Wandlebury Country Park -

Cambridge's First Country Park

"...What a wonderful discovery. It is absolutely beautiful - we will be coming back often! ...thank you for looking after such a wonderful environment" Visitors May 2009

Wandlebury - open to the public for quiet recreation from dawn until dusk, every day.

On the gentle Gog Magog Hills just south of Cambridge, Wandlebury is a welcome retreat for walkers and nature lovers. With 110 acres (40 ha) of beautiful woods and chalk grassland, the remains of a 5th Century BC Iron Age Hill Fort (a Scheduled Ancient Monument), walks over some 8 miles (12 km) of meandering footpaths - Wandlebury with its unhurried space offers a great experience for all ages!

The Estate (a County Wildlife Site) is managed by the Ranger Service and volunteers to protect and enhance nature; preserve and respect the environment. The grasslands are managed under a DEFRA Countryside Stewardship Agreement, to increase species diversity and are grazed by Texel sheep and Highland Cattle. The woodlands are managed to encourage diversity of woodland flora and provide nesting habitats for birds.

Highandland cattle The Society acquired Wandlebury in 1954, thanks to the generosity of Mr Terence Gray (who gave us the grounds and historic buildings within the Ring) and all who subscribed to the former 'Save the Gogs' Fund. Wandlebury has a fascinating history - which includes the Iron Age hill fort dating back to the fifth century BC and breeding of racehorses including the famous Godolphin Arabian, one of the three Arabian stallions who were brought to this country in the early eighteenth Century and founded the bloodlines of modern Thoroughbreds.

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service, reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

Banyard bird hide

In the woodland copse on the northern edge of Varley's Field, the perfect place for sheltering from the winter weather and a great look-out for watching the natural inhabitants of Wandlebury

Details here

Respect the Park and its environment and follow to the Countryside Code and the Park's rules on display at the Main Information Board - in particular:

keep your dogs on the lead at all times to protect our wildlife, cattle, sheep
and fellow visitors
supervise children at all times
keep to the footpaths and to protect the wildlife do not stray in the woodland
do not cycle or horse ride
keep the park tidy and use the litter bins.

Thank you for your cooperation and enjoy your visit

Finding Wandlebury Country Park

The Park is signposted with brown Country park signs off the A1307 Cambridge to Haverhill Road, 2.5 miles south of the Addenbrookes Hospital's roundabout. CambridgePPF wishes to encourage visitors to use sustainable transport - why not come by bus, on foot or cycle?

on foot - use the existing on and off road footpath network.
by cycle - please leave your bike at the cycle racks in the visitor car park. No cycling is allowed inside the Park.
by bus - use the Stagecoach Citiplus X13 and X13a service between Cambridge & Haverhill. It is also possible to use the Park & Ride bus to the Babraham Road P&R site and walk up the hill!
by train - from Cambridge train station walk down Station Road to Hills Rd, turn left and wait at nearest suitable bus stop for the X13 and X13A or Park & Ride bus.
by car and motorbike - The visitor car park is at the Main Entrance as signposted off the A1307 (£2.50 parking charge which directly contributes to looking after the park; CambridgePPF members free).
Reduced mobility - There is a disabled car park in the Ring, sign-posted from the main car park - follow the tarmac drive to the Stable Block (parking free if badge displayed). No further driving in the Park please.

Facilities for those with reduced mobility

Couple sitting on park bench The paths immediately around the disabled car park area are suitable for wheelchairs and there is a disabled toilet in the stable block.
There is also a pre-visit pack for visually impaired people, obtainable from the office or via the website.

Guide dogs are welcome.

OS Map Reference TL 494 534 GB Grid

Visiting Wandlebury Country Park

The Park is open from dawn to dusk every day. There is much to enjoy through the changing seasons:

Mid January & February: the first signs of Spring - a fine display of snowdrops and aconites
March: brilliant yellow daffodils
April & early May: cowslips, wood violets, orchard with apple blossom
June & July: colourful chalk grassland flowers and butterflies
August: woodland walks - escape from the summer heat of the City
September, October, November: autumn mellowness and colours
December: a traditional place for a festive season walk.
And all year round - there are the birds

Special Events: We have a programme of events suitable for all ages throughout the year in the Country Park. Please see our Wandlebury events page for details.

Group Visits: We welcome visits by groups, schools and other organisations. For further information go to our Education page.

To book a visit please e-mail or call the Cambridge Past, Present & Future Office (Tel: 01223 243830).

Admission

Free Entry for All
Car Parking - £2.50 per car (Cambridge Past, Present & Future members FREE)

Looking after Wandlebury Country Park -

How you can help

CambridgePPF maintains the Country Park for the enjoyment of all its visitors. This requires us to raise sufficient funds for its care and maintenance each year. In addition we aim to improve the facilities for enjoying all the aspects of the Park, its flora, fauna and historic legacy.

Currently we have the following projects: -
Wall Restoration - click here to learn more.

We have now set up a Strategic Working Group (summer 2012) which will look at future improvements of visitor facilities and wildlife management etc. This may include new or restored visitor information/ education building and improve access for the less able at the heart of Wandlebury. Projects will be prioritised and detailed programme established.

Please support our work maintaining and improving Wandlebury Country Park for the enjoyment of all by clicking here to find out more about donating to or joining Cambridge Past, Present and Future.

Contact and Further Information:

Cambridge Past, Present & Future Head Office

Volunteering at Wandlebury Country Park

Would you like to help the work of Cambridge Past, Present & Future? We are always glad to hear from people who can spare even an hour or two to help. Please go to our Volunteering page for more information about volunteering or other opportunities to help Cambridge Past, Present & Future.