Grantchester Meadows is one of Cambridge’s most picturesque landscapes. The 50 acres of meadows run alongside the banks of the River Cam between Cambridge and the historic village of Grantchester. Attracting thousands of visitors each year, the meadows have been enjoyed for over a century for walking, picnicking, punting, swimming and nature and the scenery. The meadows were enjoyed by the Bloomsbury Group in the first half of the 20th century and also feature in the poem ’Watercolor of Grantchester Meadows’ by Sylvia Plath and a 1969 song by Pink Floyd.
The meadows are owned by King’s and have historically been leased for grazing cattle. However, a rapidly growing population of residents and tourists over the past 20 years has put the meadows under increasing pressure. The meadows have become treated more like one of the city’s parks and commons and there are competing interests between different uses of the meadows, including the ability to provide environmental benefits.
A new partnership between King's and local charity Cambridge Past, Present & Future has just been agreed, so that Grantchester Meadows can be better maintained and improved for the benefit of nature, the environment and people.
Cambridge Past, Present & Future will be responsible for the management of the meadows on a day-to-day basis. The charity already owns and manages other green spaces including Wandlebury Country Park, Coton Countryside Reserve and Barnwell Meadows. They also recently became the owners of Grantchester Tea Garden, which was gifted to the charity by the former owner after his death.
Read more here.
