Cambridge is a great year-round destination with historical architecture, well-known colleges and universities, picturesque walks, and a unique local culture.
The Grand Arcade is one of Cambridge’s key places to shop. Well known for its premium fashion brands, here you can visit the Apple store to pick up the latest technology, stop by John Lewis for goods for the home, or filter through the huge selections at more purse-friendly stores such as Topshop, Hollister, and River Island.
Near the Grand Arcade, you’ll find a bustling market square where you can find unique gifts and souvenirs, while a stroll along the quaint cobbled side streets (Rose Crescent and Trinity Street, Magdalene Street, Bridge Street and King Street) will take you past sweet independent boutiques and chic cafes. Down Rose Crescent, you’ll find the famous Cambridge Satchel Company where you can pick from a huge collection of satchels in bright, beautiful colours.
For even more high-street stores, take a short walk across the picturesque Christ’s Pieces park to The Grafton Shopping Centre, where you’ll find New Look, Debenhams, Next, H&M, Quiz Clothing and The Perfume Shop, just to name a few!
The Cambridge Retail Park offers all the big retailers such as B&M, TK Maxx, and Sports Direct, as well as more shops for the home: furniture shops, gardening shops, and supermarkets.
The Travelodge on Newmarket Road is a stone’s throw away from both The Grafton Centre and the Retail Park, ideally situated for a perfect shopping experience and only 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of town.
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat after a day of shopping, there’s a huge choice of restaurants to suit everyone’s tastes, from Turkish cuisine to Spanish tapas. I recommend local favourite gastropub, Fitzbillies. You’ll also find a large selection of restaurants and bars down Mill Road, off Parker’s Piece green.
There are plenty of things to do in Cambridge other than shopping, such as visiting the many art galleries and museums. I really recommend you visit Fitzwilliam Museum. It is free admission and offers antiquities, applied arts, coined medals, paintings by British masters Constable, Hogarth, and Gainsborough, and much more!
A weekend in Cambridge isn’t complete without experiencing the Cambridge nightlife. With the wide range of bars and nightclubs, there’s something for everyone. If you love the party scene, head to The Fez. If you prefer something a bit more chilled out but still vibrant, La Raza is the perfect place for live music and a cocktail…or several.
The Corn Exchange and Arts Theatre are also great options if you love music events and theatre. There’s always something going on so it’s worth stopping by and seeing what’s on.
If you’re more into watching a film or bowling, visit Cambridge Leisure a five-minute bus ride from town centre and home to the Travelodge Cambridge Central. You’ll find a huge Cineworld complex; a bowling alley, karaoke, restaurants, and even an LA Fitness!
So whether you’re going for the culture and squeezing in some shopping, or travelling for the shopping but staying for the culture, Cambridge is a fantastic city to explore with plenty of things to do whatever the weather!
