Shopping in Cambridge

Shopping in Cambridge is great, with everything from department stores and designer shops, to small food stores and some of the country's best new and second-hand bookshops

Key areas

The best places to find independent shops are on and around Benet Street (known as the Art Quarter), Magdalene Street for high-end independent fashion boutiques, cobbled Green Street (connecting Sidney Street with Trinity Street) for independent shops, King's Parade featuring college-wear, fashion, arts and crafts, King Street, St John's Street, Sussex Street offering specialist stores and Trinity Street.

Markets

There's a giant open-air market from Monday to Saturday at Market Square in the bustling city centre featuring clothes, food, fruit, veg, books, clothes, sweets, crafts and more. There has been a market on the site for 700 years. St John's Street is home to an arts and craft market on Saturdays. All Saints Garden, opposite Trinity College, sells everything from fine jewellery, pottery and sculpture, to photography, paintings, prints and clothing. The Market is held on Saturdays all year round, plus Fridays in June, July and August.

Shopping centres

The Grand Arcade, on Corn Exchange Street, offers over 50 shops and restaurants, including well-know High Street brands and designer brands such as Hugo Boss and Ted Baker and is open daily. The nearby Lion Yard shopping centre with over 30 stores and The Grafton with over 60 stores are also popular.

Opening hours

Most stores are open weekdays from 9am until 530, with one evening late night opening until 8pm. Sunday openings tend to be between 11am and 5pm.

Souvenirs

College-related items, particulary scarves, t-shirts and tops emblazed with the word Cambridge or one of the college names, are popular. Art, antiques, jewellery, fashion, hand-made soaps, pottery and fudge are among the souvenirs bought in the city.