Our gardens

We have several communal gardens and courtyard spaces at Cambridge Riverside, which are here for all of us to enjoy. Find out about each area, how they're maintained and how you can make use of them.

The gardens are maintained by Greenfingers Landscaping, under a contract managed by our property manager, Encore. Greenfingers typically work in our gardens on Wednesdays—mowing lawns, trimming hedges and performing other maintenance activities.

We also have a residents’ sub-group, which regularly meets with Greenfingers and Encore to monitor the state of the gardens and keep them in good condition for the benefit of all residents. Regular updates on activities are provided at CRRA meetings and in newsletters. If you are interested in helping in the gardens, or who have any observations, requests or queries about the gardens or plants, contact Alice Doherty, current chairperson of this group, via the ‘Get in touch’ form. Our gardeners are very cooperative, but do not like to take instructions from individual residents, so please don't be offended if they respond with “Speak to Alice”! The Gardens Sub-Group will prioritise any requests and tasks for them.

The communal spaces are here for all of us to enjoy small get-togethers with friends and family, or just to relax and have some quiet time. The Residents' Association uses these areas for social events, and you're welcome to do the same. If you’re planning a small gathering, that's great! Just remember to keep it low-key and avoid large, noisy parties. If you’re organising a social event, please follow these guidelines to ensure everything runs smoothly. And as always, let's be considerate of our neighbours by keeping the noise down and wrapping things up by the allotted time. Thanks, and enjoy the gardens!

Midsummer Lawn

This is our very own amphitheatre! Located between Darwin House and Marlowe House, Midsummer Lawn is a terraced lawn with steps that double up as seating, surrounding the 'Playful Seating' sculpture. It's the perfect place to gather for a chat, and has also hosted theatrical performances!

Infinity Courtyard and Garden

A secluded area, Infinity Courtyard has hornbeam hedges surrounding the ground level private terraces, and a raised communal garden with a central lawn surrounded by structural planting, including beech hedges and pleached limes. It's home to our regular boules matches and 'bring-and share' lunches in the summer.

Darwin Garden

By contrast, Darwin Garden is a shady hideaway, tucked behind Darwin House. A sloping lawn is surrounded by woodland planting, with trees and shrubs underplanted with shade-tolerant herbaceous perennials. It offers wonderful views of the sunset over Midsummer Common, and is even enjoyed by the local wildlife!

Kingsley Walk and other walkways

Throughout the site you will find raised beds planted with a variety of trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs. We aim to create an attractive environment year-round, while being as sustainable as possible by using pollinator-friendly and drought-tolerant planting.

Midsummer Common

Midsummer Common, managed by Cambridge City Council, lies along the River Cam, with houseboats on the south bank and college boathouses on the north. From April to October, a herd of Red Poll cattle graze the common, which also hosts Midsummer Fair, Strawberry Fair and the annual fireworks night. The Friends of Midsummer Common group supports its management and responsible use, including the nearby community orchard.