Jesus Green: Cambridge's riverside park and historic lido
A short walk from Quayside along the river, Jesus Green is a broad city park with tree-lined avenues, open lawns and one of the longest outdoor pools in the country.
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 91 metres long and ranges from roughly 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 a punting station at Jesus Green and leads into the main park paths. Jesus Lock lies along the same stretch of river.
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.
Plan your visit
Public toilets are listed by Cambridge City Council as open 8am to 8pm from 1 April to 31 October, and 8am to 6pm from 1 November to 31 March. Lido sessions and admission change through the year.
Information checked October 2026. Always confirm on the Cambridge City Council website before you travel.
Frequently asked
Yes. Jesus Green Lido is an outdoor pool about 91 metres long, first opened in 1923. Check the operator's current session times and admission before visiting.
There are public toilets and a refreshments kiosk in the park. Opening hours for the toilets are shown in the planning panel above and can change.
Picnics on the lawns are common, and the park has a barbecue area. Follow any signs and council rules, and take litter home or use the bins.
Back to the riverside
See how to reach Quayside and what else is close by.