While I was visiting Cambridge, I had a quick break at the popular cafe Fitzbillies on Trumpington Street; there is another branch at the top of Cambridge on Bridge Street. Fitzbillies has been a Cambridge favourite since 1920 when two brothers (Ernest and Arthur Mason), sons of a baker, started the business after the first World War. Their father was a bread baker with a bakery on Trumpington Street, so the boys specialised in cakes and buns.The cafe quickly became popular in town for its sponge cakes, which were more popular than the Chelsea buns that it is now famous for.
I had their famous Chelsea bun, hot chocolate, and carrot cake cupcake. They also serve lunches (hot food) and afternoon tea.
In the 1980s and 1990s, a lot of small bakeries were finding difficulties in competing with the supermarkets, and Fitzbillies fell on hard times. As if that was not enough, a fire caused damage and forced the main bakery to close in 1998, but they opened next door and kept selling. Difficulties arose again in 2011, and Stephen Fry posted on Twitter about the buns; the business was saved by one of the fans of the brand who was from Cambridge and remembered having them. They have since expanded to include another cafe and relaunched the brand. Last year, they celebrated 100 years.
I would love to return for one of those macaroons, macaron, and afternoon tea.
Leave a comment