There are three Victoria Parks within twenty minutes of each other, which makes giving directions a small adventure. Kitchener has the big one with the lake. Hespeler has one with ball diamonds and a splash pad. This guide is about the third: the Victoria Park in West Galt, off Wentworth Avenue, a few streets from downtown Cambridge.
It's ten minutes from our house, and it's where I photographed my own husband and son one summer evening. We were only out for a walk. Then the sun dropped into the trees at the edge of the park, the light came through the leaves low and gold, and I made them stop.
Here's everything I'd tell you before a session there.
At a glance
| Address | Wentworth Avenue, West Galt, Cambridge (around 99 Wentworth Ave, near Salisbury Ave) |
| Not to be confused with | Victoria Park in Hespeler (Fisher Mills Rd) or Victoria Park in Kitchener |
| Parking | On site, plus street parking on the surrounding streets |
| Entry | Free |
| Permit | None needed for a small family session |
| Dogs | Allowed |
| Stroller access | Easy on the lawns and paths; the woodland edge is rougher |
| Busiest | Summer weekends when the cricket club has a match, and evenings on the tennis courts |
| Best for | Backlit evening portraits, toddlers who like a playground break, dad-and-baby frames |
Checked October 2026.
Why it photographs so well
Most city parks are either open lawn or woods. Victoria Park in Galt is both, side by side.
On one side, the open ground of the cricket pitch and the lawns around it. On the other, a piece of real forest, right in the middle of an old neighbourhood. That edge where the grass meets the trees is the whole reason I love it. In the last hour of the day the sun goes behind the treeline, and instead of hitting you in the face it comes through the leaves from behind. Hair glows. The edges of faces glow. Everything behind you falls into soft green.
It's my favourite kind of light for small children, because nobody has to squint.
Where to stand
At the edge of the woods, facing out. The best spot in the park. You stand just inside the shade of the trees, I stand out on the grass, and the low sun comes through the leaves behind you. This is where the photographs of my husband lifting our son happened.
On the open lawn, before the sun gets low. Earlier in the session, while the light is still a little high, I use the big lawn for wider family frames and for letting toddlers run. Facing away from the sun keeps everyone's eyes open.
A few steps into the trees. For close portraits and cuddles, the dappled light just inside the woods is lovely. I don't go deep inside, where it can get patchy and dark. A few metres in is enough.
Near the playground, between shots. The playground isn't where I photograph, but it's a gift for a toddler session. Five minutes on the swings resets a small child's mood better than any trick I have.
When to come
Time of day: the last hour before sunset. That's when the sun drops behind the trees and the backlight starts. Earlier than that, the lawn is in full sun.
Season: June to early October, when the trees are full. In high summer the tree cover keeps you out of harsh sun even on a hot evening. In early fall the leaves at the edge start to turn, which is a bonus.
Day of the week: weekdays. The Cambridge Cricket Club plays here, and on a summer weekend there may be a match on the pitch. The tennis club next door gets busy on fine evenings too. Neither is a problem for the woodland edge, but I check before picking a date.
My golden hour guide has sunset times for every month.
What to wear here
The backdrop is deep green, so warm, soft colours stand out beautifully against it: cream, oat, sand, soft rust, dusty blue and warm white. Linen and cotton catch the backlight and glow at the edges.
I'd avoid head-to-toe green (you'll disappear into the trees), bright white, neon, and anything with big logos. My what-to-wear guide has full palettes.
The honest drawback
It's a well-used neighbourhood park with a cricket club and a tennis club on site. On a summer evening there will be dog walkers, joggers, families at the playground and, sometimes, a match. You won't have it to yourself.
In practice that's rarely a problem. People pass and move on, and we wait a minute. The woodland edge is quieter than the middle of the park. If you'd like somewhere with a bit more room, Dickson Park is a few minutes away.
Other spots nearby
- Dickson Park, Galt, for wide, flat lawns that are perfect for babies learning to walk. My Dickson Park guide.
- The Grand River in downtown Galt, a short walk away, for stone, water and old buildings.
All of them are in my full list of family photo locations, and more about photographing in the city is on my Cambridge page.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Victoria Park in Cambridge? There are two. This one is in West Galt on Wentworth Avenue, near Salisbury Avenue and close to downtown Cambridge. The other Victoria Park is in Hespeler, on Fisher Mills Road.
Do you need a permit for photos at Victoria Park in Cambridge? Not for a small family or couples session, as far as I've found. City permits are aimed at filming and events that affect traffic, parking or public space, and I check before each session.
Is there parking at Victoria Park in Galt? Yes, there's parking at the park and on the surrounding streets.
What's the best time for photos at Victoria Park, Cambridge? The last hour before sunset, from June to early October, when the sun comes through the trees at the edge of the park.
