The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

The Fitzwilliam Museum is a treasure trove of art and antiquities. It is a place of discovery, not just for the children but for any visitor. It is filled with curious things, beautiful things, big things, ugly things, fun things, familiar things and just more things. We started our visit in the European Pottery gallery and spent over an hour in here. One of the best things about this museum is that most of the galleries have display cases containing artefacts at toddler eye level so both our Little Museum Visitors were able to wander about the gallery peeping through the glass for things that interested them, while I was able to wander around the gallery doing the same, free from having to keep lifting them up to see. They pointed and shouted 'Look' at each other and at me, drawing attention to things I had missed and which had caught their eye.

Garden Boy loved anything that resembled an animal, in particular a tea set with all the cups and teapot shaped like his favourite animals. We ignored the slightly grumpy stares of 'quiet' visitors and made all the appropriate noises when we spotted an animal shaped vessel or an animal painting. Then Garden Girl noticed other teapots, shaped like other things and we took a closer look. When they started to run about with a bit too much energy I asked them to get their crayons and paper out of their backpacks and choose their favourite object to draw. Garden Boy chose a lion and Garden Girl a little rectangular vessel with a lid that had eyes.

A little calmer now and starting to feel hungry, we took a quick look at the armoury, where the armoured horse and rider thrilled Garden Boy. Garden Girl was less impressed with the horse and more interested in the curious weapons on display, asking what they were used for and how but it wasn't long before food became the priority and we headed to the courtyard cafe. The food, although not cheap, was delicious and the portions big. I ordered hot food from the children's menu for Garden Girl and Garden Boy and they could easily have shared one meal between them, which I will remember for our next visit. I'm not sure if they have a picnic area for summer. I will look out for one next time I visit and let you know.

After lunch we decided to try one of the toddler storybook trails. These are free and available from the entrance desks and are definitely worth doing. We borrowed the book 'I'm going on a Bear Hunt' which was to be used in one of the art galleries. The book was used as guide for looking at the paintings on display, encouraging our Little Museum Visitors to really pay attention to the paintings on the walls. We looked for a paining depicting swishy swashy grass, thick oozy mud, a swirling snowstorm and so on, each time pretending to go through the particular obstacle as we squelched, tiptoed ot stumbled around the gallery as we looked for the right painting. I have never had so much fun in an art gallery and the children loved it.

We by no means saw the whole museum. We just touched the surface but we can't wait to go back. All of us had a brilliant day out and the museum has really thought about their younger visitors. The only thing that was a little disappointing was that some of the other visitors and a few of the gallery attendents seemed to dislike the idea of noise and fun in the galleries and we were by no means unruly or running amok. We were clearly making use of the exhibits and engaging with displays so I smiled at the frowns and continued to squelch my way around the galleries.

Practicalities

• The galleries are mostly large and easy to move a pushchair or wheelchair through without feeling you are blocking access to exhibits.
• There is good visibility in most of the galleries to allow your toddler some freedom to explore themselves although some of the galleries have breakables on open display, as well as furniture with 'do not touch' signs and some of the gallery attendents visibally tensed when they saw a toddler enter a room so sometimes a closer eye was needed.
• In most of the galleries there are exhibits at toddler eye level or the exhibits are large enough to catch a toddlers eye so it is an excellent museum for self guided exploration.
• The museum has excellent story book trails for toddlers as well as trails for older children and adults. They also provide crayons and paper if you have forgotton to take your own.
• The toilets are clean and there are baby changing facilities and disabled toilets, although they are all located on the Lower Ground floor near the entrances so make sure you plan to visit them during the day if you have a newly toilet trained toddler as you might not make it from the farthest corners of the museum otherwise.
• There is a lift to access all the floors of the museum and almost all the museum is therefore accessible with a pushchair or to wheelchair users.
• If you have left your pushchair in the car, which I often do for museum visits now both our Little Museum Visitos can walk there is a place to securely leave your coats and bags so you don;t have to trundle lots of baggage around the museum with you. These are located near the toilets so is convenient to leave a changing bag and grab it when needed.
• The cafe serves food all day, closing 30 minutes before the museum and is a pleasant if slightly expensive place to eat. Children's menus are offered.
• There is no car park at the museum so if you are driving it is recommended that you use the park and ride. Details can be found on the museum website. Otherwise the museum is walkable from the city centre or buses run from the railway station. We did manage to 'pay and display' on a nearby road although this could be hit and miss and parking is not guaranteed as there are restrictions on many of the roads around the museum. 
• The museum is big so don't expect to see it all in one day. The museum also has a programme of special events and exhibitions so it is worth looking to see what is on before your visit.
• Photography is not allowed in the museum.
  

Admission Prices

• Entry to the museum is free
• Entry to many of the special events and exhibitions is also free although for some there is a charge and for most it is advisable to pre-book so give the museum a ring beforehand to find out more.

Opening Times

• Tuesdays - Saturdays 10am till 5pm
• Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays 12noon till 5pm
• Unless it is a Bank Holiday the museum is closed every Monday
• The museum is also closed on Good Friday and 24th-26th December and 31st December - 1st January

Learn More

To find out more or to check for updated information prior to your visit, have a look at the The Fitzwilliam Museum website.

Little Museum Visitor Rating
*****