Quirky
Hidden Cambridge
We can be proud of a vast number of independent shops in Cambridge. Since the pandemic, the high street has changed. Big players have ceased trading giving independent shops the opportunity for exciting new beginnings.
Many independent shops you might not spot straight away. They’re often slightly off the beaten track, in small alleyways away from Kings Parade and in the area of Mill Road or further afield. Cambridge is expanding at a rapid pace and excellent indies are now opening up in these areas too.
Real Experiences
As an experienced traveller, I am always looking for real experiences, which are definitely not mainstream. I like to mingle with locals and go off the beaten track, even in the city centres. So on this website, you only will find independent businesses, also known as indies. Some of them are very successful and might have more than 1 business, but they still have the independent feel and quality.
Indie Cambridge
One of these unique business, who embraces the same philosophy is Indie Cambridge. Their Founders, Steve Linford and Anne Beamish were as long-term residents and avid independent supporters shocked that in 2010, a think tank voted Cambridge ‘number one clone town in England’. They weren’t the only one. So was I! In 2012 I started the Cambridge Food Tour and Steve and Anne Indie Cambridge celebrating the diversity and individuality unique to the local independent scene.
Their members include cafes, restaurants, shops, galleries, culture and leisure, and professional and business services and anything to do with homes and gardens. Pop over to their website for the full listing if you are looking for a trusted independent business.
Check out my favourite indies
Wondering where I like to shop? I prefer to hop on my Dutch bike, stopping off at my favourite shops and the market. Cambridge is incredibly bike-friendly, and most of the time, you can park your bike in front of the shop. Don’t have a bike? Cambridge city centre is relatively compact. It takes you approximately 20 minutes to walk from Kings parade to Mill Road. There are ample parking garages if you come from further afield.