These boats are escorted through Cambridge from Oundle in Northamptonshire where they are made to Ipswich. They are forced to go through Cambridge to avoid low bridges.

New for Spring 2012 and part of the London 2012 Exhibition.

The Fitzwilliam museum is hosting one of its most important exhibitions. Featuring nearly 400 pieces of treasure from the Imperial Tombs of the Han Dynasty. This is the most important display of royal treasures to be seen outside China.

A wide-ranging public programme including lectures, workshops.

Eastern Exchanges is a major festival celebrating the culture and colour of the east to mark the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Throughout 2010–13 museums and partner organisations across the East of England are delivering an inspiring programme of exhibitions, events, artist residencies and community projects which will unlock the secrets and stories of China, India and Pakistan. At the heart of Eastern Exchanges are the region’s young people, creating new ways for visitors to experience culture. 

Fitzwilliam museum, Cambridge.

31 March – 30 September

Well worth a visit.

http://festival.london2012.com/index.php

http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/whatson/exhibitions/han/

7 December 2011-5 May 2012

www.spri.cam.ac.uk

An exhibition which brings together the volume of Scott´s diary from the last expedition from 1910-1913. On loan from the British Library, with many of the other journals, letters, notebooks and maps – reuniting these materials for the first time in a century. A rare opportunity to see these manuscripts exhibited together. Some of them are so fragile and valuable that they probably won’t go on display again for another hundred years. They tell the story of the voyage south, the Antarctic winter, the science, sledging journeys and daily life of the expedition, illustrated by stunning photographs.

The Polar Museum and the archives of the Scott Polar Research Institute contain the world´s largest collection of manuscripts, photographs and artefacts relating to Captain Scott´s second expedition to the Antarctic, during which he and four of his companions reached the South Pole in January 1912.

With Christmas and New year all over it’s a good time to think about booking a break in Cambridge. January and February are a great time to come to Cambridge as there are still lots of things to do but without the usual bustle of people you may experience in summer.

Scudamores are doing daily punt tours where you can see the Bridge of Sighs and Kings College and there are daily walking tours around the city.

The Vermeer exhibition is still on at the Fitzwilliam museum until the 15th of January and the impressionist gallery is open after a renovation with paintings from Renoir, Monet and Degas.

Venues such as The Arts Theatre, The Corn Exchange and The Junction provide a fantastic selection of entertainment.  The Winter Ale Festival will be held in the University Social Centre, Mill Lane from 19th-21st January.  And if your feeling hungry The Cambridge Chop house and St John’s chop house have a special offer throughout January of a free bottle of wine per table when you purchase two courses from the main menu. Don’t forget Burns Night on the 25th January The Cambridge Scottish Society will be holding a Burns night dinner at Wolfson College on the 28th www.camscotsoc.org.uk

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/whatson/rickshaw_challenge.shtml

Matt Baker is coming to Cambridge tomorrow as part of his Children in Need challenge to cycle a rickshaw from Edinburgh to London covering a total of 484 miles in 8 days. Tomorrow is his seventh day of the challenge and he has to cover 41 miles from Peterborough to Cambridge.

The BBC’s One show will join him live every night at 7.00pm for the finish.

To donate £5, text “MATT” to 70705; texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message, £5 will go to BBC Children in Need. Go to bbc.co.uk/pudsey for full terms and conditions. You must be over 16 and ask the bill payer’s permission.

Wed 5 October 2011 to Sun 15 January 2012

Works by the 17th century Dutch artist are currently displayed at the Fitzwilliam Museum. The Lace Maker is on loan from The Louvre and is on show in Britain for the first time. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/

Also by Vermeer is The Girl with the Pearl Earring (not included in the exhibition at The Fitzwilliam)   

Anglesey Abbey is run by the national trust, there are acres of gardens, a working watermill and Abbey to explore and a shop and restaurant to visit on your way home. It was quite busy as always. It is predominantly a winter garden but they have a display of dahlias at the moment which look amazing.

We cycled to St Ives in an hour, which was lovely with no traffic. It took us a bit longer to cycle back with a head wind.

http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/around/thebusway/

Richard Thompson is headlining the festival but there is a wide selection of music to suit all tastes including Rumer and Newton Faulkener.

www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk

www.cambridgeshakespeare.com

Also on is a production from the Globe Theatre Hamlet 27-30 July in the Masters garden at Corpus Christi college. www.cambridgeartstheatre.com