Soak up the change of seasons by visiting some of these outdoor spaces around Huntingdon. From a quiet scenic spot to beautiful waters, we have some wonderful places in our co
Soak up the change of seasons next time you’re out around Huntingdon; be sure to stop by some of these scenic locations on your next outing with a senior.
No matter your age, nothing beats an enjoyable and inexpensive day out surrounded by nature. There are many wonderful places around Huntingdon to take elderly loved ones to stretch their legs and enjoy the sunshine, if you are stuck for ideas these suggestions may be a great place to start!
Just a few miles outside of Huntingdon, Grafham Water is the third largest reservoir in England boasting 1500 acres of beautiful countryside. Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for over 30 years, part of the park features a 280 acre nature reserve and is the home to many important populations of several bird and amphibian species. Grafham Water is a great trout and predator fishing destination, they have various water sport sessions and with the 9 mile track it’s a brilliant spot for bike rides or gentle strolls. There are multiple car parks surrounding the waters so you shouldn’t struggle to find a spot, and if you fancy a bite to eat, they have a lovely Café called Harbour View Café Bar next to the Mander car park.
Paxton Pits Nature Reserve describes itself as a rich mosaic of wildlife habitats, covering 78 hectares of beautiful lakes, riverside, meadow, reedbed, scrub and woodlands. It is open to visitors all year round, with the visitor centre currently being open 6 days a week: 11am – 3pm Saturday – Thursday for refreshments, bird food and friendly expertise. The reserve was opened in the 1980s, but up until this time it was a working gravel quarry. When the work was finished, the pits were flooded to create the wonderful lakes you see today. Part of the site is still an active quarry run by Aggregate Industries and, if you’re interested, one of the guided walks takes you right up to the quarry.
Riverside Park St Neots is a beautiful park covering 29 hectares (72 acres), mainly in the flood plain, and has a beautiful mile-long waterside frontage. The park is close to St Neots town centre and is divided by the bridge over the River Great Ouse. Access to the park on foot is via a pedestrian bridge over the river. It has parking that holds around 250 vehicles and many facilities that are fun for the whole family. Located just off the car park there is the Ambience Café that has both indoor and outdoor seating, and it’s known as one of the best local café’s. There are public toilets situation in the centre of the car park, a skateboarding complex, indoor and outdoor bowls (privately run club), a miniature railway and multiple play parks for the little ones.
Godmanchester Nature Reserve is a mixture of four lakes that are former gravel pits, grassland, reedbed and willows. It is situated at the end of Cow Lane, one mile northeast of Godmanchester. This beautiful reserve, south of the River Great Ouse, consists of the lakes, areas of grassland and ancient hedgerows which provide habitats for many birds. You’ll find ducks and geese swimming on the open water, kingfishers hunting in the streams and songbirds searching for food in the hedgerows. This nature reserve is the perfect spot for a scenic stroll with a senior.
Holding the title of Cambridgeshire’s second largest ancient wood, Brampton Wood is over 900 years old! Its located just over a mile west of Brampton and covers an impressive 132 hectares (326 acres) of land. It is open year round and can be visited anytime with no entry fee. There is a small car park just off Brampton Road, but if it’s full you may find that you need to park off-road somewhere nearby. The trees include aspen, oak, ash, field maple and birch. The entire wood was one clear felled and has naturally regenerated over time. Some areas are now coppiced and provide homes to dormice. There are over two miles of walking trails but it’s worth noting that some paths are very narrow and can get muddy in adverse weather; so be sure to wear sensible shoes!
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