The Institution of a Botanic Garden had long been a desideratum at Cambridge. “So long ago as 1696 the ground for a Physic Garden had been measured, and the plan drawn,” but through some unknown impediment the scheme failed. Professor Bradley made large but hollow promises on the subject in 1724, with the mere view (it should seem) of obtaining the Botanical Chair; he publicly repeated them in his lectures in 1729; but nothing was done. In 1731 there appeared more hope; for many conferences were held between the Vice-Chancellor Professor John Martyn and Mr. Phillip Miller, of the Chelsea Garden, respecting the estate of a Mr. Brownell, of Willingham, which was once intended to be devoted to the establishment of a Botanic Garden at Cambridge; but this estate was diverted into another channel. At length the plan was happily effected through the liberality of Dr. Walker, the Vice-Master of Trinity College, who gave an estate to trustees for that purpose. The ground selected was the site of the Monastery of the Austin Friars, in the parish of St. Edward's, and was purchased by Dr. Walker for £1600 in 1761.”

The site of the present Botanic Garden together with five or six tenements in Freeschool lane, amounting in all to above five acres, were made over to the University by an Indenture which exists in the Registrary's office and is dated 24th Aug. 1762.