What better way to spend a perfect summer’s day, than to visit the Botanic Gardens in Cambridge.
The gardens comprise of 40 acres of outstanding plants, trees and flowers to appreciate and admire. Whether you’re a gardener looking for inspiration, seeking out a quiet space for a few hours or having a fun family day, this is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy city.
The gardens can be explored all year round, with interest for every season but, on the day we visited in June it was bursting with colour – and with over 8000 plant species, some rare and endangered from all around the world, there’s always something to see.
The gardens were created for the University in 1831 by Professor John Steven Henslow (Charles Darwin’s mentor) and opened to the public in 1846.
Its latest edition is a newly opened research laboratory – using cutting edge technology looking into plant growth and development.
Highlights include:- Winter garden, Glasshouses, Lake, Bee Border, Woodland Garden, Scented Garden and Limestone Rock Garden, as well as sweeping avenues of lawns, perfect to take a break with a cup of tea and piece of cake from the cafe.
The Botanic Gardens is the ideal day out for all, with good disabled access. Families can enjoy lots of activities as well as trails to follow, and they also run adult courses including photography, horticulture and botanic art. You can also take advantage of the free guided tour, held once a week throughout the summer showing you the current highlights in the gardens (please check on their website for availability).
You really do feel like you’ve walked into another world when you enter the gardens. The quiet and the beauty really does recharge the batteries. A visit to the shop is a must too, selling plants, books, cards and lots more.
Please check their website www.botanic.cam.ac.uk for all events and pricing – tickets can be purchased online.