When you visit the Cambridge Central Mosque on Mill Road in the Romsey area of Cambridge, England, you will experience the city's first purpose-built mosque, which opened to the public on April 24, 2019. Serving as a vibrant place of worship, community centre, and cultural hub for local Muslims, it offers a welcoming space for religious services, lectures, workshops, and cultural celebrations. As you approach, you walk through a formal garden featuring trees and a peaceful water feature.
Designed by Marks Barfield Architects—the firm behind the London Eye—alongside sacred architecture expert Professor Keith Critchlow and Islamic garden designer Emma Clark, the building's design blends English and Islamic religious architectural traditions. Look up to see an entrance canopy supported by four tree-shaped wooden columns, each topped with a skylight. Inside, you will admire a striking timber structure with glulam columns that resemble a forest canopy, symbolizing contemplation and paradise.
Natural light pours into the prayer hall through large glazed oculi. The mosque also features eco-friendly green technologies like air source heat pumps, photovoltaic arrays, rainwater harvesting, and natural ventilation systems, earning it prestigious honors such as RIBA East awards.
What to see at Cambridge Mosque
- Designed by Marks Barfield Architects, the firm behind the London Eye
- Glulam wooden columns creating a symbolic forest canopy
- Formal entrance garden with trees and a calming water feature
- Sustainable design with air source heat pumps and photovoltaic arrays
- Winner of multiple 2021 RIBA East architecture and design awards
Visiting tips
Take time to admire the formal garden and the four tree-shaped wooden columns supporting the entrance canopy before going inside.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Cambridge Mosque is easy to reach on Cambridge’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Fitzwilliam Museum and Harvard Art Museums. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Cambridge travel guide.
See the full Cambridge travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.