There is always plenty to do in Cambridgeshire with your elderly relatives. Whether it be exploring the wealth of National Trust properties, absorbing the history and art at museums, or enjoying a show at an elderly or disability-friendly theatre or cinema. For each venue, we have included all the accessibility information you will need to help plan a visit. Find the best cultural gems in Cambridgeshire by reading on.
Age Space has also curated a list of our Top 5 Accessible Days out in Cambridgeshire – take a look!
The 5 Best National Trust Properties in Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is fortunate to have many great National Trust properties, estates and grasslands. You can find out more about the opening times for these properties through their respective pages on the National Trust website, linked under each venue. Where possible, the National Trust has tried its best to accommodate its elderly and less mobile guests, given the nature of its historic properties.
Wimpole Hall, Cambridge
Wimpole Estate, gardens and parkland are an impressive testament to Georgian architecture. There is much to see and do, inside and out, with impressive restored interior rooms, a wondrous walled garden and functioning farmland.
Wimpole Estate has free, designated Blue Badge holder parking 100 yards from the Visitors Welcome Building. Additionally, a buggy shuttle can transport guests from the car park to the Stable Block and beyond. The property also has mobility vehicles and wheelchairs which are able to be borrowed when booked ahead of time by ringing the number below. Finally there is an accessible route mapped out around the grounds, however, the only way to access the upper floors within the building is via the stairs.
Pricing
Access to the entire property and grounds is priced at £18.00 per adult and £9.00 per child.
Access to just the grounds is priced at £9.00 per adult and £4.50 per child.
Contact
- Telephone: 01223 206 000
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Wicken Fen, Ely
Wicken Fen nature reserve supports over 9,000 species of wildlife and has been part of the National Trust Family for over 120 years. It is a truly important conservation resource in itself and allows the public to explore its expanse of wetland and lush grasslands, along raised boardwalks and cycle paths.
There is mobility parking (£3.20), accessible adapted toilets and a level route from the car park along the cycle route to Burwell Lode. Entrance is priced at £8.50 for adults and £4.25 for children.
Contact
- Telephone: 01535 720 274
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Anglesey Abbey, Cambridge
This Elizabethan build was begun by Sir Thomas Tresham to honour his Catholic faith, however, it has remained unfinished and practically unaltered since his death in 1605. The lodge remains, and the tea garden, orchard and moated garden are now open for the public to enjoy.
There is free accessible parking, an audio tour and a loanable wheelchair. It is worth noting that there are steps to access the building and, given the natural setting, much of the surrounding parkland is on uneven terrain.
Pricing
Tickets for full access to Anglesey Abbey are priced at £16.00 for adults and £8.00 for children.
Off-peak (January, February, November and after 2pm), prices are £11.00 for adults and £5.50 for children.
Contact
- Telephone: 01223 810080
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Peckover House and Garden, Wisbech
In the heart of Wisbech is this quietly impressive, Georgian House and walled garden. Once home to the Peckover household – the owners of a successful private bank – who lived a simple ‘Quakers’ life. You can explore the house or take a wander through the 0.8 acres of garden that includes an orangery, summer-houses, croquet lawn and rose garden. Once finished, enjoy some refreshment in the in-house tea room.
There is free disabled parking on Chapel Road and one personal mobility vehicle (PMV) available for booking by calling the number below, ahead of your visit. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the property, however, only the tea room, garden, plant sales and bookshop are fully wheelchair accessible; there are stairs throughout the house. With this in mind, there is a virtual tour available.
Pricing
Adults tickets cost £10.00 and child tickets cost £5.00 for access to the whole property.
Contact
- Telephone: 01945 583 463
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Houghton Mill, St. Neots
Only the upper floors to the mill are inaccessible to wheelchairs, however, there is a virtual tour on the ground floor. The rest of the site and the neighbouring Waterclose Meadows Campsite are all accessible.
There are 2 designated accessible parking spaces that are on a firm surface at the entrance to main car park, the shortest distance to the visitor centre. A drop-off space is also available if the spaces are full. Assistance Dogs are welcomed throughout the site and there is a water bowl for them outside the tea-room.
Pricing
Adult entry costs £7.00 and child entry costs £3.50. It is free for all essential carers.
Contact Details
- Telephone: 01480 301494
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Accessible Museums to Visit with the Elderly in Cambridgeshire
There are many museums and art galleries in Cambridgeshire to offer excellent days out for you to take with your family, that are suitable for elderly relatives.
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
The Fitzwilliam Museum, located in the centre of Cambridge, was commissioned by Richard Fitzwilliam in 1816. This museum comprises one of the best collections of antiquities and modern art in Western Europe.
The museum has done its best to be accessible to all. There is an accessible entrance (Courtyard Entrance) to the side of the main entrance where wheelchairs, hearing assistance and touch tours can be accessed. Lifts can be used to access all floors and there are audio described exhibits throughout. Assistance dogs are welcomed. There is Blue Badge holder parking available on Trumpington Street.
The Museum is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays (10:00am – 5:00pm), and on Sundays (12:00pm – 5:00pm). The museum is free to all, however donations are welcomed.
Contact
- Telephone: 01223 332900
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Burwell Museum & Windmill, Ely & Newmarket
If you are interested in learning and experiencing how farmers of Cambridgeshire lived in days gone by, the Burwell Museum and Windmill is a great place to start. The property has been recently refurbished and is now open to the public, showing the old barn, vintage vehicles, some world war history, an audio-visual gallery and tea rooms. The centrepiece is the old mill that has stood there since 1820, the ground floor of which is wheelchair accessible.
The museum buildings are all wheelchair accessible and there is a stair-climber chair for access to upper levels. Assistance dogs are welcomed.
The property is open from Easter until November on Thursdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays from 10:00am – 4:00pm. Entry costs £5.00.
- Telephone: 01638 605544
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery
Just 2 minutes walk from Queensgate Shopping Centre and car park, you can find the Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery. This museum houses contemporary galleries, interactive displays, an in-house coffee house and over 200,000 historical objects and artefacts.
The museum is fully accessible via a lift, with accessible toilets and welcomes guide and assistance dogs. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm.
Contact
- Telephone: 01733 864 663
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
The Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridge
Accessible toilets are available throughout the site and staff will do their utmost in all circumstances to make the site and its features accessible to all.
See The Imperial War Museum’s full accessibility overview here.
Guide dogs and registered assistance dogs are welcomed, water bowls are also provided at the Visitor’s Centre. They ask visitors to bring a relevant identification book for assistance dogs when arriving on site, where possible.
Wheelchairs are for loan, free of charge. Telephone 01223 497239 to reserve wheelchair or mobility scooter (subject to availability).
Visual and Hearing Aids
The IWM Duxford knows that many of its visitors might include the elderly, hard of hearing and of eyesight. Therefore, they have made an effort to help include them in the museum experience. This includes:
- Audio Guides
- Audio Descriptions
- BSL Film Interpretations and Subtitles
- Induction Loop Systems Throughout
Prices
- Adult: £26.35
- Child: £13.15
- Concession (65+ and disabled): £23.70
Opening Times
10:00am – 6:00pm, last admission is at 5:00pm.
Contact Details
- Address: IWM Duxford, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, CB22 4QR
- Telephone: 020 7091 3067
- Contact Form
- Visit Website
Theatre for the Elderly in Cambridgeshire
If you are looking for the slightly more sedentary of things to do in Cambridgeshire, an accessible theatre showing is definitely something to consider. When booking, make sure to advise the theatres of any accessibility needs your family might have.
Key Theatre, Peterborough
Comedy shows, musical performances, classic productions, community shows, ballet and film screenings can all be found at the Key Theatre on Embankment Road in Peterborough (PE1 1EF). You can even make it a full evening of entertainment by making the most of the in-house restaurant and bar!
The theatre has done its utmost to be accessible to all of their guests with disability parking, lift access throughout the theatre, accessible toilets, wheelchair seats and infra-red induction loop hearing aids. The theatre also welcomes registered guide dogs.
Contact
- Telephone: 01733 852992
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Cambridge Arts Theatre
As you would expect, Cambridge Arts Theatre is proud to show some great productions week in, week out. Additionally, the theatre has assisted performances on selected days which include BSL interpreted showings, captioned and/or audio-described performances and relaxed performances.
To add to these elderly and disabled-friendly performances, the theatre is fully accessible, with 8 accessible seating options, a lift, accessible toilets on all levels, hearing enhancement system and is welcoming to guide dogs, who can be accommodated with the Front of House staff if the show is unsuitable for them.
Contact
- Telephone: 01223 503 333
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Cinema for the Elderly in Cambridgeshire
The cinema is a great alternative to the theatre with lower prices and more varied show times, whilst also remaining suitably accessible. Find out about some of the main cinemas in Cambridgeshire below.
Arts Picturehouse, Cambridge
Arts Picturehouse has accessible seating throughout, fully accessible toilets and easy mobility throughout the cinema. Additionally, they offer specific, accessible showings; covering audio-described showings, subtitled screening, hearing loop enhanced options and even Dementia-friendly showings. Regular showings are also offered to senior guests (60+) for a reduced price.
Arts Picturehouse also has Silver Screenings. These showings are offered at a reduced price and free tea and coffee is available for members. The films shown might be recent releases or ‘blasts from the past’ from the earlier years of cinema.
Call 0207 326 2649 or visit the Arts Picturehouse Website to find out more and to book tickets.
Vue Cinema, Cambridge
This national cinema has worked hard to make its Cambridge branch accessible and welcoming to all. There is wheelchair access throughout the cinema, with wheelchair spaces available in all the screens. Hearing loops are available at the counters and, like the other cinemas on this list, there are occasional accessible viewings including subtitled films every week and audio-descriptions on selected films.
Discounted senior (60+) tickets are available and vary in price depending on viewing time. Find out more on the Vue Cinema Website.
Cineworld Cinema, St. Neots & Ely
The Cineworlds at St Neots and Ely are fully wheelchair accessible, with access booths in select screens, guide dogs welcome and some subtitled and audio-described viewing available.
Discounted senior pricing is offered. Find your closest Cineworld Cinema.
