Wandlebury Country Park celebrates 70th birthday

Cambridge's first country park is celebrating a milestone anniversary.

The Wandlebury Estate was bought by charity Cambridge Past, Present & Future on 26 April 1954, to make it a public open space.

For 70 years, Wandlebury Country Park has provided generations of people with a beautiful greenspace to enjoy on the outskirts of Cambridge.

The charity has been able to protect the nationally important iron-age archaeology, maintain historic buildings and provide a home for nature.

James Littlewood, Cambridge Past, Present & Future:

"We know how much pleasure Wandlebury has given to generations of people and we are proud of our work to increase nature and preserve history. 

"One of the ways we are marking this special birthday is by launching an appeal to raise £70,000 so that Wandlebury continues to be an amazing place for the next 70 years. 

"We are also asking people to help us reflect on Wandlebury’s 70th by sharing their special memories with us on social media using the #Wandlebury70."

Cambridge Past, Present & Future have been looking back on 70 years of hard work:

1950s
The estate was neglected and unsafe and had to be put it into a suitable condition so that it could be opened to the public as a park.

1960s
The first Wandlebury Warden was employed and teas were served from what is now the charity’s office.

1970s
Storms and droughts resulted in a devastating loss of large trees. This was followed by mass tree planting activity, including The Avenue of beech trees. The first meadow was created.

1980s
Dutch Elm Disease and the ‘Great Storm’ of 1987 resulted in another bought of tree loss and tree planting. A large meadow was created. The 15th century Tadlow Granary was rebuilt to its former glory.

1990s
The historic orchard was restored.

2000s
10 acres of farmland was purchased to extend the park and it was planted with trees and sown as a meadow. A dilapidated stable was transformed into a new Outdoor Education Centre, since visited by over over 20,000 school children.

2010s
A wildlife viewing hide was built, a pond was restored in the middle of the park and Highland Cattle arrived. Pop-up café’s started serving visitors.

2020s
25 acres of land was purchased to extend the park and is being turned into high quality habitats. A dog exercise area has been opened.

To find out more about the appeal to raise £70,000 to preserve Wandlebury, click here.