Friends of HCP

Directions Website

Friends of HCP The Aim of the Friends of Hinchingbrooke Country Park is to assist in conserving, maintaining and improving the park for all users. Charity number: 1051042

We do this through raising funds through membership, holding events, receiving donations and seeking grants.

WORKING TOGETHER: Renovating Hinchingbrooke House DoorsSome of you may have seen last year our article on the renovation...
26/09/2026

WORKING TOGETHER: Renovating Hinchingbrooke House Doors

Some of you may have seen last year our article on the renovation of Hinchingbrooke House external doors using oak timber from the Country Park. The volunteers in the park cut timber to the required size from trees felled in the park.

Late in August, the third door to be renovated was refitted after being restored by a local joiner, Will Helme. This door had to be fully re-designed internally as the original was sagging as you will see in the "before and after" photographs.

Here are a few photographs of the door and from the Country Park last year. The light coloured oak timber seen in the photographs is oak from the country park whereas the other is the original; some had to be replaced due to having deteriorated beyond repair. If you visit the house, you can see the other doors.

We'd like to thank all involved that enabled this renovation work to proceed and we look forward to the next project...!

COUNTRY PARK DEVELOPMENT: Latest update. We are now 5 months into the...
20/09/2026

COUNTRY PARK DEVELOPMENT: Latest update.

We are now 5 months into the development programme which is nearly half way...! The latest update from the Country Park is attached which shows an outline programme finishing in March 2027.

The latest change most of you will see, annotated as Phase 4 on the programme, is the improvement of the path around the main lake. The path will be closed until mid-november; not ideal but the changes aim to improve access for all users once it is complete, which we fully support.

This was considered the best time to carry out this work. In the summer, many of us use the path and in the winter it can flood so autumn was considered the optimal time. Let's hope it doesn't rain too much...!

COUNTRY PARK: PATH CLOSURE AROUND MAIN LAKE - 21st September for approx. 8 weeks S...
16/09/2026

COUNTRY PARK: PATH CLOSURE AROUND MAIN LAKE - 21st September for approx. 8 weeks

SEE MAP BELOW

If you were in the Country Park this week walking on the main lake path, you may have seen some of the "Wednesday" volunteers using a robot mower to clear brambles/undergrowth either side of the path by the aqua park.

The clearing of the brambles is good husbandry for the surrounding trees but it was also preparing this area for Lindums, the current Country Park developer, to start widening and improving the pathway around the main lake. To do this, unfortunately most of the main lake PATHWAY WILL BE CLOSED FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 WEEKS we understand although if this time can be reduced, it will be.

Visitors can still walk from the Kings Walk to the main park area on the path between the 2 lakes as can be seen in the map attached.

The new Visitors Centre is really taking shape... The full structure is now in place as you can see in the Country Park ...
07/09/2026

The new Visitors Centre is really taking shape... The full structure is now in place as you can see in the Country Park page below... We're looking forward to the next phase of build...!

'SIP & PAINT" EVENT on 17th SEPTEMBER at HINCHINGBROOKE HOUSEWe're excited to invite you to our "Sip & Paint" evening at...
31/08/2026

'SIP & PAINT" EVENT on 17th SEPTEMBER at HINCHINGBROOKE HOUSE

We're excited to invite you to our "Sip & Paint" evening at Hinchingbrooke House on 17th September. What to expect:

Professional-led painting session
Tapas and a soft drink included
Bubbly available at £5.00 per glass
Small raffle on the night

When: Thursday 17th September 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Where: Hinchingbrooke House, Huntingdon, PE29 3BN
Price: £40 per person (all materials provided including tapas and a soft drink)
Adults only (18+)

This collaborative charity event supports the Friends of Hinchingbrooke Country Park and Friends of Hinchingbrooke House.

With only 19 places available, tickets sold fast last time so book early to secure your place: You can book using the QR code below on this website address: https://www.ticketsource.com/friends-of-hinchingbrooke-countryside-park/t-xdyrlyk

DEVELOPMENT UPDATE: Countryside Centre Building As planned, the new countryside ce...
13/08/2026

DEVELOPMENT UPDATE: Countryside Centre Building

As planned, the new countryside centre building is starting to emerge from its base. For those of you that have ventured into the park in the hot weather, you will have seen that the frame for the conference area of new centre has been erected. The frame for the cafe area will now doubt follow shortly as this was delivered by truck on Wednesday afternoon.

In addition, Lindums have also started excavating the sub-base area for the car park taking advantage of the weather we are experiencing. Where all the earth excavated will finally end up is taxing the team at present as there does appear to be a lot of it....!

1st FAMILY BAT EVENING: 27th JulyAll those that attended the 1st Family Bat Evening in the park this last Wednesday were...
02/08/2026

1st FAMILY BAT EVENING: 27th July

All those that attended the 1st Family Bat Evening in the park this last Wednesday were in for a treat. It was a really good experience and very informative.

The evening started in the "event enclosure" with a drink/cake courtesy of the park. We sat on hay bales whilst Jane, one of the parks Rangers, took us through a great presentation of the bats in UK and what we may see in the park. We were briefed on how to use bat detectors before being let loose to walk down by Alconbury brook and back via Bobs wood. We saw and heard many common & soprano pipistrelle bats and probably others although they do fly pretty fast.

There are 6 more evening this year so if you're a Chiropterophile or just like bats (!), you can still book via ticketsource.com.

COUNTRY PARK: PLAY PARK CONSULTATION - Starts 3rd AugustMany of you will now know that the fenced off play park has been...
02/08/2026

COUNTRY PARK: PLAY PARK CONSULTATION - Starts 3rd August

Many of you will now know that the fenced off play park has been taken down and will be replaced with the new Car Park later in the year. This was a surprise to many and a disappointment as there was no known plan to replace. This was an area in the park that many of you visited with your children as it was fenced (dog free), with popular equipment like the zip line and swings, and near the cafe. We voiced our concern to the Country Park Management on the lack of a replacement plan.

However, there is now going to be a consultation to explore what play "opportunities" may be established (which is good news !). Please find below a QR code where you can add your view of what you would like to see. HCP Mngt will also be in the park from Monday 3rd August to gain views (by the Nestbox Cafe we presume but are confirming this).

This is your opportunity to say what you would like to see and we encourage you to view and complete the questionnaire using the QR code below.

WORLD RANGER DAY Yesterday was World Ranger Day. This day, celebrated worldwide on July 31st, commemorates Rangers kille...
01/08/2026

WORLD RANGER DAY

Yesterday was World Ranger Day. This day, celebrated worldwide on July 31st, commemorates Rangers killed or injured in the line of duty but also the work the Rangers do to protect the planet’s natural resources. We'd like to thank our Rangers in the Country Park for the work they do from fence mending, path repairs. holding bat evenings and co-ordinating volunteer activities and many other tasks....! THANK-YOU from all of us... !

Address

Hinchingbrooke Country Park
Huntingdon
PE296DB

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Friends of HCP posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category