If your curiosity is piqued by the extraordinary, then we have quite a tale to tell you

Come visit and discover more about the remarkable Elizabeth Woodcock, a resident of the village of Impington who survived for nearly eight days in a cave of snow after a fall from her horse on a tempestuous evening in February 1799.

Based around contemporary accounts, our exhibition uses objects from our own collection to illustrate Elizabeth’s tremendous fortitude, as she struggled to survive in her icy cavern with just an almanac, a snuff box, a nutcracker, a red handkerchief and a shoe. We will also explore the obsolete and rather alarming medicinal treatments that she endured after she was found.

Her amazing survival story spread across the county and then countrywide and many flocked to her with gifts that included bountiful amounts of liquor. Such generous quantities of alcohol – both from well-wishers and from doctors – may well have accelerated her declining health and caused her death just five months later in July.

Perhaps it might be said that Elizabeth died as a result of kindness…

Visit our blog and discover the link between Elizabeth, a common item of clothing and a famous nursery rhyme.

This exhibition is part of Tracing Traditions, a project funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund and delivered by the Museums Association