There is one legend that a dark knight rode through the park and could not be defeated by anyone
A Cambridgeshire country park that has over 2,000 years of history behind it gives a “mysterious” feel to all who visit. For history buffs or anyone who simply wishes to discover somewhere new, a visit to Wandlebury Country Park in Cambridge may be worth it.
The country park has been described as “fun for kids and folklorists”, according to Jo Sinclair in ‘40 Town and Country Walks in Cambridgeshire ’. On site, there are remains of an Iron Age hillfort on the Gog Magog Hills.
These hills have attracted myths and legends since the middle-ages. Writers, poets, newspapers and now people online have told stories of giants, knights, gods and pagans. One standout tale came from Gervase of Tilbury. In 1219, he said that Wandlebury was once ruled by a dark knight rider who could not be defeated.
Anyone who tried to fight this rider would have to ride to Wandlebury at moonlight and shout “knight to knight, come forth”. The knight would appear, ready to fight their opponent.
The park has also been described as “magical”, as it is likely that religious rituals may have been carried out by British tribes in the past, according to Cambridge – Past, Present and Future.
Visitors can wander the woodland paths and wildflower meadows, which are grazed by cattle. If people follow the ring in a clockwise direction by the hillfort, they will stumble upon an orchard and walled garden.
With such an extensive history behind it, it will be no surprise the park also has Roman links. The park was home to Romans around 1,800 years ago.
The northern edge of Wandlebury was a Roman road, which once stretched to the Roman settlement of Colchester. Roman coins were discovered at the park in 1685 and 1752, as well as a Roman ring in 1844. These are now in the British Museum.
