Shop Till You Drop – Accessible Cambridge

Disability access information for shops and major shopping areas in Cambridge and the surrounding area.

Scroll down the list of shops below.

Accessories & Jewellery

Baska Design

Address: 18 Magdalene Street
Tel: 01223 353 800
Opening Hours: 10.30am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, 10am-6pm Saturday
Good For: Original designer fashion accessories, jewellery, and clothing
Access: One small step to enter, double door can be opened on request. Fitting room fairly large

Dream

Address: 21 Market Square
Tel: 01223 321 114
Opening Hours: 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Original jewellery and expensive watches
Access: Sloping entrance, wide door. Small inside but not cramped. Loud music

Goldsmiths

Address: 17 Market Hill
Tel: 01223 353 889
Opening Hours: 9.15am-5.15pm Monday to Thursday, 9.15am-5pm Friday, 9.15am-5.515pm Saturday
Good For: Expensive quality jewellery and excellent personal service
Access: One small step at entrance, wide manual door. Lots of space inside

Palenque

Address: 29 Sidney Street
Tel: 01223 362 552
Opening Hours: 9.30am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Lovely original silver jewellery
Access: Ramped entrance from street. Spacious inside

Books & Stationery

Borders

Address: Between Market Street and Green Street. Entrances and tills on both sides
Tel: 01223 306 188
Opening Hours: 9am-10pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Any book you like. The biggest bookshop in Cambridge, and plenty of offers and recommendations. Accessible starbucks cafe on first floor, and occasional sofas to sit and read when choosing what to buy
Access: Street level entrance is on the Market Street side. There are two steps down from the Green Street entrance, and no ramp. Three steps in the middle of the store on the first two floors, with either a steep ramp or a small scissor lift. Escalators or large lift to all four floors. Accessible toilet on first floor near cafe

Cambridge University Press

Address: 1 Trinity Street, corner of Market Square
Tel: 01223 333 333
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Official CUP bookshop, so any CUP publication
Access: Level access from street. Heavy door. Upstairs not accessible, up flight of winding stairs with handrail. Tables and chairs provided for reading

Heffers

Address: 20 Trinity Street. There is another branch, selling slightly different stock, at 28b Grafton Centre
Tel: 01223 568 568
Opening Hours: 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Largest selection of academic books in Cambridge, and lots of general interest. Good for information on the local area. Most general interest books are on the ground floor
Access: Street level access through automatic doors. A variety of lifts have been installed, but it’s a bit complicated. One gives access to the basement, where most academic books reside. To get to the gallery (arty and philosophical mainly) you need to use the service lift, and to get down to the rear gallery and Cafe Nero’s there is yet another wheelchair lift. Accessible toilet in cafe

Oxfam

Address: 28 Sidney Street
Tel: 01223 313 373
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm Saturday, 11am-4pm Sunday
Good For: Mostly second hand books, but a great selection, some valuable first editions and well worth browsing. Also sells fair trade chocolate and other treats
Access: Narrow ramp from street. Rather cramped inside

Post Office

Address: 9-11 St. Andrew’s Street
Tel:
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday
Good For: Everything you need to do in a post office
Access: Ground floor entry through double doors. Queuing system is wide, but queues are always long, and there is nowhere to sit and wait. Counters are all low enough for wheelchairs

Ryman

Address: 53 Sidney Street
Tel: 01223 312 095
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 10.30am-4.30pm Sunday
Good For: General good quality stationery. 10 per cent student discount
Access: Ramped entrance from street, wide doors. Sufficient space inside

Paperchase

Address: 20 Market Hill
Tel: 01223 352 524
Opening Hours: 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Snazzy matching stationery and gifts, large selection of cards
Access: One small step at entrance, wide double doors. Plenty of space inside. Some shelves are quite high, but staff will help. Background music

Waterstones

Address: 22 Sidney Street
Tel: 01223 351 668
Opening Hours: 9am-8pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Books and book-related things. Some audio tapes
Access: Street level entrance. Spacious inside. On three floors. Smaller lift at front of store and larger lift at back. Accessible toilet in children’s department. Cafe accessible

WH Smith

Address: 14-15 Market Street
Tel:
Opening Hours: 9am-6pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am-6pm Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Books, stationery, DVDs, board games. Costa Coffee on first floor
Access: Street level entrance through wide automatic doors. Large lift with audio information but no tactile or Braille buttons. Accessible toilet, with baby change, in cafe. Cafe has high chairs available

Chemists

Boots

Address: 28 Petty Cury. Stores also in 41-42 Grafton Centre megastore on Newmarket Road
Tel: 01223 350 213. Grafton Centre: 01223 302 576. Megastore: 01223 356 305
Opening Hours: 9am-6pm Monday, 8.30am-6pm Tuesday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday. Open till 7pm Wednesday
Good For: Huge selection of products and dispensing chemist
Access: Level access through Petty Cury entrance. Spacious inside. Induction loops are supposedly in place, but when we visited they were not working and the main counters did not know they had them

Superdrug

Address: 59 Sidney Street
Tel: 01223 362 499
Opening Hours: 8.30am-6.30pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Basic, fairly cheap dispensing chemist. Also offers photo developing
Access: Level access from street through wide automatic doors

Children

Gap Kids

Address: 2 Market Hill
Tel: 01223 324 101
Opening Hours: 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Children’s clothes – all ages
Access: Sloping entrance through wide door. Large modern lift inside to first floor. Plenty of space inside. Fitting rooms are large. Good lighting. Loud music

Clothes & Shoes

Arthur Shepherd

Address: 32 Trinity Street
Tel:
Opening Hours: 9am-5.15pm Monday to Saturday
Good For: Posh gentlemen’s clothing and wax jackets
Access: Level access from street. No accessible changing area

Cult Clothing

Address: 6-7 Bridge Street
Tel: 01223 315 550
Opening Hours: 9.30am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 11.30am-4pm Sunday
Good For: Trendy clothes for men and women
Access: Level access from street, through wide open doors. Large store, but quite cramped with clothes rails and sometimes difficult to manoeuvre. Loud music plays all the time. Rather dark inside. No accessible changing room

Ede & Ravenscroft

Address: 72 Trumpington Street, corner of Silver Street
Tel: 01223 350 048
Opening Hours: 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday
Good For:
Access: Posh quality men’s clothing. Men’s shirts made to measure
Other: One small step. Rather narrow entrance

Figura

Address: Figura
Tel:
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday. 10.30am-4.30pm Sunday
Good For: Lingerie
Access: Flat entrance, spacious inside, one large cubicle

Gap

Address: 3-4 Market Hill
Tel: 01223 352 154
Opening Hours: 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Casual clothes and accessories for men and women
Access: Sloping entrance through wide door. All ground floor level. Plenty of space inside. Fitting rooms are large and have stools. Good lighting. Loud music. Induction loop at till

Giulio’s

Address: 20-32 King Street
Tel: 01223 316 100
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Huge selection of men’s clothes and shoes
Access: Street level access through wide manual double doors. Good lighting. Background music. Fitting rooms quite large, with a bench, although if your chair is big you might not be able to shut the door

H&M

Address: Grafton Centre
Tel: 01223 362 332
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, open late till 8pm Wednesday. 9am-6pm Saturday. 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Value high street fashion for all ages. Good selection for children (downstairs), pregnant women, and larger sizes
Access: Women’s clothes upstairs, all accessible via lift and plenty of space. Large, properly accessible changing cubicle. Good lighting

Jones

Address: 5 St. Andrew’s Street
Tel: 01223 300 952
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Good quality shoes, boots and handbags
Access: Street level access through wide door. Fairly spacious inside, as long as it’s not too busy. Helpful staff

Phoenix Footware

Address: 22a Magdalene Street
Tel: 01223 361 411
Opening Hours: 10.30am-5pm Tuesday to Friday, 10am-5.30pm Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday
Good For: Quality footwear and knowledgeable advice
Access: Level, wide access from street, plenty of room and seats inside

Reeves

Address: 62-4 King Street
Tel: 01223 322 301
Opening Hours: 9.30am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 12-4pm Sunday
Good For: Designer men’s clothes. Very friendly
Access: Street level entrance, wide door. Changing rooms rather small, but there is a back room you can ask to go into. If you want to try clothes on at home, arrange this with them in advance as they don’t usually take refunds

Revolution

Address: 23 King Street
Tel: 01223 328 288
Opening Hours: 10am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, 10am-6pm Saturday, 10am-4pm Sunday
Good For: Expensive trendy women’s clothes
Access: Street level entrance, wide door. Good lighting. Large changing rooms, but no seat inside

Unify

Address: 72 King Street
Tel:
Opening Hours: 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 11.30-4.30pm Sunday
Good For: Trendy women’s and men’s clothes and accessories
Access: Sloping entrance, wide manual door. Changing rooms down flight of winding, unmarked stairs with intermittent handrail. Very loud music

Department Stores

Debenhams

Address: Grafton Centre, towards the back
Tel:
Opening Hours: As Grafton Centre
Good For: Clothes, shoes, household furniture. Style cafe on first floor is accessible, and serves the usual breakfast, lunches, drinks and snacks
Access: Entrances on ground and first floors. Escalators, and good lift. Accessible toilet and baby changing on first floor. Most changing areas are large and spacious. Beware unexpected stands and displays in the middle of corridors. No induction loops

Marks and Spencer

Address: Two stores – food, men’s clothing, children’s clothing, household goods and a self-service cafe are in the store on Market Square, and women’s clothing, lingerie and underwear are in the store on Sidney Street. You can walk through the food store and appear on Sidney Street opposite the second store
Tel:
Opening Hours: Both stores open 9am-6.30pm Monday and Tuesday, 8.30am-7pm Wednesday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Good quality English food and clothes. Quite pricey
Access: Automatic entrance doors, and escalators or large lifts to all floors in both stores. Fairly wide tills. Cafe is spacious and light, with accessible toilets just behind. Baby change available in toilets. There is also an accessible toilet in the food court, on request. No induction loops. Signage is really large and clear. Staff are always happy to help
Other: There is a food-only Marks and Spencer in the Grafton Centre

Robert Sayle (part of John Lewis)

Address: 62-74 Burleigh Street. A new all-singing, all-dancing Robert Sayle will soon be located on St. Andrew’s Street, as part of the new development
Tel: 01223 361 292
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, open late till 7.30pm Wednesday. 9am-6pm Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Four floors of products, selling everything you could possibly want from a department store. Good range and advice from staff, although not the cheapest
Access: Lift to all floors, and all areas of the store accessible. Accessible toilet in basement. Accessible changing rooms in menswear, lingerie, women’s fashions, childrenswear and sports clothing departments. Portable induction loops available on request. Glass staircase can be disorientating for varifocals. Limited parking for disabled customers in basement, but you must call 01223 222 808 to book in advance

Addenbrooke’s Hospital Disablement Services Centre

Address: Box 120, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QQ
Tel: 01223 217 870
Website: www.addenbrookes.org.uk

Opening Hours:

Good For: Wheelchairs, limbs and other equipment, provided by NHS

Adjustamatic Beds

Address: 41 Eland Way, Cambridge, CB1 9XQ
Tel: 01223 410714 or 0800 037 0494
Website: www.adjustablebeds.com
Good For: Adjustable beds and recliner chairs
Other: Catalogue shopping and demonstrations possible

Anglia Mobility

Address: 52 Market Street, Ely, CB7 4LU
Tel: 01353 669 693
Opening Hours:
Good For: Wheelchairs, scooters, chairs, beds and other equipment. Some items available for hire

B and J Stevenson

Address: 19 Peverel Road, Cambridge, CB5 8RN
Tel/fax: 01223 241 901
Opening Hours:
Good For: Suppliers of sound systems and induction loops

Bartram Associates

Address: 2a Doddington Road, Chatteris, PE16 6UA
Tel: 01354 694 777
Website: www.bartrams.u-net.com
Opening Hours:
Good For: Wheelchairs, scooters and other equipment

Bee Mobile

Address: 8 Seymour Street
Cambridge, CB1 3DQ
Tel: 01223 246 425
Website: www.beemobile.co.uk
Opening Hours:
Good For: Wheelchairs, scooters, lifts and bath, furniture, shower and kitchen aids. Also offers wheelchair hire

British Red Cross Cambridgeshire

Address: Unit C, 511 Coldhams Lane, Cambridge, CB1 3JS
Tel: 01223 868 696
Opening Hours:
Good For: Short-term wheelchair loan in return for voluntary donations

Cambridge Mobility

Address: Unit 11, South Cambridge Business Park, Babraham Road, Sawston, Cambridge, CB22 4JH
Tel: 01223 830 084
Opening Hours:
Good For: Wheelchairs, scooters, stair lifts, kitchen aids, bathroom aids, furniture and walking frames. New, second-hand, and hire

Cambridgeshire Disabled Living Centre

Address: Lower Pendrill Court, Papworth Everard, Cambridge, CB3 8UY
Tel: 01480 830 495
Website: http://www.hunts-pct.nhs.uk/default.asp?id=303&query=disability%20living%20centre
Opening Hours:
Good For: Independent information, assessment and advice on equipment for disabled people, with a display of items that can be tried out

Draft Wheelchairs

Address: 5 and 6 Roman Way, Godmanchester, Huntingdon, PE29 2LN
Tel: 01480 451 247
Website: www.draftwheelchairs.com
Opening Hours:
Good For: Manufacturers and suppliers of everyday, sports and powered wheelchairs and scooters

Drake Mobility

Address: 58 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 1LA
Tel: 01223 311 111
Opening Hours:
Good For: Supplier of electric scooters, powerchairs, lightweight wheelchairs, riser-recliner chairs, stairlifts and beds

Help the Aged Online Shop

Tel: 020 7278 1114
Website: www.helptheaged.org.uk
Good For: Mobility aids and other products for people with disabilities

Integrated Community Equipment Service

Address: Camfields, Ditton Walk, Cambridge, CB5 8QD
Tel: 01223 726 222
Opening Hours:
Good For: The Social Services and NHS community equipment service

Possum AAC (formerly Cambridge Adaptive Communications)

Address: 8 Farmbrough Close, Stocklake Park Industrial Estate, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1DQ
Tel: 01296 461002
Website: www.possum.co.uk
Good For: Communication aids

Soundabout

Address: 135 Hereward Close, Impington, Cambridge, CB4 9YF
Tel: 01223 237 200
Fax: 01223 234 052
Opening Hours:
Good For: Company designing and installing loop and loudspeaker systems in area

Toby Churchill Ltd

Address: 20 Panton Street, Cambridge, CB2 1HP
Tel: 01223 576 117
Fax: 01223 576 118
Opening Hours:
Good For: Manufacturer of portable text-based communication equipment for people who cannot speak

Venue services

Address: PO Box 297, Cambridge, CB1 3WG
Tel: 01223 240 944
Good For: Company designing and installing loop and loudspeaker systems in area

Food and Drink

Arjuna

Address: 12 Mill Road
Tel: 01223 364 845
Opening Hours: 9am-12.30pm and 2.30pm-5pm Monday to Friday. 8.30am-12.30pm and 2.30pm-4.30pm Saturday
Good For: Organic vegetables, speciality breads, herbs and spices, herbal teas, dried fruit and nuts, and any sort of whole food. Great if on a special diet, as plenty of choice for gluten, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan diets
Access: Sloped entrance and wide door, flat inside, and plenty of space. Staff are very friendly and will fetch anything you like

Cambridge Cheese Company

Address: 4 All Saints Passage
Tel: 01223 328 672
Opening Hours: 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday
Good For: Great food. Huge range of fresh farmhouse cheeses from all over the world. Also lovely salamis and pates, tinned fish and caviar, what must be the largest selection of olives in the world, dried fruit and mushrooms, biscuits, and all sorts of luxury treats. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff
Access: Sloping entrance, quite small inside but everything is easy to see and the staff will get whatever you want. Feel free to ask for information about the cheeses and other products

Revital (previously Cambridge Health Food)

Address: 5 Bridge Street
Tel: 01223 350 433
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday
Good For: Health food products – rather pricey
Access: Level access from street through wide doors. Plenty of space inside. Good lighting

Cho-Mee

Address: 108 Mill Road, quite near the railway bridge
Tel: 01223 354 399
Opening Hours: 10am-7pm Monday to Friday, 9.30am-7pm Saturday, 10am-6pm Sunday
Good For: Huge range of Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Malaysian and other oriental foods. Fascinating, even if you’re not tempted to buy some of the strange-looking dried, tinned and fresh produce
Access: Street level entrance, wide doors. All accessible, although you have to go down the slope in front of the counter if you can’t manage the step down at the back of the store. Plenty of space. Baskets but no trolleys

Fitzbillies

Address: 51-52 Trumpington Street
Tel: 01223 352 500
Opening Hours: 9am-4pm Monday, 9am-5pm Tuesday to Friday, 9am-5.30pm Saturday, noon-5pm Sunday
Good For: Famous Cambridge bakery, established 1922 and selling all manner of sticky, gooey cakes, biscuits and buns. Their speciality is the sticky Chelsea bun, a must-try for any bun lover. They will also provide picnics and hampers for punting trips, and can mail-order via the website if you’re visiting but get addicted. Expensive, but worth it
Access: Street level entrance. Compact, but plenty of space for a chair

Holland and Barrett

Address: Lion Yard. There is also a store in the Grafton Centre
Tel: 01223 315 603
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm Sunday
Good For: Health food, vitamins, supplements, special diets
Access: All accessible

Hotel Chocolat

Address: 3 Petty Cury
Tel: 01223 308 045
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Wonderful, top quality chocolate, well presented
Access: Flat, wide, access, with plenty of space and good lighting

Sainsbury’s Central

Address: Sidney Street, corner of Green Street
Tel:
Opening Hours: 8am-10pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Smallish supermarket with deli area, tobacconist, and all the essentials. Avoid the 5.30pm hometime rush
Access: Tills are fairly wide themselves, but the queuing system is a nightmare when busy – queues run straight into the aisles where people are shopping and bustling to get through. No induction loops. Customer service is in front of tills – ask if you need help with your shopping or packing

Threshers

Address: 18 Market Hill
Tel: 01223 313 730
Opening Hours: 9am-10pm Monday to Thursday, 9am-10.30pm Friday and Saturday, 10am-10pm Sunday
Good For: Usual selection of alcoholic drinks – handy if you’re in the centre
Access: One small step and a slight bump at the entrance. Spacious inside, and staff will help take bottles off the shelf

Gifts, art and souvenirs

Arcadia

Address: 12 Bene’t Street
Tel: 01223 314 411
Opening Hours: 10am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 12.30pm-4.30pm Sunday
Good For: Gorgeous collection of modern, mostly handmade household objects. Lampshades, mirrors, clocks, cushions, cards and lots of original jewellery, none too outrageously expensive. Really friendly staff
Access: One small step, and great lighting inside

Art-D.co.uk.

Address: 20 Magdalene Street
Tel: 01223 355 340
Opening Hours:
Good For: Art deco china shop. Excellent selection and very friendly and knowledgeable owner
Access: Ramp down into shop from street level entrance. Spacious inside

Art Gecko

Address: 4 Rose Crescent
Tel: 01223 367 483
Opening Hours: 9.30am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, 9.30am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Original ethnic-style clothes and accessories
Access: : Three steps up, and although you might be able to borrow a ramp from Cellini’s, the door is round a corner and it might be tight for a chair. No handrail, either. Thinking of installing a bell. Plenty of space inside. Well-lit and very friendly

Artique Gallery

Address: 5 Rose Crescent
Tel: 01223 304 676
Opening Hours: 9.30am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Modern photographs and paintings, displayed in brightly lit gallery with friendly and knowledgeable staff. Whizz computer catalogue for browsing pictures not in the gallery but available for sale
Access: Three steps. Should be getting temporary ramp soon

Breeze

Address: 34 Trinity Street
Tel: 01223 354 403
Opening Hours: 9.30am-5.3opm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Interesting nick-nacks, cushions, candles, cards and ornaments. Good for original gifts
Access: One step. No ramp. You can buy online from www.breeze.uk.com

Broughton House Gallery

Address: 98 King Street
Tel: 01223 314 960
Opening Hours: 10.30am-5.30pm Wednesday to Saturday
Good For: Prints and original paintings, many from local artists. Very friendly
Access: One small step at entrance. Plenty of space, with seats for resting. Well lit and quiet

Cambridge Contemporary Art

Address: 6 Trinity Street
Tel: 01223 324 222
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday
Good For: Lovely art gallery, with sculptures also
Access: Level access from street, through wide doors. Well-lit

The Flower House

Address: 13 Magdalene Street, corner of Northampton road
Tel: 01223 364 500
Opening Hours: 8.30am-4.30pm Monday, 9.30am-5.30pm Tuesday to Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm Saturday
Good For: Lovely, if rather pricey, flower arrangements
Access: One step to enter, but all can be seen from outside, as the shop itself is very small and most arrangements are outside

Frederick Tranter

Address: 17 St John’s Street
Tel:
Opening Hours: 9.30am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday
Good For: Knowledgeable tobacco and cigar merchant, sells pipes and accessories too
Access: Level access from street. Plenty of room inside

Giles & Co

Address: 4 Trinity Street
Tel: 01223 366 841
Opening Hours: 9.30am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Typical Cambridge tourist souvenirs
Access: Up one step and rather cramped inside

Ian Stevens

Address: 28 Magdalene Street
Tel: 01223 361 163
Opening Hours: 10.30am-4.30pm Tuesday to Friday, 10.30am-6pm Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday
Good For: Quality leather products, many handmade
Access: Ground floor entrance, spacious inside

Lockbale Coins

Address: 23 Magdalene Street
Tel: 01223 361 16
Opening Hours: 9.30am-4.30pm Monday to Saturday. Sometimes closed for lunch. Best to phone in advance if you’re worried
Good For: Rare coins
Access: Two steps up, but owners are currently trying to get a ramp

Mandarin

Address: 91 King Street
Tel: 01223 308 800
Opening Hours: 10.30am-6pm Monday to Saturday
Good For: Oriental arts and gifts
Access: Street level entrance, wide door, plenty of space inside

Molton Brown

Address: 5 Rose Crescent
Tel: 01223 353 954
Opening Hours: 9.30am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm Sunday
Good For: Whole range of Molton Brown products – beautiful perfumes, lotions and creams
Access: Two steps up. Handrail currently being fitted. Temporary ramp available. Doorbell at entrance. Plenty of space. Very well lit. Very friendly staff
Other: You can also buy online at www.moltonbrown.co.uk

Neal’s Yard

Address: 1 Rose Crescent
Tel: 01223 321 074
Opening Hours: 9.30am-6pm daily. 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Essential oils, herbal remedies. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Therapy room in basement offering treatments
Access: Temporary ramp available for shop. Good lighting. Therapy room down a narrow flight of stairs, no lift

Wow

Address: 6 Rose Crescent
Tel: 01223 362 050
Opening Hours: 9.30am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-4pm Sunday
Good For: Designer household gadgets and fun, stylish gifts
Access: Two steps up. Ramp can be borrowed from Cellini’s

Pachamama

Address: 28 Green Street
Tel: 01223 367 768
Opening Hours: 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday
Good For: Ethnic clothes and accessories, original and handmade gifts
Access: Two large steps to main entrance, or smaller steps round the side which might just take a wheelchair. No bell yet, so send someone in to ask

Household

Cambs Lock and Safe

Address: 93 King Street
Tel: 01223 353 077
Opening Hours: 8.30am-5pm Monday to Friday
Good For: Anything to do with locks and security
Access: Street level entrance, wide doors

Lakeland

Address:52 Sidney Street
Tel: 01223 301 418
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Good quality kitchen equipment
Access: Flat entrance. All accessible inside with sloping ramps. Lift to first floor. Accessible toilet on request. Children’s play area

Sew Creative

Address: 97 King Street
Tel: 01223 350 691
Opening Hours: 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday
Good For: Sewing machines, cloth, wool, thread and all accessories
Access: Street level entrance, wide door, all accessible inside

Music

Borders

Address: Between Market Street and Green Street. Entrances and tills on both sides
Tel: 01223 306 188
Opening Hours: 9am-10pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Good selection of all types of music on first floor
Access: Street level entrance is on the Market Street side. There are two steps down from the Green Street entrance, and no ramp. Three steps in the middle of the store on the first two floors, with either a steep ramp or a small scissor lift. Escalators or large lift to all four floors. Accessible toilet on first floor near cafe.
Other: Accessible cafe and toilets next to music selection

Brian Jordan

Address: 10 Green Street
Tel: 01223 322 368
Opening Hours: 9.30am-6pm Monday to Saturday
Good For: Sheet music, books and scores. Very knowledgeable and friendly
Access: Very narrow door to enter, and high shelves are filled to bursting with scores and books. Staff are more than happy to help and find what you want

Fopp

Address: 37 Sidney Street
Tel: 01223.356 257
Opening Hours: 9.30am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-6pm Sunday
Good For: Cheap and fun music store, also sells books
Access: Up one step, marked with red and white stripes. Sign at window that staff will assist

Heffers Sound

Address: 19 Trinity Street
Tel: 01223 568 562
Opening Hours: 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Great selection of classical music and knowledgeable staff
Access: Level access from street. Quite small inside, but room for a wheelchair. Helpful and knowledgable staff

Opticians

D&A

Address: Lion Yard
Tel:
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday
Good For: Optician and designer eyeware. Friendly and helpful staff
Access: Street level access – just off Lion Yard centre itself. Wide doors. Spacious inside

David Clulon

Address: 59 Sidney Street
Tel: 01223 362 267
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, 9.30am-6pm Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Optician and designer eyeware. Friendly and helpful staff
Access: Level access through side door, near the B bar. Ask for assistance. Spacious inside

Optical Express

Address: 39-41 Petty Cury
Tel: 01223 454 270
Opening Hours: 8.45-5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Optician, NHS and private. Offers laser eye surgery, as well as general consulting, testing and eyeware. Private dentist’s surgery Monday to Saturday
Access: Level access from street. Access to downstairs surgery?? Induction loop

Photography

Campkins Camera Centre

Address: 11 Rose Crescent
Tel: 01223 364 223
Opening Hours: 8.45am-5.25pm Monday to Saturday
Good For: Cameras and photographic equipment, including next day developing. Other services eg VHS to DVD and Cinefilms. Knowledgeable and friendly staff
Access: Two steps up. Temporary ramp available. All accessible inside

Snappy Snaps

Address: Lion Yard
Tel: 01223 361 177
Opening Hours: 8.30am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm Sunday
Good For: Cheap prints and frames, special services, batteries, albums and fast developing
Access: Small ramp to entrance, and narrow door

Sport and outdoors

Open Air

Address: 11 Green Street
Tel: 01223 324 666
Opening Hours: 9.30am-5.30pm Monday, 9am-5.30pm Tuesday to Saturday
Good For: Outdoor, walking and climbing equipment, especially clothes, boots and bags. Friendly and knowledgeable staff
Access: One small step to main entrance. Can enter round back if necessary on request. All accessible inside, well lit, and staff are very helpful. No special accessible changing area

Rohan

Address: 37 Trinity Street
Tel: 01223 356 729
Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday, noon-5pm Sunday
Good For: Rohan outdoor clothing and accessories
Access: Ramped entrance. No special accessible changing area

Shopmobility service

General information: Shopmobility is a free service offered by the Council, providing electrically powered scooters, wheelchairs and manual wheelchairs to help people with restricted mobility. These can only be used within the city centre.
An escort service for wheelchair users and the visually impaired can also be provided. Escorts are available on weekdays between 10am and 4pm, for up to 2 hours.
All you need to provide for either service is positive identification of your name and address, and all you need to sign is a single form for insurance purposes.
Both services have to be booked in advance.
Tel: Park Street station: 01223 457 452. Grafton Centre station: 01223 461 858. Textphone: 01223 457 050
Website: www.cambridge.gov.uk/shopmo/shopmo.htm
Location: Shopmobility vehicles can be picked up from one of two centres. The Park Street station is on the ground floor of the Park Street Car Park, and is best for the old City centre.
The Grafton Centre station in on the 4th floor of the East Car Park, entered via East Road. This station gives easy access to the Grafton Centre, Fitzroy and Burleigh Street.
Alternatively, escorts from Park Street station can meet you at the bus station or at a designated bus stop.
Opening hours: Both centres are open Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm.
The Grafton Centre station is now also open Sundays 11am-5pm

Major Shopping Areas

All Saints Market

Where: All Saints Garden, Trinity Street
Opening Hours: Around 11am-dusk, on Saturdays throughout the year. Fridays and Saturdays in June, July and August, and Wednesday to Saturday in December
Good For: Interesting and original gifts, pictures, cards and accessories, from local artists, craftspeople and designers. Definitely worth a browse if you’re looking to pick up something special
Access: Accessible, but the surface is gravel and rather a struggle for chairs
Other: A coffee stall usually sets up inside the garden, and an ice-cream van just outside in summer

Bene’t Street

Where: One-way street leading down from Market Square/Corn Exchange to King’s Parade. Passes Free School Lane and Peas Hill
Good For: The Corn Exchange, Arts Theatre, and the fact that it’s short. Arcadia has beautiful and not too expensive gifts, cards and jewellery
Access: Pavements are narrow and bumpy, and the street itself, although one-way, is busy with cars and bicycles. Most shops here unfortunately have steps to the entrance, and no ramps, but hopefully that will be changing

Bridge Street

Where: Links Sidney Street and Trinity Street and leads to Magdalene Bridge
Good For: Not too many shops here. Best for refreshments, as there are plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants in the area
Access: Pavements are busy, narrow and uneven, with few crossing places and many badly parked bicycles. Road is in constant use, and parked cars are a problem too. Zebra crossing at junction with Trinity Street

Burleigh Street

Where: Continues on from Fitzroy Street, running the length of the Grafton Centre to East Road
Good For: Department store Robert Sayle, part of John Lewis, which is very access-friendly. Charity shops galore, as well a pawn shop, a paint-your-own-ceramics shop called ‘Glaze to Amaze’, and a couple of electrical stores
Access: Fully pedestrianised, with fairly smooth pavements. Generally not too cluttered with bicycles, but can get busy at weekends. Nearly all shops accessible

Burwash Manor Barns

Where: New Road, Barton, just outside Cambridge. Turn off at Junction 12 on M11, follow signs for Barton then Burwash Manor Barns. Free parking, generally not too busy
Good For: Organic butcher, farm shop and deli, with lots of foreign treats. Toys, children’s and babies’ clothing. Gifts, vintage furniture, cabinetmakers, textiles, Persian tribal rugs, outdoor clothing, wine merchant, garden furniture, jewellery, art and craft
Access: Paths are level, but mostly gravel. All shops have one or two steps. Some have ramps, and there are temporary ramps dotted around the site, so access to shops should usually be possible with assistance. Toilets in courtyard, wide enough for a wheelchair but not properly accessible. Baby change available
Other: : Most shops generally open 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday and 11am-4pm Sunday, and some longer. Wine cellar is closed Monday and Tuesday. Call in advance to check if you’re after something in particular. Telephone number is 01223 264 600. Tea rooms open 10am-4.30pm Monday to Friday, 10am-5pm Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday. Tea rooms are rather small inside, and no pushchairs or prams are allowed, but you can also sit outside. The wine cellar regularly offers wine tasting if you prefer something stronger

General Market and Farmers’ Market

Where: Market Square, centre of Cambridge
Good For: Anything and everything, from cigarette lighters to vintage clothing. Numerous grocers are dotted about, selling fresh fruit and vegetables. The best in my opinion for local produce and plants is RJ Harvey, opposite Marks and Spencer Tuesday to Saturday. The Bikeman is great for any cycle-related problems, and you can usually buy fresh bread, meat, fish, cheese, herbs and spices as well as cloth, clothing, shoes, household goods, sweets, and all sorts of gifts and knick-knacks. On Sundays, the farmer’s market sells fresh organic fruit and vegetables as well as meat and seafood
Access: All accessible, and plenty of room for manoeuvre, although the surfaces and pavements aren’t always the best –take care. Small bench area in the middle. The nearest toilets are in Lion Yard
Other: There is a nice coffee and juice stall on one side, a trailer for open-air coffees and bacon sarnies on the other, and a baked potato stand near the Guildhall. On Sundays you can buy cooked ostrich burgers. Plenty of cafes and restaurants in the centre. See also www.cambridgemarkets.co.uk

Grafton Centre

Where: End of Fitzroy Street. There are two short stay car parks, East and West, with over 1,100 parking spaces. Disabled parking bays on level 4 of the East car park, with easy access to the shopmobility office. Park and Ride service runs every ten minutes (see information in ‘Getting About’ section), dropping off at the back of the centre. If you are in the old centre, it is a nice ten-minute walk over Christ’s Pieces and up Fitzroy street
Good For: Large shopping arcade, located at the end of Fitzroy street and running the length of Burleigh street. Rather predictable chain shops, department stores, a new Marks and Spencers food outlet and a few interesting stalls dotted about, makes this altogether a very convenient shopping centre. Basically, anything conventional you want to buy, you can find it here or on the nearby Fitzroy and Burleigh streets. The Vue cinema (see ‘The Entertainer’ section) is actually inside the Grafton centre, next to the food court
Access: All flat and accessible, with smooth floors, automatic doors and large lifts. Shopmobility service offered, from the office on the first floor (opposite Debenhams). RADAR and other toilets near the cafe on the ground floor and in the food court
Other: Usually open 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, opening till 8pm Wednesdays. 9am-6pm Saturdays, and 11am-5pm Sundays and bank holidays. Often open longer in the run up to Christmas. Cafe Carrington, near the main entrance, is a self-service cafe with the usual selection of jacket potatoes, sandwiches, salads and snacks at standard prices. Large food court upstairs, with a quiet, pleasant self-service Cafe Select selling nice pastries and cakes, an Italian restaurant Mama Amalfi (see Restaurant section), and two fast food outlets. For more information, call 01223 316 201 or visit www.graftoncentreshopping.co.uk

Green Street

Where: Links Sidney Street with Trinity Street
Good For: Sainsbury’s, Borders, and a few expensive designer clothes shops. Most shops are up two or three steps, and not many seem to have made access provision for entrance or changing facilities. A bit of a frustrating shopping experience if you have mobility problems
Access: Cobbled, uneven street, with narrow and dangerous pavements. Slopes downwards towards gutter on either side of road. Usually blocked by refuse collectors and vans, and over-run by bicycles both moving and thoughtlessly tied up. Best avoided if you have mobility problems or are in a wheelchair

King Street

Where: Good alternative route from the old town centre to Fitzroy street and the Grafton centre. Offshoots onto Christ’s Pieces, and handy for Midsummer and Jesus commons. Careful at night, as there is very little street lighting and the street has a slight reputation for being dangerous. Some Pay&Display bays along street, but these are usually full up. Best to park in Park Street multi-storey or the Grafton Centre
Good For: A variety of independent shops, including some designer clothes outlets and various beauty salons and barbershops. Has a big Heffers Art and Crafts store, and a sewing machine and accessories shop
Access: One way street, usually lined with traffic. Pavements are rather uneven, and there are hardly any dropped kerbs. A-boards are a hazard, as are thoughtlessly parked bicycles. Careful in poor light conditions
Other: Clown’s and Cazimir (see separate entries in Coffee Time section) are great cafes. There are also frequent pubs (see Drinking Up), and a good, fast Yippee noodle bar

Lion Yard

Where: Right in the historic centre, just off Market Square, with entrance off Wheeler Street. Park in Lion Yard car park, accessed via Pembroke Street (head for the centre and follow signs). Disabled bays on second floor. There are three entrances, all accessible, from Petty Cury, St Andrews Street, or down the alley from Corn Exchange Street
Good For: Smallish shopping arcade in the old city centre, housing the library and a variety of chain stores, including Ann Summers, HMV, and Dixons. Due to be rebuilt later this year as the Grand Arcade. Handy as a walkway through to St. Andrew’s Street, and for the toilets. Also good for sexy underwear, sports wear, electrical goods and mobile phones
Access: Entrances all accessible. All smooth inside, flat or sloping, with a couple of simple benches without backrests or handrails. Nearly all shops are accessible and spacious. Newly refurbished toilets are opposite the library. There is a RADAR toilet and unisex baby changing, and also a wider cubicle and baby change in the women’s toilets
Other: Small coffee stand with tables inside. Plenty of choice outside – ‘Eat’ and Pret a Manger at the bottom of Petty Cury are the two I recommend

Magdalene Street

Where: Just over Magdalene bridge (pronounced ‘Maudlin’), linking Bridge Street with Castle Hill
Good For: Original, designer shops – clothes, accessories, art, flowers, books – well worth a browse
Access: Pavements are fairly smooth but narrow. Beware traffic, as although cars are restricted it can get busy. Crossing the junction up to Castle Hill is extremely dangerous, as the pelican crossing is 25m down the street from where you want to cross. Most shops have at least one small step at the entrance, and very few currently have ramps

Market Hill & Market Street

Where: Market Hill is the name for what everyone calls the Market Square. It has the council houses on one side, a fantastic market in the middle (see information on ‘General market and farmers’ market’), and various chain shops dotted around the square. Market Street leads down towards Sidney street, parallel to Petty Cury. Again, chain shops are the order of the day
Good For: Well, most things that chain shops sell – clothes, shoes, stationery, books, jewellery – although window shopping is one of the more popular options. Marks and Spencer on Market Square is also popular for the food court
Access: The paving isn’t great in either the square or the street, and there aren’t too many dropped kerbs either. Can get extremely busy, and be warned that bicycles and delivery vehicles come out of nowhere if you choose to walk on the road

Mill Road

Where: Off East Road, near Parker’s Piece. Not generally recognised as a major shopping area for tourists and window shoppers, since it is rather busy, dirty, noisy and dangerously narrow. Great fun, though, if you do decide to brave it
Good For: Chinese supermarkets and other oriental/health food shops, charity shops, and bicycles
Access: Pavement is uneven, narrow, and cluttered with A-boards and other obstacles. Rather dangerous if you can’t walk or see too well – take a companion if possible. There is a tendency of cyclists to use the pavement, as the road is perilous in the extreme. Bicycles are also left lying about haphazardly, as there are hardly any bicycle racks. Closest accessible toilets are on Parker’s Piece, so plan ahead

Petty Cury

Where: Just off Market Square, heading down towards St. Andrews Street. Filled mostly with chain shops. Big Issue sellers every few metres
Good For: High-street fashion, accessories and shoes
Access:
Other: : Pavement surface is fine and totally pedestrianised, although it does get busy at the weekend and bikes have a nasty habit of appearing (illegally) out of nowhere. Nearly all shops on Petty Cury are accessible, although Topman and the women’s section of River Island are on the first floor and have no lift

Rose Crescent

Where: Links Market Square to Trinity Street, along a crescent-shaped pedestrianised street
Good For: Various trendy independent shops, and great if you’re looking for an original souvenir or gift. Also the friendliest camera shop in town
Access: Paved surface is not too bad, and for once pedestrianised really does mean only for pedestrians. Most shops, including Peppercorns and Gardenia’s, have a couple of steps up to enter. A ramp is kept at Cellini’s, which the other shops borrow if they don’t have their own, so most places are accessible for chairs if a little bit of a hassle. Accessible toilet in McDonalds

Sidney Street

Where: One of the main shopping streets, linking all the other main shopping streets in the very centre, with the usual complement of high street chains
Good For: Pretty much anything and everything. If it’s not here, it’s somewhere nearby
Access: Pavements can be uneven, and although the road is supposedly pedestrianized during the day, taxis, buses and service vehicles still travel regularly down it. Bicycles operated by students on mobile phones weighed down with bags of shopping and looking somewhere back and to the left of the direction they are travelling in are also a particular hazard. Towards the Bridge Street end, the pavement becomes less and less even, and more and more littered with thoughtlessly parked bicycles. Most shops have ground floor or ramped access

Trinity Street

Where: Links King’s Parade with Bridge Street, passing Green Street and Rose Crescent
Good For: The posher of the high street chains. Also Heffer’s bookshop and Heffers music, a small post office, and All Saints Market, which is right opposite Trinity and St. John’s Colleges
Access: Like most of Cambridge, pavements are busy, bumpy and filled with bicycles. Pedestrianised area is not really pedestrianised, on account of all the taxis, buses and service vehicles, not to mention the bicycles