Northstowe Playing Fields

The playing fields at Northstowe are what you'd expect from a modern Cambridge suburb - a proper expanse of grass and sports pitches rather than a destination in their own right. That said, if you're camping at Cuckoo Fen or Roseberry Tourist Park nearby, they're genuinely useful for letting kids burn off energy without heading into the city centre.

What you get is open grassland, usually hosting local football and cricket matches on weekends. The facilities are functional rather than fancy, but there's space to walk around and the fields connect reasonably well to the wider area if you fancy exploring on foot. It's the kind of place where you'll find parents with toddlers kicking a ball about, dog walkers cutting through, and the occasional school sports day in progress.

Families staying at the three-star rated campsite just down the road will find this a free, straightforward option for a run-around. Allow twenty minutes to an hour depending on what your lot needs. Don't expect play equipment or cafes - bring a ball, bring water, that's it. The real appeal is proximity to your accommodation rather than any standalone merit.

Worth the detour from Cambridge itself? No. As part of a park holiday in the area, though, it slots in nicely. Best visited on a dry day when the grass isn't waterlogged.