The Norris Museum

The Norris Museum sits just outside Huntingdon and tells the story of this corner of Cambridgeshire through objects, photographs and documents that locals have donated over decades. It's small - the kind of place you can work through in an hour or so - but if you're interested in how ordinary people lived here, what the landscape was like before modern farming, or the town's industrial past, there's genuine substance in the collection.

You'll find everything from Victorian trade cards to agricultural tools, plus material on the River Great Ouse which has shaped Huntingdon since medieval times. The displays feel lived-in rather than sterile, which is exactly what you want from a community museum. Families with older children who read might find something to grip them; younger kids will probably lose interest fairly quickly unless they're the type to examine every detail.

It works well as a half-hour diversion if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Crystal Lakes, Quiet Waters or The Cambridgeshire Glamping are all within walking distance - and it fills an hour on a rainy afternoon without drama. The admission is typically free or very cheap, which takes the pressure off. Call ahead to check current opening hours before you visit, as smaller museums sometimes shift their schedules seasonally. Worth stopping by if you're exploring the Huntingdon area proper, less worth a special trip on its own.