At the time of writing this article, times are uncertain. You could be reading this article during lockdown or you may be already enjoying Cambridge’s restaurants and attractions once again.
Either way, what remains the same is the beautiful green spaces the city has to offer. Ideal for exercise if you live locally or a place to explore if you’re visiting, we’ve picked some of Cambridge’s best outdoor locations.
Jesus Green
A stone’s throw from the city centre, Jesus Green is a beautiful stretch of parkland bordering the River Cam and the nearby Jesus College. Complete with an open-air swimming pool, skate park and tennis courts, it’s the perfect place for a leisurely stroll at any time of year. This riverside park is the perfect venue to relax, picnic, walk or play sport.
www.cambridge.gov.uk/the-backs
The Backs
Any first-time visitor to Cambridge should take a walk along the ‘Backs’ of the riverside colleges. To really get into the Cambridge spirit, hire a bike from one of the city’s rental outlets and freewheel your way around. You’ll spot several famous bridges that cross the river including the Mathematical Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs.
www.cambridge.gov.uk/the-backs
Parker’s Piece
Parkers Piece is one of Cambridge’s most significant open spaces. Dine at Parker’s Tavern or stay at the Gonville Hotel for views of the park. It plays host to a number of events throughout the year and is a great spot for picnics and sports.
www.cambridge.gov.uk/parkers-piece
Midsummer Common
With the river on one side, the grassland is an historic area in the city. It hosts a number of events throughout the year such as the Midsummer Fair and bonfire night, plus it’s home to the famous free roaming cows.
Cambridge University Botanic Garden
The Botanic Garden is a 40-acre oasis of beautifully landscaped grounds and glasshouses that is home to a huge diversity
of plants, trees and bird life. It develops and displays over 8,000 different plant species with many fascinating features including a lake, glasshouses, winter garden, rock gardens and a superb collection of mature trees. It hosts seasonal events throughout the year including wildlife talks and ‘Sounds Green’; live music on summer evenings.
Wandlebury Country Park
Much-loved by generations of Cambridge families is Wandlebury Country Park – some 45ha of tranquil woods and chalk grassland. West of the city on the edge of Coton village is The Countryside Reserve; a working farm, offering some 120ha of pasture and agricultural land with diverse wildlife habitats, routes for walkers, cyclists, joggers and more. Both areas are owned and cared for by charity Cambridge Past, Present & Future.
Grantchester
You don’t have to stray far from the city to find a wealth of natural beauty and stunning landscapes to enjoy. The nearby village of Grantchester is a fantastic destination for a short walk. Stroll around the village admiring the church and pretty thatched cottages and country homes. Take a walk along the river and spot the cows grazing. Finish with a bite to eat at one of the three pubs or an afternoon tea at The Orchard Tea Garden. During the summer, the riverbanks are busy with groups of friends, couples and families enjoying BBQs, picnics and swimming in the river.
For more information on up-to-date info and things to do indoors, garden days and exercise whilst social distancing why not check out our Facebook Page or Groups dedicated to your county Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk. Those dog lovers out there would be barking mad not to join our Doglife Group and vegan’s, you’ll be pleased we have one dedicated to you too.
You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram for all the latest info, competitions and stunning images of our beautiful counties in the Eastlife.
