Ely
Ely Cathedral · Photo: Verbcatcher
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.
Landmark · 10:00–11:45 (1h45m)
Book an Octagon Tower tour for over-10s; younger ones can follow the floor trail.
A vast medieval cathedral nicknamed the Ship of the Fens, famous for its timber-and-glass Octagon. Under-16s visit free with family, and older children can join tower tours with views over the Fens.
Photo: Verbcatcher
Nature & gardens · 12:30–16:00 (3h30m)
Lunch at the reserve cafe, then hire bikes or follow the boardwalk.
The National Trust's first nature reserve, a wetland of reeds, lodes and droves near Ely with a visitor centre, cafe and cycle hire. Boardwalks and flat tracks make it manageable for younger walkers and bikes.
Photo: Michael Dibb
East of EnglandFelixstowe
Explore the tunnels and gun batteries of Landguard Fort while container ships slide past, then cross to Ipswich for a free Tudor house full of old toys. A park on the doorstep finishes the day.
Landguard Fort → Felixstowe Museum → Christchurch Mansion → Christchurch Park
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 EnglandCambridge
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.
Cambridge University Botanic Garden → Wandlebury Country Park
