Parks & Open Spaces

Parks & Open Spaces

Cambridge truly is a green city – the natural fen landscape flows right into the centre along the river Cam, cows grazing within sight of Kings College Chapel. You can picnic under the trees along The Backs and admire the stunning displays of flowering bulbs in Spring, or while away the hours in beautifully kept College grounds and Fellows gardens.

The public parks and commons provide a paradise for children with play equipment, football pitches and tennis courts.

Riverside parks, grassy commons, cool meadows and flower-filled gardens shape the city as much as its history and heritage.

Parks are plentiful. Jesus Green, close to Jesus College, is a green space in the city centre. The River Cam brushes its northern edge and an avenue of London plane trees provides a leafy canopy over footpaths.

Parker’s Piece is an open space used by locals to lounge around and play football and cricket on the grass; it is famous as the place where, in 1848, students agreed a set of simple guidelines for football which were to influence the development of the Football Association rules.

Midsummer Common is an ancient area of grassland bordered by the River Cam, where you can see the boathouses of the Colleges of the University and watch the rowers on the water.

Alexandra Gardens
Park

Alexandra Gardens

Playhouse and play area. Bowling Green and Pavilion.

Anglesey Abbey
Key Sites to Visit

Anglesey Abbey

Anglesey Abbey is a National Trust Property in the village of Lode.

Audley End House and Gardens
House & Park
Key Sites to Visit

Audley End House and Gardens

Experience Victorian country life at Audley End House and Gardens

Barnwell East local nature reserve
Local Nature Reserve

Barnwell East local nature reserve

Barnwell East local nature reserve provides excellent walking throughout the year

Ben’s Yard
Accessories
Coffee Shops & Tea Rooms
Fashion
Food & Drink
Gift Shops
Home Furnishings
Local Nature Reserve
Restaurants
Walking & Cycling Routes

Ben’s Yard

Launching Spring 2023, Ben's Yard is a rural retail village on the edge of Ely welcoming your new go-to café/restaurant, fashion and lifestyle boutiques, head-to-toe spa services, artisan food hall, playground and a 6 acre event space all beautifully landscaped on the Stuntney Estate with marked trails through woodland, fenland and wildflower meadows.

Boathouse Pub
Car Parks
City Tours
House & Park
Key Sites to Visit
Leisure Activities
Local Nature Reserve
Museums & Galleries
Park
Pubs
Punting
Theatres & Cinemas
Toilets
Universities & Colleges

Boathouse Pub

The Boathouse is a pub at the heart and soul of Cambridge situated on the river. Whether you want a pop in for your favourite tipple, catch up with friends and family over lovingly cooked food, or celebrate a special occasion, we cannot wait to see you.

Bramblefields local nature reserve
Local Nature Reserve

Bramblefields local nature reserve

The reserve contains ponds, grassland and scrub forming habitat for birds, insects like butterflies and aquatic life. Newts and frogs can be found in the pond along with dragonflies and damselflies.

Byrons Pool
Park

Byrons Pool

Weir pool.

Cambridge Local Nature Reserve

Cambridge Local Nature Reserve

The Local Nature Reserves (LNR’s) in Cambridge are for both people and wildlife.

Cambridge Open Studios 2022
Art & Framing
Free
House & Park
Museums & Galleries
Tourism

Cambridge Open Studios 2022

In one of the largest Open Studios events to date, Cambridge Open Studios 2022 presents work from more than 370 COS Members in over 230 studios and spaces across the county this July.

Cambridge Past Present & Future
House & Park
Key Sites to Visit
Leisure Activities
Local Nature Reserve
Park
Walking & Cycling Routes

Cambridge Past Present & Future

Local charity that cares for parks, green spaces and historic buildings.

Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Key Sites to Visit

Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Plants from all over the world in one great garden, one great day out. Come on in and find out more.

Castle Hill
Park

Castle Hill

Although there are no ruins to be seen on Castle Hill, this grassy mound is of great importance in the history of Cambridge. This was the site of the Roman town of Duroliponte, originally an Iron Age hill fort.

Cherry Hinton Hall

Cherry Hinton Hall

Cherry Hinton Hall is a Grade II listed Victorian country house set in a beautiful (now public) park to the south-east of Cambridge.

Cherry Hinton Hall Park
House & Park

Cherry Hinton Hall Park

Open green space, play park.

Chesterton Recreation Ground
Park

Chesterton Recreation Ground

Play area.

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Did you know?

First World War poet Rupert Brooke studied at King’s College, Cambridge, and spent time living in Grantchester. He was so enamoured with the Cambridgeshire village he penned one of his most famous works, The Old Vicarage, about his home there.