Parks, playgrounds and nature reserves

View parks and events in your area on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Parks website.

Green Flag Parks

The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Peterborough City Council is proud to have three Green Flag Parks:

Central Park

Central Park is supported by the Friends of Central Park (FoCP). It is north of the city centre on Park Crescent, which adjoins Park Road and Broadway.

The park has the following facilities:

  • Paddling pool
  • Sandpit
  • Sensory garden
  • Aviary
  • The Willow Café
  • Bowling greens
  • Hard and grass tennis courts
  • Table tennis tables
  • Croquet lawn
  • Volleyball

Various events are held at Central Park throughout the year, from dog shows to Viking Heritage days featuring archery, weaving, battle re-enactments and more. 

Itter Park

Itter Park can be found off Fulbridge Road in Paston, the park is supported by the Friends of Itter Park (FoIP).

Facilities include:

  • Play area
  • Hard and grass tennis courts
  • Table tennis tables
  • Bowling green
  • Wildlife pond brimming with fascinating amphibian and insect life
  • Bee-friendly sensory garden

Manor Farm Park

Manor Farm Park is accessible via Cleve Place, which runs through Eye Village.

Facilities include:

  • Skate park
  • Play area
  • Wild flower meadow
  • Picnic area
  • Blue Bell woodland path
  • Children’s adventure trail

Large parks and open spaces

The Embankment

The Embankment runs along the river Nene and is within easy walking distance of the city centre. Many events take place throughout the year including the Peterborough Beer Festival.

Bretton Park

Bretton Park is the council's largest green open space and can be found in North Bretton. It, and the adjoining woods are rich in flora, fauna and wildlife. The facilities include a large children's play area, a BMX track, outdoor gym, table tennis table, and football pitches, all regularly used. In addition there is the Bretton Water Park which is open in the summer months.

If you are interested in getting involved in helping look after Bretton Park please contract the Friends of Bretton Park - friendsofbrettonpark@gmail.com.

Connect Park

Connect Park is located between Gladstone Street and Bourges Boulevard.

Facilities include:

  • Play area
  • Adventure trail
  • Outdoor gym
  • Table tennis tables

Skate parks and BMX tracks

Skate parks open to the public at all times:

  • next to the Eye Community Centre
  • Fletton Recreation Ground
  • Horseshoe Land, Orton Goldhay
  • Charteris Centre
  • Lawson Avenue, Stanground
  • Welland Road Recreation Ground
  • Werrington

BMX tracks

There are two BMX tracks in Peterborough:

  • casual riding use at Bretton Park
  • both casual and competitive use at Herlington, Orton Malborne, which is a nationally recognised facility attracting riders from all over the country and it is home to Peterborough Phantoms BMX Club.

Wildlife areas

We play a leading role in the maintenance of the nature reserves and wildlife areas in the Peterborough area. They offer many diverse habitats to encourage a very wide range of wildlife. Please see some examples below: