Exciting Announcement: Confirmed Partners for Cambridge City Guide
We’re thrilled to announce that Compendia is creating a 72-hour guide to Cambridge as part of our European City Guide Series! This guide will document the best independent cafes, bars, restaurants, cultural spots, and wellness experiences in the city—offering a curated look at what makes Cambridge so special.
72 Hours In Cambridge
Cambridge is renowned for its cycling culture, with thousands of residents and visitors choosing to explore the city on two wheels. As a keen cyclist myself, I saw a great opportunity to bring cycling into the narrative of this guide. Given our focus on eco-tourism and sustainable travel, we’ll be travelling by train and bike for this trip, documenting our journey as we uncover the best local gems Cambridge has to offer. To make this possible, we’ve partnered with some fantastic brands that share our values.
Our Partners
Locke Hotel – Our Cambridge Base
We are delighted to be working with Locke Hotel as our official hotel partner in Cambridge. Locke has hotels across Europe, including several in London and Cambridge, where we’ve had the pleasure of staying before. Their beautifully designed, apartment-style living spaces combine the comfort of home with the sophistication of boutique hospitality. Locke’s emphasis on local culture, contemporary design, and community-driven spaces aligns perfectly with Compendia’s values and mission.
🔗 Website: Locke Living
📍 Instagram: @lockehotels
Freddie Grubb – The Perfect Ride
I first discovered Freddie Grubb when they collaborated with Yarmouth Oilskins, and I’ve been following their journey ever since. They craft high-quality bicycles designed to last, with an emphasis on heritage craftsmanship and a modern, design-led approach. Their bikes are built for urban explorers, making them the perfect fit for this guide. Plus, Freddie Grubb is based in Cambridge, making this collaboration feel even more special.
🔗 Website: Freddie Grubb
📍 Instagram: @freddiegrubb
Closca Helmets – Safety Meets Style
I first became aware of Closca towards the end of last year and have been closely following their journey ever since. Their award-winning, foldable helmet design is a game-changer—offering a compact and stylish solution for city cyclists. As someone who has often wished for a more portable helmet while travelling, I genuinely believe this innovation is incredible. More people will be willing to wear a helmet when it’s easier to carry around and slip into a bag—ultimately saving lives—a perfect fit for this 72 Hours In guide.
🔗 Website: Closca
📍 Instagram: @closca_design
Fujifilm UK – Capturing the Journey
For me as a photographer, Fujifilm has played an integral role in honing my craft and building my confidence as a content creator. I’ve been using Fujifilm cameras for years—ever since I first invested in the X100F in 2021, which sparked an ongoing love affair with the brand.
I am incredibly excited to partner with Fujifilm and work with the new X-T50 camera for this project and see what I can create with it as I explore Cambridge. Fujifilm’s signature film-like colours and tactile shooting experience make it the perfect camera to capture the city's essence.
🔗 Website: Fujifilm X Series
📍 Instagram: @fujifilmuk
A New Model for Supporting Independent Businesses
With Compendia, I’ve experimented with various business models over the years. Previously, our model focused on working directly with independent businesses, offering advertorial-style promotions. However, as many small businesses struggle with limited marketing budgets, we saw the need to evolve while staying true to our mission: championing independent businesses and encouraging people to buy and shop locally when traveling.
This project represents a new approach—one that brings in larger national and international brands to help fund the creation of these city guides. By carefully selecting partners that align with our values, we can seamlessly integrate brands and products into our storytelling in a way that feels natural and engaging.
Why This Matters
This model provides an opportunity for corporate companies and brands to give back to local communities, supporting the thriving independent scene—from new cafes and bakeries to vintage stores and creative spaces. It’s a way for the big players to uplift the small businesses, ensuring they receive well-deserved attention and foot traffic.
At the heart of Compendia are our core values:
✔️ Community – Highlighting the people, businesses, and spaces that make each city unique.
✔️ Collaboration – Bringing together aligned brands, tourism boards, and hotels to create meaningful content.
✔️ Connection – Helping travelers experience destinations in an authentic and responsible way.
What’s Next?
We can’t wait to share the Cambridge City Guide with you—featuring Locke, Freddie Grubb, Closca, and Fujifilm UK, as well as the incredible independent businesses we discover along the way. Stay tuned as we bring this project to life, explore the best of Cambridge, and share compelling stories through photography and film.
For brands and partners interested in working with us on future city guides, this post serves as an example of how we structure our partnerships and bring value-driven storytelling to life. If you’d like to collaborate in another city, let’s connect!
Watch this space. 🚴📷✨