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IWM Duxford, Duxford

Companionship careCambridgeshire

Days out in Cambridgeshire for an older parent

Ten places in Cambridgeshire that make a good day out for an older parent, from IWM Duxford to Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated September 2026

IWM Duxford. Photo: Roland Turner from Birmingham, Great Britain, CC BY-SA 2.0

Ten days out across nine towns

The best places to take an older parent in Cambridgeshire

Four of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for two describes a step-free route, and eight confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

IWM Duxford, Duxford

Photo: Roland Turner from Birmingham, Great Britain, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Duxford

IWM Duxford

IWM Duxford is a former Second World War airfield south of Cambridge, now a museum of military and civil aircraft displayed in large hangars, including Spitfires and Concorde. Visitors can watch historic aircraft take off and land from the airfield on many days.

The entrance is step-free, wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be collected at the entrance, there are 19 Blue Badge bays and accessible toilets across the site, which matters because the hangars are spread out.

Time to allow
A full day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Duxford

Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Cambridge

Photo: Cmglee, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Cambridge

Cambridge University Botanic Garden

The University Botanic Garden covers 40 acres near Cambridge station, with a lake, rock garden, winter garden and a range of heritage glasshouses. There is a café inside the garden.

Mobility scooters and wheelchairs can be borrowed free at both gates if booked ahead, there are benches at regular intervals and accessible toilets, but there is no car park, so the carer may prefer a drop-off at Station Road Gate.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry, essential companions free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Cambridge

The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

Photo: Unknown, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Cambridge

The Fitzwilliam Museum

The Fitzwilliam Museum is the University of Cambridge's art and antiquities museum, with paintings by Titian, Monet and Constable, Egyptian coffins, ceramics and armour. It is housed in a grand 19th century building on Trumpington Street.

AccessAble records level access through the courtyard entrance, a public lift, accessible toilets and a café, and there are on-street Blue Badge bays on Trumpington Street.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Cambridge

Ely Cathedral, Ely

Photo: Verbcatcher, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral · Ely

Ely Cathedral

Ely Cathedral, known as the Ship of the Fens, has a Norman nave, a unique octagonal lantern tower and a large Lady Chapel. The small city of Ely around it has a riverside, shops and tea rooms.

The west door is ramped and most of the ground floor is flat or ramped, there are accessible toilets and a disability parking bay near the front, and a few wheelchairs can be borrowed for use inside.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Ely

Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill, Lode

Photo: James.stringer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Historic house · Lode

Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill

Anglesey Abbey is a National Trust house built on the site of a medieval priory, filled with the collections of Lord Fairhaven, and set in large formal gardens with a winter garden and dahlia and rose gardens. Lode Mill, a working watermill, is on the same estate.

There are more than 20 Blue Badge bays close to reception, adapted toilets in the visitor centre, and wheelchairs and mobility scooters to borrow if booked ahead, although the house has no lift to the first floor.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Lode

Hinchingbrooke Country Park, Huntingdon

Photo: Simon Judd, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Huntingdon

Hinchingbrooke Country Park

Hinchingbrooke Country Park on the edge of Huntingdon has lakes, meadows and woodland linked by a network of paths. The Nestbox Cafe is by the main car park.

Blue Badge bays sit next to the café, there is an accessible toilet by the main car park, the hard paths are suitable for wheelchairs with a strong pusher, and two Trampers can be booked free of charge.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free to enter, car parking charged

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Huntingdon

Grafham Water, Perry

Photo: Cmglee, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Perry

Grafham Water

Grafham Water is a large reservoir run by Anglian Water, with a nature reserve, a cycle and walking track around the shore and wide views across the water. There are cafés at the Marlow car park and above the fishing lodge at Mander car park.

Anglian Water says the visitor centre is all on one level with a disabled toilet, and both cafés look over the water, so an older person can enjoy the view with little walking.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free to enter, car parking charged

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Perry

Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Little Paxton

Photo: Forester2009, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Little Paxton

Paxton Pits Nature Reserve

Paxton Pits is a nature reserve of lakes, meadows and scrub in former gravel pits beside the River Great Ouse near St Neots, known for nightingales in spring and waterbirds in winter. A volunteer-run visitor centre sells drinks and snacks.

An electric Tramper wheelchair can be booked for use on the paths, and the visitor centre and toilets are open daily from 10am to 4pm.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Wheelchairs to borrow

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Little Paxton

Wisbech and Fenland Museum, Wisbech

Photo: Gyrwan, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Wisbech

Wisbech and Fenland Museum

Wisbech and Fenland Museum is a Victorian museum opened in 1847, with its original display cases, natural history, archaeology, Fenland history and a library. It stands by the church in the old centre of Wisbech, near the Georgian houses of the Brinks.

The new entrance has level access with an internal lift to most galleries and there is a disabled access toilet, but the balcony displays are up a staircase.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Check prices

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Wisbech

Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Wicken

Photo: Christine Johnstone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Wicken

Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve

Wicken Fen is one of the oldest nature reserves in Britain, a surviving piece of the wild fens with reed beds, waterways, a wind pump and grazing Konik ponies. A boardwalk leads out from the visitor centre into the fen.

The carer can plan around the boardwalk close to the visitor centre, checking the National Trust page on the day for current conditions.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Wicken

Regular groups and events in Cambridgeshire

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Cambridgeshire.

  • Music · ElyLunchtime recitals at Ely CathedralFree-standing lunchtime concerts, usually on Thursdays, alongside a series of organ recitals in the cathedral. A carer can check the diary, arrange a drop-off nearby and keep the outing to an hour of music and a drink afterwards.Details
  • Music · CambridgeCambridge Folk FestivalA long-established summer folk festival held in the grounds of Cherry Hinton Hall, with several stages over a weekend. A carer can apply in advance for the festival's access provision and plan a single afternoon rather than a full day.Details
  • Dancing · CambridgeCambridge Contra DanceA fortnightly Friday evening contra dance in Chesterton, with walked-through dances and live music, no partner required. A carer can provide the lift and sit in, so the older person can join the easier dances or simply listen.Details
  • Photography · CambridgeCambridge Camera ClubA long-running club that meets weekly through the season for talks, competitions and print exhibitions. A carer can help with transport to a Monday evening meeting and with printing or loading images beforehand.Details
  • Painting · CambridgeCambridge Open StudiosAcross four weekends each July, hundreds of artists open their studios and workspaces around Cambridge and the wider county. A carer can pick two or three nearby studios, check for step-free entry when ringing ahead and keep the route short.Details
  • ReadingLibrary reading groupsCambridgeshire Libraries host reading groups and supply sets of books to groups on longer six-week loans. A carer can ask at the local branch which group meets when, arrange the lift and pick up large print or audio versions of the chosen title.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Cambridgeshire

At a glance

The ten places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
IWM DuxfordDuxforda full dayPaid entryYesYesYes
Cambridge University Botanic GardenCambridgehalf a dayPaid entryPartlyYesYes
The Fitzwilliam MuseumCambridgehalf a dayFreeYesYesYes
Ely CathedralElyhalf a dayPaid entryPartlyYesAsk
Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode MillLodehalf a dayPaid entryPartlyYesAsk
Hinchingbrooke Country ParkHuntingdonan hour or twoFreeAskYesYes
Grafham WaterPerryhalf a dayFreeAskYesYes
Paxton Pits Nature ReserveLittle Paxtonan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Wisbech and Fenland MuseumWisbechan hour or twoCheck pricesPartlyYesAsk
Wicken Fen National Nature ReserveWickenhalf a dayPaid entryAskAskAsk

Where the places are in Cambridgeshire

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

RamseyMarchWhittleseyChatteris12345678910
  1. 1IWM Duxford, Duxford
  2. 2Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Cambridge
  3. 3The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
  4. 4Ely Cathedral, Ely
  5. 5Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill, Lode
  6. 6Hinchingbrooke Country Park, Huntingdon
  7. 7Grafham Water, Perry
  8. 8Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Little Paxton
  9. 9Wisbech and Fenland Museum, Wisbech
  10. 10Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Wicken

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Cambridgeshire

Carers in Cambridgeshire charge £19 to £23 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £20, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £80 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Cambridgeshire has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Cambridgeshire

IWM Duxford in Duxford, Cambridge University Botanic Garden in Cambridge, The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, Ely Cathedral in Ely, Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill in Lode, Hinchingbrooke Country Park in Huntingdon, Grafham Water in Perry, Paxton Pits Nature Reserve in Little Paxton, Wisbech and Fenland Museum in Wisbech and Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve in Wicken. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

The access information for IWM Duxford and The Fitzwilliam Museum describes a step-free route. IWM Duxford, Cambridge University Botanic Garden, The Fitzwilliam Museum, Ely Cathedral, Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill, Hinchingbrooke Country Park, Grafham Water and Wisbech and Fenland Museum have an accessible toilet. IWM Duxford, Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill, Hinchingbrooke Country Park and Paxton Pits Nature Reserve lend wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

The Fitzwilliam Museum, Hinchingbrooke Country Park, Grafham Water and Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 38 of the carers with a rate near Cambridgeshire drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Cambridgeshire shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of Cambridgeshire

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around Cambridgeshire

Days out in the areas around Cambridgeshire

Companionship care by town in Cambridgeshire

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in Cambridgeshire

See carers near Cambridgeshire who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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