Cambourne – Nature and History

Nature conservation and birdlife, walking trails, fishing, activities for children and traces of history each offer something different. The specific conditions can help you plan activities to suit your interests.

Nature, birdlife and walking trails

Redgrave Water is managed for nature conservation; its islands provide refuges for local birdlife. Here, the focus is on protecting nature.

Two walking trails start and end at Cambourne Nature Reserve and lead to Bourn Windmill. The longer of the two trails is 4 miles long and takes two and a half hours. Some paths may be muddy or slippery after rain. Bear this in mind when planning your walk.

Fishing and Fishing Club activities

Fishing at Lake Ewart is permitted with a valid Environment Agency rod licence and either membership of Cambourne Fishing Club or a day ticket. Check the club’s current requirements before your visit.

Cambourne Fishing Club has a jetty and open areas for anglers who cannot access the raised platforms. Confirm the current status of these facilities before travelling. The club also runs coaching events for adults and children throughout the year. Check current dates with the club in advance.

Activities for children and communal spaces

There is a play area with equipment in Eco Park. The Trim Trail in Eco Park on School Lane in Great Cambourne includes wooden equipment, a suggested course and exercises. The area is also designated for informal football. So it has both a play area and the various uses described for the Trim Trail.

Cambourne Electronics and Robotics Club offers children aged 7 to 18 structured experiences with electronics, robotics and programming languages. As the programme may change, check the current times if you plan to include the activity in your itinerary.

History and local fruit varieties

Archaeological investigations in Cambourne offer insights into land use during the Iron Age, the Roman occupation and the Saxon period, including the cultivation of crops and the keeping of animals. Evidence also points to settlement in the same place from around 800 BC to AD 800.

The community orchard is another tangible link to local nature. It contains rare and local fruit varieties, including the Cambridge Gage plum and Chivers Delight apples. These two examples illustrate the range of varieties mentioned there.

Travelling by bus

Whippet bus services run through Cambourne between Papworth Everard and Cambridge. As routes and timetables may change, check your connection before travelling. This lets you plan your journey using the current timetable without assuming a particular bus frequency.

Discover more destinations: St Ives, Stow Cum Quy, Huntingdon, St Neots, Stilton, Wisbech, Stretham, Stapleford

For the main travel overview: Cambridgeshire.