LOVE LOCAL
For former Londoner Sarah Bonelle, Cambridge has been the perfect balance of city and community to settle down in
I’ve lived in Cambridge for 17 years now. After spending my 20s in London, I was ready for the change. A friend I’d met in London was born and raised in Cambridge and had decided to move back. I remember visiting her and thinking how beautiful it was here – such an idyllic place to settle down and start a family. Once I made the move it very quickly became home. Cambridge has grown with me, and I feel very lucky to live here! I love it here because it’s a big, vibrant city, yet still small enough to have a local community feel. It’s also leafy and green, steeped in history and everywhere you look there’s something interesting to discover. The place that means the most to me is Cambridge University Botanic Garden. When my children were small, I bought a
yearly pass, and would find the sanctuary of the gardens so tranquil, enchanting and safe for the little ones. We still visit at least twice a year to catch the seasonal colours on display through the vast array of different trees and flowers, as well as exploring the fascinating greenhouses. The best exhibition I’ve been to was at the wonderful and grand Fitzwilliam Museum, named Real Families: Stories of Change , in December 2023. I took my children, and we all found it so interesting and insightful to view the more than 120 artworks spanning painting, photography, sculpture and film, prompting us to consider what makes a family today, and the impact our families have on us, through the eyes of contemporary artists. Most of my friends went to see it twice, it was that good!
SHARE YOUR LOVE STORY
If you’ve been a Cambridge resident for a year or more and would like to appear on this page as one of our next interviewees, drop the editor a line at louisehoffman@bright.uk.com
In terms of local recommendations, I always make sure to suggest that people wander riverside, past The Granta pub and Mill Pond, up into King’s Parade and round Market Square to pick up some local delicacies for a picnic back by the river. Or head to the Graduate for cocktails and to watch the punts go by. One thing I’ve never done here, but plan to, is paddle board from central Cambridge all the way to Grantchester, finishing with a cream tea at The Orchard Tea Garden – one of my favourite lazy-day spots.
I remember thinking how beautiful it was here – such an idyllic place to settle down and start a family
90 OCTOBER 2025 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
Powered by FlippingBook