
Free daytime parking at Oaks Wood, Great Cambourne โ steps from wildlife trails, family play areas & accessible paths.
๐ Type: Free Public Nature Reserve Car Park
๐ Open:
Summer (BST): 09:00โ20:00
Winter (GMT): 09:00โ17:00
Closed overnight
๐ Rating: 4.4 / 5 (visitor feedback aggregated)
๐ฐ Pricing & Permits
Cost: Free (no permits or payments required)
Enforcement: Gates locked outside opening hours; please vacate before closing time.
Note: Parking at the Wildlife Trust office (off-site) is restricted to staff and official visitors only.
๐ Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~25 |
| Surface | Compact gravel |
| Lighting | None (daylight use only) |
| Security | No CCTV; natural surveillance via gate |
| Height Limit | None |
โฟ Accessibility
General Access: Gravel paths to visitor area accommodate wheelchairs and pushchairs, though some trails may become uneven when wet.
Designated Bays: None marked โ informal level spaces near entrance suitable for adapted vehicles.
Drop-Off Point: Wide turning area immediately outside car park gates.
๐ EV Infrastructure
On-Site Charging: None
Nearest Chargers (Great Cambourne Village Centre, CB23 6DW):
Pod Point (2ร7 kW) โ 4 min walk
InstaVolt (1ร50 kW rapid) โ 6 min walk
๐ Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | User Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 09:00โ11:00 | 40 % | Morning walkers |
| Weekdays 14:00โ16:00 | 30 % | Families & dog-walkers |
| Saturdays 10:00โ14:00 | 80 % | Weekend visitors |
| Sundays 11:00โ15:00 | 90 % | Leisure & wildlife enthusiasts |
Pro Tip: Arrive before 10 AM on weekends to secure a spot close to the visitor signage.
๐ถ Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife Trust Visitor Area | 1 min | Discovery trailheads & information boards |
| Great Cambourne Village Centre | 5 min | Tesco Express, M&S Foodhall, cafรฉs & shops |
| Cambourne Health Centre | 8 min | GP, pharmacy & public toilets |
| Cambourne Church | 10 min | Community events & play areas |
| Bourn Airfield cycling route access | 12 min | Off-road rides & scenic views |
๐ Nearby Amenities
Essentials
Toilets: Public facilities at Village Centre (5 min)
ATM: Tesco Express & NatWest (Village Centre)
Pharmacy: Boots (Village Centre)
Food & Drink
Costa Coffee (Village Centre): 5 min walk
Greggs: 5 min walk
Pizza GoGo: 6 min walk
๐ ฟ๏ธ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Cambourne Village Car Park | 5 min | Free (unlimited) | Unlimited | Covered bays, EV chargers nearby |
| Longstowe Road On-Street Bays | 8 min | Free (2 h max) | 2 h | Evening parking after 17:00 |
| Back Lane West Car Park | 10 min | Free (no limit) | Unlimited | Quiet location, easy access |
โ ๏ธ Important Notices
Gates lock promptly at closing hoursโvehicles remaining after 20:00 (summer) or 17:00 (winter) may be locked in.
No overnight parking or camping permitted.
Please respect wildlife habitats; keep dogs on leads at all times.
๐ Expert Tips
Early Explorer: Weekday mornings offer tranquil wildlife spotting with few cars.
Mud Alert: Avoid inner bays after heavy rainโpark near entrance for firmer ground.
Family Fun: Bring wellies for pond dipping on the discovery trail; ask at visitor board for spot guide.
EV Visitors: Pre-charge at Village Centre before arrival to avoid mid-visit trips.
๐ฎ Future Developments
2025 Consultation: Proposal to add 4ร7 kW vehicle charging bays and improved gate access.
2026 Plans: Extension of car park to add ~10 additional spaces (subject to council approval).