Museums in Cambridge: 5 of the Best

Famous the world over for its intellectual prowess, you won’t be surprised to learn that Cambridge, UK, has loads of interesting museums and art galleries to visit.  The Fitzwilliam Museum, which hit the headlines when a visitor shattered a priceless vase into a million tiny pieces, is one of the best known art museums in Cambridge. 

However, if you’re looking for something different to do or are in search of a museum with a more unusual twist, let me, a local, present to you some of the best museums in Cambridge. 

All of the museums included below are a little off the beaten track and are small enough to fit several into one day in Cambridge.  So if you’re looking for things to do in Cambridge, fill your diary up with visits to these marvellous cultural curiosities.

If you’re looking for things to do beyond visiting the best museums in Cambridge, check out my article on Walks in Cambridge and my guide to Cambridge spa days for some inspiration. Or read my guide to a day trip in Cambridge for a full one-day itinerary.

David Parr House and Garden

Down an ordinary residential street in Cambridge lies the small but perfectly preserved David Parr House. It’s one of the best-kept secrets amongst museums in Cambridge.

The house was bought in 1886 by David Parr, an interior decorative artist who by day lent his talents to churches and great houses across the UK, realising the designs of well-known figures of the time, including William Morris.

However, by night, he decorated his home with many of the same patterns from the Arts and Crafts movement. Later, the house passed to his granddaughter, Elsie, who preserved it and added her own layer of belongings.

Visitors get a glimpse of both the artistic and social history of the house. At the time of my visit, only the garden and walking tour was available, due to covid restrictions.

Although, I was still able to get a view of the spectacular decoration and items on display through the windows. The mini Christmas tree, perfectly preserved in all its faded glory, is a poignant reminder of the passing of time.

Volunteer tour guides paint a picture of what it would have been like to live here at the time. You really get a sense of admiration and respect for the work of David Parr.

My favourite moment was the chance to peek inside the garden shed, containing evocative ephemera from years gone by. It’s a privilege to experience such an intimate tour and museum, like having the keys to a secret world for an afternoon.

Centre for Computing History

If you thought the best museums in Cambridge would be full of stuffy old relics behind glass cases then this place may surprise you.

The Centre for Computing History is located on a small industrial estate on the outskirts of the city centre. However, behind its ordinary appearance, there lies an extraordinary assembly of computer science and technology history.

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Cambridge, head here. As soon as you enter the reception you’ll realise this is a museum with a difference.

Firstly, it’s alive with the buzz of excited voices from visitors of all ages. Next, you’ll see the megaprocessor, a massive wall of flashing lights and bleeps.

If you can draw yourself away from its hypnotic pull, you’ll find that this museum houses a tonne of exhibits. In particular, my personal favourite, the 1970s office replica. Step inside, put on the cardie and send those imaginary faxes like it’s 1979.

Whilst at times it might feel like the inside of someone’s garage (maybe that says more about how much my garage needs a clear-out than the museum), the accompanying information is enlightening.

Did you know that the first advertising spam email was sent in 1978? Or that online shopping was launched in 1984 via TV sets? Me neither. The focus on the key role of women in the history of computing is also wonderful to see.

‘The Analytical Engine weaves algebraic patterns just as the jacquard loom weaves flowers and leaves.’

Ada Lovelace, 1843

Of course, whilst the history is interesting, what you really came for is to have a go on the old school computer games and you won’t be disappointed.

Fill your boots on interactive exhibits of classic arcade games like Street Fighter 2 and Pac-Man. Then jump on to an actual Atari machine. You’ll be in retro heaven.

Cambridge Museum of Technology

The old pumping station in Cambridge has been converted into a museum celebrating the engineering and human efforts required to provide clean water to the city.

Who doesn’t want to visit a museum with a light-up model of what happens to everything you flush down the toilet? Despite its icky subject matter, the Cambridge Museum of Technology is set in a beautiful location alongside the river in Cambridge.

In addition to the giant sewage steam engines and other industrial artifacts, there is also a print room and the Pye Building, which details the significant contributions of this local technology company.

When you’ve finished exploring the main indoor sections of the museum, don’t miss the opportunity to sit in the minuscule air-raid shelter outside. I’m not the world’s tallest woman, so how three average-height people were meant to fit inside it in an emergency is beyond me.

The Museum of Cambridge

Finally, this list of the best museums in Cambridge wouldn’t be complete without including the Museum of Cambridge. Situated at the bottom of the only hill in Cambridge, the museum makes for a great activity if you’re looking for something to do with your weekend.

The building itself is part of the attraction. It dates from 1600 and for hundreds of years operated as the White Horse Inn. Consequently, parts of the inside of the museum are laid out like the old pub. The main bar area with its flickering fireplace and adjoining snug is particularly evocative.

The museum collection includes a wide range of memorabilia, covering local activities and crafts such as fen skating and hat making. Drift back in time as you climb the creaky stairs and wander through the rooms, each with a different focus.

Although if you find the staring eyes of old dolls a bit too freaky you might want to skip the ‘childhood’ room.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a museum about Cambridge if it didn’t recognise the twin Cambridge traditions of punting and cycling. So the inclusion of some old oars and a massive early 20th Century bicycle doesn’t disappoint.

Have you visited any of these top museums in Cambridge? What did you think? Where else do you think should be on the list of best museums in Cambridge? Let me know in the comments below.

• Discover loads of brilliant free things to do in Cambridge.
• To make the most of a Christmas trip to Cambridge, check out my guide to things to do in Cambridge at Christmas.
• For more wonderful museums, check out my guide to Madrid’s top free museums and free museums in Stockholm.