Cambridge Past Present & Future (formerly the Cambridge Preservation Society) was founded in 1928 to protect the historic city of Cambridge and its countryside setting from being harmed by inappropriate development. Over the years our charity has grown and our remit has broadened to encompass the wider environmental needs of Cambridge and its surrounding areas. 

Nature and climate mitigation

Cambridge Past, Present & Future owns Wandlebury Country Park, Coton Countryside Reserve and Barnwell Meadows, where we work hard to enhance nature and help mitigate climate change. We also partner with other organisations to protect and improve nature across greater Cambridge.

Built heritage

CambridgePPF is the only local charity that cares for multiple heritage buildings in and around Cambridge. We are responsible for the restoration and upkeep of Bourn Windmill (Ancient Monument), Cambridge Leper Chapel (grade I listed), Hinxton Watermill (grade II listed) and the historic buildings and archaeological sites at Wandlebury Country Park (Ancient Monument and grade II listed buildings). We are also the only local charity campaigning to protect Cambridge’s wider built heritage. 

Green space and wellbeing 

Our charity owns and manages more than 550 acres of land in and around Cambridge. Every year, we welcome over 150,000 visits to our green spaces and historic buildings, including thousands of school children. We organise an annual programme of over 150 cultural and educational activities for the local community.

The development of Cambridge

A large (yet not so obvious) part of our work is in lobbying and advising on the responsible development of Cambridge – its housing, employment and infrastructure. Our work here is centred on ensuring a balance between the needs of people and the environment. Our work in Cambridge’s town planning and civic sector often involves collaborations with local residents, parish councils, government bodies, and environmental groups.

In our first 50 years we:

• Purchased land to save the attractive countryside and historic villages of Grantchester, Coton and Madingley from inappropriate development
• Saved and restored the country’s oldest windmill at Bourn
• Prevented a ring road being built across Grantchester Meadows
• Saved the Gog Magog Hills from development
• Created Cambridge’s first country park at Wandlebury
• Took on responsibility for maintaining the historic Leper Chapel
• Saved and restored historic cottages in the village of Melbourne
• Mapped out footpaths to protect them for future generations to use (before The Rights of Way Act came into effect)
• Helped to establish Cambridge’s ‘Conservation Areas’ and ‘Buildings of Local Interest’

Since the 1980s we have:

• Saved and restored the 17th century watermill at Hinxton
• Established Cambridge’s Green Belt, after 50 years of campaigning
• Created a countryside reserve near Coton village
• Planted over 10,000 trees, with the help of the local community
• Converted arable farmland into wildflower meadows
• Saved Grade II listed cottages on Orchard Street
• Converted Wandlebury’s derelict stables into a successful outdoor education centre
• Championed a Nature Recovery Network

We can only continue our work with the support of people like you – please help us by being a member, giving a donation, volunteering your time or leaving us a legacy.