Cambridgeshire Postcode Areas, Districts & Map Guide
Cambridgeshire is mainly covered by three major postcode areas:
- CB (Cambridge postcode area) – primary area
- PE (Peterborough postcode area) – northern & western parts
- SG (Stevenage postcode area) – small south-west fringe
- Small overlaps: MK (Milton Keynes) and IP (Ipswich) in border areas
1. CB Postcode Area (Cambridge Area) — Core Cambridgeshire
This is the main postcode system for Cambridgeshire, covering Cambridge city and surrounding towns.
CB Districts in Cambridgeshire
Cambridge City & Surroundings
- CB1 – Cambridge (south & central)
- CB2 – Cambridge (city centre, university areas)
- CB3 – West Cambridge, Girton, Barton
- CB4 – North Cambridge (Arbury, Kings Hedges)
- CB5 – East Cambridge (Abbey, Fen Ditton)
Surrounding Towns (Cambridgeshire)
- CB21 – South Cambridgeshire (Linton, Balsham areas + edge into Essex)
- CB22 – South of Cambridge (Sawston, Great Shelford, Stapleford)
- CB23 – West Cambridgeshire (Cambourne, Hardwick, Comberton)
- CB24 – North-west (Cottenham, Histon, Impington)
- CB25 – North-east (Soham fringe, Waterbeach, Burwell edge areas)
Ely & Fenland CB districts
- CB6 – Ely, Littleport, Haddenham
- CB7 – Soham, Ely outskirts
Newmarket / Border Areas
- CB8 – Newmarket (part Cambridgeshire, part Suffolk)
2. PE Postcode Area (Peterborough & North Cambs)
Covers north Cambridgeshire, Fenland, and Peterborough region
Key Cambridgeshire PE districts
- PE1–PE4 – Peterborough city areas
- PE5–PE7 – Peterborough outskirts, Whittlesey, Yaxley
- PE8 – parts of East Northamptonshire + border fringe
- PE13–PE14 – Wisbech (Fenland, Cambridgeshire)
- PE15 – March
- PE16 – Chatteris
- PE19 – St Neots (west Cambridgeshire)
- PE26–PE29 – Huntingdon, Ramsey, St Ives, Godmanchester
3. SG Postcode Area (South-West Fringe)
Small part of Cambridgeshire overlaps with SG districts:
- SG8 – Royston area (partly Cambridgeshire)
- SG9–SG10 – edges near Buntingford / South Cambs fringe
This area mainly belongs to Hertfordshire but spills into Cambridgeshire villages.
4. MK Postcode Area (Minor Cambridgeshire overlap)
- Some western fringe villages near St Neots and surrounding rural borders may touch MK boundary influence, but Cambridgeshire coverage here is very limited.
5. IP Postcode Area (Minor eastern edge influence)
- CB8 border areas sometimes overlap toward Suffolk (Newmarket region)
- IP mainly covers Suffolk, but touches Cambridgeshire fringe zones
Simplified Geographic Layout (Mental Map)
North Cambridgeshire
- Peterborough (PE1–PE7)
- Wisbech (PE13–PE14)
- March (PE15)
- Chatteris (PE16)
Central Cambridgeshire
- Cambridge city (CB1–CB5)
- Surrounding villages (CB21–CB25)
West Cambridgeshire
- St Neots (PE19)
- Huntingdon area (PE26–PE29)
East Cambridgeshire
- Ely (CB6–CB7)
- Soham / Fenland edge (CB7–CB8)
Key Insight
- CB = Cambridge & surrounding rural Cambridgeshire (core system)
- PE = northern/western Cambridgeshire + Fenland + Peterborough
- Cambridgeshire is one of the UK counties where postcode areas cross county boundaries heavily
- Here is a Cambridgeshire Postcode Areas, Districts and Map Guide with case studies and community-style comments (no source links included).
Cambridgeshire Postcode Areas, Districts & Map Guide (with Case Studies & Comments)
Cambridgeshire is mainly divided into CB (Cambridge) and PE (Peterborough) postcode systems, with small fringe overlaps from SG and other areas.
1. CB POSTCODE AREA (Cambridge & South/East Cambridgeshire)
Key districts: CB1–CB25
CB1–CB5 (Cambridge City Core)
- CB1: Cambridge Station, Cherry Hinton, central south
- CB2: City centre, university colleges, Trumpington fringe
- CB3: West Cambridge, Girton edge
- CB4: Arbury, Kings Hedges
- CB5: East Cambridge, Fen Ditton
Case Study: CB1 (Cambridge South)
A local logistics worker described CB1 as:
“Fast-moving area with students, tech workers, and commuters. Rent is high, but transport is excellent.”
Key insight:
- High-density housing
- Strong rental demand
- Strong tech employment influence (Cambridge Science Park spillover)
Case Study: CB3 (West Cambridge)
A resident comment:
“Much quieter than the city centre, more residential and green spaces. Feels more suburban than academic.”
Key insight:
- Family-heavy population
- Close to University research zones
- Higher property stability
CB21–CB25 (South & Rural Cambridgeshire)
- CB21: Linton, Balsham (rural villages)
- CB22: Sawston, Great Shelford
- CB23: Cambourne, Comberton
- CB24: Histon, Cottenham
- CB25: Waterbeach, Soham edge
Case Study: CB23 (Cambourne)
A commuter comment:
“People move here for affordable homes compared to Cambridge, but still want quick access to the city.”
Key insight:
- Planned commuter town
- Growing population
- Heavy daily commuting into Cambridge
Case Study: CB25 (Waterbeach)
Local feedback:
“Still developing, but the new town expansion is changing everything quickly.”
Key insight:
- Transition zone (rural → suburban)
- Infrastructure development ongoing
- Rising property values
2. CB6–CB8 (Ely, Soham, Newmarket Edge)
District coverage
- CB6: Ely, Littleport
- CB7: Soham
- CB8: Newmarket (border with Suffolk)
Case Study: CB6 (Ely)
Resident opinion:
“Slower pace of life, strong community feel, but still connected to Cambridge by train.”
Key insight:
- Cathedral city identity
- Tourism + commuter mix
- Balanced housing market
Case Study: CB8 (Newmarket)
A local comment:
“Horse racing dominates the economy. You feel the industry everywhere in daily life.”
Key insight:
- Strong equestrian economy
- Cross-county identity (Cambridgeshire + Suffolk influence)
- Seasonal employment fluctuations
3. PE POSTCODE AREA (Peterborough & North Cambridgeshire)
Key districts: PE1–PE16, PE19 etc.
Major Cambridgeshire PE zones
- PE1–PE4: Peterborough city
- PE5–PE7: Yaxley, Whittlesey outskirts
- PE15: March
- PE16: Chatteris
- PE13–PE14: Wisbech (Fenland)
- PE19: St Neots (west Cambs)
Case Study: PE1 (Peterborough City Centre)
Community comment:
“Very diverse, lots of regeneration, but still has pockets of older industrial housing.”
Key insight:
- Rapid urban redevelopment
- High population diversity
- Strong retail + logistics economy
Case Study: PE13 (Wisbech)
Local resident view:
“It feels like a traditional market town, but with a strong agricultural workforce and slower economic change.”
Key insight:
- Fenland agriculture influence
- Lower property prices than Cambridge
- Cross-county postcode (Cambs, Lincolnshire, Norfolk overlap)
Case Study: PE15 (March)
Comment:
“A commuter town with a quieter lifestyle, but fewer job opportunities locally.”
Key insight:
- Rail-linked commuter settlement
- Moderate house prices
- Service-based economy
Case Study: PE19 (St Neots)
Resident view:
“Feels more like Bedfordshire lifestyle than Cambridge, but still part of the Cambridgeshire commuter belt.”
Key insight:
- Strong commuter population to London/Cambridge
- Fast-growing residential town
- Blended regional identity
4. SG POSTCODE FRINGE (South-West Cambridgeshire Edge)
Areas
- SG8: Royston edge villages
Case Study: SG8 villages
Local comment:
“Technically Hertfordshire postcode, but daily life is tied to Cambridge.”
Key insight:
- Cross-county commuting
- Strong Cambridge influence despite SG code
- Rural commuter villages
OVERALL MAP PATTERN (SIMPLIFIED)
North
- Wisbech (PE13–PE14)
- March (PE15)
- Chatteris (PE16)
Centre
- Cambridge city (CB1–CB5)
- Ely (CB6)
- Soham (CB7)
South
- Sawston, Cambourne (CB22–CB23)
- Royston edge (SG8)
West
- St Neots (PE19)
- Huntingdon fringe (PE28–PE29 zones in PE system)
GENERAL COMMUNITY PATTERNS
Cambridge CB areas
- High cost of living
- Tech + university driven economy
- Strong rental demand
Fenland PE areas
- Agriculture-heavy economy
- Lower property prices
- Slower development pace
Commuter belt zones (CB23, PE19, CB25)
- Rapid population growth
- High dependency on rail/road commuting
- Housing expansion zones