Where to go shopping in Cambridge

Cambridge, located in the heart of England, is of course best known for its ancient university. The variety of historic colleges that make up Cambridge University has been shaping the city for hundreds of years, and they still bring a fresh influx of students from around the world every year to study at one of the most prestigious institutes of higher education in the entire world.

But Cambridge is more than just a university campus. This is a living, breathing city that is home to around 150,000 people, and the city centre has all the services and amenities that go along with that.

Including, of course, plenty of shops.

The shopping experience in Cambridge, like just about everything else here, is influenced by the presence of the university and the student population. So while you'll find plenty of shopping centres and famous retailers on the high street offering fast fashion brands as you will find in any UK city, you'll also find some more specialist shops that hint at Cambridge's status as a center of learning. Combine that with excellent food shops and markets, and you have everything you need to make a city that's fun to explore through its retail environments.

You'll have even more fun if you leave your things behind with Bounce. We can store anything you need looked after for any period of time, from a few hours to an entire day. Leave your belongings behind with any of our Cambridge storage locations while you explore the Cambridge city centre and the great shopping opportunities it offers.

All you need to know when shopping in Cambridge

Shopping in Cambridge can give you a combination of historic charm and elegance, along with a lively and youthful countercultural vibe, depending on where you go. Central Cambridge is fairly compact, so it's easy to get around the city and explore different areas that offer different shopping opportunities,

Shopping architecture

Cambridge’s shopping areas are a mix of historic streets, bustling markets, and contemporary malls like the Cambridge Retail Park and the Beehive Centre. Key locations include:

• Grand Arcade: A modern shopping center with a mix of luxury and high-street brands. This is a great place to go if you want to get everything done in one location, as you can find a little bit of everything you might need.
• The Arts Quarter: The Arts Quarter in Cambridge is a vibrant hub for creativity, showcasing a mix of independent boutiques, galleries, and artisan shops. It’s the perfect destination for those seeking unique gifts, handcrafted goods, or bespoke items. A highlight of the quarter is Green Street, a charming cobbled street lined with an eclectic mix of shops offering everything from vintage clothing to contemporary art. Don’t miss Primavera, a gallery featuring stunning jewelry, ceramics, and local artwork.
• Market Square: A vibrant open-air market in the heart of the city offering local crafts, fresh produce, and unique souvenirs. This historic market square is a great place to take the pulse of the city and soak up one of its liveliest shopping atmospheres while taking part in a tradition that goes back centuries.
• King’s Parade and Trinity Street: Home to independent boutiques and shops with a focus on books, antiques, and local goods. If you want something a little different from the usual high street or shopping center offerings, this is where you are most likely to find it.
• Mill Road: Mill Road, often referred to as Cambridge’s cultural melting pot, is a vibrant street brimming with independent shops, international eateries, and eclectic boutiques. Known for its bohemian vibe, it’s the go-to destination for those seeking unique finds and global flavors. Browse vintage clothing, quirky antiques, and second-hand books in its many independent stores, or sample cuisines from around the world at its diverse restaurants and cafes.

Opening hours and seasonality

Most shops in Cambridge operate from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, with shorter hours on Sundays (10:30 AM to 4:30 PM). The market operates every day until 4 PM, but if you're shopping for food, it's a good idea to get there in the morning so that you have your pick of the best produce. However, stalls selling clothing, bags, records, and other items stay open all day.

Shop like a local

• Bring reusable shopping bags, as UK stores charge for single-use bags, if they provide them at all. Of course, if you don't remember to bring a tote bag with you, you can always buy one from a local outlet, ideally one designed by a local designer.
• Cambridge’s compact city center makes it easy to explore shopping areas on foot or by bike. If the weather allows, a bike may be the best way to see the city, and Cambridge City Council offers electric bikes and scooters that you can pick up and drop off whenever you need them.
• Carry cash for local markets and independent vendors who may not accept cards. This is especially true at the market, and you may even be able to get a slightly better price if you're willing to pay cash.

Unique shops to visit in Cambridge

Cambridge is home to unique stores that reflect its academic and cultural heritage. Although it's a fairly small city, the high population of students creates a market for some of the more unusual and independent stores, and that makes Cambridge a great place to shop if you're in search of something a little bit different. Check out these shops to soak up some of the atmosphere of this refined place.

Heffers

You would expect a city that's famous for its learning to have some great bookshops, and indeed it does. One of the best of them is Heffers, a place that has been providing literature to Cambridge students for generations. A haven for book lovers, Heffers is a historic independent bookstore offering a wide selection of academic texts, fiction, and local interest books. They also sell music, gifts, and board games, so it's a great place to pick up gifts for people back home or something for yourself.

Address: 20 Trinity Street

Fitzbillies

Famous for its iconic Chelsea buns, Fitzbillies is a must-visit for food lovers. Pick up baked goods or dine in at this Cambridge institution, and enjoy a cup of tea as generations of residents have done before you.

Address: 51-52 Trumpington Street

The Cambridge Satchel Company

Known for its high-quality leather goods, this shop offers beautifully crafted satchels, backpacks, and accessories inspired by the city’s academic heritage. Develop your student-chic style with a unique bag from this popular store.

Address: 1 St Mary’s Passage

The University of Cambridge Shop

This official shop sells a range of university-branded merchandise, from apparel and accessories to stationery and books. If you're looking for the ever-popular Cambridge University hoodie, this is where you'll find it.

Address: 10 Trinity Street

Shopping in Cambridge beyond clothing

Cambridge offers more than fashion, with a variety of specialty shops and markets to explore:

Market Square

Located in the city center, this historic market offers a mix of local crafts, fresh produce, and vintage goods. The stalls rotate daily, ensuring a fresh experience each visit. You can pick up a little bit of everything here, and the lively atmosphere is a big part of the attraction of doing some shopping in this historic market.

Address: Market Hill (just off Market Street)

Cambridge Cheese Company

No prizes for guessing what you can buy here. A must-visit for food enthusiasts, this shop offers artisan cheeses, local charcuterie, and gourmet pantry staples. The UK actually has more varieties of cheese even than France, so don't miss this opportunity to explore the incredible diversity of the country's dairy products.

Address: 4 All Saints Passage

Primavera

An art gallery and shop featuring handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, and fine art by local and national artists.

Address: 10 King’s Parade

Traditional shopping options in Cambridge

For more conventional shopping experiences, Cambridge offers several malls and high-street options. Because sometimes, you just need a few T-shirts or a rain jacket so that you can enjoy your trip better.

Grand Arcade

A modern shopping center with over 60 stores, including high-end retailers like Apple, John Lewis, and The White Company. This is the place to go for recognized brands and one-stop shopping.

Address: St Andrew’s Street

Grafton Centre

A family-friendly mall offering a mix of popular brands, cafes, and a cinema. It's a good place for families to get some shopping done and also keep the kids entertained.

Address: 46 Grafton Centre

Lion Yard

A compact shopping center located near the market square, featuring a variety of shops and dining options.

Address: St Tibbs Row

Cambridge is a fairly small city, but its retail options are nevertheless quite extensive. Along with the usual high street brands, you can find some really fun stores selling unique items you can't get anywhere else, and supporting these local businesses is a great way to get better acquainted with the personality of the city.

Let Bounce worry about your belongings right when you get off the train at Cambridge Railway Station or after you've accumulated shopping bags in the city centre. We'll securely store everything while you head to the nearest shopping mall or independent retailer to continue the shopping spree. With your belongings safely looked after, you can spend more time shopping, dining, or going out and discovering what Cambridge is all about.