Best natural monuments around Cambs offer diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity. The region features a variety of natural heritage sites, from ancient fens to transformed industrial lands. These areas provide opportunities to explore unique ecosystems and observe local wildlife. Cambridgeshire's natural monuments showcase significant conservation efforts and geological features.
Last updated: June 24, 2026
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The orangery is a two-winged building, the roof serves as a terrace, it is located in the axis of the main tower of the castle and is open to the sea. The inner courtyard is planted, to the southeast there is an arcade and the statue of Hercules taming a bull in the middle of the arcade. The palm garden and shell fountain, several accessible roof terraces and the sea grotto are part of the orangery.
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The Victory Column on the Old Garden in Schwerin is a “monument to the Mecklenburgers who survived the war of 1870/71”. On the column stands the allegorical figure Megalopolis, which personifies the state of Mecklenburg.
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Covered bike pier at Schweriner Außensee!
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Very nice and right by the castle, part plant accommodation and part cafe
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The Victory Column in the Old Garden in Schwerin is a “monument to those of Mecklenburg who remained in the 1870/71 war”. On the column stands the allegorical figure Megalopolis, which personifies the state of Mecklenburg. Wikipedia
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The plants are stored inside for the winter.
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After the victorious war of 1870/71, as a result of which the (second) German Empire was founded, Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin commissioned his senior court building officer Hermann Willebrand to produce designs for a victory monument in 1872. After Willebrand's initial design drawings from August 1872, a first model was presented to the public in February 1873. The first work on the foundations took place at the beginning of 1873. The subsoil required that some soil had to be removed to a depth of approximately 4.60 m (16 feet). A barrel vault runs around a square central foundation in an irregular eight-sided shape with an outward-facing ring wall approx. 1 m thick. This is followed by another low vaulted ring. The whole thing rests on fieldstone foundations. An initially planned pile foundation did not have to be carried out.
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In the castle garden of Schwerin Castle, walkers are more likely to look at the two sculptures of the Victorians (angels of peace) than at the rather inconspicuous sundial standing on a pedestal. This is an exceptional example that shows the time on several surfaces. The sundial, a sandstone sculpture in the form of a prism with the figure of Jupiter enthroned, dates from around 1844, but a copy from 2001 can be seen in the castle garden. The castle garden is the name given to the historic gardens that surround the castle on the island of Lake Schwerin. https://www.myheimat.de/de--Schwerin--74/c-kultur/eine-aussergewoehnliche-sonnenuhr-vor-dem-Schweriner-schloss_a665644
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Cambridgeshire offers a diverse range of natural monuments, from ancient fens like Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve and Woodwalton Fen, to reclaimed industrial sites such as Paxton Pits Nature Reserve and Kings Dyke Nature Reserve. You can also find significant geological features like Barnack Hills and Holes and Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits (East Pit), as well as expansive water bodies like Grafham Water and the Nene Washes.
Yes, several natural monuments in Cambridgeshire are great for families. Paxton Pits Nature Reserve has a visitor center and bird feed, while Kings Dyke Nature Reserve offers a fossil-hunting area, pond-dipping, and nature trails. Hinchingbrooke Country Park provides vast open spaces for exploration, and Grafham Water offers a wide range of family-friendly activities including biking and water sports.
Cambridgeshire is excellent for bird-watching. Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve is home to over 9,000 species. Paxton Pits Nature Reserve is known for nightingales and cormorants. The Nene Washes are particularly impressive in winter, attracting thousands of wildfowl, and Hinchingbrooke Country Park hosts all three species of British woodpeckers, nuthatches, and marsh tits.
To experience the quintessential fenland landscape, visit Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, England's most famous fen with raised boardwalks. Woodwalton Fen, part of the Great Fen project, offers quiet contemplation amidst rare insects and flowering meadows. The Nene Washes also embody the vast skies and reedbeds characteristic of the Cambridgeshire fens.
Yes, several sites combine natural beauty with historical elements. Barnack Hills and Holes arose from a medieval quarry and is one of Britain's most important wildlife areas. Beechwoods, part of the 'Gog Magog' hills, features ancient sites and signs of medieval farming methods beneath its 19th-century beech trees.
For spectacular panoramic views, head to Wandlebury Hill within Wandlebury Country Park, where on clear days you can even see Ely Cathedral. Magog Down, a gently rolling chalk hill near Cambridge, also provides expansive views of Cambridge City and the surrounding landscape.
Many natural monuments in Cambridgeshire offer opportunities for outdoor activities. Grafham Water is ideal for biking, fishing, walking, and water sports. You can find various cycling routes, including MTB trails and road cycling routes, around the region. For example, explore MTB Trails around Cambs or Road Cycling Routes around Cambs.
Yes, Cambridgeshire has excellent examples of successful conservation through the transformation of industrial sites. Paxton Pits Nature Reserve developed from a former gravel quarry, and Kings Dyke Nature Reserve, originally a 1920s site, was fully restored in 1995, showcasing how industrial land can be reclaimed for wildlife and community benefit. Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits (East Pit) is also a recently abandoned chalk pit given back to nature.
The Great Fen is an ambitious project aiming to restore a vast fenland landscape between Peterborough and Huntingdon. It connects existing reserves like Woodwalton Fen, which is a significant National Nature Reserve known for its quiet contemplation and vision for large-scale conservation.
For unique geological features, visit Barnack Hills and Holes, which arose from a medieval quarry and is known for its orchid-rich limestone grassland. Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits (East Pit), a vast, recently abandoned chalk pit, offers an enigmatic experience with its deep white chalk trenches reflecting sunlight.
Absolutely. Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve is a biodiversity hotspot with over 9,000 species. Woodwalton Fen is famous for rare insects and provides opportunities to spot Chinese Water Deer or Marsh Harriers. The Nene Washes are crucial for thousands of wildfowl, especially in winter, and East Shore of the Schweriner Außensee is home to sea eagles, kingfishers, and beavers.
For quiet contemplation and a tranquil experience, Woodwalton Fen is highly recommended. Kings Dyke Nature Reserve also offers a peaceful setting for observing wildlife. Beechwoods provides a serene natural woodland environment, perfect for a calm escape.


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