Cities
United Kingdom Cambridge Cambridgeshire Park

Laundress Green

About

Laundress Green is a tranquil wedge of common land in the heart of Cambridge, just south of Silver Street beside the River Cam. Once a working space for the city’s washerwomen, it served as a drying ground for laundry from nearby colleges and homes, its name a reminder of this industrious past. In Victorian and Edwardian times, the green would be alive with lines of washing fluttering in the breeze, and carpets beaten clean in the spring sunshine. Today, it offers a peaceful escape where cattle graze alongside students, locals, and visitors. Popular for picnics, sunbathing, and watching novice punters navigate the river, it also forms part of the scenic route toward Grantchester’s meadows. Framed by the historic Mill pub and the footbridge to Coe Fen, Laundress Green blends Cambridge’s rural charm with its vibrant city life, preserving a sense of continuity between its working heritage and its role as a beloved leisure spot.

Cambridge United Kingdom
Laundress Green
Location

Laundress Green is a tranquil triangular green space set along the River Cam near the heart of Cambridge, just off Silver Street and adjacent to Granta Place. This peaceful patch of grass, once used for drying laundry by Cambridge college washerwomen, is now a scenic spot for picnicking, riverside relaxation, and watching punts glide by. The area is surrounded by Cambridge’s ancient willows and is home to grazing cattle in the summer months, creating a delightful balance between city and countryside. Nearby, visitors can enjoy Lammas Land and Sheep’s Green for more open parkland, stroll over Silver Street Bridge for views of the water, or visit The Mill and The Anchor pubs positioned on the riverbanks. A short walk east brings you to Queen’s College and its famous Mathematical Bridge, while the University Botanic Garden and The Backs are within easy reach, anchoring Laundress Green as a serene and central oasis close to many Cambridge highlights.

Fitzwilliam Museum Fitzwilliam Museum Museum Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Museum Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences Museum Whipple Museum of the History of Science Whipple Museum of the History of Science Museum Polar Museum Polar Museum Museum Museum of Zoology Museum of Zoology Museum Museum of Classical Archaeology Museum of Classical Archaeology Museum Kettle’s Yard Kettle’s Yard Museum Cambridge Museum of Technology Cambridge Museum of Technology Museum Cambridge Science Centre Cambridge Science Centre Museum Centre for Computing History Centre for Computing History Museum Museum of Cambridge Museum of Cambridge Museum David Parr House David Parr House Museum IWM Duxford IWM Duxford Museum Bottisham Airfield Museum Bottisham Airfield Museum Museum Cambridge Arts Theatre Cambridge Arts Theatre Theatre ADC Theatre ADC Theatre Theatre Mumford Theatre Mumford Theatre Theatre Corpus Playroom Corpus Playroom Theatre Robinson Theatre Robinson Theatre Theatre West Road Concert Hall West Road Concert Hall Theatre MODO Gallery MODO Gallery Gallery Cambridge Artworks & Artspace Cambridge Artworks & Artspace Gallery GALLERIE V GALLERIE V Gallery ArtSpace5-7 ArtSpace5-7 Gallery Castle Mound Castle Mound Historical Landmark The Backs The Backs Park Cambridge University Botanic Garden Cambridge University Botanic Garden Botanical Garden Jesus Green Jesus Green Park Midsummer Common Midsummer Common Park Parker’s Piece Parker’s Piece Park Christ’s Pieces Christ’s Pieces Park Mathematical Bridge Mathematical Bridge Bridge Anglesey Abbey Anglesey Abbey Historical Landmark Cambridge Market Square Cambridge Market Square Market All Saints Garden Art & Craft Market All Saints Garden Art & Craft Market Market The Corpus Clock The Corpus Clock Tourist attractions