Accessible places to visit in Cambridge

Cambridge and punting go together like Pimm’s and lemonade. Take a ‘chauffeured’ trip with Scholars Punting, learning about iconic landmarks such as the ‘College Backs’ and the Italianate Bridge of Sighs. Board the boats using a small set of steps, with assistance provided. Mobility aids can be stored at the check-out desk. Find out more about Scholars Punting’s accessibility info.

Emerald treasures in store at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden include more than 8,000 plant species, nine National Collections and a leafy arboretum. Wheelchairs and electric scooters are available for hire; wheelchair-accessible picnic tables await in the gardens. Assistance dogs are very welcome. There’s free Blue Badge parking on Cambridge’s nearby Bateman Street.

Dine in a swish but convivial setting at The Oak Bistro, which is passionate about top-notch British and European ingredients. There’s a great-value set-lunch menu available from Tuesday to Friday, with one to three courses: carrot and coriander soup, beef casserole with mash, and vanilla panna cotta with mixed berries, for example. The dining room has full wheelchair-access.

From edible feasts to visual feasts, The Fitzwilliam Museum houses over half-a-million works of art, masterpiece paintings and historical artefacts. Before visiting, preview the wonders in store by browsing the online collection. The Courtyard Entrance has step-free access and there are lifts to all the floors and galleries. Free visitor wheelchairs and induction loops are provided.

You’ll deserve a good kip after all the above. We recommend bedding down at the handsome Gonville Hotel, which combines classic hospitality and boutique panache. If you’re feeling peckish, savour contemporary Peruvian and Italian small plates at Gonville Kitchen, paired with fine wines and signature cocktails. The hotel has ground-floor accessible bedrooms and a lift to all other levels.

Traders have been operating in the city’s historic market square since the Middle Ages. Before you start picturing poultices and pigs’ ears, don’t worry: Cambridge Market is thoroughly modern. Browse fresh food, global ingredients, art, plants, clothes, jewellery, music and more. Some traders offer handy services such as bike and watch repair. Trinity Street also has a lovely Saturday market.

Unleash your inner Ernest Shackleton at The Polar Museum, which delves into all things polar- and glaciology-related. Step-free access is available using a ramp, which is accessible via the car park, located to the right-hand side of the Polar Museum's main entrance. Audio guides are free for the blind and partially sighted, or those with special access needs.

Raise a glass to Watson and Crick – widely credited with discovering DNA – at The Eagle pub, where they celebrated their breakthrough. Sip the ‘Eagle’s DNA’ ale, naturally. Nibble salt-and-pepper squid and the Great British Cheese Toastie if you’re peckish. Pause to read the messages left behind by WW2 RAF pilots in a moving bid for remembrance. The pub is wheelchair-accessible.

Catch a matinée at the Cambridge Arts Theatre, whose diverse programme includes the likes of Murder on the Orient Express, Cinderella and The Ronnie Scott’s Story. Wheelchair-users can nab exclusive seats in the stalls and can reach all levels of the building using the lift. Blue Badge parking is available close to Cambridge Arts Theatre on Peas Hill and Wheeler Street.

Round off your Cambridge adventure in style with a Michelin-starred feast at Vanderlyle, whose relaxed dining room pairs dusty-pink banquette seating with brass accents and exposed walls. Inspired by the seasons, the plant-led tasting menu and flavour-matched drinks showcase ingredients from trusted local suppliers. The ground-floor restaurant has step-free access and an accessible bathroom.