Shopping locally is my New Year’s resolution. A kind greeting by a welcoming face, a homey atmosphere enveloping you as soon as you step through the door, and a rush-free exploration of quirky knick-knacks… Can anything be better? Fortunately, in a city like Cambridge, rows of independent shops adorn practically every street. After strolling through what seemed like dozens, I’ve compiled a list of my top picks.

Soap and Clay

Just past the Magdalene Bridge is my first favourite: Soap and Clay, owned by the lovely husband-wife duo Jason and Vicky. True to its name, this shop sells an assortment of soap bars and clay pieces. Opposite the entrance, you’ll see their collection of bath goods, boasting delicious scents and equally stunning (and often traditionally British) names. Fancy a sunny, colourful blend of floral essential oils inspired by summertime meadows? Give the English Garden soap a try. Prefer a spooky, raven-black “cleansing bar with charcoal, mint, tea tree and rosehip”? Then, the Lady Macbeth might be your pick.

“Though its name is simple, the shop’s inviting warmth and charming treasures are certainly worth experiencing”

Next, you’ll find shelves of ceramics: spoons, wax melt burners, and soap dishes with punny inscriptions (“you old soak,” one reads). A few variations of mugs and – my personal favourite – a neighbourhood of tiny, pastel-patterned houses stand nearby, glimmering as they bask in the rare Cambridge sunrays.

Though its name is simple, the shop’s inviting warmth and charming treasures are certainly worth experiencing. Their delightful trinkets, brightening the room with pops of colour, emanate cosiness and cheer even on the bitterest of wintry days.

Country Traditionals

Take a few strides south, and you’ll find Country Traditionals. Here, you’ll see an array of ever-alluring blue and white kitchenware sourced from Poland. I’m sure you’ll enjoy looking through ceramic pasta bowls, teacups, and dessert plates, all decorated with delicate designs like floating florals and on-trend polka dots.

The best part? You can easily mix and match your purchases, as the blue theme makes each piece harmonise with others. Take a look inside; your next yogurt bowl might be waiting for you. I use mine every morning!

Bodies in the Bookshop

In the city centre, tucked away on a hidden alleyway, is a spooky gem called Bodies in the Bookshop. This quaint store specialises in crime fiction and, quite aptly, feels shrouded in mystery. So, if you adore Agatha Christie as much as I do, you’re in luck.

The owner of the shop, Richard Reynolds, is no mystery amateur. With 41 years of experience as a Heffers crime fiction specialist, Reynolds curates the best picks for readers. When you step inside, you’ll encounter a shelf of mysteries set in Cambridge, meeting you head-on with their gripping titles – I’m sure you’ll agree that Murder at the Fitzwilliam sounds intriguing.

Beyond Cambridge-specific mysteries, though, the shop displays an impressive range of other crime fiction on its two floors. As you creep through the aisles, you’ll discover new and secondhand novels, books for children and adults, and interactive journals for recording reviews (how many Holmes stories have you read?).

Ark

As summarised by its slogan, Ark is the spot to find “gifts for interesting people”! This shop is packed with fun, funky objects you didn’t know you needed. Unless you’re currently in the market for a 400-item insect sticker book, or a set of small wooden chickens, Ark will greet you with a monumental assortment of unanticipated goods.

“A single thread unites each product: nothing is boring, nothing is bare”

After being welcomed by a string of pompoms and paper chains, you’ll discover miniature furniture pieces, faux food items, and other figurines perfect for a dollhouse – or, a desk! A tiny fruit cake, I think, could make a fantastic addition to any study spot. In other corners of the shop, there are hundreds of eclectic objects, including Portuguese tile coasters, eccentric accessories, fluffy toys, and whimsical garlands to match the ones above your head.

A single thread unites each product: nothing is boring, nothing is bare. So, if you’re on the hunt for unique, eye-catching decorations, stop by Ark!

Norfolk Natural Living

Lastly, away from the bustling crowds of King’s Parade, there’s an oasis called Norfolk Natural Living. Everything here is wellness-oriented and hand-crafted: luxurious lotions, delightful perfumes, and scented hand sanitiser. Breathtaking scents abound. Though it’s difficult to choose, two of my favourites are Coastal Walks (“a perfume of wild horizons,” thrashing seas, and soaring pines) and En Plein Air (“expansive, painterly, alive with light itself”). Browsing through room sprays and pillow mists, you’re sure to discover one you love, too.

Its founder, aromatherapist Bella Middleton, is keen to share her passion for nature and craftsmanship. So, organic motifs embellish each corner of the shop. Dried flowers decorate the shelves, crystals float in candles, and clean ingredients compose each product. What’s not to love?

After wandering through each of these lovely shops, I’m persuaded more than ever that it’s time to break the habit of gravitating toward the familiar chain store. Instead, let’s all enjoy the treasure troves around us, and make 2026 the year of the independent shop!