Cambridge - which areas?

[donaldbump]

Hi Could anyone advise on which areas to concentrate on please? Need access to station to get into London 1-2x week. Happy to consider village outside or city itself. Don’t want to be in a new build identikit area. Prefer somewhere with nice architecture if that’s possible? And need to consider schools. We could go private if need be... Budget up to £1.3m. Thank you!

Areas around addenbrookes hospital, Long Road/Hills Road/Queen Ediths would be a good place to start on outskirts of city. Good access to the station and choice of private schools in area.
Or if could use Cambridge North could look at villages like Milton/Girton/Chesterton side of the city and drive/cycle into the station. Or consider villages like Whittlesford, Foxton, Harston

De freville avenue in Chesterton. Next to everyone, close to beautiful parks, town, cafes, restaurants (one a Michelin star). In between both train stations but can get to either in less than 10 minutes on a bike.

Next to river not 'everyone' 🤪

This place looks quite nice, off Queen Edith's Rd.
www.zoopla.co.uk/new-homes/details/51459837?search_identifier=5ecef281d1eae1e97d5b148272023bd8

Bits of Chesterton/de Freville are very nice.
Mill Road/Romsey Town is lively , bustling, lots of cafés, bars and restaurants and quite close to the station.

Accordia has won architectural awards. Not sure what it's like at your budget.

www.architecture.com/awards-and-competitions-landing-page/awards/riba-stirling-prize/accordia-cambridge

This one is under offer around that price. I think there are townhouses there. It's not all flats.

www.struttandparker.com/properties/the-copper-building

De freville avenue in Chesterton

Yes, I agree - and also other streets in that area. Also, I'd say Newnham, which has some lovely houses, is quite pretty and is close to some nice green space. And also - have you considered Granchester?

Also consider Great and Little Shelford

The town side of the Mill Road area is worth a look: 10-15m walk to station and to city centre, nice houses (bigger than the other side of the railway bridge), nice food shops and some great restaurants (assuming they survive the pandemic). Gardens can be small, though, and prices going up fast as lots of people moving out of London to here. A year ago I'd have said there's no chance this house would make its asking price, but it probably will now: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/88788913#/ Newnham and De Freville areas at least as expensive as this, btw.

If looking elsewhere in Cambridge and in the villages, check for flood risk, particularly if the house is anywhere near the river.