A 1949 dawn redwood by the Lake, one of Britain's first, stands near an early giant sequoia in central Cambridge. Ticketed.
Confirmed by a person against authoritative records, a partner source, or an on-the-ground check.
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Before you go
- Access
- Ticketed access
- Last checked
- 20 Jun 2026
- Access note
- Ticketed; open daily from 10am. Check current admission on the official site.
- Visitor information
- botanic.cam.ac.uk
Access can change with seasons, opening hours, and estate rules. Check the visit link before you set out. Seen a change?
Share an access updateField Access & Conditions
Canopy Weather Safety
High Winds Advisory
Avoid standing beneath mature conifer crowns during storms or high winds. Follow site closure notices and move to clear ground if canopy branches are moving heavily.
Bark Photography
Low-Angle Light
Low-angle morning and late-afternoon sunlight reveals rich fibrous bark texture and distinctive red coloration.
Estate Approach
EasyRoads Route Check
Estate roads often feature narrow single-track lanes and low overhanging boughs. Verify vehicle clearance before setting off.
In the Forest
Tree Radar for iPhone
Designed for use when cellular reception is weak or unavailable. Directional compass points directly toward recorded tree coordinates under dense canopy.
Redwood species here
Best in autumn: the dawn redwood is deciduous, and its foliage turns a foxy copper-red before falling — often the finest time to visit.
Photos
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Credit: temporalata / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Evidence
Field-checked
Confirmed by a person — against authoritative records, a partner, or an on-the-ground check.
Read how records are checked →- Sources
- 5
- Photos
- 1
- Species
- 2
About this place
Cambridge University Botanic Garden is the University of Cambridge's 40-acre botanic garden near the city centre. Both of its redwoods carry real history: the dawn redwood by the Lake was raised from seed sent from China in 1949 — the first of its kind to grow on British soil since the age of the dinosaurs — while four giant sequoias on the Main Walk date from 1855, grown from among the first seed of the species brought to England. Paid entry (free for University members).
Sources
- GBIFCorroborating sourcereference
- University of CambridgeCorroborating sourcereference
- WikidataCorroborating sourcereference
- WikidataCorroborating sourcereference
- WikipediaCorroborating sourcereference