Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits

Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits is a managed nature reserve tucked into the edge of Cambridge, created from a former chalk quarry and now home to interesting geology, varied habitats and a network of surfaced paths. Dogs are welcome throughout the reserve on a lead, making it a proper local outing for when you need green space, a bit of geological drama and a decent sniff without leaving the city behind.

The reserve is open at all times, so you can fit a visit around your own timetable. The paths are manageable for most dogs, though you'll need to keep well away from the cliff bases and resist any temptation to scramble up the quarry faces – falling rock is a genuine hazard here and the rules are clear on that front.

There's no on-site car park, but you can use the layby opposite the pub on Fulbourn Road. It's a compact reserve rather than an all-day ramble, but for Cambridge-based dog owners looking for something with a bit more texture than the usual park circuit, it delivers.