Northfield

Rich in both natural and cultural heritage, Northfield is home to a chalk stream, one of the world’s rarest river habitats, and a distinctive fen-edge landscape where low-lying fenland meets the higher chalk ridge. The site also contains evidence of human activity stretching back thousands of years, including from the Roman period.

Understanding these features, alongside the needs and aspirations of local communities, will be central to shaping its future. In time, species such as harvest mice, water voles and the globally threatened turtle dove could be among the wildlife to benefit.

Stretching along the opposite side of Quy Road (B1102) from Anglesey Abbey towards Bottisham, Northfield is just seven miles from Cambridge. The National Trust will explore how the land can contribute to nature recovery while providing greater access to green space for communities in and around the city.

The project comes at a time when Cambridgeshire remains one of the most nature depleted counties in the UK and demand for accessible green space is increasing, as the county's population grows. The charity is keen to understand what matters most to local people and how Northfield could become a place that people feel connected to, value and enjoy for generations to come.

Emma Ormond-Bones, General Manager of the National Trust’s North Cambridgeshire Portfolio: “At 150 hectares, Northfield represents one of the most significant opportunities we have in Cambridgeshire to create lasting benefits for both people and nature. We're excited to begin exploring its future, alongside the people who know and care about this area".

"We want Northfield to become a place where nature can thrive, helping wildlife to recover and building resilience to a changing climate. It also offers an important opportunity to improve access to nature in Cambridgeshire, which has one of the lowest levels of accessible greenspace per person in the country. As the population continues to grow, increasing pressure is being placed on natural spaces that people and wildlife rely on.”

“As a substantial green space on the edge of Cambridge, Northfield has the potential to deliver meaningful benefit to both people and wildlife and we want local people to play a vital role in helping shape what that future will look like.”

Northfield is the first project within the National Trust’s new masterplan for the area, and forms part of the Wider Wicken Fen Vision, a long-term initiative to create a more connected and resilient landscape for wildlife and people, stretching from Wicken Fen towards the edge of Cambridge.

Feedback from this initial phase of engagement will help inform the next stage of planning, with further opportunities for public involvement as proposals are developed during 2027.