Cambridge University Botanic Garden Garden Café — Restaurant in Cambridge

So I decided to do a separate review for the café within the Botanical Gardens. I'd rate the café as a one star and the Botanical Gardens itself as a five star. Here is my issue I had with the café, my family and I attended the Botanical Gardens on a rainy day, the café was pretty much empty, it was literally pouring down with rain outside the café. We came with a baby (still breast-fed) and a five year old child and some others. Because it was raining and cold outside, we asked the cafe manager (Monica) if we can eat our packed lunch inside, particularly since the cafe was pretty much empty. She said no, we must eat outside, even though we offered to buy food from them. She was extremely rude, told me not to take any pictures too. Honestly, I'd highly recommend people come to the Botanical Gardens, but if you do so, please be sure to bring your own food and eat somewhere else far from this badly managed café. Their food was also overpriced and looked pretty bland in my opinion, if I were the owner of this café, I'd really consider changing management. How the manager of the café couldn't use discretion and allow a new born baby and five year old to eat outside in the freezing cold rain is beyond me. I wish I could give zero stars to be honest. Oh and the tables inside were dirty too, probably why they said no pictures allowed. You guys at the café are really giving this absolutely beautiful botanical gardens an...

As you walk around the garden, marvel at the road noise, and picturesque views of the houses and industrial areas next to the path.

Question why you've spent so much money on a relatively small garden.

The gardens are one of countless reminders that Cambridge University is a greedy, cash-grabbing blight on the city as it attempts to transition into a real place catering to people that actually live here.

Given the lack of public parks/gardens (large, empty lawns connecting shopping centres aren't gardens :)), you would imagine that the gardens would at least be free for residents. Or even better - free as a public service, like with equivalent gardens in most other cities across the UK. But no. Not in Cambridge. Because the university owns it.

The greenhouse is amazing - totally worth a visit! The succulents and tropical plants are stunning. Definitely worth the money. Pay for tickets if you plan to visit it. Otherwise, visit a free museum and save the garden visit for...

I see a lot of the positive reviews here seem to be more in favour of the gardens, rather than the actual cafe, and would like to offer further clarification.

We had a fantastic time round the gardens and were looking forward to a stop-off for some drinks and cake.

We had a number of cakes, each one of them of appalling quality and severely overpriced. They were dense, dry and stale, especially the brownie which was borderline inedible.

My mocha was overly sweet and not well mixed. Overall not a good coffee.

This is a real shame, as it is clear the managers of this cafe are taking for granted the footfall of those visiting the gardens, and are in no way putting any effort into delivering worthy food, drinks or service, especially for the prices they are commanding.

I offer caution and recommend bringing your own picnic when visiting the botanical gardens. It really is a lovely setting and a fun day out for the kids. It is a shame that the cafe...