As we only have 4 days and we both had places we wanted to see I've already come up with an itinerary of must see/do things but theres also plenty of free time for us to do other things we discover while we are there.
We are definately going here: http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/
The Fitzwilliam Museum houses world-class collections of works of art and antiquities spanning centuries and civilisations.
Highlights include masterpieces of painting from the fourteenth century to the present day, drawings and prints, sculpture, furniture, armour, pottery and glass, oriental art, illuminated manuscripts, coins and medals and antiquities from Egypt, the Ancient Near East, Greece, Rome and Cyprus.
That keeps both of us happy fine art for hubby and pottery & glass for me.
Then we miiiiight have a go at punting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_(boat) weather depending.
We have a full day planned at Imperial War Museum Duxford (hubby has been before but I haven't) http://duxford.iwm.org.uk/server/show/nav.55 I'm particularly interested in visiting the American displays and memorial & going inside Concorde.
We have time for a detour over to Ely to visit the Cathedral http://www.elycathedral.org/welcome/Duxford is Europe's premier aviation museum - as well as having one of the finest collections of tanks, military vehicles and naval exhibits in the country. This famous heritage site began as an airfield in the First World War and also played a vital role in the Second World War, firstly as an RAF fighter station and later as an American fighter base.
And then on Friday it's MYdayEly was once the home to Oliver Cromwell, one of the most contentious figures in world-history. He played a leading role in bringing Charles I to trial and execution and championed a degree of religious freedom otherwise unknown in England before. In 1636 Oliver Cromwell inherited a large estate in Ely from Sir Thomas Steward, his maternal uncle. The Cromwell family left the area in 1647 but you can still visit their house today, which now doubles as the local tourist information centre. The other must-see in Ely is the magnificent cathedral. The imposing structure towers over the fens and can be seen for miles around. The national collection of British stained glass is displayed within its walls and nearby is the city's old gaol, now home to Ely's museum.
Starting with The National Horse Racing Museum http://www.nhrm.co.uk/Newmarket is home to: The National Stud, The National Horseracing Museum, The British Racing School, The Animal Health Trust, Hoofbeats Racing Tours, The Jockey Club Rooms (Former HQ of the Jockey Club) Tattersalls Bloodstock Sales, Palace House (former royal residence of Charles II) which now houses the Tourist Office, many of the world's leading racehorse training yards and racing stud farms, many of today's top jockeys and thousands of acres of tended training gallops.
Royal Beginnings
The Sport of Kings was born in Newmarket under the leadership of King Charles II and lives on today in the very fabric of the town, in the historic stable yards that can be found at every turn and on the historic turf of Newmarket heath. Today, royalty still graces its hallowed heath, with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II a regular visitor, to watch her horses at work on the Newmarket's expansive training gallops.
Two Great Racecourses
Newmarket uniquely has two racecourses; The Rowley Mile Course is the grand stage - host to some of the best racing in the world during the Spring and autumn months - whilst The July Course is a heart stirring place of pure English countryside, garden party atmosphere and top entertainment at the height of summer.
The Home of Horseracing
Set in stunning Suffolk countryside yet only 60 miles from the capital, Newmarket has been home to horseracing since the 17th Century when it staged the first ever official race, the Town Plate. Now, as the site of the world's largest training grounds, the base for numerous racing organisations, trainers and jockeys and where more racehorses are bred, stabled and trained than anywhere else in the world, Newmarket is undoubtedly the Home of Horseracing.
Followed by a trip to The National Stud http://www.nationalstud.co.uk/default.asp
And topped off with an afternoons racing at Newmarket
http://www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk/autumn/index.html Theres also a side trip to Bicester planned on the way over for me to go drool over Jimmy Choo Shoes and lots and lots over lovely handbags which I could well treat myself to with my birthday money.
We'll be back on Saturday hopefully with some great photos.
