Everybody needs to reconnect with nature at some point or another. And luckily for you, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire have a variety of parks and reserves for you to do exactly that.
Find the best places to get in touch with nature in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire with our top 14 list!
Turf Moor Road, Sculthorpe, Fakenham, NR21 9GN
Sculthorpe is one of the most accessible nature in Norfolk reserves.
Located in the gorgeous Wensum Valley, the park brings peace like nowhere else.
And the best part? It’s internationally renowned for the varied wildlife living inside the reedbeds, woodlands, and fen habitats.
You can explore it all thanks to the myriad of boardwalks leading through the reserve, ensuring you see all the best places to get in touch with nature in Norfolk.
Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RY
The Broads National Park is a stunning sight, regardless of the precise point you visit.
You get all sorts of habitats — earthy woodlands, open reedlands, and open water. You’ll even spot a windmill and a simply breathtaking array of wildlife.
It’s a beautiful place to reconnect with nature in Norfolk, regardless of how you want to explore it.
Upper Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 8TL
If you can’t decide whether you’d like to see woodlands, manicured gardens, or coastline, head to Sheringham Park.
Why?
Because it has all three!
Open from sunrise to sunset, it's fantastic for people of all ages. Don’t forget to visit the Courtyard Café and learn a little about the area’s rich history while visiting.
Lady Anne's Dr, Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1RG
Holkham provides a bespoke mixture of habitats that will certainly keep you coming back again and again.
The area has one of the most delightful (and longest) stretches of sand in England, alongside a myriad of flora and fauna.
Those at Holkham National Nature Reserve keep conservation and sustainability at their hearts, ensuring the scenery and wildlife are protected.
Pensthorpe Road, Fakenham, NR21 0LN
Pensthorpe is unarguably one of the best places to connect with nature in Norfolk. It’s a treat for the whole family.
From magical gardens to the globally recognised reserve to the opportunity to get close to birds, there are plenty of things to do here (including the obligatory café and gift shop, of course).
Depending on the time of year, Pensthorpe offers various events. So, be sure to time your trip well if you’re hoping for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Blakeney Quay Car Park, NR25 7ND
Blakeney gives you uninterrupted views of the jaw-dropping Norfolk coastline — and if you go during seal pup season, you’re bound to see a bunch of seals languishing on the shore.
But the coast isn’t the only part of Blakeney National Nature Reserve.
You can also visit:
· Blakeney Freshes — This area boasts 160 hectares of freshwater grazing marsh. If you adore watching birds, you’ll love this place.
Stiffkey Saltmarshes — For twisty muddy creeks and expansive horizons visit the saltmarshes. Who knows what kind of wildlife you’ll spot along the way?
· Friary Hills — Situated just east of Blakeney village is a little nook called Friary Hills. It has a mix of trees, gorse, and grassland that gives you a bird’s eye view of Blakeney Freshes.
Salhouse Broad, Lower Street, Salhouse, Norfolk, NR13 6RX
From camping to river moorings to food to kayak and canoe hire, there’s plenty to do at Salhouse Broad.
Thanks to the ever-changing scenery (you’ve got woodlands, the beautiful fens, and bodies of water!), it’s the perfect place to get back in touch with nature in Norfolk.
Whether you plan to kayak along the river or walk the footpaths, you’ll get the lungfuls of fresh air we all need.
Mouth — The Great Ouse
The River Cam has 15 miles of navigable waterways stretching from Cambridge to the mouth of the Great Ouse near Pope’s Corner.
We suggest traversing the various man-made channels (a.k.a., lodes) that feed into The River Cam. Wicken Lode is one and a half miles and Reach Lode is two point one miles long!
But there’s no reason to get on the water if that isn’t your thing. Stroll along the bank instead to connect with nature in Cambridgeshire.
Ferry Meadows Country Park, Ham Lane, Peterborough, PE2 5UU
Ferry Meadows is the perfect place to get in touch with nature in Cambridgeshire if you want to make an entire day of it.
It’s one of the region’s largest country parks and sits in the middle of Nene Park. It boasts lakes, woodlands, and meadows.
We love Ferry Meadows for its diverse landscapes and plethora of cycling, walking, and water sports opportunities. Of course, there’s a café to indulge yourself inside too.
1 Brookside, Cambridge, CB2 1JE
Another wonderful place to find nature in Cambridgeshire is the botanic garden maintained by Cambridge University.
Just a 15-minute walk from the centre, the gardens aren’t just beautiful; they’re educational. They aim to teach you about the importance of plants, horticulture, and plant science.
Most of the garden is accessible to everyone. However, a few heritage features have steps or stairs.
34 Lode Lane, Wicken, Ely, CB7 5XP
For a glimpse into the historical fenland landscape, head to Wicken Fen. It’s a truly stunning area that shouldn’t be missed, especially if you’re only in the county for a short time.
The reserve has been in the National Trust’s capable care since 1899, making it their oldest nature reserve.
And don’t forget to head to the wind pump. It’s just on the edge of Sedge Fen and stands as a testament to the past peat digging industry which was once rife in the Fens.
High Street, Little Paxton, Saint Neots, PE19 6ET
Meadows, lakes, reedbeds, scrubs, woodlands, riversides — Paxton Pits has it all.
Open 365 days a year, it’s a haven for cormorants and nightingales, alongside a variety of other mammals, flora, insects, and birds.
Elton Hall, Elton, PE8 6SH
Elton Hall is a gloriously romantic house just eight miles out of Peterborough on the beautiful Cambridgeshire/Northamptonshire border.
There’s something for everybody to see here — Gothic architecture and French-inspired interiors included.
The gardens you’ll see here today have been replanted over the last four decades by Meredyth Proby (the house has been owned and maintained by the Proby family since the 1660s).
Milton Country Park, Cambridge Road, Milton, Cambs, CB24 6AZ
Located just North of the city of Cambridge, Milton Country Park is easily one of the best places to get in touch with nature in Cambridgeshire.
While it’s expansive, you don’t have to worry about getting lost thanks to the clearly marked pathways that help you traverse the beautiful woodlands and lakes.
Currently, they’re building a sensory garden and posting regular updates, so be sure to keep an eye out for that in the (hopefully) near future.