Cambridge Central Mosque

The Islamic Garden at the front of the mosque is open to everyone, and provides a quiet transition from the city to the prayer space, as well as a taste of Jannat al-Firdaws, the Paradise Gardens described in the Qur’an.

The central feature is an octagonal stone fountain, designed in collaboration with water specialist Andrew Ewing, since running water is a vital element in the Paradise Gardens. There are curved oak benches where visitors can sit and enjoy the sound and movement of the water, the colours and fragrances of the flowers, and the shade of the trees. 

Yew hedges enclose dense beds of naturalistic perennials and domes of Roses, giving the overall effect of a mosaic of colour, scent and texture within the strong geometry of a small chahar-bagh (4-fold garden) featuring Crab-apple trees

The gardens strike a harmonious balance between Islamic structure and relaxed English herbaceous and naturalistic planting. A concern for sustainability, biodiversity and insect-friendly planting has also been a constant theme in the selection of plants selected by designers Emma Clark and landscape architects Urquhart & Hunt.

There is also a Community Garden on Mill Road outside the Mosque boundary, open to the public all the time, which has been planted with fastigiate Birch trees as well as shrubs and flowers. Around the perimeter fence of the whole site is a mixture of evergreen and floral climbers including Schizophragma hydrangeoides, Clematis armandii and Pileostegia viburnoides – the latter being particularly attractive to pollinators and other insects. 

The gardens were designed by Urquhart and Hunt Landscape Design Studio in association with specialist Islamic Garden Designer Emma Clark.