7 Best Lakes In Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is renowned for its flat landscapes, with lots of flooded fens and marshland creating watery views all around. There may not be an abundance of natural lakes in this county, but the crafty clay miners who worked the area for centuries are to thank for the vast, deep pits that have long since flooded to create wildlife-rich bodies of water around the county.
And what that means is that Cambridgeshire is now home to plenty of lakes to explore, providing a variety of activities for both local residents and visitors alike. How you choose to do that is up to you – perhaps a lakeside walk in a country park, a bit of fishing or some time messing about in boats. As there are few household names in this area, we’ve put together this list of the best Cambridgeshire lakes to help you find a good spot for a waterside day out.
The beauty of lots of the activities listed here is that they’re free or very low-cost – a real bonus in this day and age. If you’re visiting the area, Pitchup can also help you find a good-value place to stay – click the link below to see a great range of campsites and glampsites starting from just £15 per night.
See all campsites in Cambridgeshire
Milton Country Park
Just north of Cambridge, Milton Country Park has not one but a splendid six lakes to its name, all of them flanked with woodland walks and wildlife observation platforms. Woolly mammoths once roamed this landscape (a tooth and tusk have been unearthed here) but now it’s a great space for families to play, anglers to cast their rods and novices and enthusiasts alike to take to the water. The park also has an adventure playground and a sensory garden to explore.
If you’re a competent swimmer you can join an open-water swimming session in the lakes or have a go at a variety of watersports at the park’s Waterbeach Lake, including paddleboarding and canoeing. If you don’t fancy getting wet, you can instead try the orienteering course or play a game of table tennis among the trees.
Grafham Water
Grafham Water is the third-largest reservoir in England, surrounded by the lowlands of East Cambridgeshire. The nine-mile track running around the lake’s edge is a popular destination for walkers and cyclists, and as much of the site is wheelchair-accessible (including the fishing lodge and visitor centre) it’s also a great option for less mobile visitors.
Those who don’t fancy the full lake circuit can take a wander through the woodlands instead, or find a spot to peek through the willows where swans and great crested grebes hide out. Sailing courses, trout fishing, a couple of play areas and a mini golf course are among the other options here, and you can make a day of it by grabbing food in one of the two cafés or bringing a disposable barbecue (there’s a dedicated area for them by the Marlow car park).
Ferry Meadows Country Park
Ferry Meadows is one of the best days out in Cambridgeshire for families and those who just love the fresh air. Part of the vast Nene Park Estate, and just three miles from Peterborough, a huge horseshoe of linked lakes surrounds the park on three sides. Amid the acres of woodland and meadows there are walking and bike trails (plus bike hire), play areas, a pitch and putt course, climbing walls and a miniature train. You can even arrive on a bigger loco as the Nene Valley Railway has a station just next to the park.
The lakes and river are the focus of much of the activity here, based out of a large watersports centre. Hundreds of years ago there was a ferry service that ran along the River Nene that runs by the park – that’s how the place got its name. Today, you can take a kayak, paddleboard or pedalo out onto the lakes yourself or cruise on the park’s motorboat under the captain’s control.
Ely Country Park
Along the banks of River Great Ouse, at the eastern edge of the cathedral city of Ely, are important habitats for wildlife, including lakes, reed beds, seasonally flooded meadows and woodlands. Ely Country Park sits at the heart of this area, with the lakes of the Roswell Pits Nature Reserve bordering it on two sides. There are two waymarked trails in the park with views of Ely cathedral and the rivers and fenlands that surround the city. The former clay quarries of the Roswell Pits flooded when works stopped after World War II, and they’re now used by a sailing club and a fishing association.
Fen Drayton
The Fen Drayton Lakes area is one of the finest watery landscapes in Cambridgeshire. This network of lakes, lagoons and ponds between Cambridge and St Ives has developed on the site of a vast former quarry where nine gravel pits were flooded in the early 1990s. RSPB Fen Drayton now manages 400 hectares of waterways, riverside meadows, woodland and scrub. Fen Drayton is an incredibly peaceful place to watch the wildfowl, roosting birds, dragonflies, kestrels and woodpeckers, and you may even spot the occasional otter.
Simple facilities here include toilets and a picnic area, along with an accessible portable toilet. Many parts of the site are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, although there are kissing gates and bridle gates on some paths; the reserve is happy to provide full details on request.
Barnwell Pit Lake
Just a kick across Coldham’s Brook from Cambridge United football ground is Barnwell Pit Lake, formed from an old pit that flooded after it was abandoned. The name Barnwell is thought to derive from ‘bairn’s well’, in which sickly infants would be dipped as a superstitious ritual. Today, the only dipping that takes place is of the fishing rod variety, as the lake is home to carp, perch and tench. This is a fairly small lake, but it’s a lovely spot just away from the city’s bustle, with lilies growing near the banks and fishing platforms extending a little way over the water.
Hinchingbrooke Country Park
Close to the centre of Huntingdon is Hinchingbrooke Country Park, a historical site made up of open grassland, mature woodland and lakes. Nearby Hinchingbrooke House, now part of a school, was built in the 11th century as a Benedictine Nunnery before passing into the hands of the Cromwell family whose roguish antihero (or hero, depending on your view) attempted to overthrow Charles I during the English Civil War.
The park’s wetlands are made up of two large lakes along with a handful of smaller ones. Fishing for bream, carp, catfish and tench is popular – but don’t be tempted to venture in, as the waters are incredibly deep and particularly cold. Instead, stick to the land to follow one of the walking trails, tackle the mountain bike course, use the play area or visit the beehives (visitors are welcome to watch from the viewing platform on Sunday afternoons from 2-3pm, April to September).
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, if you like getting out and about in the fresh air you may also want to check out our guide to the best walks in Cambridgeshire. For visitors, all these activities combine very well with an outdoor break, whether you’re keeping costs down with a camping holiday or looking for a fancier glamping break. Check out all the options by exploring our full range below.