Cambridge Past, Present & Future

Cambridge Past, Present & Future Your local charity protecting the beauty of Cambridge and its environment. No other local charity has as broad a reach or remit.

Become a Guardian of Cambridge: sign up to the CPPF WhatsApp channel; attend an event; become a member. Cambridge, Past, Present & Future is the only independent, local charity that looks at the bigger picture of the development of Cambridge. Whether historic buildings, green spaces, nature,
housing or infrastructure – we are passionate about all of it. Protecting, enhancing and celebrating all th

at’s good about this special city, and its surrounding areas. We act as a voice of reason and conscience for those who are responsible for greater Cambridge’s future. Ensuring that it moves forwards with respect for nature, history and the people who live here. No other organisation cares about the past, present and future of Cambridge the way we do. Our sole purpose is to make sure that, no matter how Cambridge progresses, it retains everything that connects us to its history and makes it a vital, and beautiful place to be. To this end, we work with the people of Cambridge and other organisations to protect, enhance and celebrate everything that makes Cambridge special, for today and for generations to come. Our mission is very simple (yet, at the same time, very complex) – to make sure the development of Cambridge is carried out responsibly. Improving this great place, for people and nature. We own, care for and open to the public Wandlebury Country Park (scheduled monument, grade II listed buildings and County Wildlife Site), Coton Countryside Reserve, Cambridge L***r Chapel (grade I listed), Bourn Windmill (scheduled monument, grade I listed) and Hinxton Watermill (grade II listed). Most of these have been, or are in the process of being, saved and restored. Our parks and historic buildings provide community space for people of all ages to enjoy the outdoors, experience nature and heritage and get exercise and fresh air. For example, Wandlebury Country Park receives over 120,000 visits per year. We provide a programme of educational, cultural and recreational events for the local community. In a typical year we organise around 100 events and provide educational activities for 2,000 school children. We carry out work on our green spaces to protect and enhance biodiversity.

πŸŽ‰ Visit Bourn Windmill this Sunday 21 june! πŸŒ€ Step back in time and experience living history 🌾Join us Sunday 21 June, 2...
17/06/2026

πŸŽ‰ Visit Bourn Windmill this Sunday 21 june! πŸŒ€ Step back in time and experience living history 🌾

Join us Sunday 21 June, 2–4.30pm for a rare chance to explore the oldest surviving windmill in the country, built during the reign of King Henry VIII! πŸ‘‘

Bourn Windmill opens just once a month in summer – and this is your chance to:

βœ… Go inside this incredible 16th-century mill
βœ… Learn how it works from our expert volunteer guides
βœ… Hear stories from its long, fascinating history
βœ… Try the thrilling task of turning the entire windmill on its post! πŸ’ͺ

β˜• Tea & homemade cakes available
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦ A perfect family day out

🎟️ Members FREE | Adults £4 | Children £1
⏰ Last guided tour at 4pm
πŸ“ Bourn Windmill, Caxton Road, Bourn CB23 7PZ

Run by local charity Cambridge Past, Present & Future, supported by amazing volunteers.

Come along and make history part of your Sunday!

TODAY 2-4pm - the Cambridge Conservation Forum (CCF) Volunteering Fair. If you’ve ever wandered through the local landsc...
17/06/2026

TODAY 2-4pm - the Cambridge Conservation Forum (CCF) Volunteering Fair. If you’ve ever wandered through the local landscapes – parks, commons, river paths, local nature reserves – and wanted to help them thrive, this is your time.

Join members of the Cambridge Conservation Forum to discover the conservation and rewilding projects around Cambridge and hear how you can get involved!

From practical habitat restoration, riverbank support and wildlife monitoring to community outreach and digital storytellingβ€”there’s a role for every skill set.

Pictured: Balsam Bashers of Cam Valley Forum.

This is part of The Cambridge Nature Festival, a celebration of Nature on our doorstep. Explore the full programme:
https://cambridgenaturenetwork.org/events

Learn to Scythe! Saturday 11 July.There's something deeply satisfying about cutting a meadow with a scythe. The rhythmic...
16/06/2026

Learn to Scythe! Saturday 11 July.

There's something deeply satisfying about cutting a meadow with a scythe. The rhythmic sweep. The sound of grass falling. The connection to centuries of countryside tradition.

Join us at Wandlebury for a hands-on scything course and learn one of conservation's most elegant skills. Guided by professional scythe tutor Richard Brown, you'll discover how to set up, sharpen and use an Austrian scythe, with plenty of time to practise and build confidence throughout the day.

Whether you're interested in wildlife, traditional crafts, or simply fancy learning something completely different, this is a rare opportunity to spend a day outdoors mastering a skill that is both beautiful and practical.

πŸ“… Saturday 11 July
⏰ 10am–4pm
πŸ“ Wandlebury Country Park
🎟 £75 per person (includes scythe hire)

Booking essential. Over 18s only.

Book your place today: https://cambridgeppf.org/etn/learn-to-scythe-day/

🌸 Blossoms of Summer: Orchids & Wildflowers at Coton 🌿Step into a slower rhythm this summer and let the world of orchids...
16/06/2026

🌸 Blossoms of Summer: Orchids & Wildflowers at Coton 🌿

Step into a slower rhythm this summer and let the world of orchids and wildflowers at Coton Countryside Reserve unveil itself to you.

Take a guided stroll with our expert team, who will unravel the mysteries of wildflowers. Whether you're a budding botanist or simply a nature enthusiast, this is your invitation to immerse yourself in one of Cambridge's cherished green spaces.

πŸ“… Date: Wednesday, June 17
⏰ Time: 10 AM – 12 PM
πŸ“ Location: Coton Countryside Reserve
πŸ’š Cost: Free (a Β£3 donation is appreciated)

Gather by the grand noticeboard in the car park.

Book here (or feel free to just turn up!):
https://cambridgeppf.org/etn/summer-orchids-and-wildflowers-of-coton-reserve/

🌳 The Cambridge Nature Festival is over halfway through 🌿 - but don't you worry πŸ˜„, there is still PLENTY to do! 🌼Highlig...
15/06/2026

🌳 The Cambridge Nature Festival is over halfway through 🌿 - but don't you worry πŸ˜„, there is still PLENTY to do! 🌼

Highlights for 15–21 June include:

Tues 16 June
- Walk & Talk @ Darwin Green 🐾 - 10am - Find Your Wild 🌿, meet your neighbours, discover local green spaces 🌻
- Drought & Flood talk with Water Sensitive Cambridge and Teasels Design @ Cambridge Room πŸ’§ - 5:30 - different ways to adapt gardens to a changing climate 🌱

Wed 17 June
- Summer Orchids and Wild Flowers @ Coton 🌸 - Learn about summer wild flowers on this gentle walk at the Coton Reserve 🌼.
- Hedge and the Hog @ Online πŸ¦” - Free online talk about supporting local wildlife on verges 🌿

Thursday 18 June
- Moth Trapping and Identification @ Trumpington Meadows πŸ¦‹, 8am - Meet amazing moths of all shapes, colours and sizes every Thursday morning in June
- Living Water Library Late @ the University Library πŸ“š - local poets and artists to curate a selection of making and writing activities and live performances, and a bar - in one of Cambridge's most iconic buildings πŸ›οΈ

Friday 19th June
- Cycle hire @ Wicken Fen πŸš΄β€β™‚οΈ - Explore the trails at National Trust's inspiring reserve 🌳

Saturday 20th June
- Boat trips @ Wicken Fen 🚀 - Explore the wet landscapes of restored fen and water - bookable sessions all day 🌊
- Big Tree Climbing event @ Wimpole 🌲 - With ropes and harnesses - bookable sessions all day πŸ§—β€β™‚οΈ

Sunday 21st June
- Trumpington Community & Nature Day @ Trumpington Meadows 🌿 - the Tenth Anniversary of this fantastic urban reserve managed by the Wildlife Trust BCN πŸŽ‰
- Friends of the Cam River Rights Festival @ Jesus Green 🎢 - 6th River Rights Festival - music and performance in celebration of our river 🌊

These are just a few of what's in store - explore the full programme:
https://cambridgenaturenetwork.org/naturefestival/

🌸 Summer Orchids & Wildflowers at Coton is on Wednesday!🌿Discover the beautiful orchids and wildflowers flourishing at C...
15/06/2026

🌸 Summer Orchids & Wildflowers at Coton is on Wednesday!🌿

Discover the beautiful orchids and wildflowers flourishing at Coton Countryside Reserve.

Join us for a guided walk led by an expert guide, who will help you identify wildflowers by their colour, form, and habitat. Whether you're a keen botanist or simply enjoy spending time in nature, this is a wonderful way to experience one of Cambridge's most special landscapes.

πŸ“… Wednesday 17 June
⏰ 10am–12pm
πŸ“ Coton Countryside Reserve
πŸ’š Free event (suggested donation Β£3)

Meet at the large noticeboard in the car park. Booking is available, but you're also welcome to just turn up.

Find out more and book here:
https://cambridgeppf.org/etn/summer-orchids-and-wildflowers-of-coton-reserve/

14/06/2026

Viking-Era Ex*****on Pit at Wandlebury: 10 Bodies, Dismembered Remains and a Trepanned Skull

In the spring and summer of 2025, Cambridge University archaeology students on a training dig at Wandlebury Country Park made one of the most extraordinary finds in the region's history.

Dr Oscar Aldred from the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) (who led the excavation) reveals what they found: a burial pit containing the remains of ten individuals, including dismembered body parts, decapitated remains, skulls without bodies, a "stack of legs", and four complete skeletons, some apparently bound. The pit is thought to date to around the 8th to 9th century AD, when Cambridgeshire was a contested frontier zone between the Saxon kingdoms of Mercia and East Anglia.

These are the first human remains found at Wandlebury since 1976.

Watch the full interview here and learn more about this grisly discovery:
https://youtu.be/bel-Cy4dOnM

Meet the Cows Saturday 20 June!πŸ„πŸŒΌ Guided walk to meet our Belted Galloway cows and learn how they help improve our meado...
14/06/2026

Meet the Cows Saturday 20 June!
πŸ„πŸŒΌ Guided walk to meet our Belted Galloway cows and learn how they help improve our meadows for nature. A perfect family-friendly outing! πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§
πŸ“… Saturday 20 June, 10:30am–12noon
πŸ“ Wandlebury Country Park
πŸ’· Free (suggested donation Β£3)
πŸ“Œ Meet at the large noticeboard in the car park
πŸ‘’ Please wear footwear and clothing for being outdoors
πŸš— Parking charges apply (CPPF members free)
πŸ“² Book here or feel free to just come along: https://cambridgeppf.org/etn/meet-the-cows-7/

β›ͺ Step Inside One of Cambridge's Hidden Treasures tomorrowTucked away beside Newmarket Road lies the L***r Chapel, one o...
13/06/2026

β›ͺ Step Inside One of Cambridge's Hidden Treasures tomorrow

Tucked away beside Newmarket Road lies the L***r Chapel, one of the oldest complete buildings in Cambridge and a remarkable survivor from the 12th century.

Join us for one of our L***r Chapel Open Days and explore this extraordinary medieval building, discover its fascinating history, and experience a unique piece of Cambridge's past.

πŸ“… Open Day 14 June

πŸ“ L***r Chapel, Cambridge
πŸ’· Free

Visitor note: There is a large step into the chapel and no toilets on site.

Find out more:
https://cambridgeppf.org/etn/leper-chapel-open-day-35

🌸 Summer Orchids & Wildflowers at Coton 🌿Take a slower look at summer and discover the beautiful orchids and wildflowers...
12/06/2026

🌸 Summer Orchids & Wildflowers at Coton 🌿

Take a slower look at summer and discover the beautiful orchids and wildflowers flourishing at Coton Countryside Reserve.

Join us for a gentle guided walk led by an expert guide, who will help you identify wildflowers by their colour, form, and habitat. Whether you're a keen botanist or simply enjoy spending time in nature, this is a wonderful way to experience one of Cambridge's most special landscapes.

πŸ“… Wednesday 17 June
⏰ 10am–12pm
πŸ“ Coton Countryside Reserve
πŸ’š Free event (suggested donation Β£3)

Meet at the large noticeboard in the car park. Booking is available, but you're also welcome to just turn up.

Find out more and book here:
https://cambridgeppf.org/etn/summer-orchids-and-wildflowers-of-coton-reserve/

Address

Wandlebury Ring, Gog Magog Hills, Babraham
Cambridge
CB223AE

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 7pm
Sunday 8am - 7pm

Telephone

+441223243830

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