Inaccessible 'Urban oasis' in Cambridge will be open on Sunday

The council are exploring the use of East Cambridge Lakes as a country park.

The flooded chalk pits in east Cambridge are being opened to the public in a bid to demonstrate their use as a country park.

The “urban oasis” will open on Sunday (March 11) between 10am and 3pm for residents to look around the area – which is usually unaccessible – and monthly openings could follow.

There are no visitor facilities at the site, only a 1.7km path for which hardy footwear is recommended.

Visitors will be able to access the site at the end of Burnside, which is located at the eastern end of Mill Road or from the Cherry Hinton direction by using the ‘Snaky’ path or the Tins Cycle Route.

Council staff will be on hand to show people around.

Cllr Anna Smith, lead for open spaces, said: “The lakes are a beautiful and ecologically important site. Officers, local residents and local councillors have all worked hard to get us to the point where we are able to hold this open day, and I would like to pay tribute to them.

“The council is committed to ensuring that hidden spaces like this are as accessible as possible, and I hope that this open day is the first of many opportunities for people to visit East Cambridge Lakes.”