Jesus Green, Cambridge

Named as Jesus Green as it is right by Jesus College, not because Jesus came to visit as far as I am aware, this is just another of the many large green areas in Cambridge. Previously connected to Midsummer Common, the greens were separated when Victoria Avenue was built – a road now much used to gain access to the city’s centre, complete with speed camera.

Jesus Green is probably one of the smaller green areas in the city, although that’s not to say it doesn’t have a lot going on. A skate park is located here, although I seem to have a feeling plans are in place to demolish it due to the kind of clientele it was giving the area. There is also a children’s play park.

Although I have never used it myself, Jesus Green does have a ‘lido’, one of the few remaining in the country since then were built in the 1920’s. At 100 yards in length, it is still regarded as one of the longest outdoor swimming pools in Europe. Unfortunately with the weather in our country I do wonder how much business it must be receiving.

I would say the most popular activity for Jesus Green, besides sitting around on a nice day, must be the annual May Beer Festival. Filling the area for a week with stumbling drunken men… although I suppose that isn’t any different to the centre of the city, except these are more middle aged.

There is access to the green from Victoria Avenue and Park Street. You also have a bridge from the green to Chesterton Road, which allows you to walk over Jesus Lock. Arundel Hotel on Chesterton Road looks out on to the green, which must be a nice view. Unfortunately with the Job Centre being just down the road and the green being popular for the homeless at nights, it ruins the view a little bit. There is parking along Chesterton Road for the green, as well as a multi-storey car park on Park Street.

Not that exciting, but pretty at the right time of year.