The Fitzwilliam Museum

The collections

The museum began with the library and art collection left to the university by the 7th Viscount FitzWilliam. Today the antiquities galleries span Egypt, Sudan, Greece, Rome and Western Asia, and the Egyptian galleries were refurbished and reopened in 2006. Upstairs, the paintings run from Renaissance masters to French Impressionists, with a strong group of Turner works.

The building

The Founder's Building was designed by George Basevi and completed by C. R. Cockerell, opening in 1848. The entrance hall, added by Edward Middleton Barry in 1875, is worth pausing in for its marble and gilded ceiling. Coins and medals and illuminated manuscripts have their own departments, so there is more here than one visit can cover.

Making the most of it

Pick two or three galleries rather than trying to see everything. On a rainy day it is one of the best free options in the city, and it is a short walk from King's Parade and the river. Pages Coffee House is around the corner for a break, and the Mill pub by the punts makes a good end to the afternoon. It is also a good choice for families on a wet day, as the Egyptian galleries tend to hold children's attention.

Highlights

• Free admission
• Founded in 1816 from Viscount FitzWilliam's bequest
• Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities
• Paintings by Titian, Rubens, Monet, Picasso and Turner

Good to know

• Entry is free.
• It is the University of Cambridge's museum of art and antiquities.

Frequently asked questions