Jesus Green: Cambridge's riverside park and historic lido

Jesus Green at a glance

Jesus Green is a public park north of the city centre, bordered by the River Cam, Victoria Avenue and Jesus College. It is divided by avenues of London plane and horse chestnut trees. The park contains Jesus Green Lido, public grass tennis courts, a children's play area, a skate park, table tennis, a barbecue area, public toilets and a refreshments kiosk.

It connects directly to Quayside by the riverside boardwalk and surfaced paths, which makes it an easy next stop after a punt trip or a visit to Magdalene Bridge.

What to do

The usual pleasures are a walk or cycle along the river, a picnic on the lawns, and time at the play area. Sports facilities include grass tennis courts, table tennis and the skate park. A barbecue area is available, and a kiosk sells refreshments.

Jesus Green Lido

Jesus Green Bath opened on 30 August 1923. It was built as a 100-yard outdoor pool with shallow ends and a deeper centre, and was later renamed Jesus Green Lido. Cambridge City Council describes it as one of the longest outdoor pools in the country.

The pool is about 90 metres long and ranges from 1.2 to 2.5 metres deep. Facilities include changing rooms, showers, lockers, accessible toilets, a pool hoist and grassed and paved sunbathing areas. Session times, admission and seasonal schedules change, so check the operator's current information before you go.

From common to city park

Jesus Green was once part of a broader area of riverside water meadow shared with what is now Midsummer Common. Victoria Avenue, built in 1890, physically divided the two. Jesus Green then developed as a formal recreation ground, while Midsummer Common kept its character as grazing common.

The landscape still shows traces of the old meadow. Jesus Ditch follows the southern edge beside Jesus College, and the mature tree avenues and well-used walking and cycling routes reflect the park's late 19th and early 20th century development.

Walking from Quayside

From Quayside, follow the riverside boardwalk and path downstream. The route passes the punting landing stage on Thompson's Lane and leads into the main park paths. Jesus Lock lies along the same stretch of river.

Punting from Jesus Green

One of Cambridge's six licensed punting stations is on the corner of Jesus Green, at the landing stage on Thompson's Lane. It is the northernmost station on the river, a short walk downstream from Quayside. The Traditional Punting Company, established in 2001, runs chauffeured tours from this landing stage.

To see where the other stations sit, read the stations guide. For how a trip works and what to bring, see the punting guide.

Facilities and accessibility

The park has public toilets, a kiosk, barbecue stones, play facilities and cycle access. Paths are surfaced, though the park is open grassland in places. The accessible toilet requires a Radar key, and baby-changing facilities are available. Boarding, terrain and lido access can vary, so contact the operators if you need specific arrangements.

What's nearby

Just beyond Victoria Avenue is Midsummer Common. In the other direction are Quayside and the wider visitor area.