Christ’s Pieces
Emmanuel Road
A very central park with four free tennis courts, a refreshment kiosk and a popular play area for the under 6s. It is a good rest stop between shops and is right by the bus station. It has flower beds and a popular hang out for teenagers. There is a Princess Diana Memorial Garden in the centre.
Cherry Hinton Hall Park
Cherry Hinton Road
The park has a lake, two paddling pools, and play equipment for older and young children. Also a bird sanctuary.
Jesus Green
Chesterton Road/Victoria Avenue
This is adjacent to the River Cam, and a great place to watch the ducks and swans. It has a playground for smaller children, a small picnic area and also a skateborard ramp, tennis courts and an open air swimming pool open in the summer. There is also a small kiosk for food or ice creams. It has a beautiful avenue of London Planes and horse chestnut trees. It’s a great place to have a picnic.
Lammas Land
The Fen Causeway
This is a lovely place to take the kids. It is by the river, with a playground, and a paddling pool. There is a kiosk in the summer. On the wilder parts across the river from the playground are cows. There are some small streams and weeping willows, one side leads to Grantchester, the other to the Mill Pond. It also has a free tennis court. Probably my favourite park.
Midsummer Common
Chesterton/Newmarket Road
A lovely large, ancient grassland by the river. The grass is rougher and not as good for pic- nics or football. These are busy and well used footpaths, so keep to the left to let bikes pass. Sometimes it contains a herd of cows, recently Red Poll Bullocks. The University boathouses line one side, and you can watch the rowers train for races. In the past few years, the river has also filled with house- boats. The Fort St. George pub serves food. See the local website here.
Parker’s Piece
East Road
A popular large, flat green great for playing football and other games. In the middle is a single lamp with fish around the outside. In summer you can watch cricket. It is lined by the Parkside Swimming Pool, Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre, a Skateboard park, a small playground, the police and firestation. It has a public toilet and refreshment