Cambridge
Cambridge University Botanic Garden · Photo: Rept0n1x
Flat garden paths and glasshouses in the morning suit buggies and new walkers, and under-17s get in free. After lunch, swap to the woods at Wandlebury for den-building and space to run.
Historic House · 10:00–12:30 (2h30m)
Glasshouses first if it's chilly, then the lake; lunch at the Garden Cafe.
An indoor and outdoor historic house in Cambridge, aimed at ages 4 and up.
Photo: Rept0n1x
Park · 13:00–15:30 (2h30m)
Head for the den-building zone and the games field; paths are natural surfaces.
An outdoor park in Cambridge.
Photo: David Lamkin
East of EnglandCambridge city centre
Three free university museums sit within a ten-minute walk of each other in central Cambridge, so a wet day costs nothing but lunch. Start under the giant whale skeleton, eat at the Fitzwilliam's courtyard cafe, then finish with sledges and snow goggles at the Polar Museum.
University Museum of Zoology → The Fitzwilliam Museum → The Polar Museum
East of EnglandEly
Climb into the medieval roof spaces of Ely Cathedral in the morning, then cycle or walk the flat droves of Wicken Fen, the National Trust's oldest nature reserve. Under-16s visit the cathedral free with family.
Ely Cathedral → Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve
East of EnglandNorwich
Day one pairs the newly reopened Norman keep in the middle of Norwich with an easy lakeside walk on the edge of the city. Day two heads into the Broads for old boats, a short river trip and a wildlife reserve on Hickling Broad.
Norwich Castle → Whitlingham Country Park → Museum of the Broads → NWT Hickling Broad and Marshes
