Early Development: Cambridge Science Park and the Trinity College Vision
The story of Cambridge's science parks begins in 1970 when Trinity College made a decision that would transform the city's technological landscape. The Cambridge Science Park, established on 152 acres of Trinity College land north of Cambridge, became the first science park in Europe. This groundbreaking initiative came from a growing recognition within the University of Cambridge that it needed to forge stronger links with industry and commercialize its leading technology.
The early years of Cambridge Science Park were challenging. During the 1970s, when Britain was experiencing economic difficulties, attracting tenants proved difficult. The first company to move in was Laser-Scan (now 1Spatial) in 1973. This was followed by several small technology firms. By 1978, only 25% of the available space was occupied. However, this slow start gave way to rapid growth in the 1980s as Britain's economy recovered and the microcomputer revolution took hold.
A crucial turning point came when Acorn Computers, founded by Hermann Hauser and Chris Curry, established its headquarters at the park in 1978. Acorn's success, particularly with the BBC Microcomputer, helped establish the Park's reputation as a prime location for technology companies. This success attracted other significant tenants, including Toshiba, which opened its European research laboratory at the park in 1991.
The Cambridge Phenomenon and Park Expansion
The success of Cambridge Science Park triggered what became known as the "Cambridge Phenomenon" – the transformation of Cambridge from a university town into one of Europe's leading technology clusters. This success prompted the development of additional science parks in the region during the 1990s.
St John's Innovation Centre opened in 1987, focusing specifically on supporting early-stage technology companies.
South Cambridge Science Hub: Meeting Modern Innovation Needs
A vital extension of Cambridge's innovation ecosystem is known as the South Cambridge science cluster.
It emerged as distinctly separate from the established Cambridge Science Park to the north. The development of this southern corridor has been intrinsically linked to the expansion of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC), which has served as an anchor for the region's growth and as a strategic response to evolving market demands within the Cambridge science and technology scene.
While the northern cluster around Cambridge Science Park excelled in traditional technology and computing sectors, a technology cluster developed south of the Cambridge city centre to address several key gaps in the market.
Biotech and Life Sciences Focus
The hub developed to support the growing biotech and life sciences sector. Unlike older parks, later science parks to the south of the heart of Cambridge featured purpose-built laboratory spaces with modern containment facilities and specialized waste management systems. This infrastructure has proven crucial for companies working in advanced therapeutics, genomics, and medical technology.
Integration with Transport Infrastructure
South Cambridge Science Cluster’s location provides superior access to both the M11 corridor and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. This strategic positioning has created a natural high tech bridge between academic research facilities and commercial enterprises, facilitating easier collaboration and knowledge transfer.
The CBC and Science Parks
The CBC's success encouraged the development of several neighbouring science parks, notably Granta Park in Great Abington and the Babraham Research Campus. Granta Park, established in 1997, has grown to encompass over 120 acres and houses significant pharmaceutical and biotechnology organisations. The park's strategic position, just off the A11, has made it particularly attractive to life sciences companies seeking proximity to both Cambridge's academic centre and the CBC.
The Babraham Research Campus, situated between the CBC and Granta Park, has carved out a niche in supporting early-stage bioscience enterprises. Its unique model combines academic research through the Babraham Institute with incubator spaces for commercial ventures. The result is a flourishing environment for biotech start-ups.
This southern cluster has experienced particularly rapid growth since 2010. More recently, expansion of existing sites and new developments such as South Cambridge Science Centre have driven the volume of commercial property. The completion of the Cambridge Guided Busway has improved connectivity between these sites and Cambridge city centre. The development of the Cambridge South railway station (under construction) promises to further enhance accessibility.
The relationship between these parks and the CBC has been symbiotic, with many companies choosing to maintain research facilities in the southern cluster whilst establishing clinical partnerships at the CBC. This has created a distinctive life sciences corridor that complements, rather than competes with, the traditional North Cambridge cluster, contributing to Cambridge's reputation as a world-leading biotechnology hub.
The Q2 2025 completion of the 138,000 sq ft South Cambridge Science Centre in Sawston, at the centre of the science hub, will ensure continued expansion of the southern cluster.
South Cambridge Science Centre: Sustainable Design and Modern Amenities
Unlike earlier science parks that followed a more traditional business park model, South Cambridge Science Centre has been designed with sustainability at its core. The high tech development incorporates renewable energy systems, water harvesting, green spaces, and facilities that promote wellbeing. These are featuring that appeal to modern workforce expectations and corporate environmental commitments.
Flexible Space Solutions
The centre addresses a critical market gap by offering flexible laboratory and office spaces that can be reconfigured as companies grow. This adaptability was lacking in older developments, where fixed layouts often forced growing companies to relocate, disrupting their operations and breaking valuable network connections.
Collaborative Ecosystem Design
Learning from the experiences of earlier science parks, South Cambridge Science Centre was designed to foster natural collaboration through shared spaces and facilities. The integration of casual meeting areas, conference facilities, and social spaces has created an environment that promotes innovation through informal interactions – a feature often lacking in first-generation science parks.
Market Impact and Future Prospects
The introduction of South Cambridge Science Centre has helped balance the geographic distribution of innovation spaces around Cambridge. This is reducing pressure on northern sites and creating a more integrated innovation ecosystem. Its success has demonstrated the continuing evolution of science park design and the importance of world class purpose-built facilities for modern research and development activities.