Roam free - footpaths open!

Cambridge University Botanic Garden extends free opening hours during crisis.

In a positive gesture to help the community during the foot-and-mouth crisis, the University of Cambridge Botanic Garden has extended its free opening times on Wednesdays to 6.00pm.

Professor John Parker, Director of the Botanic Garden said, "We felt that during a time when restrictions are imposed nationwide we could offer two miles of footpaths for the public to enjoy. The Garden is normally free on Wednesday mornings, but by extending the uncharged hours to 6.00pm, it will allow members of the community to go for a walk after school or work."

A trip to the Botanic Garden will take you on a journey past 10,000 different plant species and give you a botanical flavour of every country in the world from the Arctic to the Tropics. Seasonal highlights in the garden at the moment include a spectacular display of blossom and flowering bulbs and exquisite Alpine and orchid flowers in the glass-houses.

The Garden is especially rewarding at this time not only because it is bursting into blossom but also because it is hosting two pairs of artists in residence as part of the Year of the Artist. The internationally recognised artists, Mary Butcher and Tim Johnson have been in residence throughout March and using basket-making, weaving and stitching techniques, have created living scuptures out of bamboo, twigs, grasses and fallen flowers, all of which can been found throughout the grounds. The second pair of artists, Anne Eggebert and Polly Gould will be exhibiting their work in May.

The Garden is open to the general public throughout the year. Each year it receives about 100,000 visitors, 38 per cent of whom live in Cambridge. This makes it the third most visited attraction in the city.

The extended free period will be reviewed in June.

For further details contact the Botanic Garden on 01223 336265.