Is there parking?
There is no public car park at the Botanic Garden and we advise that you use public transport whenever possible.
There is limited pay and display parking on nearby Trumpington Road and Bateman Street. Taxi, car or minibus drop off can take place at Brookside Gate. Please note there is no easy place to park or drop off at the Station Road Gate. Please go to the Visiting page for more information about travel.
Do you have bike parks?
There are bike parks next to both entrances. The Bateman Street Cycle Park (near the Brookside Gate) and the Station Road Cycle Park (inside the Station Road Gate) are open during Garden visitor hours. If you have parked a bike on site, please allow enough time to get to the relevant bike park to retrieve your bike before the gates close for the day, thank you.
Can I borrow a wheelchair or mobility scooter?
Yes! Electric mobility scooters and manual wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge at both gates. Please pre-book by phone on 01223 336265 or email enquiries@botanic.cam.ac.uk, open Mon-Fri (9am-1pm, 2-4.30pm).
Please indicate the date, estimated arrival time, gate of arrival, likely length of visit and provide a contact phone number.
Pre-booking in advance of your visit is recommended as we have a limited number of wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Do you offer free entry for carers?
Yes – no admission charge is made for companions of disabled visitors without whose assistance the disabled visitor would be unable to gain access to the Garden.
Are dogs allowed?
Only trained assistance dogs are permitted to visit the Garden, when supporting a disabled handler.
As a Botanic Garden we hold a curated collection of over 8,000 plants, many of which are rare or endangered and our beds are cared for by hand. We have therefore decided, for the protection of our collection and out of respect for our horticultural team not to allow dogs into the Garden, including therapy dogs.
We are unable to permit entry to the Garden to any other animal, whether carried or on a lead (including therapy animals).
Can we bring a picnic or other food into the Garden?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own picnics into the Garden.
You can use blankets on lawns or eat on the benches, which are located throughout the Garden, or in one of our picnic areas (on our map, or ask at the gate on arrival). As a general rule, please make sure that paths are not blocked and flowerbeds are not disturbed.
We do not permit barbecues to be used in the Garden.
As with other hospitality venues, we ask that food you have brought into the Garden for adults is not eaten in the Café or on the Café Terrace. Please speak to the Café staff if you have any queries about this.
We ask that you take your picnic recycling and litter away with you when you leave, as bin space is limited.
Do you have benches where we can sit?
Yes, there are hundreds of benches throughout the Garden, as well as three picnic areas with picnic benches and tables (next to the Schools Garden, in the Autumn Garden and in the New Pinetum). Please note that there is one slot for a wheelchair or mobility scooter at the picnic tables in the Schools Garden and the Autumn Garden.
Do you have bins where we can recycle litter?
Yes, we have litter bins for recycling, and for waste food, which are located just inside the Garden near the gates, at the Café and nearby Café trailer, and at the end of the Main Lawn.
We ask that where possible, and if you are bringing a picnic, you take your recycling and your litter away with you when you leave, as bin space is limited.
Do I need to pay entry to visit the Garden Café?
The Garden Café is situated in the centre of the site for visitors to the Garden, and you are required to pay entry into the Garden to visit it.
What time is last admission?
Last paid admission to the Garden is 30 minutes before closing time; Friends will be admitted until approximately 10 minutes before closing. Please note that transactions are not possible at the ticket offices after last paid admission time.
When visiting, please allow yourself enough time to get to a gate by Garden closing time, thank you.
Our closing times vary throughout the year (due to the light), you can find out more on our Opening Times & Information page.
What time does the Café or Shop close?
The Glasshouse Range and the Garden Café close 30 minutes before Garden closing time.
The Shop closes 15 minutes before Garden closing time.
Can I wheel my bike or foot-scooter through the Garden?
No bicycles or foot-scooters may be used in, or wheeled through, the Garden.
Can I jog, exercise or play ball games in the Garden?
We do not permit jogging or any other form of exercise. Play with balls, frisbees or any other form of projectile or thrown object are not permitted anywhere in the Garden.
Do you provide maps of the Garden?
Yes, as well as large maps and information boards near the gates, individual printed maps are available to pick up free of charge at the ticket offices on arrival.
Trails are also available to pick up from the poster boards next to the ticket offices or on the counters. You may also wish to download this week’s Plant Picks or one of our adult trails in advance of your visit.
Can I use a drone in or over the Garden?
Drone flying by visitors or the public is not permitted in or over the Garden.
Are you open on bank holidays?
We are open every day throughout the year except for Christmas closure – more information can be found here.
Can you offer horticultural advice or plant identification?
We are not able to provide a plant identification or a horticulture and garden advice service. You may find it useful to browse the Royal Horticultural Society’s Advice page and if you are a member of the RHS, you can ring their helpline.
Do you accept plant donations?
We cannot accept donations of plants due to clear collection goals, specific protocols, and policies.
Can I have my wedding or party at the Garden?
The Botanic Garden is not licensed to hold wedding ceremonies, and we cannot hire out any spaces for receptions or parties. More information can be found here.
Can I have a photoshoot or film in the Garden?
For commercial, professional or portrait photography (including wedding photography), you must seek permission in advance. More information can be found here.
Do you sell gift tickets?
We sell pre-paid admission tickets that can be given as gifts for individual entry to the Garden. More information can be found here.
