Visit a special place for nature

  • You can tick off TWO challenges by going to this fascinating nature reserve by public transport or bike (and save yourself a parking charge). The Cambridge Busway passes right through the centre of the reserve and there is a request bus stop. And of course, it is a traffic free route for cycling all the way.

    To get all the details about the reserve and what you can expect to see here.

    In summer this is a really good place to see dragonflies and damselflies.

  • You can tick off TWO challenges by going to this fascinating nature reserve by public transport or bike. If you take the Citi 8 from the village into central Cambridge and then either the Citi 1 towards Fulbourn or Citi 3 towards Cherry Hinton getting off at the Robin Hood junction. Or you could cycle along the Busway towards Cambridge North railway station and then follow the Chisholm Trail cycle route over the River Cam missing the busy city centre.

    To get all the details about the reserve and what you can expect to see here.

    The site was a working chalk pit until the 1980s and has since developed a special character with many unusual plants. A unique site – definitely worth a visit.

  • Wicken Fen is the oldest nature reserve in the UK.

    For the really intrepid, you can cycle there using National Cycle Network routes 51 and 11. Go to the Sustrans website and look for route descriptions for ‘Cambridge to Bottisham’ and ‘Lodes Way’.

  • You can tick off TWO challenges by going to this fascinating nature reserve by public transport or bike. The Cambridge Busway terminates at the Park & Ride car park beside the reserve. And of course you can cycle down the Histon Road, pass through the city centre and head out on Trumpington Road.

    To get all the details about the reserve and what you can expect to see here.

    This reserve is very accessible and is great for wild flowers. It is also adjacent to the River Cam and Byron’s Pool Local Nature Reserve.

  • You can tick off TWO challenges by going to these fascinating nature reserves by public transport or bike. You can take the Citi 8 from the village into central Cambridge and walk across the water meadows to Newnham. Or you can cycle to Newnham.

    Fen Causeway crosses Coe Fen/Sheeps Green so you will almost certainly be familiar with the mix of grazed water meadow and collapsing pollard willows between the River Cam and the mill race. But Paradise is more of a hidden gem.

    You can find out more about these local nature reserves on these links.

    Paradise Local Nature Reserve

    Fen Local Nature Reserve

    These places are a window into Cambridge in past times and an essential part of the city’s flood protection system.

  • On the Gog Magog Hills on the remains of a circular Iron Age Hillfort, steeped in myth and legend, just south of Cambridge, this beautiful countryside estate offers miles of wonderful walks through woodland and wildflower meadows grazed by Highland Cattle.

    A fantastic setting for a picnic or a BBQ, to watch wildlife, run around and build a den, a gentle stroll or a strenuous hike. Enjoy refreshments at a pop-up cafe.

    The Country Park is owned and cared for by local charity Cambridge Past, Present & Future.

    You can find more information about the site and how to get there by public transport here.

  • The reserve is part of a working farm. There are grass meadows and newly planted orchards where you can stray off the path and enjoy a picnic. To find out how to get there and what to expect see click here.

    You can get to this reserve by bus to Coton or by bike.

  • The Botanic Garden is a great place for families to spend time together and explore. Learn about the importance of plants and plant science, horticulture and the joy of gardening. The Botanic Garden is easily reached with public transport or a bike.

    Check out their website for details of opening times, ticket prices, site map and events.

  • This reserve on the banks of the River Cam in Chesterton is a haven for wildlife. The ponds, reedbed, riverside, backwater channels and ditches form a micro river-catchment landscape which provides vital habitats for a variety of species, including reed warblers, water vole, kingfishers, reed specialist moths and Daubenton’s bats. The reserve is part of a wildlife corridor that stretches north beyond Wicken Fen, offering a viable habitat for many wetland species.

    You can find out more about this local nature reserve on this link.

  • This wood was planted by local people in 2000 to celebrate the turn of the new millennium. Trees include willow, ash, alder, birch, field maple and oak, with shrubby edges of hawthorn, blackthorn, guelder rose, hazel and dogwood.

    The site is easy to access being adjacent to Waterbeach railway station and just off the River Cam towpath at Clayhythe Bridge. For more details see here.