150 years of the Cambridge Corn Exchange

150 Years of the Cambridge Corn Exchange

Cambridge Corn Exchange celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2025. With a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, a dedicated heritage team have been criss-crossing those centuries; delving into the Cambridge archives to uncover the people and events that have passed through this historic venue, making Cambridge history. This is the first time some of these stories and images have been accessible to the public in the digital exhibition ‘A Stage in Time’. https://www.cornex.co.uk/your-visit/a-stage-in-time 

The Cambridge Corn Exchange with its original glass roof c1970s (The Cambridgeshire Collection I.O.K7 60110)

Designed by Victorian architect, Richard Reynolds Rowe, the Cambridge Corn Exchange was built on the site of a medieval priory, using a quarter of a million local bricks and began life as a place for farmers to trade corn.

Cambridge Corn Exchange: interior showing trading activity. c 1920s
(The Cambridgeshire Collection I.O.K2 33527)

Each agent would have their own wooden desk and the farmers would bring a small portion of their crops to them, in the hopes of getting the best price possible. Part of this process was carefully judging the quality of the corn, which can only be done by daylight. So the Cambridge Corn Exchange had very large windows and a glass roof to let in as much natural light as possible.

Motor show at the Corn Exchange c1910
(The Cambridgeshire Collection I.O.K1 42778)

In the ensuing 150 years the venue has been at the heart of city life. From late nineteenth century motor shows; Tea for a Thousand in 1935 to celebrate the silver jubilee and the host of the infamous University of Cambridge May Balls.

Temporary Bridge over Wheeler Street connecting the Guildhall and the Cambridge Corn Exchange for May Balls, 1899 (The Cambridgeshire Collection B.Whe.J99 2521)

The venue has always met the needs of the Cambridge community and no more so than during wartime. When war was declared in 1914, the Cambridge Corn Exchange became a centre for enlistment, equipment and accommodation. With the return of war in 1939, again, the Corn Exchange played a strategic role in the Cambridge war effort.

Enlisting at the Corn Exchange 1914 (The Cambridgeshire Collection T.G.K14 2360)

Rifle Cleaning at Cambridge Corn Exchange 1940 (The Cambridgeshire Collection CDN 1940)

Eventually, corn trading in the UK began to suffer, as cheaper imported grain drove down prices for local produce. Corn markets became smaller and less common and in 1965, the last grains were traded in the Corn Exchange. The reduce in trading coincided with the post-war increase in leisure. Women’s roles in the home shifted as many remained in paid work, claiming new financial and social independence. At the same time, a new social category emerged, the ‘teenager’, and with it, a new kind of music. The Corn Exchange adapted. Rock ’n’ roll took over the stage and wrestling and boxing matches packed the bill.

Boxing at the Corn Exchange 1959 (Licensed from Mirrorpix for the Cambridge Corn Exchange)

More recent decades when some of the biggest names in entertainment have performed on its stage. The 1960s and 70s saw the Corn Exchange establishing itself as a venue for up-and-coming artists including the likes of the Dawnbreakers, David Bowie’s band Buzz and the Stranglers.  From then on, an impressive gigography followed through the decades including Queen, Syd Barrett, Electric Light Orchestra, Oasis, Skunk Anansie…..to name but a few. See our complete gig list here https://www.cornex.co.uk/your-visit/a-stage-in-time/exhibition-themes/artists-through-the-decades/gig-list

How to attend a rock concert leaflet at the Cambridge Corn Exchange c1990s (Creative Commons)

How to attend a rock concert leaflet at the Cambridge Corn Exchange c1990s (Creative Commons)

Find out the full history of the Corn Exchange, including photos, memories and oral histories at the Stage in Time digital exhibition https://www.cornex.co.uk/your-visit/a-stage-in-time