Coton Countryside Reserve is owned and cared for by Cambridge Past, Present & Future. Our charity purchased the farmland in the 1930s to prevent urban sprawl and protect the historic villages of Coton, Grantchester and Madingley.

The Reserve was established 2004-2008 with the aim of creating public access to the countryside for the growing population of our area and to address the decline in nature. The Reserve is a long-term initiative to create a large area of “wild-belt” on the western side of Cambridge, which is rich in nature, helps to mitigate climate change and improves community wellbeing. The aspiration is for this “wild-belt” to be larger than our own land and involve neighbouring landowners, to help to deliver the vision of the Cambridge Nature Network.

We are currently fundraising for two exciting projects to create 26 acres of new habitats, under the banner of ‘A Wilder Coton’ and if we are successful, then both these projects could start in autumn 2024. Please help if you are able.

Your vision for a wilder Coton Countryside Reserve - have your say

We are also looking to the future and asking what more could we do with 200 acres of arable farmland at Coton to achieve even more benefits for nature, public well-being and climate mitigation, in ways that are financially sustainable for the charity? 

Our staff and trustees have some ideas and we want to hear what you think about these, and we also want to hear your views about the reserve and how it could be improved over time. 

Please CLICK HERE to take part in an online survey. This will take about 10 minutes to complete.

You can also come along to a drop-in event at Coton Village Hall on Wednesday 8 May 5.30-7.45pm. You will be able to talk to our team and we will have maps you can draw on.

If you would prefer to email us your views, then please send these to [email protected], however please visit the online survey first in order to understand what we are proposing and what we would like to hear your views on.

The closing date to give us your views is 20 May 2024.

We will publish a summary of the findings on this webpage in summer 2024.