East Cambs offers the perfect setting for you to create lasting memories with the whole family.
England's most famous fen, Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, is a great place for children to witness nature's beauty. It can be explored on foot or by bike and even by boat on the ‘Mayfly’. Whichever way you choose, you’ll have the chance to get up close with water creatures, wallow in glorious mud, and try your hand at geocaching at our country’s oldest nature reserve.
Together with Anglesey Abbey; a Jacobean-style house with gardens and a working watermill, these family-orientated National Trust sites always have plenty of events and swathes of space for youngsters to run free.
And right on the edge of the district boundary towards Norfolk, you’ll find Welney Wetland Centre - 1300 acres of wildlife and wetlands where you can witness wild swan feeds and hunt for minibeasts at the pond dipping stations.
For some excellent activities for all the family, South Angle Farm Park in Soham is a petting farm open to the public during the school holidays and weekends in the summer term. With different themes throughout the year, on one visit you could be face-to-face with a dinosaur and next time you could be riding on a steam train!
If you are a family of animal lovers or have a budding zoologist in your midst, The Animal Experience in Stretham offers hands-on experiences with a wide variety of snakes, lizards, tarantulas and meerkats.
On the other hand, you could show your tots what life was like living in rural East Cambs at Burwell Museum, open from Easter to October on Thursdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays Mondays. Explore the windmill, enjoy the rare vintage vehicles, old school room and village shop with plenty of picnic areas and outdoor space to play.
Fancy a captivating and educational day out? At Denny Abbey Farmland Museum you can find stories of countesses and fighting monks, country craftsmen and farmers all in a magical setting of ancient walls and peaceful stone ruins.
If you’re looking for a great family day out in the city, then keep an eye out for Ely Market’s special events throughout the year. As well as their weekly vibrant markets, they host open-air theatre performances, live music and food fairs that will keep the whole family entertained.
While the climate in our region is generally dry and mild, if you find yourself here on a drizzly day there’s still loads to do.
Even if it is damp underfoot, that doesn’t stop the adventure. Grab your waterproofs and wellies and go on a downloadable treasure hunt style walk around Ely or make the most of the area’s wonderful wildlife on one of the many family-friendly nature trails or local parks.
Some time in the pool is a great rainy-day saver that'll still give the kids enough exercise to ensure a good night’s sleep! Look out for the inflatable sessions at The Hive Leisure Centre. Or if you’re here on a Saturday, you can all burn off some energy at the Fun Skate at Littleport Leisure Centre.
Even the Twenty Pence Garden Centre in Wilburton has ways to keep the children entertained with mini-golf, outdoor play area and free go-karts to keep little legs moving and little minds busy.
After an eventful day, why not see what family films are showing at The Maltings, home to Ely Cinema? Or enjoy one of the many kid-friendly shows, pantomimes and music events at this unique converted brewery complex.
Finding the right East Cambs day out for your family is easy – simply explore the possibilities below.
Finding the right East Cambs day out for your family is easy – simply explore the possibilities below.
