Cherry Hinton Pit

Cherry Hinton Pit is a nature reserve covering former chalk quarries on the southeastern side of Cambridge with steep cliffs, wooded sections, and open grassland habitats. The varied landscape within the reserve creates several distinct environments as you move through the site.

The site functioned as a chalk quarry for centuries, providing stone for Cambridge University buildings until extraction stopped around 200 years ago. Nature then slowly reclaimed the abandoned pits and transformed them into what exists today.

The area takes its name from cherry trees that have grown here for centuries and hold meaning for local residents who see them as part of their surroundings. These trees remain a recognizable feature that connects people to the place.

Access to the reserve is from Limekiln Road, with parking available in a layby near the pub on Fulbourn Road. The site has no entry fee, making it easy for walkers and nature enthusiasts to visit without barriers.

The reserve is home to moon carrot, a plant found in only three locations across England, with this site being a key population center. Annual counts show numbers increasing steadily in the East Pit area over recent years.