Museums & collections

Introduction

The University's collections are a world-class resource for researchers, students and members of the public.

Here in Cambridge we have the country's highest concentration of internationally important collections outside London. Use them and enjoy them!

Fitzwilliam Museum  [map]
Trumpington Street
Tel: 01223 332900
Website: http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/
Open: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5
  Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays 12-5

From Egyptian coffins to Impressionist masterpieces; illuminated manuscripts to Renaissance sculpture; rare coins and medals to Oriental applied arts - discover the Fitzwilliam Museum's world-class collections of art and antiquities. The Fitzwilliam has been hailed as 'the finest small museum in Europe', and 'a collection of beauty, quality and rarity', with diverse temporary exhibitions and an outdoor sculpture display. Regular events and activities for all ages are on offer, as well as a Courtyard Shop and Cafe.

Kettle's Yard   [map]
Castle Street
Tel: 01223 748100
Website: http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk/
Gallery Open: Tuesday-Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays 11.30-5
House Open: Tuesday-Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays 2-5

Kettle's Yard is the beautiful former home of Jim Ede, once a curator at the Tate Gallery. It houses a collection of 20th century art including works by Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Alfred Wallis, Ben and Winifred Nicholson, Christopher Wood and Henri Gaudier-Breszka. Next door is a gallery that presents contemporary and modern art exhibitions. There is a wide programme of events including concerts, talks and workshops. A virtual tour of Kettle's Yard is available.

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology   [map]
Downing Street
Tel: 01223 333516
Website: http://www.maa.cam.ac.uk/
Open: Tuesday-Saturday 10.30-4.30
  Closed on Bank Holidays

(N.B. The Museum is currently closed for refurbishment. It will re-open early in 2012, exact date to be announced. Please check our website for up-to-date information.)

Experience the diversity of people and cultures from around the world. Some of the highlights are Pacific material collected on Captain Cook's voyages of exploration and the 14-metre-high totem pole from Canada.

Museum of Zoology  [map]
Downing Street
Tel: 01223 336650
Website: http://www.museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk/
Open: Monday-Friday 10-4.45
  Saturdays 11-4
  Closed some Bank Holidays

With its spectacular whale skeleton hanging over the entrance, the Museum of Zoology is home to a huge variety of recent and fossil animals. With intricately beautiful shells, a comprehensive collection of British birds, and many large skeletons of mammals, the displays trace the evolution of animal life. Regularly changing free self-led trails and activities are always available for families. Events include art and photographic exhibitions, talks and family fun days.

Museum of Classical Archaeology  [map]
Sidgwick Avenue
Tel: 01223 335153
Website:http://www.classics.cam.ac.uk/museum/
Open: Monday-Friday 10-5
  Saturday 10-1
  Schools and groups must book in advance

Often referred to as the 'Ark', the museum is one of Cambridge's hidden gems. It houses one of the largest collections of plaster casts of Greek and Roman statues in the world. Originally gathered in the late 19th century, it remains a marvellous way to experience these masterpieces of ancient art. There is a regular programme of family holiday activities, and a schools and colleges programme including talks, tours, teaching and storytelling.

Whipple Museum of the History of Science  [map]
Free School Lane
Tel: 01223 330906
Website: http://www.hps.cam.ac.uk/whipple/
Open: Monday-Friday 12.30-4.30
  Closed on Bank Holidays

Here you will find a fascinating array of scientific instruments dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. Cambridge has long been a centre for scientific work. Microscopes, telescopes and laboratory equipment demonstrate the vitality of past science, while the collections of pocket calculators and slide rules reflect how scientific instruments are important to us all.

The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences  [map]
Downing Street
Tel: 01223 333456
Website: http://www.sedgwickmuseum.org/
Open: Monday-Friday 10-1 and 2-5
  Saturday 10-4
  Closed most Bank Holidays

As you walk through the Sedgwick Museum's galleries, you pass through more than 500 million years of the history of life on Earth. Highlights include a 125,000 year old hippo found in Cambridgeshire, giant marine reptiles, minerals, rocks, dinosaurs, fossil sea creatures dating back hundreds of millions of years, and a new exhibition 'Darwin the Geologist'.

The Polar Museum  [map]
Lensfield Road
Tel: 01223 336540
Website: http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/museum/
Open: Tuesday-Saturday 10-4
  Closed on Bank Holiday weekends

Founded in 1920 as the national memorial to Captain RF Scott and his companions who perished on their return from the South Pole, the Museum is currently undergoing a £2million refurbishment. It houses collections on all aspects of life in the polar regions, exploration, history and modern polar science. A fascinating range of permanent and temporary exhibits - from penguins to kayaks, from Inuit art to the diaries of Antarctic explorers, sledges, equipment, photographs and much more - is on display, just ten minutes walk from the city centre.

Botanic Garden   [map]
1 Brookside
Tel: 01223 336265
Website: http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/
Garden Open:
  10am-6 pm April to September
  10am-5 pm February, March and October
  10am-4 pm November to January
The Glasshouses close 1/2 hour before the Garden closing time.

This heritage-listed Garden opened in 1846 thanks to the vision and drive of Professor John Henslow, mentor to Charles Darwin. Today the Garden is a showcase for over 8000 plant species from around the world, including nine national collections, all immaculately displayed amongst the finest arboretum in the region.

Seasonal highlights include: the renowned Winter Garden, the original masterclass in weaving together foliage, flower and fragrance for winter interest; the Rock Garden, with its kaleidoscopic early-summer flowering; the Dry Garden, a beautiful, water-wise planting; and, the Scented Garden, a highly fragranced summer highpoint full of herbs and roses. The magnificently-restored and replanted Glasshouse Range offers year-round warmth in which to explore habitats ranging from arid lands of architectural cactus to flamboyant, tropical rainforests.

Opening daily at 10am, the Cambridge University Botanic Garden is an inspiration for gardeners, an exciting introduction to the natural world for families (children can borrow our free Young Explorer backpacks from the ticket offices) and a great day out for everyone.

Last updated: 22/12/2010