Local charity Camcycle selects some picnic-perfect cycle routes to explore this summer – both in the city and the countryside
Grantchester Meadows
The ultimate Cambridge picnic spot, immortalised in poetry and song. The route from the city centre is mainly traffic-free and takes in picturesque green spaces including the Mill Pond, Sheep’s Green and Lammas Land, before travelling through Newnham.
Distance from Great St Mary’s, King’s Parade: 2 miles
Ditton Meadows
An easy riverside ride from the city centre past canal boats and grazing cows. Continue along the Chisholm Trail to Coldham’s Common, a wildlife site with a nature reserve.
Distance from Great St Mary’s, King’s Parade: 2.5 miles
Cherry Hinton Hall
A great choice for a family cycle ride, in this large park you’ll find a playground, sandpit area, tree trail, tennis courts, table tennis, two paddling pools – and plenty of space for picnicking! Cherry Hinton Hall park can be accessed from Daws Lane after cycling along the Snakey Path by Cherry Hinton brook.
Distance from Great St Mary’s, King’s Parade: 3 miles
Milton Country Park
Here you’ll find 95 acres of woodland and wetland, reached via the River Cam towpath. Once past Baits Bite Lock, turn left to approach the back entrance of the park. Alternatively, take the Jane Coston Bridge over the A14 and turn right. There are plenty of places for children to play, plus a pump track, cafe and weekly inclusive cycling sessions. An alternative to this quiet riverside route would be to cycle up Milton Road and take the Jane Coston Bridge over the A14 from Cowley Road to reach the main entrance of the Park.
Distance from Great St Mary’s, King’s Parade: 5.5 miles
Wandlebury Country Park
This park spans more than 2,000 years of human history: find the remains of an Iron Age hillfort and eight miles of walking trails through woodland and wildflower meadows. Take the path by the A1307 (part of the Linton Greenway). This has been specifically chosen as a quieter route that avoids busy junctions, but a more direct option could include Trumpington Street and Hills Road.
Distance from Great St Mary’s, King’s Parade: 6 miles
Landbeach
Another village favourite, accessed via the Mere Way path (you can join this from the Busway path or at the back of Cambridge Regional College), Landbeach has a recreation ground for play and picnics, as well as Worts Meadow Nature Reserve and a historic church. This peaceful route will take you along the riverside – alternatively, you can opt for a more direct route by cycling north up Milton Road to join the Busway path.
Distance from Great St Mary’s, King’s Parade: 7 miles
Fen Drayton Lakes
Easily accessed from the Busway path, this RSPB reserve was once a quarry but is now alive with nature. Located at one end of a string of wetlands and fens that runs for 25 miles along the Great Ouse floodplain, Fen Drayton comprises open water and wetland habitats, mixed with grassland, scrub and woodland. Take your binoculars along for some wildlife spotting – you could see swallows, swifts, great crested grebes, mute swans and even otters!
Distance from Great St Mary’s, King’s Parade: 14 miles
St Ives and Houghton Mill
Enjoy the traffic-free Busway path with an optional extension to the National Trust’s Houghton Mill via the Thicket Path. A great pit stop for coffee and cake, idyllic Houghton Mill features a riverside tearoom, and why not explore the 18th-century working watermill while you’re there? Alternatively, there’s lots to see in historic St Ives, including its iconic bridge with built-in chapel and its market square, local pubs and museum.
Distance from Great St Mary’s, King’s Parade: 18 miles
Find more inspiration at camcycle.org.uk
Cycling support
In need of repairs or maybe some new gear? Why not check out these city cycling specialists…
Townsends Light
Blue Cycle Centre
Chesterton Road
townsends-lb.co.uk
The Bicycle Collective
Cyclecentric
High Street, Longstanton
cyclecentric.com
The Bike Man
Market Square
thebikeman.co.uk