5 Country Parks And Green Spaces To Visit In Cambridgeshire

 

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’s so much nature to find and rejoice in here. 

Want to visit but don’t fancy getting stuck in traffic? The Trumpington park and ride is one of the many handy services in Cambridgeshire if you’re driving to the area but want to use public transport to travel around the city.

Up for getting closer to nature on a warm, sunny day? Take a look at our list below of country parks and green spaces to visit in Cambridgeshire this summer…

Wandlebury Country Park

This countryside estate is on top of the gentle Gog Magog Hills and is known as Cambridge’s original country park. It’s home to the remains of a 5th-century BC Iron Age hill fort and has miles 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 it’s more of a donation.

It’s a marvellous 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 every Saturday and Sunday, 11am-5pm, weather permitting).

Milton Country Park

This attractive park is arguably one of the most underrated green spaces in the region and a fantastic spot for a family day out. There are two play areas, some gorgeous lakes, a visitor centre and, for a treat for a four-legged friend, a sensory garden designed for dogs. 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 land and water activities. From cycling and orienteering to canoeing and paddleboarding, there’s something suitable for every age and interest.

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.

Take a look at some more Cambridge lakes to swim in, sit by and generally admire.

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 an awesome spot for 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 chill 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 the few remaining examples of a lido built in England in the 1920s, and a brilliant way of cooling down in the heat. 

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

This well-loved nature reserve covers around 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’s 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, great spotted and green woodpeckers and nuthatches.

If you’re keen to explore the area on foot, then check out more walks in Cambridgeshire. 

Hitchingbrooke Country Park

Covering 170 acres of open grasslands, lakes and woodland, Hitchingbrooke 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.

There are so many things to do in Cambridgeshire, so why not extend your trip? Browse our campsites in Cambridgeshire for ideas on where to stay.