Here’s a suggested one-day itinerary to explore several of Cambridge’s free museums, all within walking distance of each other. This route is designed to be leisurely, with time for breaks and lunch.
From Cambridge railway station, take the U2 Universal bus from stop 8. It takes about 10 minutes and stops outside the Fitzwilliam Museum. Alternatively it’s about a 25 minute walk from the station to the museum.
9:30 am – Start at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street
- Highlights: Ancient artefacts, Renaissance art, manuscripts.
- Allow: 1.5 hours
11:00 am – Coffee Break
- Try: Fitzbillies (famous for Chelsea buns, just around the corner)
11:30 am – Museum of Zoology, Downing Street
- Highlights: Whale skeleton, Darwin exhibits, animal specimens.
- Allow: 1 hour
12:30 pm – Lunch
- Try: The Eagle Pub (historic, where DNA structure was announced)
1:45 pm – Whipple Museum of the History of Science, Free School Lane
- Highlights: Scientific instruments, globes, early medical tools.
- Allow: 45 mins
2:30 pm – Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology,
- Highlights: Global cultures, local archaeology, rotating exhibits.
- Allow: 1 hour
3:30 pm – Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, Downing Street
- Highlights: Fossils, minerals, geology of the UK.
- Allow: 45 mins
Several different buses, including the 1, 3, X1 and X3, take 10 minutes from Emmanuel Street (Stop E2) back to the railway station.
4:15 pm – Optional: Museum of Classical Archaeology, Sidgwick Avenue (15 min walk)
- Highlights: Plaster casts of ancient sculptures.
- Allow: 30–45 mins
The U2 bus goes from the University Library back to the railway station, taking around 25 minutes.