The Fun Starts Here…
From country fairs to creative challenges, these exciting excursions promise entertainment for all the family
1. REACH RIDE
Looking ahead to the May bank holiday (Monday 6 May), local charity Camcycle will be hosting the 2024 Reach Ride.
This annual group cycle ride is the perfect way to boost your children’s confidence on two wheels while enjoying a family day out.
Combining outdoor activity, beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside and a funfair and ice cream at the end, the Reach Ride can be enjoyed by people of all ages, especially helping kids build independence with friends.
Meet from 9am for a 10am departure at Great St Mary’s Church on King’s Parade, if you are cycling to Reach from Cambridge, or at Ely railway station if you are riding from Ely.
Families can join or depart at any point, so you can design a day’s cycling around your family’s needs while benefiting from the joy and support of a large, guided ride.
Find out more at camcycle.org.uk/reachride
2. AUDLEY END MINIATURE RAILWAY SPRINGTIME SURPRISE
Running until 14 April, spring into the Easter spirit at the Audley End Miniature Railway.
Hop on board the train and ride deep into the enchanted woodland to visit the Easter Bunny and Farmyard Friends.
Families can get a front-row seat to spot little bunnies and an array of colourful eggs, before stopping by the live show to discover the Easter Bunny and friends on the farm.
Drop by the station for a spring souvenir, then follow the fairies and elves on an easter egg hunt before letting off some steam in the adventure play area.
Book now at audley-end-railway.co.uk
3. LAMBING SEASON AT WIMPOLE ESTATE
To witness the miracle of new life first-hand, make your way over to Wimpole Estate for Home Farm’s highly anticipated lambing event, running from 20 April to 6 May.
As the farm is abuzz with activity, visitors flock to see the pens and paddocks filled with bleating and skipping newborns.
You can also learn about rare sheep breeding and the team’s work at this busy time of year.
Find out more at nationaltrust.org.uk
4. THE BIG BRICK BUILD AT AUDLEY END
If you consider yourself a Lego master builder, then you won’t want to miss this event, set against the stunning backdrop of Audley End between 6 and 14 April.
Head to the stable block to take part in an epic brick-building contest.
A special building team will also be on hand to put your masterpieces together and create a miniature version.
Tickets will be free to English Heritage members or included in the normal admission price.
Visit english-heritage.org.uk for all the info.
5. THE SOUTH SUFFOLK SHOW
On 12 May, celebrate country life at The South Suffolk Show near Bury St Edmunds! HOH Equestrian will be performing in the Grand Ring with a display of classical dressage, liberty, stunt and trick riding, while JPL Shetland Pony Racing will provide a gutsy spectacle of speed!
There’s plenty to see outside the Grand Ring, too, including farriers in the forge, falconry displays, gun dogs working, terriers racing, farm machinery new and old, the Ferretworld Roadshow and the infamous Sheep Show!
The Art and Craft Marquee will also be packed with unique creations, the Food Hall full of tempting treats – and sheep, pigs, cattle and horses competing for rosettes among trade stands.
Even your canine companions will be catered for with an amusing dog show (entries on the day) – and if you dare, the funfair will be there!
See southsuffolkshow.co.uk for tickets.
6. THE LION INSIDE
Perfect for a rainy day, Cambridge Arts Theatre will be hosting the live stage adaptation of this best-selling children’s tale, 19-21 April. Based on the acclaimed story written by Rachel Bright and illustrated by Jim Field, follow the tale of a timid mouse on a journey to find his roar.
Head to cambridgeartstheatre.com to book your tickets.
7. IWM DUXFORD
Until 14 April, IWM Duxford is bursting with free family activities.
Take on the role of a photo interpreter with I Spy in the Sky, and make your own flying machine to test in the wind tunnel as you learn about the forces that make flight possible.
Get everyone involved with Family Mission: D-Day Edition, as you’re transported to 1944 in the role of paratrooper recruits (recommended for children aged 7+).
Book at iwm.org.uk
