Why is Cambridge popular?

The popularity of Cambridge is underpinned by its status as a global leader in technology and life sciences. The likes of AstraZeneca, Microsoft and Amazon continue to invest in the city and attract a talented pool of employees from far and wide. 

Whether buying or renting there’s an eclectic mix of property, from new build apartments through to substantial period homes, excellent schools and good transport links which is why Cambridge is at the top of the list for many, including those looking to move from London. 

According to the Department for Transport, some 55% of people living in Cambridge cycle more than once a week, the highest anywhere in the UK, while the city is also blessed with lots of open spaces – whether it’s the college grounds that lead down to the River Cam (known as ‘The Backs’), Jesus Green and its popular lido or Parker’s Piece, where the rudimentary rules of Association Football were first played. 

Education

Mention Cambridge and education and you automatically think of its university – currently ranked fifth in the world and responsible for some of the world’s brightest minds both past and present. The university’s sterling reputation continues to attract students from across the globe and provides a catalyst for investment and jobs, as well as a varied cultural scene.

Further down the educational pyramid and Cambridge’s primary and secondary schools are also second to none. King’s Hedges, Trumpington Park, Queen Emma, The Spinney and St Luke’s are highly rated state primary schools, while Chesterton Community College, Parkside Community College, Comberton Village College, Impington Village College, North Cambridge Academy and St Bede’s Inter-Church School are popular secondary schools.

Entertainment and culture

While you can’t talk about living in Cambridge without mentioning the university and education opportunities, there are plenty of other things to do. As you’d expect from a place of learning, the city has lots of excellent museums — the Fitzwilliam and the Museum of Zoology being two favourites. The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology has more than one million artefacts from around the world, while The Scott Polar Research Institute and Polar Museum tell the stories of the Scott and Shackleton expeditions. The Cambridge University Botanic Garden meanwhile is a 40-acre haven of peace and quiet, with more than 8,000 plant species from across the globe.

Cambridge’s arts scene is also thriving – perhaps unsurprising for a city whose university was once home to the likes of Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Derek Jacobi, Dame Vanessa Redgrave and Dame Emma Thompson. The Cambridge Arts Theatre boasts a packed programme of year-round productions, while the Corn Exchange is a must for live music and comedy. Taking place each summer at Cherry Hinton Hall park, Cambridge Folk Festival is one of the longest-running folk festivals in the world and includes a line-up of traditional and modern folk, as well blues, country and roots.

One of the city’s longest-running traditions is ‘The Bumps’, which brings the River Cam to life in boisterous fashion every June. Boats set out in single file and have to touch (or ‘bump’) the boat in front without being caught by those behind. More recently, the Mill Road Winter Fair has also become a firm favourite with the community. Taking place on the first Saturday in December, it attracts around 15,000 people every year and features stalls, entertainment and a parade.

Food and drink

Of course, Cambridge has all the national chain eateries you would expect from a thriving city, but explore a little further and you’ll discover a variety of gastronomical delights including Lebanese, Syrian, Korean, Spanish, Japanese and Indian. Restaurants include the Riverbar Steakhouse and Grill at the Varsity, riverside Italian restaurant La Mimosa at the corner of Jesus Green, Galicia inspired delights at Mercado Central on Green Street, the modern haute cuisine of Restaurant 22 on Chesterton Road and the Michelin-starred Midsummer House on Midsummer Common. If it’s a cosy pub with a claim to fame you’re after, then look no further than The Eagle in Bene’t Street, where scientists Francis Crick and James Watson announced their discovery of DNA in 1953.

Buying and renting a property in Cambridge

Like the cosmopolitan yet historic culture of the city, Cambridge has an eclectic mix of properties to suit most tastes – from modern apartments and period town houses to large family homes in popular suburbs. Homes in the £750,000 to £1.5m bracket remain in high demand and short supply. Some of the most in-demand areas include Chaucer Road, Cranmer Road, Barrow Road, De Freville Avenue and Gazeley Lane. The likes of Girton, Histon, Impington, Milton, Grantchester, Trumpington and Fulbourn are also popular. 

Average asking prices in Cambridge

According to Savills Research, using data from the Land Registry, the average price paid for an apartment now sits at £342,689, for a terraced property it’s £578,749, for a semi-detached it’s £648,714 and for a detached £1,176,782. However, homes in the most in-demand areas of the city can reach in excess of £2m. The popularity of living in Cambridge means that rental properties are often in short supply. Savills Research, using data from Zoopla, shows the average rental price paid for an apartment is currently £1,500pcm and £1,900pcm for a house.

Transport in Cambridge

Living in Cambridge means you are well connected to the rest of the UK. There are a number of train stations serving both the city centre and suburbs – with a new Cambridge South set to open at the end of 2025. The surrounding area is also well connected, with railway stations in neighbouring Great Shelford, Waterbeach, Meldreth and Huntingdon to name just a few. Regular services into London Liverpool Street and London Kings Cross ensure an easy commute into the capital, while Stansted and Luton airports are close by and the M11 and recently upgraded A14 and A11 allow good access by road.

APPROXIMATE TRAVEL TIMES

Cambridge - London

• By train: 1hr 10 minutes
• By car: 1hr 40 minutes

Cambridge - Luton Airport

• By train: 1hr 30 minutes
• By car: 1hr

Cambridge - Stansted Airport 

• By train: 35 minutes
• By car: 40 minutes

Cambridge - Hunstanton

• By train: 2 hours
• By car: 1 hour 45 minutes 

Properties available to buy or to rent

Further information

Contact Ed Meyer or Kristina Pascuzzi

Contact Savills Cambridge