Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road

Cambridge Science Park represents the modern expansion of Cambridge as a centre of science and technology, linking university research with commercial enterprise.

Modern City

Founded in 1970 by Trinity College, Cambridge Science Park was the first science park in the United Kingdom. It marked a significant shift in the relationship between the University and the town, creating a new model of collaboration between academic research and industry.

Located to the north of the city, the park provided space for technology companies, research organisations, and start-ups. Its development encouraged the growth of high-technology industries in Cambridge, contributing to the city’s emergence as a global centre for innovation.

The Science Park reflects a modern phase in the “Town and Gown” relationship, where cooperation increasingly replaced earlier patterns of conflict. University knowledge, private investment, and local employment became closely interconnected.

Although physically separate from the historic railway station, the Science Park depends heavily on modern transport links. Road access, bus routes, and more recently Cambridge North station have made the area accessible to a growing workforce. Commuting patterns now extend far beyond the city, reflecting national and international connections rather than purely local ones.

The Science Park introduced a different kind of working environment, characterised by offices, laboratories, and research facilities rather than manual or industrial labour. It brought highly skilled workers into the area and contributed to Cambridge’s expanding population. This change reshaped the social and economic character of the city, linking it more closely to global networks of research and business.

At the same time, this growth has influenced the wider city, contributing to economic prosperity while also placing pressure on housing, transport, and infrastructure. The Cambridge Science Park illustrates how the city continues to evolve, balancing its historic academic identity with its role in a global knowledge economy.

Read the story of John Bentley, participant in Broken Tech Broken Earth exhibition.