Middle-aged couple walking hand in hand through a park with autumn trees in bright sunshine

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Your Year-Round Guide to Cambridge's Gardens & Outdoor Spaces

Q: Can I have a picnic in Cambridge's parks and gardens?

Yes! It's one of the best ways to enjoy them. Picnics are welcome at the Botanic Garden, which has three dedicated picnic areas with benches and tables. The open greens at Jesus Green, Midsummer Common, and The Backs are also beloved picnic spots.

Q: Is Cambridge University Botanic Garden accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes. Electric mobility scooters and manual wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge at both garden gates, although we recommend pre-booking by phone or email. There is also free Blue Badge parking on nearby Bateman Street.

Q: How do I get to the Botanic Garden from the city centre or train station?

The garden is a 15-minute walk from Cambridge city centre, with entrances on Trumpington Road (Brookside Gate) and Hills Road (Station Road Gate). Cambridge Railway Station is a 5–10 minute walk from the Station Road Gate.

Q: Is entry to Cambridge's parks free?

Most of them are. The Backs, Jesus Green, Midsummer Common, and Cherry Hinton Hall Park are all free to visit. Wandlebury Country Park has free entry, but there is a parking charge. Cambridge University Botanic Garden charges for admission (from £8.60 for a standard adult ticket; children under 16 go free).

Q: Are there facilities like toilets and cafés at these green spaces?

Jesus Green has a block of public toilets and a refreshments kiosk, as well as a barbecue area, grass tennis courts, a skate park, and the Jesus Green Lido. Wandlebury Country Park has a pop-up café open on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting. The Botanic Garden has a café open year-round.

Whether you visit in the crisp calm of winter, the bloom of spring, the long days of summer, or the rich colours of autumn, Cambridge has an abundance of beautiful green spaces to explore. Here are some of our favourite gardens and outdoor destinations to enjoy throughout the year.

Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Cambridge University Botanic Centre glasshouse surrounded by colourful garden beds, benches, and lawn under a clear blue sky.

With over 8,000 plant species spread across 40 acres, Cambridge University Botanic Garden offers a rewarding visit at any time of year. Spring brings an explosion of bulbs and blossoms, summer sees the borders at their most vibrant, autumn offers stunning foliage and seed heads, and winter reveals the elegant structure of the landscape, with the atmospheric glasshouses providing a warm, tropical escape on cold days.

The towering redwoods add a sense of grandeur year-round, and a packed calendar of seasonal events means there is always something new to discover – from family craft activities to guided walks.

You can prebook your tickets online or buy your tickets at the entrance. As of the time of writing, standard adult tickets are £8.60, and children under 16 go free.

The Backs

Punt carrying passengers along The Backs in Cambridge, with King’s College Chapel and historic college buildings in the background.

Few places in Cambridge are as consistently beautiful as The Backs. Stretching along the River Cam, these riverside lawns and gardens behind the city's historic colleges offer a different kind of magic depending on when you visit. Snowdrops and crocuses emerge in late winter, punts glide lazily past in summer, golden leaves drift into the water in autumn, and the historic college buildings are reflected in the still river on quiet winter mornings.

Whether you come for a stroll or pack a picnic, The Backs is one of Cambridge's most iconic and rewarding outdoor spaces, free to enjoy at any time of year.

Jesus Green & Midsummer Common

An area of open parkland to the northeast of the city, Jesus Green and Midsummer Common are a year-round favourite for both locals and visitors. Tree-lined avenues and scenic paths meander along the banks of the River Cam, offering a welcome escape from the bustle of the city centre.

The area changes with the seasons – lively with rowers, cyclists and picnickers in summer, peacefully quiet on frosty winter mornings, and carpeted with fallen leaves in autumn. Both are free to visit, with car parking available nearby.

Wandlebury Country Park

With around eight miles of well-maintained footpaths, Wandlebury Country Park is a wonderful destination throughout the year. Spring sees bluebells and wild garlic carpeting the woodland floor; summer brings long, leafy walks and birdsong; autumn fills the trees with rich copper and gold; and winter frosts make for magical, atmospheric trails through the bare woodland.

Wildlife enthusiasts will find something to look out for in every season, from nesting birds in spring to deer and fungi in autumn and winter. Suitable for all ages, it's a great place to reconnect with nature, whatever the time of year.

Madingley Hall Gardens

Located just outside the city, Madingley Hall Gardens offer a different kind of beauty with each passing season. Landscaped by the renowned Capability Brown in the 18th century, the seven acres of historic grounds feature sweeping lawns, informal water features, and impressive specimen trees that are striking in every season, from spring blossom and summer borders to the bold structure of bare trees against a winter sky.

The herb garden, elegant borders, and serene white garden each have their seasonal highlights, while the wider grounds provide scenic walks framed by mature trees and historic architecture year-round.

Cherry Hinton Hall Park

A firm favourite for families, Cherry Hinton Hall Park has something to offer throughout the year. Wide-open lawns invite a kick-around in any season, while tree-lined paths are accessible for pushchairs, whatever the weather. The playground is a hit with children all year long, and the duck pond is a perennial favourite – with the chance to spot ducklings in spring and feed the resident ducks on cold winter days.

With on-site toilets and events hosted throughout the year, Cherry Hinton Hall Park is one of Cambridge's most welcoming and versatile green spaces for families.

Planning Your Visit to Cambridge's Gardens

Whenever you plan to visit, here are a few tips to help you make the most of Cambridge's outdoor spaces:

Time your visit wisely – Each location has its own seasonal highlights. Spring brings blossoms and bulbs, summer offers lush growth and long evenings, autumn delivers stunning colour, and winter reveals the structure and calm of the landscape.
Dress for the weather – Cambridge weather can be changeable at any time of year, so we recommend dressing in layers and keeping a waterproof to hand.
Plan your route – Many of our favourite gardens, including The Backs and Cambridge University Botanic Garden, are centrally located and easy to reach on foot from the city centre. Wandlebury Country Park and Madingley Hall Gardens are a short drive away and best saved for a dedicated day out.
Make the most of the light – Early mornings and golden-hour evenings provide beautiful light for photography throughout the year, particularly around riverside locations and the historic college grounds.

Stay at Gonville Hotel – Your Base for Exploring Cambridge

Located in the heart of Cambridge, the Gonville Hotel makes the perfect base for exploring the city's many green spaces, whatever the season. Our boutique rooms offer a luxurious retreat after a day outdoors, and with on-site dining and a bar, you can round off your visit with a delicious meal and a well-earned drink in our beautifully appointed hotel.

Start planning your Cambridge escape and discover the very best gardens and outdoor spaces the city has to offer – whatever time of year you choose to visit.

Book Your Stay Today

Do I need to book tickets in advance for Cambridge University Botanic Garden?

Based on the Botanic Garden's own guidance, walk-ups are welcome, and pre-booking is optional. The garden is open to the general public every day throughout the year, except for a closure between Christmas and New Year, with last paid admission 30 minutes before closing. That said, booking online in advance is always a good idea during busy periods.

Are dogs allowed in Cambridge's gardens and parks?

It varies by location.

At Cambridge University Botanic Garden, only trained assistance dogs are permitted, as the garden holds a curated collection of over 8,000 plants, many of which are rare or endangered. However, Jesus Green is a popular spot for dog walkers, and open spaces like Midsummer Common and Wandlebury Country Park are also dog-friendly.

Is there parking at the Botanic Garden?

There is no public car park at the Botanic Garden, and visitors are advised to use public transport where possible. There is limited pay-and-display parking on nearby Trumpington Road and Bateman Street. For those driving into the city more broadly, the Trumpington Park & Ride offers easy access by bus with free parking included.

Can I have a picnic in Cambridge's parks and gardens? Is Cambridge University Botanic Garden accessible for wheelchair users? How do I get to the Botanic Garden from the city centre or train station? Is entry to Cambridge's parks free? Are there facilities like toilets and cafés at these green spaces? Can I go punting near these green spaces?

Yes. Punting on the River Cam is one of Cambridge's most iconic experiences and connects naturally with many of the green spaces in this guide. The Backs is a particularly popular spot, with punts travelling past the riverfront while visitors enjoy views of King's College and historic bridges like the Mathematical Bridge. Punting stations can be found near Jesus Green and along the river.

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