Fitzwilliam Museum
The University of Cambridge's museum of art and antiquities, with free entry to collections from ancient Egypt to modern painting.
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Over het museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum was created under the will of Richard Fitzwilliam, 7th Viscount Fitzwilliam, who died in 1816 and left his library, his art collection and a sum of money to the University of Cambridge. The aim was to build a worthy home for them. The collections were first kept in temporary quarters, and in 1842 they moved to the Old Schools while a new building was prepared.
The neoclassical Founder's Building was designed by George Basevi and completed by Charles Robert Cockerell. The museum opened to the public in 1848. The grand entrance hall by Edward Middleton Barry followed in 1875, and further galleries were added in the twentieth century. The buildings are Grade I listed.
Gifts and bequests have greatly enlarged the museum. The Marlay bequest of 1912 brought money and many paintings, and John Ruskin gave Turner watercolours. Today the museum has five collecting departments: Antiquities, Applied Arts, Coins and Medals, Manuscripts and Printed Books, and Paintings, Drawings and Prints. Its holdings run from ancient Egyptian and Greek objects through medieval manuscripts to works by Rubens, Van Dyck, Canaletto, Monet and Picasso. The Fitzwilliam is part of the University of Cambridge Museums group and is free to visit.
Hoogtepunten
- Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities
- Paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Canaletto, Monet and Picasso
- Turner watercolours given by John Ruskin
- Illuminated medieval manuscripts and rare printed books
- A large collection of coins and medals
- Ceramics, silver and furniture in the Applied Arts galleries
- Opgericht
- 1816
- Beheerder
- University of Cambridge
- Directie
- Luke Syson
- Bezoekers per jaar
- ca. 493.612 (2025)
Toegangsprijzen & kortingen
De toegang is gratis.
| Kinderen & jongeren | –Entry to ticketed exhibitions is free for under-18s. |
|---|---|
| Studenten | –Students and Fitz List members aged 18 to 25 receive free tickets to exhibitions. |
| Groepen (vanaf 10 pers.) | £ 5 p.p.Groups of ten or more people from the same organisation pay a charge per person; UK schools, colleges and universities do not pay. Book at least two weeks ahead. |
Gratis toegang: Pay What You Can for ticketed exhibitions on the first Sunday of each month
The permanent collections and displays are free to visit, and many exhibitions are free. Some special exhibitions need a paid ticket. Friends of the Fitzwilliam enter exhibitions free without booking.
Toegankelijkheid
- Rolstoeltoegankelijk
- Lift
- Aangepast toilet
- Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
- Hulphonden welkom
- Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
- Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
- Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
- Audiodescriptie: geen informatie
The courtyard entrance has step-free access from the street and from the bus stop outside, and the ground floor is step-free throughout. The main entrance has 18 steps and no lift. A lift at the courtyard entrance serves the first floor. A limited number of wheelchairs can be borrowed at the courtyard entrance on request. Accessible toilets are on the lower ground floor near both entrances. Seating on the ground floor is limited, and portable stools are available at both entrances. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout. Limited disabled parking is on Trumpington Street. An AccessAble guide with door and step measurements is available online.
Kinderen & gezin
Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen
- Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
- Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
- Kinderwagenvriendelijk
- Verschoonruimte
Free family events for children up to 12 run through the year. A family trolley in the courtyard lends drawing materials, picture books and sensory items, and Baby Bags and Story Starter Bags can be borrowed for use in the galleries. Trails and drawing materials suit ages 5 and over. Buggies and slings are allowed, and breastfeeding is welcome throughout.
Bereikbaarheid & parkeren
Met het openbaar vervoer
Fitzwilliam Museum bus stop (Trumpington Street)
Cambridge railway station is about a 20-minute walk. The U bus and the Trumpington Park and Ride bus both stop outside the museum.
Met de auto
Geen eigen parkeerplaats bij het museum.
There is no visitor parking at the museum. The nearest car parks are Grand Arcade (off Downing Street) and Queen Anne (Gonville Place).
- Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
Vehicle restrictions apply in central Cambridge. Limited pay-and-display and disabled parking is available on Trumpington Street.
Route plannenService & horeca
- Café
- Museumwinkel
- Kluisjes
The Courtyard Kitchen café is open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 to 16:30 and Sundays and bank holidays 12:00 to 16:30, with hot food until 15:00. The Courtyard shop is open until 16:50 and is closed on 13 and 14 October 2026 for refurbishment. Coin-operated lockers are on the ground floor, and group lockers are on the lower ground floor.
Evenementen & zaalverhuur
- Ruimtes te huur
The galleries can be hired for drinks receptions, concerts and formal dinners; catering is provided by an external company.
Aanvragen & detailsJe bezoek plannen
| Rondleidingen | ja |
|---|---|
| Aanbod voor scholen | ja |
| Fotograferen | Photography without flash is allowed for personal, non-commercial use with small cameras and devices. |
| Goed om te weten | Guided tours are for groups only and must be requested through the events team at least three months ahead and paid in advance. UK school groups must book with the learning team in advance, including self-led visits; most sessions are free and travel bursaries are available. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. |
