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Cambridgeshire says goodbye to September as we move into October things are changing
Cambridgeshire says goodbye to September as we move into October things are changing
Cambridgeshire says goodbye to September as we move into October things are changing
Cambridgeshire Spotlight looks at what’s happening across the county as we head into Autumn
Author
Sep 26, 2025
Interesting Fact |
The most expensive fruit in the world was purchased by Anthony Baskeyfield (UK) who paid £700 ($1,040) for a grape from David Cinavas (UK) at the Helpston Garden Centre, Cambridgeshire, UK on 28 March 1993.
The sale was made in order to circumvent the Sunday trading laws which applied at the time in Great Britain, and a statue of Apollo (valued at £700) was given away with the grape. |
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Late September in Cambridgeshire means you’re never quite dressed right. Boots feel too hot at lunchtime, but sandals leave you shivering by tea.
Market stalls are stacked with apples, students are stacking up in college quads, and the pubs are stacking chairs outside for one last brave week of “beer garden season.”
In Cambridge, freshers are queuing for club nights they’ll regret by week three.
In Ely, apple crates are piling up faster than the leaves. And in Wisbech, the chatter is all about makers’ fairs and whether this year’s cider batch will be as good as the last.
This week’s Spotlight has harvest trails, makers’ markets, gigs, gossip and a few curveballs you won’t see coming. Put the kettle on it’s a good one. |
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Step into Hot Numbers on Gwydir Street in Cambridge and you’ll know straight away this isn’t your average flat white joint.
There’s the clatter of beans being roasted out back, art on the walls, and a playlist that feels more Brooklyn than Burleigh Street.
Started in 2011, Hot Numbers has become Cambridge’s go-to for coffee lovers who actually care what’s in their cup.
Their team roasts their own beans and serves them with the kind of precision that makes you feel like you’re part of a secret society — just one with better latte art.
But it’s more than caffeine. The café doubles as a cultural hub: live music nights, art exhibitions, even the odd poetry reading.
One regular told us: “I came for the coffee, stayed for the jazz, and ended up buying a painting.”
Yes, prices are a notch above chain coffee, but this is about provenance and experience, not just a caffeine hit.
In a city swimming with Costas and Prets, Hot Numbers is proof that indie spirit still thrives.
Got a favourite independent business that deserves the Spotlight? Nominate them — we love a good underdog story. |
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Local Legends, Fresh Starts, Spooky Nights
Northstowe’s Unity Centre is rising.
The Unity Centre, opening in early 2026, will cram in a café, playrooms, NHS services, and meeting rooms less “new build soullessness,” more “mini-market town with a plan.”
Papworth Everard’s Printworks revival.
Even the Mayor came to cut the ribbon not every pizza joint can say that.
Retail therapy with fields attached.
Expect a bakery, fitness studio, indie shops, and a fancy restaurant, all perched with a view.
You’ll spend as much time Instagramming the scenery as browsing the candles.
March gets a proper glow-up.
A facelift that makes shopping feel like less of an obstacle course.
Co-op conquers Coates.
No more long treks for stamps or milk in rural terms, that’s basically a revolution.
Seriously?! — Witches, Wine & a Giant Screen at Orton Hall
File this under “things you didn’t expect to happen in Peterborough”: Orton Hall Hotel & Spa is swapping wedding parties for witches.
On Sunday 19 October, the stately lawns will host an open-air screening of Hocus Pocus yes, the full broomsticks, black cats, and Sanderson sisters, projected under the autumn night sky.
Expect blankets, hot drinks, and the occasional witch’s cackle echoing through the trees.
One organiser grinned: “It’s like Halloween, but with prosecco and deckchairs.”
So if you thought spooky season was just for kids, think again — Cambridgeshire does Halloween with style.
“Deal-hunters keep an eye on our Biz Insider notes—openings, expansions and ‘blink-and-you’ll-miss-it’ pop-ups.” |
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Riverside Miniature Railway, St Neots
Forget high-speed trains and season tickets the Riverside Miniature Railway is proof that small really is mighty.
Tucked into Riverside Park at Eaton Ford, this pint-sized line is a labour of love, run entirely by local volunteers since its first steam-up in July 2017.
Climb aboard and it’s impossible not to smile as the scaled-down engines chuff through the trees, kids waving like it’s the Flying Scotsman and grown-ups rediscovering what joy feels like when it’s measured in feet, not miles.
One volunteer laughed: “It’s therapy on tracks. You hop on, and the whole world slows down to miniature pace.”
And it’s true with two gauges of track, a fleet of lovingly maintained engines, and tickets that barely dent a fiver, this is affordable escapism at its finest.
But it’s not just about the trains. On a sunny weekend, the railway becomes a village-green gathering: tea poured from flasks, dogs sniffing curiously at the carriages, and kids dragging parents back for “just one more ride.” The kind of simple magic that chains can’t bottle.
Founded by local enthusiast Ivan Hewlett and kept alive by dozens of tireless helpers, the Riverside Miniature Railway has quietly become St Neots’ most unexpected hero a reminder that joy doesn’t have to be grand, expensive, or fast.
Sometimes it just runs on rails the width of your shoe.
Got another unsung hero we should spotlight? Nominate them — we love finding the county’s hidden gems.
Volunteer-curious? Join the Community Insider note—we share quick ways to help without overbooking your weekends.” |
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The Maid’s Head, Wicken Fen’s Thatched Gem
You don’t stumble into Wicken by accident. It’s the kind of place you pedal to, wind in your ears, or drive toward with the fen stretching endlessly on both sides.
And right at the heart of the village green, with reed beds a short stroll away, sits The Maid’s Head a 13th Century thatched-roof pub that looks like it grew straight out of a storybook.
Step inside and it’s golden walls, beams older than your great-grandparents, and that unmistakable “pub comfort” smell: woodsmoke, ale, and gravy in the air.
The staff greet you like you’re halfway through a conversation, not starting one. And yes, the dogs are welcome too tails thump under the tables as often as feet.
The menu is hearty and unapologetically pubby.
On my visit, pork belly bites and a pie were the headliners, served piping hot and portioned like someone actually wants you full.
A cyclist at the next table still in Lycra, nursing a pint muttered to his mate,
“I came for the fen, but I’ll come back for the chips.” And honestly, he’s got a point.
It’s not just me waxing lyrical. TripAdvisor might give them a middling 3.6/5, but Google reviewers are kinder, at 4.3/5 from more than 500 voices.
The truth is somewhere in between: yes, you might wait a touch longer on a Sunday if the whole of Ely turns up at once, but the setting, food, and welcome outweigh the grumbles.
Winter evenings bring a crackling fire, and summer spills out into a beer garden where you can sit with a pint and watch the light change over the fen.
It’s unpretentious, deeply local, and exactly the kind of place you wish every village still had.
If you’ve just tramped the boardwalks of Wicken Fen, binoculars in hand, this is the natural full stop: muddy boots, rosy cheeks, and a plate of something that tastes like home.
The Maid’s Head isn’t trying to be perfect.
It’s trying to be real and in a county where so many pubs have shut their doors, that makes it worth celebrating.
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Meet Evie & Ivy, the inseparable bonded pair of French Bulldogs at Woodgreen Pets Charity in Godmanchester.
They’ve been together since August 2025, and whoever adopts them must take both — doubling the love, doubling the snuggles.
These two are truly attached. Ivy is the outgoing one—always smiling, eager for that first belly rub. Evie is a little more cautious, seeking reassurance from Ivy first.
Together, they’re a charming pair who bring sunshine to any room.
Health-wise, they’ll need thoughtful care: graded for mild airway concerns (BOAS), and Evie currently has an ear infection.
Woodgreen’s rehoming team will guide prospective adopters through next steps, including a vet check.
A private garden would help them wander safely, and calm children (aged 8+) would suit them best.
By the time you’re reading this, Evie & Ivy might already be curled up in their forever home. If not, they’re waiting for someone to take them in—tails wagging, hearts open.
Thinking of adopting?
Head to Woodgreen’s “Meet Our Dogs” page and ask about Evie & Ivy. You might end up with twice the cuddles and so much more. |
This newsletter sponsored by |
The Red Hen Project |
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The Red Hen Project has been supporting Cambridge families since 1998, helping children up to age 12 and their parents build confidence, routines, and community. From one-to-one guidance to holiday activities, they’re a quiet force for good in our city. Local businesses — this slot could carry your name. Sponsor a future Spotlight and show off your community spirit. |
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Ways to Save This Week
Flu jabs without the £££.
Book now through your GP or local pharmacy before the queues build. That’s a £14+ saving you can spend on biscuits instead.
Park smart, cycle cheaper.
Park for free (up to 18 hours), hop on a bus or bike, and skip the centre’s daylight robbery car parks.
Swap it like it’s hot.
Peterborough’s energy help.
Borrow, don’t buy in Ely.
“I don’t believe it.”
Proof that thriftiness and imagination can turn even loos into lounges. Not running now, but if that isn’t peak reuse, what is? Any ideas on what you could reuse please let us all in on your ideas. The best get featured in a future issue of Spotlight!
Got a tip that’s genius (not stingy)? Send it over Sally loves a hack worth sharing.
“Sharpest penny-pinchers are already on our Savers Insider list—where the best hacks land before the shops catch on.” |
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The Triple Whammy Edition
3. Stage it seasonal.
In autumn, warmth sells.
Light the fire, throw blankets over chairs, and leave out a tray of mugs.
Agents in St Ives and Ely swear buyers linger longer in homes that feel cosy. Pennies to stage, thousands in offers saved.
Three moves, one market: play it right, and autumn doesn’t just mean leaves falling — it means your house price rising.
Want more tricks to outsmart the market? Sign up for Smart Money News — it’s the cheat sheet your estate agent won’t hand you. |
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Ten Minutes, Big Difference
Here’s a trick: instead of doomscrolling in the car park before the school run or your train, take ten minutes to actually move.
Squats by the kettle, a brisk walk around the block, or stretching like you’re auditioning for yoga TikTok.
It sounds daft, but those micro-moments add up circulation up, stress down, smug levels sky-high.
A Cambridge physio told us: “People wait for an hour at the gym. Ten minutes twice a day does more than you think.”
Even better, it costs nothing. And it’s more fun than sitting hunched over your phone convincing yourself you’ll start tomorrow.
Got a quick health hack that keeps you sane? Share it — the best reader tips get a Spotlight mention.
“Beauty-savvy readers check our Glow Insider tip-offs—quiet trends and local offers, minus the hype.”
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Steam, Whistles and Wide Eyes
If your little ones are train-obsessed (or you secretly are), head to the Nene Valley Railway near Peterborough.
This weekend they’re running vintage steam engines, complete with whistles, smoke, and that magic “chuff-chuff” that gets kids grinning and grandparents misty-eyed.
There’s a Thomas the Tank engine connection here too the line has been used in the past for TV filming, so don’t be surprised if your toddler squeals “It’s Percy!” mid-ride.
The Thomas Halloween Adventure is coming soon on the 31st October buy there are lots of fun adventures for kids and grown ups before that in store.
Tickets aren’t free, but under-threes ride for nothing, and the café at Wansford Station does a mean sausage roll.
One dad told us: “It was the first time my teenager forgot about his phone for two hours. That’s priceless.”
Got a family day out idea that never fails? Share it — we’ll add the best to next week’s pick. |
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Craft & Create – Pumpkin Prep in Ely
It’s nearly October, which means the pumpkin patches around Ely are fattening up nicely.
Local craft groups are already running pumpkin-carving workshops, complete with tea, cake, and buckets of scooped-out seeds.
Forget the supermarket kits these sessions teach tricks like shading, etching, and how to carve without losing a finger.
One organiser laughed: “We’ve seen everything from haunted houses to a carving of Boris Johnson. The pumpkins never judge.”
If you can’t make it to a workshop, grab a pumpkin from Ely Market and try your own spin.
Toast the seeds, mash the flesh into soup, and light up the garden with your masterpiece.
Tried a crafty event locally? Send us a snap — the best ones will feature in next week’s Spotlight. |
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Steins, Ballads and Bogeymen
Cambridgeshire’s final week of September isn’t slowing down it’s bringing Bavarian beats, cathedral choirs, and ghostly goings-on.
Cambridge Oktoberfest — Jesus Green (26–27 Sept)
Yep. Jesus Green becomes Bavaria-lite for one weekend only, with steins of beer, bratwurst by the plateful, and brass bands loud enough to shake the punts.
Why fly to Munich when you can stumble home along the Cam?
Flowers & Friendship Bracelets — Cambridge Corn Exchange (28 Sept)
Yes, you’re encouraged to swap friendship bracelets. No, you’re not too old.
Ely Sinfonia — Ely Cathedral (27 Sept)
Equal parts majestic and goosebump-inducing.
St Ives Ghost Walks — From 26 Sept
The famous ghost walks return, with tales of plague pits, grey ladies and things that go bump by the quay.
Bring a friend to clutch or a hip flask.
Did you miss it?
Earlier this month, VibeFest Cambridge blended tarot tents, drumming circles and sound baths into one cosmic cocktail.
If you snoozed, you lost — but don’t worry, Spotlight will shout when next year’s dates drop so you won’t miss the magic.
“Now that’s bonkers.”
Forget spooky walks — the Fens have their own ghost lights. The Lantern Men of Wicken Fen are said to drift across the marshes, luring wanderers to their doom. Folklore says: don’t whistle, and if you see one, lie face-down until it fades. Just Fenland being Fenland — spine-tingling, muddy, and gloriously weird.
“Diary-savvy readers are on the Events Insider ping—first glance at the next big thing before the posters go up.” |
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Forecast Pending, Layers RecommendedToo early to give you the real forecast for late September — but if Cambridgeshire history is anything to go by, expect mornings that bite, afternoons that bluff, and evenings that have you reaching for the kettle and the heating dial. We’ll update this with the week’s exact highs, lows and rain odds before we go live. In the meantime? Keep a brolly in the bag and a jumper on standby. It’s autumn — anything goes. |
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Big Plans, Bigger Debates
Cambridge — Active Travel Wars
Great news if you’re on two wheels, less so if you’re stuck in traffic.
One Mill Road trader grumbled: “Fine, but where exactly do my deliveries go by carrier pigeon?”
The consultation runs into October, so make your voice heard before someone paints your parking bay green.
Fenland — Wisbech Garden Town
Supporters call it a lifeline.
Cynics mutter it’s more “pie in the sky” than pies on Wisbech Market.
Expect lively debate — this is one vision that divides opinion faster than the A47 bypass.
Huntingdonshire — Free Trees, Please
All you need is a garden and a shovel, and you’re suddenly part of the woodland expansion project.
One resident joked they’ll need a machete to find the shed in five years.
Free trees, greener views, and maybe a few more squirrels than you bargained for.
Peterborough — Station Quarter on Track
But not everyone’s clapping heritage groups are sharpening pitchforks over the listed facades.
The next council meeting? Expect fireworks, and not the Guy Fawkes kind.
“Pull the other one.”!
Councils get up to odd things but Huntingdonshire once debated the urgent need for “duck crossing signs” after a flock brought traffic to a standstill in St Ives.
No joke: it made the minutes.
Proof that while housing and transport matter, sometimes the ducks call the shots.
“Civic-minded readers get our Civic Insider heads-ups—key consultations and deadlines before they disappear.” |
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2. Julia Roberts in Cambridge!
3. Local celeb on familiar turf?
4. Social media speculation: Celeb rumour mill churning . Have a sighting, overheard gem, or too-good-to-ignore whisper? Send it in — we’ll separate the fact from the fun.
“Gossip-savvy locals get the Insider Whispers round-up—half-true tales and eyebrow raises, straight to the group chat.” |
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Remote at the Ready - From Staffroom Scandals to Sparkly Showdowns
The Guest (BBC One & iPlayer, from 1 Sept)
Fast-paced and twisted in all the right ways, you’ll never look at the staff kitchen—or office politics—the same again.
Mitchell & Webb Are Not Helping (Channel 4, Thursdays, 10 pm) all its awkward glory. Sharp, absurd, and just the right side of ridiculous.
Riot Women (BBC One & iPlayer, October)
Loud, raw, and wickedly funny—it’s like We Are Lady Parts with an extra dose of life experience.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK – Season 7 (BBC Three / iPlayer, from 25 Sept)
Taskmaster – Series 20 (Channel 4, from 11 Sept)
Expect farmyard-themed chaos, silly challenges, and more belly laughs than any other Thursday at 9.
“You’re kidding me…”
Cambridge’s Bridge of Sighs was recently closed off for filming Apple TV+’s new thriller Prime Target, starring Leo Woodall of The White Lotus and One Day.
Yes—our city’s famous bridge just bagged a cameo.
Got a telly pick that’s stranger, sillier or sharper? Send it our way — we’ll feature the quirkiest binge next week. |
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Knit Happens
Autumn’s creeping in, and knitwear is staging a major comeback—with a county-wide twist.
One Ely trader laughed, “This time of year, we could sell knitted tea cosies as hats and no one would blink.”
Style tip: Clash textures, not colours—cords with a chunky knit, leather boots under something oversized. It's cosy, comfortable, and smugly stylish.
“The canniest dressers follow our Style Insider alerts—market gems spotted before they’re snapped up. |
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Got a local scoop we’ve missed? Send it in — the sharpest tips get printed. |
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Summer brought a sigh of relief now the mortgage market’s twitching again.
Rates are edging up as lenders quietly yank the cheapest fixed deals, spooked by the government’s ballooning deficit.
The panic?
Buyers in Cambridgeshire are rushing to lock in before their dream home costs another £100 a month.
Meanwhile, the rental scene is pure chaos.
Cambridge flats? Gone in days. St Neots houses? Snapped up in under a week.
Even Fenland’s got viewing queues down the street.
One Peterborough landlord confessed: “I don’t advertise anymore — my neighbour tells me who’s looking.”
So if you’re selling, play it smart:
And the renters?
The savvy ones are already a step ahead signing up to the Property Insider newsletter for first dibs on what’s hitting the market and which landlords are looking.
In a market this frantic, it pays to know before Rightmove does. Bottom line?
This isn’t panic stations yet, but the smart money’s moving fast.
Want more insider shortcuts? Sign up for Smart Money News — your weekly cheat sheet for the housing market. |
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Autumn at Full Volume
September’s ending with a wobble mornings are frosty, afternoons sweaty, and nobody has a clue what to wear.
Conkers are falling like health-and-safety hazards, and the air smells of cinnamon whether you ordered it or not.
Next week?
We’re rolling into autumn turned up to 11: Chatteris goes arty after dark, Ely gets apple-fuelled and sugar-high, and Cambridge hosts a gig loud enough to rattle your pint glass.
Stay tuned — because if autumn’s just starting, imagine what mischief October has in store. |