us for free – this is your chance to come along!

KNIT FOR THE RIVER: Caroline Wright at the Museum of Cambridge
2019-09-08 11:30 - 16:30 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Have you ever knitted or fancied giving it a go?
Would you like to do something to help support the River Cam and its wildlife?
Then come join us and Knit For The River!
Inspired by the River Cam and its textile traditions, artist Caroline Wright is inviting the people of Cambridge to collectively knit a new type of blanket that will be installed on the River Cam riverbank to support the plants and wildlife living there.
Over the past 3 months Caroline Wright, local artist Cathy Dunbar and members of all sorts of different communities across Cambridge have been knitting hundreds of 10cm squares of undyed wool.
These squares will be joined together into woollen blankets, inserted with native River Cam plants and seedlings, and installed into areas of the river that are naturally eroding. Over several months, as the wool naturally disintegrates, the plants and seedlings will take root into the riverbank, helping to protect, support and maintain the river and its wildlife.
On Sunday 8 September join Caroline and Cathy anytime between 11:30am-4:30pm to find out more about the project, have a go yourself at knitting the final squares and see the blankets be stitched together. All people of all ages are welcome to drop in anytime and no experience of knitting is needed!
KNIT FOR THE RIVER is supported by Museum of Cambridge, the Biodiversity Office at Cambridge City Council and the Cam Conservators and has been created as part of the ‘To The River’ residency, supported by Cambridge City Council. Produced by Artsadmin.
Sunday 8th September 2019, 11:30am-4:30pm.
Drop in, all ages welcome, no need to book.
FREE
The Round ChurchPortugal PlaceThrough the Door of St Peter’sThe Hawks’ Club

September Walking Tour: Hidden Cambridge and the Museum of Cambridge
2019-09-01 10:30 - 12:00 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom

Activity: Summer at the Museums - Anyone Can Be an Artist
2019-08-29 11:00 - 14:00, 2019-08-27 11:00 - 14:00, 2019-08-22 11:00 - 14:00, 2019-08-20 11:00 - 14:00, 2019-08-15 11:00 - 14:00, 2019-08-13 11:00 - 14:00, 2019-08-08 11:00 - 14:00, 2019-08-06 11:00 - 14:00 and 2 more dates | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Ever wanted to be an artist? We think anyone can be!
Join us at the Museum of Cambridge for ‘Summer at the Museums’ from the 30th July- 29th August.
Over this summer holiday, we would like to welcome all families to take part in our ‘Anyone Can Be an Artist’ folk art craft activities every Tuesday and Thursday from 11am-2pm. Come and have a go at becoming an artist and create your own peg dolls, stained glass, patchwork flowers and finger puppets.
We’ll have a new family trail too, so there’s plenty to do to keep the whole family entertained!
DROP IN
£1 per child or free with an accompanying adult paying museum entry.

Event: Museum Adventures with the 'Hidden Tales' at Heffers!
2019-08-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Heffers Bookshop, 20 Trinity Street, Cambridge, CB2 1TY, United Kingdom
Come to Heffers children’s department this August for some amazing activities with the team behind the exciting new museum adventure book, Hidden Tales!
From a bookshop treasure hunt to handling museum objects, there will be something different each week with special guest appearances from four Cambridge Museums and their collections.
Ever wondered how they used to catch eels in the Fens? Or what toys Victorian children used to play with? Come and find out at the Museum of Cambridge handling table on Friday 23rd August, 2pm – 3pm. Explore stories of Cambridgeshire from the ordinary to the extraordinary and hold some of our mystery objects. You never know what you might find!

August Walking Tour: Hidden Cambridge and the Museum of Cambridge
2019-08-04 10:30 - 12:00 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Journey through the streets of Hidden Cambridge to the Museum of Cambridge
A walking tour for local residents who have always meant to explore the side streets and alleyways but never quite had the time, as well as for visitors to our city who want to discover more of Cambridge beyond King’s Parade.
Join us as we explore Hidden Cambridge, taking in the streets, alleys, buildings and history of the people living in the area between St John’s College and Quayside — the centre of trade that made the town a thriving inland port long before the first students arrived — before crossing the river to Castle Hill and the location of the Roman settlement of Duroliponte, the 2,000 year-old forerunner of the city we know today.
The 90-minute tour will end at the Museum of Cambridge. While it may not resemble a Greek temple, this small, independent museum located in a former coaching inn has a big story to share. Suffused with the history of the local people of Cambridge, it contains an eclectic collection of everyday objects used in day-to-day life, from vacuum cleaners and washing machines to false teeth and mantraps!
The tour will be led by a Cambridge Badged Guide, who will give their time for free – reflecting their high regard for both the Museum of Cambridge and the local history of our city.
Tickets are available at £10.00 per person, which includes a day pass to the Museum, from the Visit Cambridge website.
Children under 12 years of age can attend for free when accompanied by an adult.
The Round ChurchPortugal PlaceThrough the Door of St Peter’sThe Hawks’ Club

Event: Castle Hill Open Day
2019-07-13 12:00 - 17:00 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Come and explore one of the oldest and most vibrant areas of Cambridge as venues on Castle Hill open their doors for the day!
Historians, local experts, artists, musicians and dancers will come together to provide a variety of free, drop-in events for all ages – and the Museum of Cambridge will be no exception!
Visit us for lots of fun family activities (rain or shine), including our ‘Museum of Mysteries’ trail which will be available for families of all ages to explore our Museums’ stories from the ordinary to the extraordinary on a self-led visit. If that’s not enough, a ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ craft workshop will be running in our Enid Porter Room, allowing visitors to create their own collection, alongside two story-telling sessions at 2:30pm and 3:30pm in our playroom!

July Walking Tour: Hidden Cambridge and the Museum of Cambridge
2019-07-07 10:30 - 12:00 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom

Event: the Museum of Cambridge at the Big Weekend
2019-07-06 | Parker’s Piece, Parker's Piece, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 1NA, United Kingdom
Join us on Parker’s Piece for an afternoon of activities, chat and fun on Saturday 6 July!
It’s that time of the year again. We’re venturing beyond the Grade II listed walls of our Museum for a day and coming to see you as part of the Cambridge Big Weekend.
Come along and chat to us about the Museum or get hands-on with our craft activity inspired by some of the old toys we have in our collection.

Exhibition: 50th Anniversary of St. Luke's Primary School
2019-06-26 10:30 - 2019-07-24 17:00 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
What happens when a primary school curates an exhibition?
You’ll have to pop in to the Museum to see.
‘The pupils of St Luke’s have contributed to an exhibition at the Museum of Cambridge! Different year groups created different projects. Reception recorded an interview with somebody who knew history about the school and Year 6 have sewn the symbols of many different religions and created a big cross. We are excited to celebrate 50 years of our brilliant school. We hope you enjoy looking at the exhibition!’
Max, Year 6 Pupil at St. Luke’s School

June Walking Tour: Hidden Cambridge and the Museum of Cambridge
2019-06-02 10:30 - 12:00 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Journey through the streets of Hidden Cambridge to the Museum of Cambridge
A walking tour for local residents who have always meant to explore the side streets and alleyways but never quite had the time, as well as for visitors to our city who want to discover more of Cambridge beyond King’s Parade.
Join us as we explore Hidden Cambridge, taking in the streets, alleys, buildings and history of the people living in the area between St John’s College and Quayside — the centre of trade that made the town a thriving inland port long before the first students arrived — before crossing the river to Castle Hill and the location of the Roman settlement of Duroliponte, the 2,000 year-old forerunner of the city we know today.
The 90-minute tour will end at the Museum of Cambridge. While it may not resemble a Greek temple, this small, independent museum located in a former coaching inn has a big story to share. Suffused with the history of the local people of Cambridge, it contains an eclectic collection of everyday objects used in day-to-day life, from vacuum cleaners and washing machines to false teeth and mantraps!
The tour will be led by a Cambridge Badged Guide, who will give their time for free – reflecting their high regard for both the Museum of Cambridge and the local history of our city.
Tickets are available at £8.00 per person, which includes a day pass to the Museum, from the Visit Cambridge website.
Children under 12 years of age can attend for free when accompanied by an adult.
The Round ChurchPortugal PlaceThrough the Door of St Peter’sThe Hawks’ Club
