The glasshouses of the Cambridge University Botanic Garden

temporalata · CC BY-SA 2.0

What to do · Cambridge

Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Garden · 1–2 h · £9.50 adult · under 17s free

InformationFrom £9 adult

From: £9 adult
Duration: 1 h 30
Season: All year
Who it's for: All ages, pushchair friendly

Sixteen hectares of scientific garden ten minutes' walk from the station, with tropical glasshouses, a rock garden, a lake and enormous trees. It is Cambridge's breather when the centre is full, and with children it works very well: flat paths for pushchairs, ducks and room to run.

An adult ticket costs £9.50 (£8.60 standard) and under 17s do not pay; buying online, 10% less. It has a café. It is on the way between the station and the centre.

With young childrenAs a family

Directions See all of Cambridge

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

The shop window of Fitzbillies on Trumpington Street

Fitzbillies (Trumpington Street)

Bakery · Cambridge · €€€€

What to order: a Chelsea bun, the spiral roll of cinnamon and syrup, to take away or with a coffee.

It also has branches on Bridge Street and King's Parade, for takeaway

The DNA pub

The Eagle

Bar · Cambridge · €€€€

What to order: a pie or fish and chips, and a pint in the courtyard if the weather is good.

Open every day; on Sundays food is served from 12:00 to 21:00 · book online

The Orchard Tea Garden

Café · Grantchester · €€€€

What to order: the cream tea, with homemade scones, jam and cream, in a deckchair in the orchard.

No booking for coffee, light lunches or cream tea · may close earlier in bad weather

To stay nearby

The façade of the Hotel du Vin on Trumpington Street

Hotel du Vin Cambridge

Trumpington Street · 41 rooms · Bistro and wine cellar

Why we like it: A 41-room boutique hotel in Victorian houses on Trumpington Street, next to the Fitzwilliam, with a French bistro and wine cellar.

View details

University Arms

Facing Parker's Piece · Historic hotel since 1834 · Library and restaurant

Why we like it: A historic 1834 hotel facing Parker's Piece park, with 189 rooms and suites, a library, restaurant and bar, ten minutes from King's.

View details

Aerial view of the Varsity Hotel beside the River Cam

The Varsity Hotel & Spa

Riverside · Rooftop terrace · Spa and gym

Why we like it: A hotel beside the Cam, on Thompson's Lane, with a spa, gym, sixth-floor brasserie and rooftop terrace above the Cambridge roofs.

View details

Useful services

Cambridge station (trains from King's Cross)Direct Great Northern trains from London King's Cross in about 48 minutes, every half hour; also from Liverpool Street. 20 minutes from the centre.

More to do nearby

From £9 adult
Where to buy tickets

Book

Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/england/cambridge/things-to-do/cambridge-university-botanic-garden