“All the right votes but not necessarily in the right order.” This quote might well sum up the story of King’s Hedges Ward. We’re venturing into one of Cambridge’s newest electoral divisions. Forget those picture-postcard images of King’s College. King’s Hedges Ward is a 1960s and 70s council estate. It sits on the northern edge of Cambridge.
King’s Hedges gets its name from the King’s warren. Hedges were grown here in medieval times to trap game. Social renting remains high here. The ward was created in 1976. Since then, Cambridge’s 14 wards have mostly kept the same names.
Development of the King’s Hedges estate began in 1967. By 1986, 1570 households stood on the 125-acre site. The area became known for blocks of three and four storeys. These estates housed families relocated from older parts of Cambridge. Initially, there were complaints of vandalism and a lack of community facilities.
The King’s Hedges estate was designed around cycling and walking routes. These paths offer direct access through the area. The idea was to encourage residents to travel without cars. King’s Hedges is considered the best example of this type of development in Cambridge. Newer developments have largely reverted to car-centric designs.
King’s Hedges has primary schools. These include King’s Hedges Primary School. It was built between 1967 and 1969. You will also find The Grove Primary School, which was built in 1963. The Ship and Golden Hind are the area’s public houses.
The ward has bus and road links to the centre of Cambridge. It also provides access to the A14 trunk road. The Cambridge Science Park sits adjacent to King’s Hedges.
Historically speaking, the real King’s Hedges was a 58-acre farm. It was located north of the Guided Busway. It was on the edge of the Arbury district. The land north of Arbury Road is the site of Arbury Camp. It’s also the site of Arbury Meadows and Furlongs.
King’s Hedges Road started as a private farm track. It led to King’s Hedges Farm. As house building increased, the road was widened. It became part of the A45 motorway development. The King’s Hedges Road extension was known as The Northern Peripheral Road during planning.
Interestingly, in the 1930s, questions arose. Why was a private road costing ratepayers for its upkeep? The Cambridge Town Clerk replied that Chesterton Urban District Council had begun repairing the road by mistake. This made it a public road.
King’s Hedges Ward has seen its share of political activity too. In a 2023 by-election, the Conservatives surged into a strong second place. This happened against a backdrop of dire local elections for the Conservatives. The election was triggered by the resignation of a Labour councillor.
Today, King’s Hedges stands as a testament to planning ideals. Its story reflects changes in urban design. It also reflects the shifting sands of local politics. It is more than just an electoral ward. It is a living, evolving part of Cambridge.