Protecting the Beauty of Cambridge and its Environment

David Attenborough calls for preserving Cambridge’s green spaces. Let’s honour that vision and protect and celebrate what makes our city extraordinary.

Restore Respect Protect

Balancing history, nature, and progress for a thriving Cambridge

Green
Spaces

We own or manage 550+ acres of green space, including Wandlebury, Coton Reserve & Grantchester Meadows.

Historic Buildings
& Heritage

We preserve heritage sites as Greater Cambridge's sole historic buildings and landscapes charity.

Nature & Climate
Mitigation

We partner to enhance nature, combat climate change, and boost land ecology in Cambridge.

The Development
of Cambridge

We champion sustainable planning, balancing development with environmental protection.

Outdoor
Education

We deliver engaging science, nature, and bushcraft experiences to 2,000+ children annually.

Events
& Community

We engage thousands in nature and heritage through walks, talks, volunteering, and wellbeing activities.

“The open green spaces of Cambridge need protection… Cambridge Past, Present & Future is doing its best to look after them. Do help, do join! ”

Sir David Attenborough

Watch Sir David Attenborough on why you should join Cambridge Past, Present & Future Here

Discover our Green Spaces & Heritage Buildings

Wandlebury
Country Park

Explore ancient woodland and meadows just outside the city.

Coton
Countryside Reserve

Panoramic views, peaceful paths & wildflower meadows.

Grantchester Meadows​
& Orchard Tea Garden

Walk the iconic riverside landscape that inspired poets and artists.

The Leper Chapel​ & Barnwell Meadows

Step inside Cambridge’s oldest complete building

Bourn
Windmill​

Discover one of the oldest windmills in the UK, in a countryside setting.

Hinxton
Watermill​

Visit a working 17th-century watermill beside the River Cam.

A Wilder Coton

We need to raise £30,000 in order to begin to transform arable farmland on the western edge of Cambridge into new habitats that are rich in nature, help to mitigate climate change and improve community well-being. 

Activities & Events

May 25, 2025
Various locations around Cambridge

Cambridge Nature Festival 2025

Sun 25 May – Mon 30 June. A celebration of nature on your

June 11, 2025
Coton Reserve, Granchester Road, Cambridge, CB23 7PZ

Summer Wildflowers of Coton

Wed 11 June, 10am-12pm. Gentle guided walk to learn about summer wildflowers at

June 15, 2025
Bourn Windmill, Caxton Road, Bourn, CB23 2SU

Open Day

Sun 15 June, 2-4.30pm.  Bourn Windmill is the oldest surviving windmill in the country.

July 13, 2025
Bourn Windmill, Caxton Road, Bourn, CB23 2SU

Bourn Windmill Open Day

Sun 13 July, 2pm-4.30pm.  Bourn Windmill is the oldest surviving windmill in the country.

August 1, 2025
Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8JJ

in situ: SKAREEE MONSTAS: Stories from Homer’s Odyssey

Fri 1 Aug & Sat 2 Aug, 8pm. Cyclops. Sirens. Scylla. Lotus Easters.

August 3, 2025
Hinxton Mill, Mill Lane, Hinxton, CB10 1RD

Hinxton Watermill Open Day

Sun 3 August, 2.30-5pm (last entry 4.30pm) Come and experience this wonderful working watermill

September 6, 2025
Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8JJ

Stourbridge Medieval Fair

Sat 6 September 12-4.30pm. Re-enactment of the famous Stourbridge Fair at Cambridge’s 2nd oldest

September 7, 2025
Hinxton Mill, Mill Lane, Hinxton, cb10 1rd

Hinxton Watermill Open Day

Sun 7 September, 2.30-5pm (last entry 4.30pm). Come and experience this wonderful working watermill

August 17, 2025
Bourn Windmill, Caxton Road, Bourn, CB23 2SU

Bourn Windmill Open Day

Sun 17 August, 2pm-4.30pm.  Bourn Windmill is the oldest surviving windmill in the country.

September 14, 2025
Bourn Windmill, Caxton Road, Bourn, CB23 2SU

Bourn Windmill Open Day

Sun 14 September 2pm-4.30pm – East Anglian Mills Society (TEAMS) Open Day  

October 5, 2025
Hinxton Mill, Mill Lane, Hinxton, CB10 1RD

Hinxton Watermill Open Day

Sun 5 October, 2.30-5pm (last entry 4.30pm). Come and experience this wonderful working watermill

May 25, 2025
Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8JJ

Leper Chapel Open Day

Sun 25 May, 1.30-3.30pm Your chance to see inside one of Cambridge’s oldest

August 13, 2025
Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8JJ.

Ghost Stories by in situ:

Wed 13 August, 8-9.30pm. Deliciously scary stories by top writers Edith Wharton and

August 13, 2025
Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8JJ.

Ovid’s Metamorphoses by in situ:

Sat 16 August, 8-9.30pm. A new performance by in situ: of stories from

August 22, 2025
Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8JJ.

Ghost Stories III by in situ:

Fri 22 & Sat 23 August, 8-9.30pm. Deliciously scary stories in the atmospheric

August 8, 2025
Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8JJ.

Hamlet by in situ:

Fri 8 & Sat 9 August, 8-9.30pm. Richard Spaul’s compelling solo performance of

June 26, 2025
Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8JJ.

Out of Place

Thurs 26 & Fri 27 June 2025, 12 – 5pm. Art Exhibition with

June 22, 2025
Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8JJ

Leper Chapel Open Day

Sun 22 June, 1.30-3.30pm Your chance to see inside one of Cambridge’s oldest

June 28, 2025
Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8JJ.

Out of Place

Sat 28 & Sun 29 June 2025, 11am – 3pm & 6 –

Your local charity protecting the beauty
of Cambridge and its environment

Our Appeals.
Donate to Protect Nature & Heritage

Urgent Hinxton Watermill Appeal

The Wilder Coton Vision

Save the Leper Chapel

Wandlebury 70 Birthday Appeal

Our Appeals & Campaigns.
Donate to Protect Nature & Heritage

Urgent Hinxton Watermill Appeal

Save the Leper Chapel

Wandlebury 70th Birthday Appeal

Cambourne - Coton- Cambridge Busway

South East
Cambridge Busway

Our Current Campaigns

Cambourne - Coton- Cambridge Busway

South East
Cambridge Busway

Our Planning
Work

Our planning work

How You Can Help Us: Protect Nature and Heritage

Sponsor a Tree

Ever wanted to sponsor a tree? Now you can!

Butterfly Plaques

Find out how you can support a butterfly…

Other Ways to Support

Find out the many ways you can support our work

Be a part of your local nature and heritage

Cambridge Past, Present & Future is an independent charity with no statutory funding. That means that we are reliant on donations from members, donors and supporters to care for nature and protect heritage in Cambridge. If this is important to you, please become a member or patron, or support our work with a gift.

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