Events

The Rangers organise a variety of events for all ages throughout the year.  You can pick up a copy of our events leaflet from the Visitors' Centre or search the What's On database, using the link to the right, for events across the District.

Organised Activities

The Rangers can organise and lead a variety of activities for your group - guided walks for U3A, pond dipping for cub packs or nature walks for toddler groups for example.  We can also give illustrated talks on a variety of themes such as the Role of a Ranger and the history of Hinchingbrooke Country Park.  Please contact the Rangers for further information on (01480) 451568 or e-mail hinchingbrookecountrypark@huntsdc.gov.uk

Volunteering

We could not achieve as much as we do without the help of volunteers, both on the practical management side, in the café and with our educational activities. You may be involved with path creation one week, pond clearance the next week & making fallen trees safe the next. If you would like to become a volunteer please contact the Rangers on (01480) 451568.

Dog walking

Dogs are very welcome around the Park but must be kept within sight and under control at all times. They must be kept on a lead within the Wildlife Area and they must be on a lead in the Visitors’ Centre. Your dog is probably friendly and will cause no problems but many people, including young children, are frightened of them. Please respect other users, including school groups, and keep your dog on a lead if requested. Please pick up your dog’s mess (or you may face a fine) and put it in the dog bins located around the park. Spare bags can be obtained from the Rangers.

Schools

Hinchingbrooke Country Park offers a comprehensive schools programme for all ages, reception age to college students.  We have developed a number of set days for Primary schools with hands on activities targeted towards the National Curriculum. We can cover Life Processes & Living Things, Art, Geography, Literacy and Numeracy and Ecology. Day plans for secondary schools can be targeted to your requirements and it may be possible to develop specific activities for you.  Further information can be found in the education brochure which can be downloaded using the link to the right.

College students can undertake ecology projects, either their own topic or one decided upon with the advice of the Rangers.

With the Countryside Centre we can also offer indoor activities such as use of microscopes, as well as shelter and wet weather alternatives. Please contact the Rangers on (01480) 451568 for further assistance.

Our Apiary

We have our own honey bees within the Country Park, cared for by members of Huntingdonshire Beekeepers Association.  They check the hives every Sunday between 2pm & 3pm from the beginning of April to the end of September.  We have an observation hide from which you can watch the beekeepers at work then have a chance to talk to them afterwards, please get there by 2pm to gain access to the hide.  Use the link to the right to look at the Huntingdonshire Beekeepers Association website.

Join the Friends of Hinchingbrooke Country Park

The Friends of Hinchingbrooke Country Park, formed in 1994, aim to see that the Park's environment and facilities are maintained and improved. They provide additional services and equipment to enhance the work of the District Council, for example battery powered wheelchairs, scientific equipment such as microscopes and practical assistance helping the Rangers. You will be kept in touch with news from the Park and invited to special activities. You might also help with events and fundraising. Yearly membership is just £5 and life membership only £50. You can download a membership form using the link to the right, or pick one up from the Visitors’Centre.

The Friends of Hinchingbrooke Country Park have now got their own website!  Use the link to the right to find out more.

The Park has 4 fixed barbecue stands available for use by our visitors on a first come, first served basis, each with a picnic bench alongside. They are perfect for a family or corporate "do", with plenty of space for football or rounders! There are also a number of picnic benches situated around the Park for picnics, or just bring a rug & take your pick of the many great locataions we have to choose from. We would appreciate all rubbish to be taken home for disposal and portable barbecues to be cooled down and disposed of safely.

We have 2 new slides within the Park, both near the Visitors' Centre.  There is a fun, wide bumpy slide & then a zip wire for the more adventurous of you!

Fishing is allowed from marked swims in the Main Lake and Alconbury Brook. Day passes and season tickets can be obtained from Brampton Angling Society, please contact their secretary Kevin Medlock on (01487) 830984 for more information call into Sports & Fashions in Huntingdon or Stanjay in Godmanchester. The Main Lake contains pike, carp and tench amongst others and Alconbury Brook includes pike, roach and chubb.

Organised groups such as Duke of Edinburgh Award, Guides & Scouts are able to take part in camping and related activities in our sheltered campsite. A campfire is permitted within the camp area and a range of activities may be organised by the group leader and agreed upon in advance. Please contact the Rangers for further information.

We have a specially designed course for mountain bikers with mounds of various sizes. Please take care when cycling around the park and respect other users. We recommend cyclists to wear the correct safety clothing and younger children to be supervised by an adult.