Outdoor activities
As a rural district, South Cambs has plenty of outdoor activities going. Find groups and new things to try.
Wild Minds
What is Wild Minds?
Wild Minds was 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 increasing thresholds to gain access.
Find out more on the Wild Minds page
Walking / wellbeing walks
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 a 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. Take all the personal safety precautions you normally would apply when on foot
- 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
Wellbeing walks
Join one of our free post-lockdown group walks in a safe friendly environment. Our group walks are led by friendly, 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.
Location | Day | Time | Duration | Leader | Contact number | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Comberton Recreation Ground car park, Hines Lane, Comberton, CB23 7BZ | Monday except Bank Holidays | 10am | 30 to 90 minutes | Sylvia Divall and John Garnham | Mary: 07913 790 365 Sylvia: 01223 263 193 |
combertonwalkers@gmail.com John Garnham: john@thegarnhams.org.uk |
Milton Country Park outside the cafe, Cambridge Road, Milton, Cambridgeshire, CB24 6AZ | Tuesday | 2pm | 30 to 60 minutes | Trevor Kerridge | 01223 420 060 | mcp@cambridgesportlakes.org.uk |
Wandlebury Health Walks, Wandlebury Stable Room, Wandlebury Ring Gog Magog Hills Estate, Babraham, Cambridge, CB22 3AE | Thursday | Long walk at 10am, short walk at 10:30am | 30 to 60 minutes | Diane Cornwell | Diane: 07975 734 441 |
Diane: diandpete45@gmail.com |
Sawston Medical Centre, London Road, Sawston, Cambridge, CB22 3HU |
Alternate Thursday mornings | 10:30am | 30 to 60 minutes | Wellbeing Team and Kelly Austin | Wellbeing Team: 01223 627 745
|
granta.socialnavigator@nhs.net Kelly Austin: k.austin1@nhs.net |
Melbourn Hub, 30 High Street, Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, SG8 6DZ | Wednesday | 10:30am | around 60 minutes | Susanna Oberholzer | - | Sus.oberholzer@gmail.com |
The Blue Lion, 74 Main St, Hardwick, Cambridge CB23 7QU | First Friday of the month | 11am | 30 to 60 minutes | Sharon Mcmahon | 07952 262 622 | shazo.mcmahon@btinternet.com |
Frankies snack bar, St Neots Road CB23 7QJ | Third Friday of the month | 11am | 30 to 60 minutes | Sharon Mcmahon | 07952 262 622 | shazo.mcmahon@btinternet.com |
Netball
Women Try Netball
In 2003 South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) 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 organise 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
Cycling
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
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.
Parktennis
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.
General fitness
This Girl Can
These 4 free taster sessions are designed for women and girls looking to start or get back into physical activity. Sessions include inclusive activities that will get you back on track to improve your fitness. 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: Shelford Rugby Club
- When: Starting 26 September - 6:30pm on Wednesdays and 9:30am on Saturdays
- Number of sessions: 4 (2 classes a week)
- Price: Free
Be-Active
These 4 free taster sessions are aimed at people who are looking to start a fitness program or people looking to continue to develop their general fitness in a supportive environment that allows them to work at their own pace/intensity.
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: Shelford Rugby Club
- When: Starting 26 September - 3 days to choose from: 6:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays or 10:30am on Saturdays.
- Number of sessions: 4 (2 classes a week)
- Price: Free
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. Locations and dates with full information can be found on Run For Your Life's website
Contact Details
Was this web page helpful?
Tweets by @SouthCambs
By clicking 'consent' you agree to view our Twitter feed embedded in our website.
Twitter will set cookies on your device which you can delete in your browser settings.
Read more about how we use cookies.