There’s so much to discover in Cambridge this July, from family-friendly adventure activities and a new sound installation at Wicken Fen, to staycations and local landscapes just waiting to be explored through days out and weekends away, to the bulging calendar of events including live music, festivals and Cambridge Open Studios, which will once again be showcasing a host of inspiring local creatives, some of which are highlighted in this month’s issue. Get ready to soak up the summer!
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LOCAL LIVING DONE WELL
JULY 2025
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INNOVATE TO EDUCATE Our schools highlight clever new ways of teaching fens the magic of the THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE LOCAL LANDSCAPE THAT INSPIRE CAMBRIDGE FOLK IN LIFE AND WORK SUMMER OF ADVENTURE Fun family days out for those thrill seekers of all ages
DOWN TO A FINE ART Celebrating creative talent at Cambridge Open Studios
WELCOME
SUMMER DISCOVERIES
EDITORIAL Editor Louise Hoffman 01223 492249
louisehoffman@bright.uk.com Editorial director Nicola Foley 01223 499459 nicolafoley@bright.uk.com Chief sub editor Matthew Winney Sub editors Zanna Buckland & Minhaj Zia ADVERTISING Sales director Sam Scott- Smith 01223 499457 samscott-smith@bright.uk.com Ad manager Maria Francis 01223 492240 mariafrancis@bright.uk.com CONTRIBUTORS Mark Box, Charlotte Griffiths, Phoebe Harper, Sally Petitt, Charlotte Phillips & Elisha Young DESIGN & PRODUCTION Design director Andy Jennings Magazine design manager Lucy Woolcomb Junior designer Hedzlynn Kamaruzzaman
The temperature is rising, the calendar is filling up and children across the city are chomping at the bit to finish for the school holidays – it must be July! Since I last wrote, one of my summer highlights has been trying out executive chef Lee Clarke’s new seasonal menu at Parker’s Tavern – such a marvellously inviting venue, with that touch of grandeur afforded by the high ceilings, stained-glass windows, art-gallery-style walls and exemplary service to make every visit a special occasion. The wood-oven-roasted Norfolk chicken with parmesan, bacon, egg yolk and grilled baby gem lettuce was to die for – especially when paired with Koffman skin-on chips with dill salt. What a treat! I was also pleased to catch the current exhibition on display at the Cambridge University Library. Curious Cures: Medicine in the Medieval World brings together a truly captivating collection of manuscripts and objects, opening a portal into a past where medical science was at once sophisticated and... ahem... very much a work in progress! I was particularly drawn to a beautifully illustrated 16th-century herbal ( De historia stirpium commentarii insignes by Leonhart Fuchs), the charms and amulets, as well as Staycationers can enjoy day trips and minibreaks with our spotlight on Saffron Walden and round-up of holiday ideas
Junior designer & ad production Holly May
MANAGING DIRECTORS Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck TYPEFACE Nyght Serif / Maksym Kobuzan from Tunera Type Foundry Find us @cambsedition
the instruments and diagrams that revealed how closely medicine and astrology were linked in the medieval mind. Open until 6 December (free entry, although booking is essential), there’s still plenty of time to go along if you’re intrigued! If questionable remedies aren’t your thing, fear not, we have plenty of other diversions to offer in the pages that follow. Art lovers can immerse themselves in this year’s Cambridge Open Studios (page 22); families can rise to the challenge of some top adventure activities (page 42); and staycationers can enjoy day trips and minibreaks with our spotlight on Saffron Walden (page 34) and round-up of last- minute holiday ideas for late summer and beyond (page 48). Enjoy!
Cambridge Edition Magazine Bright Publishing Ltd, Bright House, 82 High Street, Sawston, Cambridgeshire CB22 3HJ, 01223 499450, cambsedition.co.uk • All rights reserved. Material contained in this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior permission of the publishers. • Views expressed in the magazine aren’t necessarily those of Cambridge Edition or Bright Publishing Ltd, which do not accept any liability for loss or damage. • Every effort has been made to ensure all information is correct. Prices quoted were correct at time the magazine went to print. • Cambridge Edition is a free publication that is distributed in Cambridge and the surrounding area.
With all best wishes,
ON THE COVER Illustration by Holly May, inspired by a photo from @emilian. primov.landscape on Instagram
Louise Hoffman, editor
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ON THE COVER 8 / THE MAGIC OF THE FENS Celebrating the iconic Fenland landscape through four unique and creative perspectives 22 / DOWN TO A FINE ART A sneak peek at some of the many talents taking part in the Cambridge Open Studios exhibition 41 / GIVEAWAY Win a pair of tickets to one of Audley End’s Heritage Live events! 42 / FAMILY DAYS OUT From high ropes to escape rooms, adventure awaits at these attractions for all ages
62 / INNOVATE TO EDUCATE Clever new ways of teaching to keep education relevant and engaging for today’s pupils CULTURE EDITION 20 / CULTURE NEWS The latest updates from Cambridge’s cultural scene 28 / BOOK CLUB Gripping reads that have inspired big-screen adaptations 31 / SCREEN TIME This month’s film releases and where to see them 32 / HUMANS OF CAMBRIDGE Mark Box captures Cambridge in motion
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48 56 / EAT YOUR GREENS It’s salad season, so Elisha Young has some refreshing suggestions to savour, 72 / A FEAST FOR THE SENSES Sally Petitt inspires us to bring more fragrance into our gardens with a bold variety of flower options 80 / EDITION LOVES Statement lighting that’s sure to become the showstopping centrepiece for your interior space and something new to try HOME EDITION
REGULARS 7 / INSTACAMB Our favourite social media snaps of the month 16 / THE AGENDA Our pick of events around the city through July 69 / LOCAL NEWS New openings, community achievements and more 79 / A CUP OF TEA WITH… Tomas P Hinton of Tomas Kitchen Living 82 / I ♥ CAMBRIDGE Yasmin Dang celebrates the Cambridge community she so loves
34 / FALLING FOR SAFFRON WALDEN Historic, picturesque and brimming with culture; Phoebe Harper explains why it’s the perfect town for a day trip or weekend away 48 / TAKE A BREAK Relaxing staycation inspiration for late summer and beyond, to ensure
you don’t get holiday envy! FOOD EDITION
54 / FOOD NEWS The latest gastro goings-on, featuring wins for Rennet & Rind and the Hilton’s head chef
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LOCAL LIFE
Use #instacamb for a chance to feature!
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Our favourite Cambridge Instagram pics of the month
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Inspired by a new sound installation at Wicken Fen, this month we’re celebrating the iconic landscape of the Cambridgeshire Fenland through four unique perspectives THE FENS The magic of
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OUT AND ABOUT
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OUT AND ABOUT
T he Cambridgeshire Fens: a landscape of beauty, history, mystery and biodiversity, reigned over by huge skies. To some, it simply makes for the perfect day out in nature; to others, it’s a rich and constant source of creative or maybe even spiritual inspiration; and to others still, it’s a precious working environment. Perhaps the best-known fenland area is Wicken Fen, one of only four remaining undrained fragments of the East Anglian Fens. As the National Trust’s oldest nature reserve, for 125 years it’s been one of the most-watched wildlife spots in the UK, with 9,500 different species recorded there. This summer, visitors can experience the Fen like never before thanks to a new site-specific sound sculpture installation trail created by sound artist Kathy Hinde and collaborating artists Oliver Payne, Stevie Wishart and Jan Hendrickse. Opening on 18 July to mark World Listening Day, and continuing until 28 September, Listen to the Voices of the Fen will lead visitors along the reserve’s boardwalk, through ditches, marshland and lagoons, with subtle sound sculptures and delicate soundscapes along the way inviting moments to pause and tune in to hidden,
MAGICAL MOMENTS Photographer Simon Stirrup captures the beauty of fenland wildlife
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OUT AND ABOUT
CO-AUTHOR, FENLAND NATURE DUNCAN POYSER
Click here to access an expanding digital sound map of Wicken Fen, a continuous live underwater audio stream and an interactive online Aeolian harp that’s responding in real time to wind conditions at the site. voicesofthefen.co.uk TUNE IN TO THE FEN
Fens fuelled my imagination about our ancestors; from nomadic Mesolithic hunter-gatherers and Neolithic farmers to Viking settlers, Roman invaders and medieval commoners – they all found ways to survive and thrive within wild fens. I struggle to comprehend the expertly crafted flint tool, 40,000 years old and found near my home, looking as though it were made yesterday. At Wicken Fen, we stepped back into the boots of Victorian naturalists. Following intense searching, we found a single Desmoulin’s whorl snail, a scarce and minuscule mollusc. As Simon went to photograph it, the vegetation was disturbed and the snail was lost. We had to start our search again to find another. We then looked for the yellow loosestrife bee on Sedge Fen, where its favoured plant grows in sunny clumps. After securing a permit for study, we got busy with a sweep net and revelled in seeing the characterful bee up close, complete with a bundle of oils and pollen on its tibia. There were many such moments as we worked on Fenland Nature , and my appreciation of the Fens has only grown through thinking and writing,
I made my first, fleeting winter visit to the Fens in 1997 and remember the wildfowl spectacle, the crisp light and a glorious sunset over the washes. Living in the Fens, I quickly developed a deep affection for this oft-maligned region, through the natural history of the tiny patches of remnant fen that escaped drainage. Having worked and travelled abroad, I returned to the Fens, drawn to the vast horizon, wild washlands and sombre reed beds. Though the Fens are home, they have an otherness that, to me, feels like being on holiday. Photographer Simon Stirrup (pictured to my right) suggested working on a book together in 2021. The themes took shape as we thought about the narratives of Fenland past, present and future, and viewed the intertwined stories through the lens of ecology, geology, archaeology, people and place. To enable fresh and interesting perspectives to evolve, we planned excursions to seek flagship species and memorable experiences. From days out kayaking and cycling to nights spent searching for moths, bats and badgers, we sought out varied tales to tell and images to share. Charged with meaning, ancient artefacts unearthed from beneath the
intriguing and captivating sonic worlds we might not usually notice. From giant acoustic listening horns and Aeolian harps that sing in the wind to handcrafted percussive woodpeckers and vessels of wild Fen clay that resonate with moving water, many of the sculptures incorporate natural materials gathered from the Fen and are powered by wind, water, solar and human kinetic energy. To create the installation, Kathy has been listening deeply to the Fen since January 2024, throughout the seasons – underwater, underground, high in the air and within reeds and vegetation – making sound recordings and drawing attention to the many species whose voices shape this rare habitat. So what does this area mean to her, as well as other local people with a close connection to it? We gathered four personal perspectives on the magic of the Fens to celebrate this unique landscape…
in depth, about the complicated landscape within which I live.
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OUT AND ABOUT
My first visit to Wicken Fen was in late 2023, and I was instantly mesmerised by the soft rustling of wind through the reeds of Sedge Fen. Since then, I’ve returned regularly to listen from many different perspectives, uncovering a rich and ever-changing sound world throughout the seasons. It’s especially intriguing to listen underwater. A still surface often conceals a lively world below, full of clicks and whirrs from invertebrates and fish and even the gentle fizz and pop of plants photosynthesising in the sun. The spring birdsong at Wicken Fen feels like another world, and whenever I visit I try to rise early to experience the captivating dawn chorus. I have a deep love of birds and their songs; they’re a constant source of musical inspiration. Over the past year, I’ve been inviting people to join me on Listening Walks as a way to explore the hidden and ever-changing soundscape of Wicken Fen collectively. These walks can be deeply connecting experiences and I’m learning so much from the people I meet on them. I’m thrilled that my Listen to the Voices of the Fen project at Wicken Fen opens new windows into the landscape and offers opportunities to spend time listening to the many voices of the different species living there, allowing people to creatively respond to these intriguing and beautiful sounds. SOUND ARTIST AND COMPOSER KATHY HINDE
THE WANDERER RETURNS Long absent, but now flourishing here once again, cranes are a majestic sight in the Cambridgeshire Fens
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RANGER, WICKEN FEN AJAY TEGALA
fen folk: skating across winter washes, harvesting wild plants, living in rhythm with the land. Today, the Fens are a place of restoration and resilience. Thanks to rewilding, reed bed creation and peatland recovery, nature is finding its way back. In a time of climate and ecological crisis, to me that feels deeply hopeful. As a ranger, author and wildlife presenter, much of my work is rooted in this landscape. It’s the stillness, the subtlety, the space to breathe – and the sense that something wild and wonderful is always just around the corner – that keeps drawing me back.
to roost. When starlings whirl around above in murmuring flocks, sketching fleeting masterpieces against the dusk. But spring is the best. The land greens. Warblers chatter from the reeds. Swifts scream overhead, cuckoos call, bitterns boom and cranes lift from the reed beds with outstretched wings, their prehistoric bugling echoing across the sky. By summer, damselflies dance and orchids bloom, water voles plop into lodes lined with floating lilies. Life is everywhere if you look closely enough. I’ve always felt drawn to the stories of this place – not just the wildlife, but the people. I often imagine the Victorian
Raised in the South Lincolnshire Fens, my earliest memories were shaped by water – the glint of the River Welland, the rustle of reeds and the flicker of wings overhead. Wetland wildlife captured my imagination from the start. I learned the names of all the birds on riverside rambles and Sunday strolls through the flat, open landscape. The Fens are too often dismissed as bleak or boring. To me, they’re anything but. On Wicken Fen, winter mornings can be magical. When frost clings to the reeds, wildfowl stir in the mist and the sky glows orange as harriers glide
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OUT AND ABOUT
ARTIST AND PRINTMAKER ROZ HOWLING
within this expansive landscape. The colours, the nature; its lightly untamed beauty a stark contrast to manicured fields. This is what draws me back time and time again. I think I’ve recreated one particular stretch of fen (featured in the print above) almost 100 times. From the oranges, russets, pinks and peaches of autumn to the chartreuse, teals, purples and greens of spring. For me, the only constants are my enthusiasm and the quiet that dominates in the early morning. I guarantee that you’ll always spot something different there as the landscape evolves through the annual cycle.
My creativity is inspired by contrast, be it tones, light, colour, shape or even the landscape features themselves. The Fens lend themselves perfectly to this. Numerous times, I’ve heard people refer to the Fens as flat and featureless, but I quite disagree. The expansive sky provides different vistas every day. The way the waterways intersect the oblong arable fields, until you stumble across a bend. The warm black soil that sits as a backdrop to sandy coloured reeds lining the waterways, which reflect with hourglass clarity the mood of the sky. Wicken Fen, in contrast to its arable neighbours, offers an intimate experience
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THE AGENDA
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EXHIBITION
Tailoring an Image, Anglesey Abbey This unique exhibition showcases the wardrobe of former Anglesey Abbey owner Huttleston Rogers Broughton, first Lord Fairhaven. Runs until 31 October.
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MUSIC
Sounds Green 2025, Cambridge University Botanic Garden Taking place every Wednesday evening in July, this live music series kicks off on 2 July with Prime Bass, featuring Daisy Livesey.
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Briticana Showcase, Cambridge Junction Making its debut this month in a showcase of five artists, Briticana is a music and publishing collective that seeks to combine music, literature and art into immersive experiences.
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Bedford Summer Sessions, Bedford Park Beginning on 3 July with Simple Minds, Alison Moyet and KT Tunstall, Bedford Summer Sessions 2025 goes on to welcome Rag’n’Bone Man, The Human League, Supergrass and McFly, among others.
FESTIVAL
MUSIC
EVENT
Home and Garden Show, Ely Cathedral This two-day event will bring inspiration for home and garden – plants, homeware, natural skincare, floral displays, talks, demos and so much more.
Cambridge Dance Festival, Cambridge Rugby Club Enjoy 11 hours of house, disco, jungle, garage and 70s/80s classics, as well as comedy and acoustic sets for slowing down.
Foodies Festival, Parker’s Piece Celebrate UK food with celebrity and local chefs demonstrating their craft alongside live entertainment by Judge Jules, Blue and The Wanted 2.0. Until 6 July.
An array of events to enjoy in Cambridgeshire this month
FESTIVAL
FESTIVAL
Ely Folk Festival 2025, Stuntney Estate Held from 11 to 13 July, Ely Folk Festival has a real ale bar, morris dancing displays, ceilidhs, workshops and music, with on-site camping facilities.
Shelford Festival and Feast, Great Shelford With roots in the Middle Ages, Shelford Festival promises music, comedy, food and drink – featuring Scott Mills in the Saturday DJ slot! Runs until 12 July.
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THE AGENDA
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EXHIBITION
Outdoor cinema, Market Square Pack some popcorn! Cambridge BID’s free outdoor screenings continue this month with Dog Man and The Fall Guy at 6pm and 8pm respectively.
Another Chance Encounter, Kettle’s Yard New works by Lubaina Himid with Magda Stawarska, illuminating figures and objects left out of historical records. Open until 2 November.
13 SEP EVENT
27 NOV Sleeping Beauty, Cambridge Arts Theatre Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 Christmas pantomime at Cambridge Arts Theatre! Runs until 4 January. THEATRE 27 SEP Biodiversity & Regenerative Food Festival, Parker’s Piece Discover a range of vendors, demos and workshops at this inaugural event showcasing local growers, producers and organisations. FESTIVAL Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival, Fen Ditton Held in aid of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, the 19th festival will see around 40 teams compete along a 200m race course on the Cam.
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FESTIVAL
Food Festival, The Guineas, Newmarket With a variety of food stalls, a ‘Gordon look-alike’, a magician, face-painting, live music and more, this family festival is organised by The Guineas Shopping Centre along with Love Newmarket BID. Runs until 26 July.
THEATRE
Cambridge Shakespeare Festival, College gardens Held in the gardens of Cambridge Colleges, six plays will immerse audiences in the vivid worlds of Shakespeare during July and August.
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MUSIC
MUSIC
Folk @ CMT 2025, Cambridge Museum of Technology From 11am to 8pm, the CMT will come alive with incredible local talent: 12 folk music acts including Melody Causton and Paul Vaes.
Saltlines, Cambridge Junction An immersive prose and music collaboration between author of The Salt Path Raynor Winn and folk-roots supergroup the Gigspanner Big Band.
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DANCE
Anton and Giovanni Together Again, Cambridge Corn Exchange Anton du Beke and Giovanni Pernice take to the stage with a brand-new collection of breathtaking routines.
Boots and Bridles Weekend, Newmarket Racecourse Don that cowboy hat and head to Newmarket on 18 and 19 July for track action, country music and an American vehicle display.
1 July
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THE BIG SCREEN Books inspiring movie adaptations and this month’s film releases STUDIO SESSIONS Behind the scenes with local artists for Cambridge Open Studios CULTURE EDITION ON THE PULSE Grand Discoveries, Courtyard Concerts and local literature
Tailor-made
Several of the items found at Anglesey Abbey’s unique exhibition of mid-20th- century men’s fashion and bespoke tailoring were made for the estate’s last owner, Huttleston Rogers Broughton, First Lord Fairhaven, by his Savile Row tailor, H Huntsman & Sons. Huntsman has been in business since 1849 and is internationally renowned for its handcrafted clothes, created for the most sartorially discerning individuals. It’s also the inspiration and filming location for the British blockbuster series of Kingsman films. Tailoring an Image runs from 1 July to 31 October.
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CULTURE EDITION
GRAND DISCOVERIES RETURNS TO
GRAND ARCADE FOR THE SUMMER Back by popular demand, Grand Arcade has announced the return of its award-winning summer science exhibition Grand Discoveries . Running throughout the summer holidays, from July to September, Grand Discoveries will transform the heart of Cambridge into a dynamic, interactive space dedicated to scientific innovation and discovery, which will be supported by more than 20 science and technology organisations. A free, multi-experience event, it invites visitors of all ages to explore Cambridge’s rich legacy of scientific achievement through immersive exhibitions, hands-on STEM workshops and city trail maps, connecting the Grand Arcade with nearby historical landmarks. “We’re proud to unite global science leaders, local innovators and curious minds in the centre of one of the world’s most iconic university cities,” says Julie Kervadec, marketing manager of Grand Arcade. “Whether you’re a family looking for free, enriching activities, a tourist exploring the city or just curious about the next big innovation, Grand Discoveries will offer a unique experience that celebrates learning, creativity and the spirit of exploration.” Visit grandarcade.co.uk for more information and all the latest updates
Cambridge BID restarts monthly Art Club Cambridge BID has announced the relaunch of its Art Club series, with the first session taking place on 3 July at the University Arms Hotel under the direction of acclaimed author, journalist and online safety advocate Adele Zeynep Walton. Making an exclusive appearance in the city as part of her UK book tour, Adele will discuss her powerful new release Logging Off: The Human Cost of Our Digital World , which explores literacy as a form of art and examines the profound emotional and societal effects of our always-connected digital lives (includes sensitive themes). The free event will begin at 6.30pm, with guests enjoying a complimentary drink and 15% off food bookings at the University Arms following the session. Copies of Logging Off will be available to purchase.
The latest from the cultural scene in Cambridge
Book your free ticket at bit.ly/44njbLt
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CULTURE EDITION
Local literature Ready-to-read novels by a pair of Cambridge’s top authors Magical Cambridge collection
MENNA VAN PRAAG
Menna van Praag’s Magical Cambridge collection of novels are love letters to the cobbled streets,
colleges, cafes and bookshops of the city. An enchanting blend of everyday whimsy, the love stories of very human characters and a splash of magic, five of Menna’s magical realism novels have now been reissued by publishers Allison & Busby with joyful new cover art.
Launched last month at Heffers Bookshop, Conor Farrington’s new novel stems from a lifelong fascination with the Faust legend. Sources like Goethe’s The Maiden Faust CONOR FARRINGTON
There’s still time to catch some live music at Stapleford Granary’s Courtyard Concerts for summer, which began last month. July’s line-up includes the Misha Mullov-Abbado Group on 4 July, coming back after a sellout performance in the courtyard in 2023. Led by jazz bassist and BBC New Generation artist Misha Mullov-Abbado and featuring some of the finest multi-award- winning musicians in London, expect original compositions within a broad spectrum of classical, jazz and pop influences, as well as folk traditions from around the world. Then, on 11 July, renowned jazz vocalist and BBC Radio presenter Claire Martin OBE is joined by pianist Rob Barron and bassist Jeremy Brown for a celebration of some of the 20th century’s greatest jazz vocalists. The trio will perform stylish reworkings of Great American Songbook classics by Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Shirley Horn and more. COURTYARD CONCERT SERIES CONTINUES FOR JULY
Faust and Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus fed into his idea for a female-led retelling set in an alternative Victorian world in which alchemy rather than science holds sway – Cambridge’s historic buildings forming the perfect dark academia setting. Released by Cambridge-based Galileo Publishers.
Find tickets at staplefordgranary.org.uk
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PLAN YOUR VISITS
Tap here to find out more and download a guide for this year’s Cambridge Open Studios
Down to a fine art As Cambridge Open Studios prepares to throw the doors open again this month, we highlight a few of the many talents taking part
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OPEN STUDIOS
T his year is a poignant one for Cambridge Open Studios, as it marks another milestone year but also reflects on the recent loss of its founder, Julia Ball. What a fitting tribute to her, though, as this much-loved free event goes from strength to strength! Since 1974, the July Open Studios exhibition has grown exponentially, now encompassing hundreds of artists that specialise in a wide range of disciplines, including painting, jewellery, printmaking, ceramics and pottery, glass art, digital art, drawing and illustration, woodwork and furniture, sculpture, textiles, photography, book art, lettering and calligraphy, mixed media and collage. It’s business as usual this year – but with some exciting developments and new participants across the Cambridgeshire area – as local creatives open up their studios and galleries for the public to immerse themselves in art over the four weekends in July. For the first time ever, there will also be a young artists’ showcase in the newly refurbished learning studio at the Fitzwilliam Museum, helping nurture the next generation of talent in the county. More than 350 artists are taking part in 2025, and here is a choice selection to whet your palette…!
1 Bea Lukowska A self-taught artist with a background in architecture and buildings conservation, Bea Lukowska specialises in landscapes, architectural pieces and urban scenes, with a particular passion for capturing historical buildings situated in picturesque countryside settings. She enjoys experimenting with various tones and techniques in the process of creating a 3D effect, using pencil, charcoal, coloured pencils, watercolour and ink on paper. “The creative process gives me a sense of freedom, autonomy and inner harmony, and it has a soothing influence on me,” she enthuses. New for this year’s Open Studios, Bea explores the city through the medium of watercolour, under the theme: Heritage of Majestic Cambridge. 70 Pym Court, Cromwell Road CB1 3FB bealukowska.co.uk @bealukowska 2 Maree and Paul Allitt (aka mapmap) Handmade in their Cambridge studio, Paul and Maree Allitt’s slab-built porcelain ceramics are decorated using stencils and coloured slips. In the final firing, some areas are glazed, creating a deliberate
interplay between matte and gloss surfaces and giving each piece a tactile richness. This year at their studio, visitors have a chance to purchase some of the ‘perfectly imperfect’ or experimental ceramics. “We hope that, when people take a piece home and put it on their mantelpiece, it will give them a little joy in passing,” they say. St Barnabas Press, 9 Belfast Yard, Coldhams Road CB1 3EW mapmap.co.uk 3 Susan Abbs Susan Abbs will present her latest series, Breaking Through , which marks a new stage of resilience, re-emergence and renewed energy following her recovery from cancer. Dramatic and monochromatic, the paintings are created in oil on metal – this interacts with light, shifting with the viewer’s movement to evoke change and transformation. While abstract, the work is rooted in a sense of place – not necessarily physical, but emotional and psychological. “These works are about moving forward – those moments when something opens up, clears or gives way to a new beginning,” says Susan. 36 Kinnaird Way, Cambridge CB1 8SN susanabbs.co.uk
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OPEN STUDIOS
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5 Roxana de Rond Roxana de Rond is a freelance artist and children’s book illustrator whose pictures are often set in Cambridge, showing everyday events infused with a little humour while also reflecting a sense of contentment. Her images include many of Cambridge’s pubs, cafes, green spaces and colleges, and are sold as cards, prints and originals online, as well as at various events, including Open Studios. She also creates bespoke images, either for individuals or businesses, and is always happy to chat through an idea. This year, you can see Roxana’s work and studio (which she says will be ‘unusually tidy, for the occasion!’) on the first, second and third weekends in July. 13 Brunswick Terrace CB5 8DG roxanaillustrations.co.uk @roxanaderond
6 Maureen Mace Maureen’s paintings are about colour, detail and ideas, influenced by her love of medieval art and telling stories that can be magical and surreal. Built out of many layers with lots of tiny details, Maureen’s oil paintings take time to produce, and she often works on two or three at the same time. Her tree series includes gold leaf, plus thousands of individually painted leaves with objects nestling among them. Many of her paintings are made into prints and greetings cards, which can be bought at G David Bookseller, her website or Cambridge Open Studios. An avid sketcher, Maureen loves going out to draw on the streets of Cambridge or in the museums to get ideas for her paintings – you might even have seen her! 309 Milton Road CB4 1XQ maureenmace.co.uk
Kate Green is an abstract mixed-media and multi-disciplinary artist who, in her own words, “really loves a bit of colour!” Using refined patterns, free gestural expressionism and repeated layering, Kate seeks to represent and communicate things unseen, telling stories in colour and sharing emotions. “From intricate microscopic cells to the sweeping expanse of space and crashing waves of the sea, I’m excited by the extravagant dimensions and intimate details I see in creation – a joyfulness in the very act of creating that I aim to reflect in my own work,” she explains. Exhibiting from her garden studio across all four weekends, Kate plans to provide materials and inspiration for visitors of all ages so that they can get creative too! 65 Akeman Street, Cambridge CB4 3HE kategreenart.com
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OPEN STUDIOS
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8 Neil Warmsley Neil Warmsley has always exhibited his sketchbooks during Open Studios, demonstrating how the germ of an idea evolves into a painting. Visitors often find themselves fully absorbed in the back catalogue of his decades of sketchbooks! As well as these, at his studio this year you can see oil paintings, drawings and a new glass-painting project. It’s the natural world, in particular trees, that forms the main subject matter of Neil’s work, much of it inspired by years spent as a gardener. “Though everything I create starts with an observational drawing, my paintings are composed from different drawings from several locations to create a vision of the world as I would like it to be – much like a gardener creates a garden,” he explains. 22 Derby Road, Cambridge CB1 7DU neilwarmsley.com
7 Alison Hullyer Milton-based professional printmaker Alison Hullyer is celebrating her 30th consecutive open studio this year! Her prints and oil paintings are inspired by plants, birds, landscapes and the coast. For Cambridge Open Studios 2025, she will be showing a selection of work from her archives, as well as new prints, cards, coasters and tea towels – some of which you might even have seen in local National Trust shops. Visitors to Alison’s purpose-built garden studio will be able to see the etching press, art materials and sketchbooks used to create her hand-pulled prints, which are available both framed and unframed. She will also be on hand to explain her various printmaking techniques, such as drypoint and collagraphy. Smallstone, Hall End, Milton CB24 6AQ hullyer.co.uk
9 Andrew Luetchford New to the Cambridge Open Studios line-up for 2025, at artist Andrew Luetchford’s studio you’ll find paintings, drawings and prints of work spanning the last 20 years. Using mostly oil paints and monotype printmaking techniques, Andrew finds his processes and materials often lead to other possibilities and styles, allowing room for spontaneity and an intuitive approach to making an image. “Much of my work possesses a kind of ambiguity, although my ideas are generally inspired by the physical world (and particularly the human form), music and the past,” he explains. Everyone is welcome at the studio over all four weekends in July, to enjoy a wide range of artwork or simply take a few moments of quiet in the garden. 42 Laxton Way, Cambridge CB4 1FN
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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Summer in the Square Get ready to embrace the vibrant spirit of summer in Cambridge with a brand-new event series! L aunching this month, Summer in the Square is a free weekly event set to transform Station Square into a lively hub of music, creativity and community every Wednesday from 4.30 to 6.30pm. Brought to you by Cambridge BID and CB1 Community, it’s the perfect midweek escape to host families, friends and after- work gatherings. Each week offers a unique blend of entertainment and activities, with local craft favourites Brewboard on hand serving up ice-cold drinks from their van: 2 July: Kicking off with Cultivating Change, a charity that promotes wellbeing through gardening. Engage in fun activities like Silly Seed Heads and Wildflower Bombs, take home free seeds and seedlings, and savour Italian delights from Maurizio Dining & Co as part of Cambridge Food & Drink Week. Live music from Jess Brett and Tom Dulieu will set the summer vibe. 9 July: Get active with Living Sport, which will be offering mini health checks and pop-up sports such as badminton and mini table tennis. Monument Cycling will promote the upcoming Cambridge Criterium (a free family-friendly event on Sunday 24 August) with an exciting cycle challenge. Enjoy tunes from John Wright (with Marina) and Dan Wilde. 16 July: Fancy creating your own printed design? Join Jenny Rampling from Emerald & Embers for a relaxed, hands-on drop-in session exploring the beautiful art of Indian block printing. Using hand-carved wooden blocks and vibrant fabric paints, you’ll be guided through the basics to create your own mini masterpiece. Relax to the melodies of Josh Robins and Elliot Porter in a laid-back musical evening. 23 July: Unleash your creativity with the Cambridge Poetry Festival’s drop- in writing workshop. Engage in playful
UNDER THE SUN Enjoy live music, workshops and more in Station Square
exercises and writing games – no prior experience required! A team from Lush Cambridge will be on hand to offer hand and arm massages and demonstrate their handmade, ethical beauty products. Music by John Wright (band) and LTP Duo enhances the artistic atmosphere. 30 July: Embrace sustainability with the Cambridgeshire Repair Cafe Network. Participate in the Crotch Repair Workshop – bring your old jeans and learn to fix them. Join the clothes swap for a responsible wardrobe refresh. Floatwell will be offering guidance on using essential oils to reduce stress and promote mental clarity. Live performances by Georgia Nevada and Sean O’Hanrahan end the series on a high note.
For all the latest details, visit cambridgebid. co.uk/summer-in-the-square With a welcoming community atmosphere, Summer in the Square is set to be a highlight of Cambridge’s calendar this season. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, relax and celebrate the season in the heart of the city.
*Schedule correct at time of publishing. Events may be cancelled if weather conditions are poor.
CULTURE EDITION
July Book Club Charlotte Griffiths shares some gripping reads that have inspired big-screen adaptations
EMILY HENRY You and Me on Vacation
Summer is the perfect season to pick up an Emily Henry novel. If you’ve managed to resist her brightly coloured covers and multiple-award-winning romances until now, just give in – you won’t regret it. Start your adventure through Henry’s back catalogue here, with best friends and total opposites Poppy and Alex as they take another of their firmly platonic trips. They’ve holidayed together every summer for ten years, but two years ago something happened on their annual adventure. They haven’t spoken since, but Poppy’s realised the last time she was happy was with Alex, so she’s determined to reconnect with him – even if it means staying in a flea- bitten Palm Springs motel with no air con in the lead-up to Alex’s brother’s wedding. Henry leads us through different time periods, slowly revealing glimpses of their past relationship and other travels, piecing together the puzzle in deliciously satisfying slow motion. Will they ever realise that ‘opposites attract’ is a cliché for a reason? Once you’ve finished this novel, not only are there many more Henry delights to experience – there’s also a Netflix adaptation currently in post-production starring Emily Bader and Tom Blyth. Henry confessed to being an ‘anxious wreck’ while waiting to find out who would be cast in the lead roles, but ‘could not feel more confident’ about the choices. Named after the US version of the book, People We Meet on Vacation should air later this year.
TRIP TEASE You and Me on Vacation is a romantic comedy that’s as much about longing as it is about location
The Salt Path RAYNOR WINN
funny, deeply life-affirming and stacked with beautiful descriptions of the natural world. With no money, no shelter and no plan besides ‘just keep walking’, homeless Raynor and Moth slowly reconnect with nature and each other through the curiously redemptive power of long-distance walking – finding the strength that comes with discipline, the hope that can spring up in the harshest of environments and the fact that home can be wherever you want it to be. Whichever way you choose to engage with Raynor and Moth’s story, the stunning scenery and beautiful writing will see you reaching for your rucksack and booking a train to the south-west. See you at Paddington station…
This summer’s must-see movie is director Marianne Elliott and screenwriter Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s adaptation of Raynor Winn’s smash-hit and award-winning 2018 memoir. Now a feature film, it stars Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs as Raynor and her husband Moth as they walk the 630-mile coastal path stretching from Somerset to Dorset through the landscapes of Devon and Cornwall. The book and film tell the story of the couple’s lived experience of tackling this challenging hike after losing their home and income in one fell swoop, followed by Moth receiving a life-limiting medical diagnosis, all of which sounds quite bleak. It is on the face of it, but this book is also laugh-out-loud
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CULTURE EDITION
HOLLY BRICKLEY Deep Cuts
Only published in March of this year, this quite extraordinary debut novel has been snapped up for a film adaptation starring Austin Butler and Saoirse Ronan. Set across the US in the early 2000s, the book follows two twentysomething students on separate but inextricably entangled creative journeys that bring them together and push them apart in an equally frustrating and totally compelling manner. Joe Morrow is an astonishingly talented singer and musician; Percy Marks is the untrained yet naturally gifted producer and songwriter who isn’t afraid of sharing her opinions, and has the power to transform Joe’s tracks into once-in-a- lifetime classics. After a frenzied discussion about Hall & Oates in a Berkeley student bar, Joe – who already has a long-term girlfriend – asks Percy to help him with a song he’s been working on, and both of their lives change forever. Over several years of collaboration, they quarrel, break each other’s hearts and the hearts of others who accidentally stumble into this life- long love story. Unputdownable, unforgettable and drenched in early-noughties music nostalgia, this must be read before the adaptation arrives. It’s the ideal book for music lovers over a long summer break.
IN A SPIN For music aficionados, romantics and anyone who’s ever hit ‘repeat’ on the wrong person
TELLY ADDICTS Discover the original stories behind some of our favourite TV series, too!
Chances are that one adaptation of this classic already has your heart (1995’s BBC version forever!), but Dolly Alderton’s upcoming take for Netflix might just swing it – and it makes for a good opportunity to catch up on the original text. Pride and Prejudice JANE AUSTEN
Jack Reacher LEE CHILD
Part hilarious anecdote, part historical document – these diaries written by an NHS junior doctor from 2004 to 2010 were turned into a brilliant BBC series starring Ben Whishaw, and both versions of the tale are well worth your time. This Is Going to Hurt ADAM KAY
The UK’s obsession with Jack Reacher is only growing by the day. If you’re not yet acquainted with Lee Child’s mega-smash crime thriller series, this summer could be the time to start. Stack up the 29-book-strong series in paperback and get reading.
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Arts Picturehouse picturehouses.com Everyman everymancinema.com Vue myvue.com The Light cambridge.thelight.co.uk LOCAL CINEMAS
Jurassic World Rebirth
2 July Five years after Jurassic World Dominion , a new expedition seeks to extract DNA from three colossal prehistoric creatures as part of medical research. Stars Scarlett Johansson, Rupert Friend and Jonathan Bailey.
18 July In this sequel to 1998’s I Still Know What You Did Last Summer , a group of friends are terrorised by a stalker who knows about a gruesome incident from their past. Freddie Prinze Jr and Jennifer Love Hewitt reprise their roles. I Know What You Did Last Summer
Superman
11 July As he attempts to reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent, Superman struggles to uphold his values of truth and justice in a world that views them as old-fashioned.
25 July Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, the Fantastic Four find themselves tasked with defending Earth from space god Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer. The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Smurfs
18 July Papa Smurf is abducted by evil wizards, and so Smurfette (voiced by Rihanna) leads the Smurfs on a mission to the real world to save him. Also stars John Goodman, Kurt Russell and James Corden.
Movie magic not to miss this month
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STREET STYLE
With summer energy recently reaching its crescendo, we capture Cambridge in motion Humans of Cambridge
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STREET STYLE
Kinetic energy The weeks on either side of midsummer are widely considered the most energetic time of the season, with days at their longest. Humans of Cambridge photoblog creator Mark Box is a keen observer of the city’s shifting energy, aiming to capture a sense of life unfolding in real time. “Movement runs through every photo I take. I look for the lift of hair in wind, the sweep of a dress, the energy carried in a stride or a glance. These moments bring still photos to life; they hint at what’s just happened or what’s about to occur. For me, it’s in these flickers of movement that a person’s character often shines through,” says Mark. Humans of Cambridge is a street photography photoblog founded by Mark Box in 2020.
Follow him on Instagram @humanofcambridge
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SPOTLIGHT
SAFFRON WALDEN Promising charming timbered houses, afternoon tea and treasures, this north Essex market town is straight out of a storybook – and perfect for a day trip or weekend stay. Phoebe Harper takes a tour Falling for
F ormerly known as just ‘Walden’, did you know that Saffron Walden takes its name from the breed of crocus that flourished in these environs at the height of the saffron trade in the 16th century? Like its eye-catching titular flower, today Saffron Walden enjoys a blossoming reputation as a haven for day trips and short stays. Picturesque and postcard-perfect, Saffron Walden was voted by The Sunday Times as the best place to live in the UK in 2025. But if your plans to visit are slightly less permanent, just a short walk around town will unveil a host of delights that leave you wanting to come back for more. With summer warming up, Saffron Walden hosts its hotly anticipated 8 Day Weekend event this month. From 4 to 12 July, the town will be transformed by a colourful extravaganza of music, sports and other family-friendly entertainment based around the Common – including a carnival procession that’s been a feature of the town’s calendar since the 50s. There’s no better time to see Saffron Walden truly come to life! A wander through Walden Begin at the town’s beating heart – the Market Place. A market has been held here ever since the 12th century, and to this day the square comes alive every Tuesday and Saturday, with traders selling everything from flowers to focaccia, local cheeses to vintage finds. With the handsome Town Hall presiding over the cobbled square and independent cafes spilling onto the pavements, it’s the ideal spot to grab a flat white and soak up the scenery. Just steps away, the Rows – Saffron Walden’s medieval shopping lanes – are perfect for a mooch. Here, quaint, timber- framed buildings house quirky stores like painting and craft activity shop The Crafty
The Cricketers Clavering Quaint countryside bolthole with great food, only a 15-minute drive away. thecricketers.co.uk The Cross Keys High Street, Saffron Walden A historic stay in an atmospheric Elizabethan building. theoldcrosskeys.co.uk The Red Lion Hinxton Traditional 16th-century inn located just ten minutes from Saffron Walden. redlionhinxton.co.uk SPEND THE NIGHT Fancy making a weekend of it? Choose between one of these accommodation suggestions… Beanie and independent boutiques such as Neon Leo – a women’s retail space specialising in pre-loved clothing and fashion rentals. The Saffron Walden branch of Cambridge favourite Modish is close by too, for fabulous footwear. Plus, look out for handmade jewellery, locally made candles and one-off finds that you’ll brag about for months. If you’re feeling peckish or prepping for a picnic, be sure to stop by and grab a bite from independent deli and grocery store, Sage & Saffron. With a bounty of quality local produce at your fingertips, the Common is the ideal spot to park your picnic blanket. In this vast, green open space just minutes from the centre, children play, dog walkers
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CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK JULY 2025 35 MELLOW YELLOW Experience Saffron Walden’s quaint country cottages and bustling Market Place
SPOTLIGHT
medieval history. Though little of the original structure remains, the sense of history is palpable – and the views from the mound offer a scenic panorama of the town’s patchwork rooftops. The ruins are located just behind the town’s museum; well worth a visit if you’re interested in diving a little deeper into local history. Just across the way lies Bridge End Garden – a series of lovingly restored, linked Victorian gardens that feel like a secret waiting to be uncovered. Lose yourself in the yew hedge maze, admire the Dutch garden’s precise symmetry or bring a picnic and let the roses do the talking. Art lovers, take note: Saffron Walden punches well above its weight when it comes to creativity. Neighbouring Bridge End Garden, the Fry Art Gallery showcases work from the Great Bardfield Artists – a 20th-century group of painters and illustrators whose whimsical, vivid works feel right at home here. That’s entertainment! In the evening, Saffron Hall, a state-of-the- art performance venue on the grounds of the local school, draws talent from around the globe – from world-class pianists to spoken word artists. Having opened in 2013 with a season of just 12 concerts, Saffron Hall now boasts an eclectic music programme that includes classical, opera, folk, big band, brass band, swing, jazz, as well as music that defies any genre labels. Dance, spoken word, musicals, comedy and pantomime have become beloved additions to the programme too. Selling around 53,000 tickets a year, Saffron Hall is an increasingly popular
meander and the occasional ice cream van makes a timely appearance. There’s even a charming bandstand and, in summer, pop- up events that range from outdoor cinema nights to vintage fairs – and, of course, the 8 Day Weekend. The Common also hosts Off the Beaten Truck, a series of weekly street food pop-ups celebrating local and independent food trucks. If you’re looking to dine out, try out Gluttons for indulgent breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas, or The Goat and Grass for a buzzy alfresco lunch spot. Meanwhile, Chater’s offers a stylish restaurant space specialising in small plates and pasta, with an on-site aperitivo bar to boot. Pockets of peacefulness Veer slightly off the high street and you’ll discover the atmospheric castle ruins, the remains of a 12th-century keep surrounded by wildflowers and whispers of the town’s
SINGING PRAISE Saffron Hall (right) plays host to a truly incredible collection of acts and artists
This year, the Saffron Walden BID has an exciting line-up of events to keep residents and visitors entertained. Look out for the annual summer trail and themed High Street Safari, great for families to explore the town centre. Throughout the year, there will be a fashion and lifestyle event, delectable food and drink event, and the much-anticipated 8 Day Weekend – a highlight on the local calendar! Stay tuned to Instagram @lovesaffronwaldenessex , Facebook (Love Saffron Walden) and saffronwaldenbid.co.uk All set for a vibrant summer!
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