Nature at home

Watch swans on the lake

Listen to the sounds round the lake

The lake, ponds, woodland and parks are an important part of what makes Waterbeach feel like home. But nature doesn't stop at the edge of the communal green space. Gardens, terraces and balconies also play a role, offering food, water and shelter for the birds, insects and small mammals that already roam the wider area. When individual plots are managed with wildlife in mind, they help connect the larger green corridors into a more continuous habitat for local species.

Growing Wild at Waterbeach

Growing Wild at Waterbeach is our long-term community project encouraging residents to make their outdoor spaces more welcoming for nature, whatever size they are. It's entirely voluntary and sits alongside, rather than within, the development's formal biodiversity commitments.

Gardening know how

We kicked off Growing Wild at Waterbeach with a hands-on gardening workshop led by Charlotte Hugh (@new.house.home), a gardening and lifestyle creator who has featured on Gardeners' World.

Charlotte shared her own journey of transforming a blank canvas into a vibrant, wildlife-friendly haven, proving that even the newest spaces can bloom beautifully. It was a great chance for residents to get hands-on, gain practical inspiration, swap ideas, and see just how much difference a few small changes can make in a garden, terrace or balcony.

Check back here soon for the full workshop video, along with more community activities and ways to get involved as the project grows.

Season-by-Season wildlife gardening advice

If you're looking for straightforward, season-by-season advice on making your garden, terrace or balcony more wildlife-friendly, Wildlife BCN's wildlife gardening guide is a great starting point.

Apply for a wildlife gardening award

If you'd like to take things further, you can apply for WLT BCN's Wildlife Gardening Award Scheme, which recognises gardens that include a range of wildlife-friendly features. Applications for the current round are open until 31 October 2026, and successful entries receive a digital certificate, a themed booklet of hints and tips, and the option to purchase a plaque for your garden.

If you aren't ready to apply this year, you can prepare your garden for wildlife now and reapply next year when the scheme reopens. And once you've earned it, display your plaque proudly to let your neighbours see your award.

Feed garden birds safely, season by season

The RSPB provide up to date seasonal information on how to ‘feed seasonally - feed safely’ to support garden birds. Get inspired with what to grow in flower beds, pots and window boxes to feed the birds naturally with this RSPB guide: Top garden plants to grow for birds.

Support garden birds with RSPB guidance

Meadow brown butterfly landed on a flower

Celebrate your gardening wins

Whether you're planting spring bulbs, leaving a patch of lawn unmown, or filling a flower-rich balcony planter for bees, here at Waterbeach, every small change adds up. Share your progress using #GrowingWildAtWaterbeach or tag @waterbeach_wb so we can cheer you on.