PARKS & GREENS
The city of Cambridge is very green and boasts some beautiful Fen countryside. The grounds of the university and colleges are beautifully maintained, which means they are a delight to walk around at any time of the year. There are lots of public parks and wide open commons, some of which offer sports facilities. Below, The Guide 2 Cambridge has selected some of our favourites dotted around the city.
Cambridge University Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Garden is situated less than a mile to the south of the City centre and only five minutes’ walk from the railway station. This tranquil 40 acre (16 hectares) garden offers year round interest to visitors. The Garden has a collection of over 10,000 labelled plant species in beautifully landscaped settings, including Rock Garden, Lake, Glasshouses, Winter Garden, Woodland Walk, and nine National Collections. For opening times and further information visit: http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/
Christ’s Pieces
This is one of Cambridge’s formal public parks and is set in 10 acres in the centre of the city. The flower beds are in bloom all year and are a beautiful, tranquil area to relax or take a picnic in. The park is located in Emmanuel Road.
Emmanuel Gardens
Emmanuel was established in 1584 and is one of the finest college gardens in Cambridge. The trees in the garden are of particular interest, especially a small oak that was planted by Queen Elizabeth II in celebration of the college’s 400th anniversary. For some fabulous photos and more details visit: http://www.emma.cam.ac.uk/collegelife/gardens/
Jesus Green
This picturesque riverside park is a beautiful place to visit. It boasts an outdoor swimming pool situated next to the river and there is a selection of sporting activities that can be enjoyed. The park is located in Chesterton Road.
The Backs
The ‘Backs’ named because it runs around the back of the riverside colleges, is an open array of flowers, trees, wildlife and walks. The views are stunning and the backs are beautiful all year round. The backs can be found along Queens Road.
