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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.

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Featured Hotels

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Lensfield Hotel

A family-run hotel that offers personal service and a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, the classically decorated Lensfield is housed in a building dating back to around 1850, located in the heart of Cambridge. It offers a dining room and conservatory for breakfasts, a new boutique wellness spa and a small, intimate bar.

Doubletree by Hilton Cambridge

This luxury modern hotel enjoys a perfect location on the banks of the River Cam. It has air-conditioned rooms, a heated indoor pool and a fitness centre/health club including sauna, steam room and solarium. The excellent Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill overlooks the gardens and the river.

Regency House

This smart and sophisticated B&B is centrally located in a Victorian townhouse. There are 10 rooms split over four levels, all offering a flat screen TV, free Wi-Fi access and tea and coffee making facilities. The rooms have been decorated in light neutral colours and have beautiful oak furniture with most rooms having a park view.

Cambridge Belfry

This modern hotel is 11km (7 miles) west of Cambridge and is a reasonably priced out-of-city option, with 120 spacious bedrooms, plus tennis courts, an indoor pool and award-winning dining. Following a £150,000 refurb, it now has a new-look restaurant, bar and health club.

The Varsity

Famous for its spectacular roof terrace and the views from its light-flooded rooms, this unapologetically modern hotel occupies a riverside location in the heart of the city. Its partnership with the Elemis Spa ensures a luxurious experience for all guests.

Tudor Cottage

This cute little guesthouse has racked up the awards over the years, thanks to its warm service, luxurious rooms and scrumptious breakfasts. All rooms have Wi-Fi, TVs, deliciously comfortable beds and tea making facilities, but it's the welcoming owners that set this place apart.