Grantchester Meadows is a number of things; firstly a short street in the Newnham district of Cambridge, perhaps more famously a track by Pink Floyd and finally - and most relevantly to Qypers - it is a series of meadows owned by one of the Cambridge colleges leading from Newnham, just outside the city centre, to Grantchester about 2 miles away and bordered by the river Cam (or Granta).
Pleasant and occasionally idyllic, rather than dramatic, a stroll through Grantchester Meadows is a great way to entertain the kids (there is a path that is suitable for cycling) or show a different side of Cambridge to visitors who are "college-ed out".
On a good day, you should find plenty of picnic spots by the river, usually some punters to watch, roaming cattle and trees to climb. In August / September, there are plenty of blackberries to pick, but get there early before they are all gone.
Grantchester itself has several characterful pubs, but our destination is always The Orchard for scones, coffee and juice with a straw for the little ones.
For an even longer day out, Lammas Land park with its extensive play area is very close to the north end of the meadows. read more