Outdoor activities

What are nature-based wellbeing programmes?

These programmes were set up over the last two years, in response to the current context around the mental health of young people within the UK. NHS mental health services have experienced greatly increased referrals over the last 10 years, increased wait times for specialist support, and an increase of thresholds to gain access.

Find out more on the Nature-based wellbeing page

Do you want to take that first step to a more active lifestyle?

If the answer is yes, why not go along to one of the walking sessions that take place in South Cambridgeshire. They are friendly groups, lead by volunteers, allowing for all speeds of walkers. It is an excellent way to meet people and get fit, while enjoying the local environment.

Our top tips for walking

• Find a group to walk with - walking with a group makes it more fun, you make new friends and sharing tips with your group can help you get the most from your walking.
• Look out for any hazards or obstacles - whether it is a tree root or a parked car, the sooner you spot them the easier it is to avoid them. Consider all of the personal safety precautions you normally would when walking.
• Be aware of traffic - don't take risks. On some routes you may have a choice of points at which to cross a road, so doing it when the road is quietest - and you have the best view of traffic - is safer and less disruptive to your walk.
• Don't drown out sounds - headphones are popular, but make sure you are aware of the sounds in your surroundings that can give you early warning of hazards.
• Make sure you are visible - motorists will see you sooner and more clearly, and pedestrians are more likely to spot you and give you a clear run.

Routes

• Cambourne [PDF, 1MB] [PDF]
• Fen Drayton [PDF] [PDF]
• Longstanton 5K [PDF, 0.4MB] [PDF]
• Milton Country Park
• Trumpington Meadows [PDF] [PDF]
• Wandlebury Park 
• Wimpole (winter) [PDF] [PDF] / Wimpole (summer) [PDF] [PDF]

Walking groups 

• Ramblers

Wellbeing walks

Join one of our free group walks in a safe, friendly environment. Our group walks are led by specially trained leaders who are on hand to provide encouragement and support, and make sure no one gets left behind. Our walks are short and over easy terrain. They are open to everyone, but are especially aimed at those who are least active.

Women Try Netball

In 2003 We grew concerned about the under-representation of women in sport across the district.

Netball was identified as a sport most women would have taken part in as school girls. It is an activity which champions social and physical benefits, and enhances mental wellbeing.

Women Try Netball is for all women who:

• Want to meet others in a fun and sociable environment
• Enjoy team sports
• Fancy trying something new
• Love being outside in the fresh air

Over the years we have helped establish new "women try" groups, which run for an initial five weeks with the opportunity of a further five sessions to support the long-term development of the group.

A qualified netball coach runs the 1.5 hour sessions: coaching, developing skills and teaching the rules through fun activities. Sessions are designed to suit all abilities - no previous netball experience or knowledge required.

Adult Friendly Netball League

The successful Try sessions led us to identify a need for an adult-friendly netball league to take place.

Since 2019 this league has been organised by those that play in it. They always welcome new teams and individuals looking to play more social netball that fits in around family and other commitments.

How to get involved

If you're looking for a club environment with a higher competitive opportunity, visit CDNL

If you and your friends are interested in starting a netball group, would like contact details for a group near you, or wish to join in the league, please contact via email Helen.stepney@scambs.gov.uk.

For information on England Netball membership, coaching and umpiring courses visit England Netball's website.

Return to fitness through netball

These sessions are aimed at ladies of any age with BMI 26 and over to improve fitness, mobility, strength & balance, all whilst having fun in a relaxed and social environment. All sessions will be fun and social and games will be played at a slower pace. 

If you have any medical conditions and have not exercised for quite some time, you should get approval from your GP to exercise.

All fitness equipment is provided. We advise wearing clothing that is easy to move around in and suitable footwear that is well fitting and non slip. Rubber soled lace up/trainers are ideal. Please come prepared for all types of weather and bring a bottle of water.

• Where: Cambourne Outside netball court
• When: Starting 21 September - 12:15pm to 1pm on Tuesdays 
• Number of sessions: 6 (1 session a week for 6 weeks)
• Price: £12, 50% off thanks to Healthy You

Sign up to return to fitness through netball

Do you have a passion for cycling but bored with your usual routes or looking for new ones? Or are you just getting back into cycling, well, whatever your cycling situation, using the links provided below, we hope you can find exactly what you're looking for.

Cambridgeshire and surrounding area routes

Cambridgeshire County council Cycle routes and maps

The national cycle network - Sustrans

Family cycling across Northstowe

All ability cycling

If you haven't ridden for a while, are nervous, have a disability, or would like your child to learn to ride in a relaxed and fun environment, there is a bike for you at You Can Bike Too! Sessions are run by a trained instructor and supported by volunteers. 

Cycle training

Bike ability

Outspoken training - inspiring the next generation

British Cycling the National Governing Body for cycling in the UK

British cycling - It is time to choose to cycle

Cycling in the local area

Taking the family out on a bike ride is a great way to get some fresh air, exercise and a dose of feel good! HSBC UK Let's Ride Local provides ideas and inspiration to help keep everyone motivated and safe whilst cycling in your local area. 

Love to Ride

Love to Ride is an online platform that gets more people cycling and promoting active travel. They run quarterly events to encourage, incentivise and reward riding. The next event is coming up in May - The Bike Month Challenge. They have engaged over 415,000 people and 25,000 workplaces worldwide, helping 73,000 people to get back on their bikes. Everyone is invited, whether you ride every day or haven't been on a bike in years. To find out more and register in one minute, visit Love to Ride.

What is the Bike Month Challenge?
It’s a fun, friendly bike challenge with a bit of friendly competition for workplaces. Participation is key - the workplaces that get the highest percentage of their staff riding bikes will top the leaderboards. There are lots of prizes up for grabs for individual riders, from new bike gear to £2,000 cash!

Getting involved with the Bike Month Challenge is easy, visit Love to Ride to create your free profile and register for the challenge.

What is Parktennis?

Parktennis is a not-for-profit tennis organisation which offers free access to tennis through social events run by volunteers. All equipment is provided.

For more information please visit Parktennis.

Run For Your Life

Run For Your Life offers free, beginner, running sessions in South Cambridgeshire every week. Offering an easy way to get into, or back into, running. The groups are not only about fitness but about helping to build confidence, a sense of community and connections with other members. New members are always warmly welcomed and there is no minimum commitment. Over 400 people across Cambridgeshire have run with us over the last ten years. All session leaders are qualified through England Athletics and DBS checked.

Let’s Run Girls is dedicated to inspiring women to lead healthier, happier and more connected lives. They currently have running groups in 12 different locations across Cambridgeshire and are always looking to expand into new areas.

If you do join, we would value you completing the HealthyYou Baseline questionnaire to help understand how it is benefitting your health.

'Parkrun'

parkruns are a free, weekly running event. parkruns offer a positive and inclusive event, where everyone is welcome. You don't have to run, you could walk, jog, volunteer, or simply spectate. To join, follow these registration instructions.

In partnership with football clubs and local volunteers, we are working together to develop various low cost walking football sessions around the South Cambridgeshire district.

What is Walking Football?

Walking football is an adapted version of the sport we all know and love. It is aimed for men and women who are 50+ years of age. It is usually played in teams of 5 or 6, and the main difference is that you can only walk around the football pitch - and not run.

Where can I play?

We are looking to expand our list of sessions, with new sessions starting in Melbourn, soon.

If you do join, we would value you completing the HealthyYou Baseline questionnaire to help understand how walking football is benefitting your health.