Frequently Asked Questions
How much gardening experience should I have before coming on a course?
The most important thing is to bring your enthusiasm for gardening! Many of our courses do not require any prior knowledge and we will take you step by step through the skills and techniques we’re teaching that day. If there is anything we think it would be helpful for you to know beforehand then we’ll make that clear in the individual course descriptions so do check those or feel free to contact us with any specific questions.
Do I need to bring any tools with me to courses and, if so, what do you recommend?
Most tools required will be provided but we do ask you to bring gardening gloves and a pair of secateurs to most practical courses. Please don’t feel that you have to buy anything new if you already have secateurs at home as these will be fine, but if you are looking to upgrade then we’d recommend Felco No 2 as an excellent all-round model that can be maintained easily and will last for years.
How fit and mobile do I need to be for the practical courses?
The practical garden-based courses do require a good degree of mobility as you will be working on uneven ground, walking across gravel surfaces and accessing buildings via staircases. However, the classroom-only courses are completely accessible to all.
Are refreshments provided?
This very much depends on the individual course so do check the details for each one. Generally, tea and coffee (and often cakes/biscuits too!) are available during the morning but packed lunches will be required for the practical outdoor-based courses. Our indoor venues have café facilities on site so lunch and other refreshments can be purchased there if desired, or you’re welcome to bring a packed lunch along.
Can I bring my pet dog with me as we’ll be working outside?
The terms of our agreement with our partner gardens are strictly no dogs on site so please don’t bring them with you or plan on leaving them in your car during sessions. The only exception is for medical assistance dogs and, if this applies, please can you let us know when booking so that we can make the necessary arrangements with the garden owners.
Is parking available at all sites?
There is enough parking for students at our partner gardens where the practical courses are held.
There isn’t parking for visitors at Lucy Cavendish but there are metered spaces on the surrounding roads and the Castle Hill car park is a very short walk away. There is also easy parking at Madingley Park and Ride with bus stops at Storey’s Way and on Bridge Street. You can enter the college via the pedestrian entrance on Madingley Road or by the main entrance and Porters’ Lodge around the corner on Lady Margaret Road.
I see there’s an EV charging point at the garden – can I charge my car during the session?
The use of EV charging points isn’t part of our agreement so please don’t connect to them whilst on-site.
What’s your cancellation policy
We have a notice period of two calendar weeks. If you know that you will be unable to attend a course as planned and it is more than two weeks away then you may rebook onto another course or we can offer you a credit note to spend on future courses. Alternatively, you may arrange for another person to take your place.
If you notify us within two weeks of the course date, or simply don’t turn up, then unfortunately rebooking or credit notes will not be possible.
In the unlikely event that Cambridge Gardening School needs to cancel a course then we will contact you as soon as possible using the contact details you gave at the time of booking. Under these circumstances we will offer you a full refund or give you the opportunity to book onto another course.
I can’t see the answer to my question here – how can I contact you?
As we’re often working outside the best way to contact us is by email at info@cambridgegardeningschool.com or use the ‘contact us’ form on this website. We always aim to reply really quickly!