Discover a hidden gem
With its cobblestones, historic store fronts and quirky independent retailers, Green Street is a unique shopping destination that will surprise and delight all who visit
Known to some as the hidden street, Green Street is an unassuming shortcut between busy Trinity and Sidney streets, and is all too easily missed. It takes its name from Dr Oliver Grene of Caius College, on whose estate it was laid out in 1614.
Lacking the clean architectural sweep of Rose Crescent or the regal pomp of King’s Parade, it nevertheless has plenty of appeal for history buffs; the jiggle of mainly Victorian shopfronts conceals much older interiors. Number 10, for instance – home of Cambridge Gin Laboratory – remains as it was built circa 1700, behind a late 19th-century façade. It’s one of many intriguing listed properties that give Green Street the air of Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley.
Printers and publishers once had their establishments here among lodging houses and nonconformist chapels, a Reform Club, youth clubs, Sunday school and gun shop. A bakery belonging to Mr Christmas was at number 9, a post office at number 24, The Volunteer at number 8 and The Highland Piper at number 11.
Iconic spots
Iconic department store W Eaden Lilley & Co had premises here, too. You can still imagine the clatter of dray horses across the cobblestones today, with these ancient buildings now home to a diverse business community of mostly independent stores.
“There are so many indie shops here,” says Sarah Decent, owner of Modish shoe shop at number 3. “We’re a friendly and outgoing community, and will happily refer customers to one another. The joy of Green Street is that it’s in the city centre but tucked away. When the town is mobbed with tourists, it’s relatively quiet here. The rents are pretty good value too, which is why there are so many small independents and new businesses starting up here.”
Sarah has been running Modish for more than 13 years. “Rather than follow fashion trends, we curate things that look a bit different,” she notes. “Comfort is key, and this season, high heels are much lower; I think it’s because working women aren’t going into the office as much, and they’re wearing longer skirts or jeans with a wider leg that suits lower heels.”
Laird Hatters at number 4 is another specialist, offering a colourful assortment of handmade hats and caps. “As a street, it’s more like a village,” shares Faye Gilbert-Brown. “We’re off the main street, so people sometimes don’t know we’re here.
I like the fact that you can’t see one end from the other – it invites you to explore.”
Panamas are a popular Cambridge staple and flat caps are loved by all ages. “We worked with the producers to make the Bakerboy-style caps on Peaky Blinders Season 5, and also helped produce the pink Hunter hat worn by Margot Robbie in Barbie,” reveals Faye. “We also sell caps in linen, wool, cashmere and tweed – fedoras, top hats and bowlers, too. It’s fundamental to have something different from other Cambridge shops; it put us on the map.”
Award-winning places
Award-winning bespoke and ethical jeweller of the year, Harriet Kelsall’s studio has been at numbers 6-7 for 20 years. In 2023, it was voted best overall customer experience by Cambridge BID, with the company having many other national awards, too. “We’re a friendly, designer-led company where anyone can pop into our studio, shop and see our innovation, craftsmanship and ethical options,” shares Harriet. “We’re proud to turn people’s ideas into a dream piece of jewellery as an expression of their individuality.”
Cambridge Gin Laboratory at number 10 is worth a visit for its theatrical interior alone, complete with round-bottomed distillation flasks and support apparatus. Here, you can buy an enticing range of gins such as 10 Green Street and Breakfast Gin – which has flavour notes of marmalade and Lady Grey tea – or attend workshops that start at £35 per person.
Make It is an hour-long class exploring distillates and botanicals to create your very own gin, while Molecular is a two-hour cocktail-making class that uses the equipment and techniques of molecular gastronomy. Seasonal classes include a collaboration with the Cambridge Cheese Company and a session on making Brunch Cocktails.
“There’s an eclectic mix of shops on Green Street,” remarks workshop host David Hirst. “People come for different reasons – cafes, chocolate shops, TK Maxx or Bill’s – there’s a bit of everything, which gives Green Street its charm. It’s a hidden gem where you can escape daily life.”
Stir’s Green Street bakery is at number 12, aimed at the takeaway customer – although there are stools to perch on and window seats, too. “It’s a small bakery with a large menu of artisan bread and pastries, with award-winning specialty coffee, as well,” explains sales assistant Chelsea. “On Thursdays, we bake an olive sourdough and on Wednesdays and weekends, an ancient grain loaf, which was recently shortlisted for speciality bread of the year at the Baking Industry Awards.”
Start-up success
Cloud Nine at number 14 is an exciting new start-up founded by a core team of stylists who formerly worked at Directors, a Green Street salon that closed its doors last December. “Our former boss Michael Lovett has joined us too,” comments stylist Lucy Constable. “He trained all of us, so it’s nice to have him on board. The interior is like a luxury Scandi spa; we offer beauty treatments as well as hair services – lashes, brows, tinting and waxing, fillers, facials and skincare. It’s a one-stop shop where you can get everything done.”
At numbers 16-17, French-style crêperie Café au Chocolat offers a blend of speciality coffee, patisserie, authentic French crêpes, luxury French chocolates and afternoon tea with a Francophile twist. Founder Krystyna Szypryt is a linguist of Polish descent who – after studying languages at university – enjoyed a successful sales career and travelled the world.
“Having spent time in coffee shops, restaurants and airports far and wide, I tasted a range of flavours but never found anything that trumps French food,” she admits. “Our authentic French crêpes are made in the Brittany style, using buckwheat flour, with an array of sweet and savoury options, including gluten-free and vegan.”
Mercado Central at number 24 is inspired by Spain’s historic markets and restaurants, sourcing high-quality seasonal ingredients from Britain and southern Europe. “You can enjoy a casual lunch at the open kitchen or a special dinner in the upstairs dining rooms,” suggests owner Mark Hughes. “Our suppliers are small-scale specialists who ensure sustainable
and high-welfare produce.”
‘Knoopology’?
Knoops at number 28 is dedicated to the specialist art of ‘knoopology’ – pairing drinking chocolate with different flavour notes: spicy, herby, fruity or floral. “It’s similar to cocktail mixology,” claims sales assistant Damian. “Choose from a menu of dark, white or milk chocolate buttons, then add your own choice of flavourings – such as cardamom, chilli or ginger root, marshmallows or whipped cream. Darker chocolates, at 96% and 100% cacao mass, are higher in antioxidants, less sugar and have a more intense flavour.”
Finally, we pop into Oska at number 29 – a stylish German womenswear store offering sustainable, relaxed-fit clothing for discerning women. “Our vibrant colours for the autumn/winter collection have really drawn people in,” expresses store supervisor Louise Mitcham. “The clothes are designed for ladies who appreciate comfort, good design and quality tailoring. Oska makes small amounts of styles each season, so individuality is key too.”
O-shaped corduroy trousers, boiled wool jackets and Italian knitwear have been big hits so far. “Our use of minimalist design and natural fabrics – such as cotton, wool and hemp, as well as the development of our own colour dye house – makes our collections desirable and unique.”
