5 Country Parks and Green Spaces in Cambridge and Nearby
Cambridge is probably best known for its prestigious university, elegant historic buildings and maze of cobbled streets. So you'd be forgiven for not realising how many fantastic parks and green spaces there are in the city and surrounding area. Whether you’re admiring the tree-lined parkland at Jesus Green or strolling around the lakes in Milton Country Park, there are lots of great places for a breath of fresh air in and around Cambridge.
Want to visit Cambridge but don’t fancy getting stuck in traffic? Make use of the Trumpington park and ride for easy outings by bus, with free parking thrown in as well. Meanwhile, if you’re skipping the city for the day and heading to one of the country parks a little way away, you should find plenty of decent parking there. Either way, our list of five of the best green spaces around Cambridge has options for all, whether you’re sticking to the centre or exploring further into the county.
Around Cambridge and beyond, Cambridgeshire has heaps of things to keep you busy, so how about making this the destination for your next UK short break? This famously flat landscape lends itself well to camping and glamping, so take a look at Pitchup’s collection of campsites of all varieties and find something that suits your style.
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Wandlebury Country Park
A couple of miles south of Cambridge, Wandlebury Country Park is on top of the gentle Gog Magog Hills and is known as the city’s original country park. It’s home to the remains of a 5th-century BC Iron Age hill fort and has 150 acres of woodland and meadows to wander through at your leisure. It's also a natural playground for kids and there are lots of family-friendly activities hosted here throughout the year.
The site is owned and managed by a local charity – Cambridge, Past, Present & Future – and while entry to the park is free, there is a charge for parking. The money goes towards the upkeep of the grounds though, so you could think of it more as a donation.
In summer, Wandlebury is a fabulous place for a picnic or barbecue, so bring a blanket and some tasty treats with you. If you’re here on a weekend and haven't come prepared with snacks, check out the pop-up café (open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting).
Milton Country Park
Attractive Milton Country Park is arguably one of the most underrated green spaces in Cambridgeshire, and a fantastic spot for a family day out just a little way outside of Cambridge. There are two play areas, some gorgeous lakes, a visitor centre and some areas where dogs can have a good run around off lead. If you’re here on a sunny day, treat yourself to an ice cream from the park’s café.
But wait, there’s more – every week, Milton Country Park hosts a number of activities on land and on water. From cycling and orienteering to canoeing, fishing and paddleboarding, there’s something suitable for every age and interest. In the summer holidays young kids can also join ‘wild child’ sessions with crafts and nature activities.
As with Wandlebury, this space is owned and managed by a charity, so there is a charge to use the car park and the money goes towards maintaining the grounds.
Jesus Green
Jesus Green is an area of open parkland to the north of Cambridge city. It’s lined with London plane and horse chestnut trees and it’s a great spot for a stroll and a bit of people-watching. It’s bordered by the river Cam, Victoria Avenue and Jesus College (part of Cambridge University).
If you’re coming here to do more than just relax in the sun there are lots of activities to choose from. It’s home to the city’s only public grass tennis courts, plus there’s a skate park here with a variety of obstacles for both beginners and experienced riders.
Kids can burn off some energy in the railway-themed play area, and between May and September the outdoor pool is open every day of the week from 7am to 7pm. It’s one of England’s last few 1920s-designed lidos, and a brilliant place to cool down on a hot day.
Make sure you bring a picnic with you during the summer months, particularly on a Sunday afternoon when you can catch one of the band concerts performed on the green.
Beechwoods Nature Reserve
To the south-east of Cambridge, Beechwoods Nature Reserve is a much-loved space made up of 24 acres of woodland full of spectacular beech trees. A large number of them were originally planted back in the 1840s, and you can still see some of the plough terraces from when medieval farming took place on this site.
There are lots of wild and winding walkways to explore and it can be simply magical to see the sunlight peek through the leaf canopies above you. It can be a dangerous place to be when it’s windy though – the trees are very tall and spindly and may shed their branches, so be aware of this when planning your visit.
Keep an eye out for the unusual species of wildlife that live here too, such as grey partridges, nuthatches and great spotted or green woodpeckers.
Hinchingbrooke Country Park
Near Huntingdon and covering 170 acres of open grasslands, lakes and woodland, Hinchingbrooke Country Park is a terrific place to visit for anyone wanting to explore the great outdoors. In 2018, the park was awarded a Green Flag Award, which recognises the best green spaces in the country.
Come armed with a camera or pair of binoculars so you can get a closer look at some of the interesting wildlife that thrives here. As well as a variety of bird species, you may see an otter or kingfisher if you’re in the right spot at the right time.
There are also some play areas for the kids and a café where you can all grab a bite to eat or drink after a scenic walk. The park has plenty of parking, and is also easy to get to by bus from Cambridge, St Ives or St Neots.
If you like the sound of these open spaces you may also like to check out our guide to the best walks in Cambridgeshire, or perhaps look up the county’s loveliest lakes. They’re all great places for locals and visitors alike – and if you’re the latter you can soak up more of this splendid scenery by choosing an outdoor stay. Whether you like simple camping or stylish glamping stays, have a look through Pitchup’s collection of Cambridgeshire campsites below to find a place that suits you.