Facilities
Admission
to the Museum’s collections and to exhibitions is free. Visitors’ donations help keep the galleries open and are much appreciated.
Entrances
There are two entrances to the Museum, both accessed from Trumpington Street. The Main Entrance to the Founder’s Building is approached by a flight of steps and the Courtyard Entrance is at street level.
Access & Floorplan
The galleries are located on the ground and first floors. The education suite, with seminar room, studio and schools cloakroom and lunchroom is locatedon the lower ground floor.
Lift
There is a lift to all floors located near the Courtyard Entrance.
There is no lift access to the paintings displayed on the balcony in Gallery 3 (British 16th-18th century art). Restricted access is via a spiral staircase. Information about the works is available in Gallery 3.
Wheelchairs
Museum wheelchairs are available at the Courtyard Entrance for visitors’ use.
Cloakrooms
Cloakroom facilities with attended bag checks and secure coat racks are available at both entrances.
WCs
Lavatories and baby-changing facilities are located near both entrances: through Room 24 on the lower ground floor near the Main Entrance and on the lower ground floor at the Courtyard Entrance.
Café
The Courtyard Café serves an all-day menu including morning coffee, afternoon tea, sandwiches and light lunches.
Closes 30 minutes before the Museum.
Further information about Café
Shop
The Courtyard Shop is located adjacent to the Café, selling a wide range of postcards, art books, prints and merchandise inspired by the collections.
Closes 15 minutes before the Museum.
Further information about Shop
Families
The Museum welcomes families with children. Free family activity Fitz Kits and trails are available from both entrance desks
Group Visits and Guided Tours
The Museum welcomes visits by groups who should book in advance. Guided tours for groups may be arranged through the Guided Tours Department, Cambridge Tourist Information Centre. For further details and booking see Group Visits and Tours.
eGuide
An audio-visual guide can be booked out from the Main Entrance. Cost £3.00, £2.00 for students and Friends of the Fitzwilliam Museum (with appropriate ID).
Fitzwilliam On-Line
Computer terminals in Room 33 near the Courtyard Entrance provide access to the Museum’s on-line collections catalogue and to Pharos – a rich resource connecting objects in the collections and providing information on their context and creation.
Reference Library
Visitors are welcome to use the Museum's Reference Library located in Room 30 just inside the Courtyard Entrance. Readers are required to provide identification on admission. Open Tuesday to Friday 10.00–16.30.
Further information about Reference Library
Education Service
Activities and materials are available for teachers and pre-booked school groups. A range of adult education opportunities is also available. The staff of the Education Department lead programmes of gallery based sessions for a variety of community and social inclusion groups. See Education pages for further information.
Hire of Galleries
Some of the Museum’s galleries are available for hire for a private view, corporate event, concert, lecture or buffet reception outside public opening hours.
Further information about gallery hire
Special Events
Free Lunchtime gallery talks are frequently offered; admission is free. Please use link to What’s On or telephone 01223 332900 for programme details.
Music in Gallery III is frequently provided on Sundays at 13:15 by University Instrumental award holders and others.
Evening concerts take place several times a year; please telephone or see What’s On for further details.
Family events and children's workshops take place regularly; see What’s On for details.
Photography in the galleries
Please note that photography is not permitted in the galleries, except by prior permission of the Keeper staff.
Fitzwilliam Museum Policy on Photography in the galleries