Cambridge lawn greets first footprints for 300 years

ITS immaculate green blades have been maintained for centuries and its “keep off the grass” signs even inspired a famous pop song.

But the pristine King’s College Chapel lawn in Cambridge will now be trodden on for the first time in 300 years, as the university plans to turn it into a wild flower meadow in a bid to tackle climate change.

Sloping down to the river Cam, it has become an iconic view for visitors since the 1700s and trampling on it was strictly forbidden.

So famous is the green that rock band Pink Floyd, some of whose members grew up in Cambridge, mentioned it in Brain Damage, from their classic 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon.

However, the “‘keep off the grass” signs will now be removed and there are plans to mow temporary paths so students can admire the “biodiversityrich ecosystem” that gardeners are hoping to cultivate.

Head gardener Steve Coghill said the meadow should bloom between May and July, sprouting harebells, buttercups, poppies and cornflowers.

He told The Daily Telegraph: “Here we are in the 21st century and King’s College is always known as being progressive. If you increase the range of insects, bugs and beasts available, then you’re going to get more interesting animals coming in from higher up the food chain. There’ll be bees, butterflies, moths and lots of flying insects, leading to birds and bats, then little vertebrates like voles and mice will be thoroughly enjoying it.

“It increases biodiversity and is great for wildlife, but also great to look at. It demonstrates that King’s is moving with the times.”