Visiting – travel, dogs, toilets, etc.

Dogs in the Garden
Please note that only trained assistance dogs are permitted to visit the Garden, when supporting a disabled handler.

We are unable to permit entry to the Garden to any other animal, whether carried or on a lead (including therapy animals).

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 made a decision, for the protection of our collection, and out of respect for our horticultural team not to allow dogs into the Garden, including therapy dogs.  Trained assistance dogs are welcome.

Toilets
Visitor toilets are available behind the Glasshouse Range* (including accessible toilet) and in the Cafe (including accessible toilet and baby change facilities).  An accessible toilet is also situated near Brookside Ticket Office.

*November 2024 – please note that the toilets behind the Glasshouse Range are currently out of use. Temporary visitor toilets are being placed nearby*

Left luggage and storage facilities
There are no luggage lockers at the Garden and we are unable to store items at the ticket offices. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Bad Weather
Please visit the Bad weather closure page for information about when we close the Garden due to high winds.

Photography
For commercial, professional or portrait photography you must ask for permission in advance, see download below. If you have any questions, telephone +44 (0) 1223 336265 or email us. Please note that our Plant Records database can not supply phenological information at this time. Therefore we are unable to advise you if specific plants are flowering before you arrive.

Walking
The Garden is a 15-minute walk from the City Centre with entrances on Trumpington Road (Brookside Gate) and Hills Road (Station Road Gate).

Bicycle
Bike racks are available in our bike park near the Brookside Gate and inside our Station Road Gate – though please note that the Station Road Bike Park will be closed from 10 February 2025 until the autumn due to the new Ticket Office building project.

Please note – no bicycles or foot-scooters may be used in the Garden.

Train
The main Cambridge Railway Station (CBG) is a 5-10 minute walk from our Station Road Gate. Visit the National Rail Enquiries and Greater Anglia websites for more information on getting here by rail.

Bus
The Garden can be reached via a variety of Stagecoach, Whippet and other local bus routes. Some of these routes include the Guided Busway, the Trumpington and Babraham Park & Rides, the Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and the Universal bus service.
Please visit the Stagecoach and Whippet websites for the latest updates of bus routes and bus stops. For information about the Cambridge University Universal bus please visit the Universal bus website.

Car / Park & Ride
There is no parking at the Botanic Garden, we recommend the Park & Ride services.
There is limited pay and display parking on Trumpington Road and Bateman Street. Alternatively, see Cambridge City Council’s parking map.

Coach
There is a coach drop off bay (15 minutes maximum waiting) a 2 minute walk away from the Brookside Gate. The Council ask coaches not to use the nearby bus stop for bus drops. Madingley Road Park & Ride site offers a coach park on a first come first served basis at £10 for the day. Please contact Cambridgeshire County Council if you have any questions by email or call 01223 845561. You can also download the Visit Cambridge coach parking leaflet below.

For more information
Please contact the Garden’s Enquiries Desk. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9am-1pm / 2-4pm.

Cambridge University Botanic Garden is an active research facility and a living museum with a collection of over 8,000 plant and tree specimens. This is also a working garden with machinery in use.

Please be aware of some simple rules for your visit:

• Only trained guide and assistance dogs are permitted to visit the Garden
• Children must stay with an adult at all times
• Please keep to the paths and lawns
• Do not climb the trees
• Please do not pick any part of a growing plant
• No bicycles, foot-scooters, ball games or drones may be used in the Garden
• Please see our full Rules of Admission for full details