Today's Cambridge Corn Exchange has been running as a live concert venue since 1986 – but the history of the building goes right back to Victorian times. There had been a previous corn exchange in the city at St. Andrew’s Hill but the current building on Wheeler Street was opened in 1875 and was used for its original purpose until 1965.
Cambridge Corn Exchange
Cambridge Corn Exchange
Cambridge Corn Exchange
The present-day concert hall was opened in 1986 with an inaugural concert by American singer Boxcar Willie. Quite what the farmers and merchants who used to gather there to trade corn and cereals would have made of his country music, no one knows – but the venue has gone from strength to strength ever since.
Star names from the world of music who have played at the 1,849-capacity Cambridge Corn Exchange include the Arctic Monkeys, Amy Winehouse, Elbow, and Primal Scream, while comedy giants from Lenny Henry to Russell Brand have brought their shows to the venue. Ballet and classical music also regularly feature on the bill, with the dancer Darcey Bussell and conductor Sir Simon Rattle both having appeared there.
The Corn Exchange has an annual Classical Series of concerts, which features the likes of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It also promotes the work of its own composer in residence and artist in residence.
If you fancy any refreshments during your visit to the Corn Exchange, you will find two fully stocked bars. The Schering Bar is located in the main foyer and serves an array of beers, wines, ciders, spirits and soft drinks. Alternatively, you can head to St. John’s Bar on the first floor. You can access this bottle and spirit bar via the rear staircase, which is located to the right of the main hall. There is also a platform lift available to customers with mobility needs. And if you want to skip the queues, you can pre-order your interval drinks and snacks if you’re at a seated show.
When travelling to the venue by car, you can follow signs to the Grand Arcade car park, which is conveniently located across the road from the Corn Exchange. It has 529 spaces available, with additional parking at Park Street and Queen Anne car park on Gonville Place – both of which are around a 10-minute walk away. If you’re staying at our Cambridge North (Girton) hotel, then the Corn Exchange is only a 15-minute drive away.