Ark, Cambridge Travel Guide

4.5 (93)

Independent Cambridge gift shop beside the Arts Theatre offering British-made leather goods and quirky design objects in a compact Peas Hill unit.

Compact independent gift shop at 1-2 Peas Hill stocking colourful British-made leather goods, quirky accessories and homeware. Positioned beside Cambridge Arts Theatre and a minute from Market Square, it draws quick visits from theatregoers, market browsers and locals seeking non-chain items. The interior is densely stocked with small design objects, jewellery, clothing and toys curated under the strapline gifts for interesting people. Owner Jane Richards opened the business in 2001 after earlier locations on Norfolk Street and St Marys Passage. Sister wholesale brand Ark Colour Design produces purses, clutches and notebooks made in Scotland from UK and Irish leather. Typical dwell time is 10 to 30 minutes inside the single ground-floor unit.

A brief summary to Ark

1-2 Peas Hill, Cambridge, CB2 3PP, GB
Click to display
Click to display
Duration: 0.17 to 1 hours
Mid ranged
Indoor
Mobile reception: 5 out of 5

Monday 9:30 am-6 pm
Tuesday 9:30 am-6 pm
Wednesday 9:30 am-6 pm
Thursday 9:30 am-6 pm
Friday 9:30 am-6 pm
Saturday 9:30 am-6 pm
Sunday 10 am-5 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Ark.

Combine the visit with the adjacent Guildhall tourist information point or a stop at the market.
Allow extra time if selecting a gift; staff can suggest items from the densely packed displays.
Check nearby benches on Peas Hill for a brief rest before or after browsing.

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Getting There

Walking

From Market Square or Kings Parade the walk takes two to three minutes on paved streets.
Public transport

Drummer Street bus station is seven minutes on foot; Park and Ride services stop nearby.
Cycling

Cycle parking stands are located directly on Peas Hill and beside the Arts Theatre.
Driving

Grand Arcade car park is two minutes away on foot; vehicle access to Peas Hill is restricted during daytime hours.

Discover more about Ark

Shop identity and stock

Ark occupies the ground floor of an early-20th-century brick building at 1-2 Peas Hill. The interior is compact, with shelves, racks and small display tables holding a changing mix of leather goods, socks, plush toys, clothing, jewellery and home accessories. The selection avoids mainstream chain lines and emphasises playful, irreverent pieces sourced from independent makers. Ark Colour Design items, manufactured in Scotland, form a core part of the range and are also sold through museum and department-store stockists elsewhere in the UK.

Street setting

Peas Hill is a short, partly pedestrianised street running south from Market Hill. The shop sits directly beside Cambridge Arts Theatre and opposite the Guildhall, which houses the tourist information centre. Nearby buildings range from medieval to 20th-century, with stone paving, cycle stands and benches. The historic fish-market name is recorded on a 1572 map as Pease Hill. The immediate surroundings include St Edward King and Martyr church and the entrance to St Edwards Passage leading toward Kings Parade.

Visitor flow and pacing

Most visits last 10 to 30 minutes. Shoppers typically browse, ask staff for gift suggestions and make a purchase before continuing to the market, colleges or theatre. The space is small, so pairs or individuals move more comfortably than larger groups. Staff are described as friendly and helpful. The shop is used by tourists combining it with the Guildhall or Arts Theatre and by locals looking for distinctive items not found in chain stores.

History of the business

Jane Richards, with a background in fashion design, opened the first Ark on Norfolk Street in 2001 selling vintage furniture. The focus later shifted to interiors and gifts. The shop was an early stockist of Cambridge Satchels and a major Cath Kidston outlet before that brand opened its own Cambridge store. It moved to St Marys Passage and then to the current Peas Hill premises. In 2015 Richards and former manager Amy Lindsay launched the Ark Colour Design wholesale line.

Practical access

The location is inside the central pedestrian zone. Walking from Market Square takes one minute. Cambridge station is 20 to 25 minutes on foot. Drummer Street bus station is seven minutes away. Grand Arcade car park is two minutes on foot with over 900 spaces. Cycle parking is available on Peas Hill and at the Arts Theatre. Motor vehicles are restricted on Peas Hill during daytime hours, so taxi drop-off occurs at the zone edge.