Hi all, long story short I met a girl at a pub the other week and she lives in Kingsway flats, she’s asked me to move in and I’m moving there tomorrow when I can borrow a van off me mate.

Does anyone here live in the flats? or know anyone? it’d be good to meet some locals etc for some drinking etc

We're thinking of moving out of Cambridge to save money and get away from all the traffic, and someone has recommended St Ives. Apparently it's getting more like Cambridge, with places like the Cambridge Oven and Limoncello opening up, Sushi & Salad (from Stamford), and also good coffee shops selling Hot Numbers & Brew Project etc.

Looks like I can get to work in Science Park in 20 minutes, which is quicker than how long it takes me from Shelford!

Any thoughts? Looks like we can slice our mortgage in half which would be a huge bonus

Update on Chisholm 2

For those unaware: This is the continuation of the cycle path that currently runs from Cambridge North over the river (nice new bridge yay) through Coldham's Common up to the Cromwell Rd/Coldham's Lane junction. This new path is due to run from that junction to Cambridge Station and has been talked about since before 2015. There's been little movement ever since.

1. At the GCP Assembly meeting 16/10/26, the following was mentioned about Chisholm Phase 2 after questions from Cllr Bob Illingworth:

"We are making progress on the Chisholm Trail. We are working very closely with NR to achieve that progress. Recently for example we carried out a number of surveys we really needed to get done with Network Rail land to complete the design. However, we have not yet got that kind of overall yes it's fine from Network Rail despite the many conversations. We are continuing to push for it and hopefully we can provide an update at the next meeting."

"It's important to say there are a number of different agreements we require. Some are related to land, some are related to design etc. Different agreements are moving forward at different timeschales.I think it would be probably important to give kind of an offline note to explain where we are with the different agreements (...) because they are different stage (...).

If this doesn't inspire much confidence, it didn't either for me. So the last couple of months I've been in touch with MP Daniel Zeichner's team to apply pressure on NR through Whitehall.

1. MP Daniel Zeichner got in touch with DoT, NR and GA

Reseponse from Zeichner's team after liaising with the parties involved:

Following your initial correspondence, Daniel made enquiries with both the Department for Transport and Network Rail. I am writing to share the responses received.

Lord Hendy, Minister of State for Rail, confirmed the Government's support for active travel schemes. He noted that discussions between local partners and the rail industry have continued following the agreement in principle reported by the Greater Cambridge Partnership. However, final agreements remain subject to the technical, commercial and legal processes necessary to ensure railway safety and operational viability. Lord Hendy also confirmed that he has written to Network Rail's Chief Executive to encourage progress towards a conclusion.

Jamie Burles, Managing Director of GBR Anglia, explained that the scheme is being funded and delivered by the Greater Cambridge Partnership, with Network Rail providing asset protection services and ensuring that railway safety requirements are met before any land can be released. He confirmed that a Basic Asset Protection Agreement was entered into in July 2025 and that work on surveys, route requirements and design development is continuing. As the project remains at the design stage, Network Rail is not yet able to provide a target construction start date.

The responses therefore appear broadly consistent with the update you shared from the Greater Cambridge Partnership meeting, namely that work is continuing on a number of technical, design and land-related agreements, but that key approvals have not yet been finalised.

I appreciate this may be a frustrating update given the length of time the project has been under discussion. Nevertheless, Daniel was encouraged to hear that the Minister has raised the matter directly with Network Rail's Chief Executive and that discussions between the parties are continuing.

My personal conclusion is that Network Rail is moving agonizingly slow. Hopefully the pressure from Lord Hendy on the NR executive will get things moving. The GCP has played a role in this too by letting things lapse for over 6 months in the past without a 'hey, come on now' after a couple of weeks.

Continued political pressure will be critical to get this over the line, so I will bring this up at every GCP meeting or ask Cllrs to do so - and hope you all will join me in this effort.

Hi, I’m starting a new role with Cambridge University Hospitals (Addenbrooke’s Hospital) soon and am looking for accommodation for one person.

I’m considering either the on-site staff accommodation or renting somewhere nearby. I don’t drive, so I’d ideally like somewhere with convenient access to the hospital, whether by walking or bus.

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has lived in the on-site accommodation. What was your experience like in terms of room quality, cleanliness, facilities, cost and overall living environment? Would you recommend it, or would it be better to rent privately nearby?

Any recommendations for affordable studios or single accommodation close to the hospital would also be greatly appreciated!

So using our good old AI, Ive sat having the most enjoyable evening listening to the music in the Panton.

However, I have got fed up checking ten different websites and Instagram pages to find out which pubs had live music, a quiz or a deal on, so I made a free map of Cambridge pubs and venues:

**https://smiffscambridgecompass.github.io\*\*

What it does:

- **What's on**: gigs, pub quizzes, club nights and food and drink deals for tonight and the next two weeks
- **Open now / Near me**: what's open right now and how long it takes to walk there
- **Filters**: beer garden, real fire, sports on TV, dog friendly, step-free access
- **Pub crawl planner**: pick a few pubs, it sorts the best walking order and opens the route in Google Maps
- **Map**: tap any pin for what's on and opening times, with 5/10/15-minute walking rings

It covers 85 pubs, bars and venues across the city centre, Mill Road, Chesterton and further out. Listings come from venue websites, CAMRA, Songkick and the like, and get refreshed every Monday and Thursday.

It's free, with no ads and no sign-up. It works on your phone, and you can add it to your home screen like an app.

It won't be perfect, so if you spot something wrong or your local's missing, there's an "Email Smiff" link at the bottom of the page. Coming soon: which beer gardens are actually in the sun right now.

Good evening! I just moved to the area and really really want to adopt a cat! I am not picky just want to provide a good home. It seems like shelters are really strict on who they allow to adopt… I reached out to 1 and when asked how much I work I said 6 am (i work out in the morning) to 5 pm and they said that’s too much.

I have money to get a nice automatic feed (for wet and dry food) and nice liter box. I want to get them on a raw diet. I have a backyard and in an area with little to no traffic (if they are an outdoor cat). It is just me in the house and the cat would literally have its own room if wanted. I want to do the most to give a perfect home for a cat, I don’t know what I am doing wrong!

I do travel about once a month, gone for a maximum of 4 days, mostly 3 days. I would have someone to be able to check on the cat during that time. I explained this all to the shelter and they still denied me. Aren’t we supposed to be homing shelter animals rather than keeping them locked up in cages??

I thought I would wait for the cat distribution system to work…. But I’ve been waiting months and I would just love a cat!

Started work at CUH and looking at buying an e-bike but aware I can’t bring the battery (or folding brompton with battery) into the building due to safety.

This is fine but not looking to have a £1.5k+ bike stolen during my 8-12 hour shifts. I work bloody hard and don’t have money to throw around so hoping somebody could advise how everyone else with an e-bike goes about safe storage at the hospital?

Thank you

Hi all!

I am looking for a restaurant/pub that is accessible parking wise and walking wise. I will be going with an older gentleman who has limited mobility and cannot walk much, and therefore parking would need to be quite close to the restaurant etc, and preferably no unnecessary stairs. A step here or there is fine!

Thanks in advance for any ideas

Hi all,

The Cambridge Retrofit Repair Cafe will be at the Grafton Centre this Saturday, 3 October, from 9 am–12 pm, in the Cambridge Room (opposite Decathlon/Boots). 

If you have electronics, small mechanical items or clothing/textiles that need repairing, bring them along and our volunteers will do their best to help. 

I’ve attached a poster with a bit more information about the textile repairs we can help with.

I can’t understand why this line is so horrifically bad going out of Cambridge especially.

I occasionally have to get to Littleport and as I don’t drive the train seems like a good idea but I often end up having to get a taxi (which has its own problems as no one wants to go to Littleport)

I often check the route even when I don’t have to go there and there are always problems.

I’m going to consider the bus although that takes a really long time

Is there anyone we can write to or anything to be done to put pressure to find a long term permanent solution to a better train link?!?!

Again didn't that happen a fortnight ago? You ask...

Well yes it seems that the repair café team are so keen to fix things and do their bit to prevent more "stuff" heading to landfill that they're doing TWO sessions a month, on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month.

Its the usual drill: 9am to 12 noon in the Cambridge Room opposite Decathlon.

Genuine question, does anyone else hear the man shouting and screaming obscenities within trumpington every second night? Not sure as if anyone has reported it or checked on his welfare, although I have no idea where exactly he is located.

Hi folks

Meeting someone for a date on Saturday evening in Cambridge, neither of us are local to Cambridge but it is out halfway point.

I’m looking for recommendations for decent pub/bar/wine bar with a low key chilled atmosphere we can go for a drink or two. We are both early 30’s so nothing full of students please!

City centre preferably as think we were planning to park at the Grand Arcade - is this the best place to park?

For reference I studied at ARU so am a little familiar with the city but it was 10 years ago!

Thanks very much!

I have a professional qualification to sit - remote invigilation (can take it at any time), 1 hour, room scan with webcam at the start. I sat a previous exam for this qualification at the central library in one of the pods and this was a nightmare (love the library but those things have no soundproofing and the WiFi is incredibly unreliable, I was convinced I would have to resit due to all the noise from people sitting nearby) so I'm looking for somewhere else. Due to the qualification I am unable to sit it at the Pearson Centre. Sitting it at home would be very difficult as I am preparing for a move and thus I don't really have a space that would be appropriate.

What are my options locally in terms of finding a space where I could sit the exam without paying through the roof?

I thought people might find this interesting.
https://www.ecops.org.uk/Alerts/A/510187

Almost £700,000 worth of stolen property was recovered by Cambridgeshire's Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) between April and September this year, helping return valuable assets to victims and disrupt criminal activity across the region.

Tonight from 7.30 @SixBells

Find us on meetup

As title, anyone have any public info on the new cameras on the Catholic Church junction (Gonville Place / Hills Rd / Lensfield Rd / Regent Street)?

Hello everyone I (m21) just started playing snooker in cambridge and wondering if theres anyone else who likes playing wants to practice together or get a match in ive been playing a couple months and just started playing a couple times a week. Anyone intrested let me know.

Reminder: Mill Road Bus Gate Review!

The County Council are carrying out a review of the effects of the Mill Road Bridge bus gate.

I know alot of us live locally and use Mill Road lots.

They do want to hear the views of all stakeholders so it does matter - so please email them at pm.delivery@cambridgeshire.gov.uk with your views.

I know this is a contentious local issue so please do give your own story….. hopefully of safer journeys, cleaner air, nicer pavement / socialising / cafe experiences, shopping locally and especially better cycling.

It will only take 2 mins!

Hi everyone,

We are a group of students from Denmark, in our early to mid-20s, we will be in Cambridge from 21–24 October. We’re looking for student-friendly pubs, bars, college bars open to visitors, and good nights out.
If you know of any student socials, house parties or other events happening then, we’d love to hear about them!
Cheers🍻🙏🏻

I can’t see a designated Voi parking spot near Cambridge South Station on their app. Can you just leave the bike/scooter there, or will the app prevent you from doing so?

Hi everyone,

I’m an international master’s student in neuroscience based here in Cambridge, deeply inspired by communicators like Carl Sagan, Brian Cox, and David Attenborough. My core passion is making science, wildlife, arts, and philosophy accessible through engaging visual storytelling and discussions.

I’ve already published two full length video discussions with scientific field experts as well as short educational pieces on my own, but working completely solo on location has its limits. I strongly believe that collaborating with the right people makes the work much better.

I’d love to connect with like minded people locally:

• Sci-Comm creators (or anyone thinking of starting):** Whether you’re already making content or just have an idea you want to get off the ground, I’d love to team up, share ideas, and co-create.
• Film/media students & societies: If you’re working on university projects, factual shorts, or podcasts and need an enthusiastic on camera presenter, researcher, or an extra hand, I’m very happy to help out voluntarily.
• Fellow science/arts minds: Anyone who simply wants to grab a coffee in town and talk about science, nature, and creative ways to communicate ideas.

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, feel free to drop a comment or send me a message!