Parker’s Piece, near the city centre, is one of the best-known open spaces in Cambridge.

• Parker’s Piece, Cambridge CB1 1NA

The grass is kept tidily short and the park is a popular spot for picnics and games of football and cricket. The Hobbs Pavilion Community Room sits on the northwest edge of the park.

The park’s name comes from a cook named Edward Parker who held the original lease to the land, which at the time was used for grazing.

University students who played football on Parker’s Piece published an early set of rules for the sport in 1848. The Cambridge Rules sculpture near the corner of Gonville Terrace and Parkside commemorates this.

The gas lamp at the crossroad of the paths across the park was erected in 1893. It is commonly known as ‘Reality Checkpoint’, a nickname given to it by students in the 1960s.

Christmas ice rink and winter village

Every Christmas, part of Parker’s Piece transforms into a vibrant festive destination.

As well as an outdoor ice-skating rink, you can enjoy a range of festive attractions curling, family rides, traditional games, seasonal entertainment and beautifully decorated spaces.

There is also a varied selection of food and drink, festive treats and independent traders, creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

The rink and attractions are available from mid-November into the new year, and attract more than 500,000 visitors each year.

They have become a much-loved part of the city’s seasonal celebrations that supporta local employment, tourism and the city-centre economy.