The Cambridge, originally erected in 1862, is now flats. Built by Captain Charles Raleigh Knight, a property speculator, in association with the development of the Military Academy across the road, the area around the hotel was/became known as Cambridge Town but was renamed “Camberley” in January 1877 to avoid the General Post Office getting confused. But back in the ’60s there was a regular Jazz Club at the hotel every Sunday night, run by David Saunders.

22 April 1966: High Curley Stompers at Cambridge Hotel, Camberley Source: Camberley Photographs from the 1880s to the 1980s.

In ’55/’56, the High Curly Stompers had a Sunday night residency at the Cambridge Hotel, which lasted into the mid-60’s; the band were certainly still playing there on 22 April ’66. Memphis Express played at The Cambridge on either the 10 or 17 October ’68. At some point that same year, the appearance of The Modern Art of Living at The Barn, held at The Cambridge, was delayed briefly when bassist Roger Carson broke a fluorescent tube while putting on his bass, spearing his hand in the process. The performance awaited the glass to be extracted, but ultimately Brian Smith took over playing Carson’s right-hand bass, left-handed. The venue also played host to the likes of Kenny Ball and Acker Bilk, and in addition, the Tremelos are known to have played there.

3 October 1984: Controls played Splinters, Cambridge Hotel, Camberley. Source: Stupid Rabbit Tapes

On 31 May ’72, The Montanas, the Wolverhampton band whose “You’ve Got to Be Loved” reached number 58 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in ’68, made an appearance at the venue and, on 24 August ’74, Jigsaw, who had a UK Top 10 with “Sky High” the next year, stepped up to play at The Cambridge. Bands, including Thane and The Mode, were still playing at The Cambridge into the ’80’s. On 17 March ’81, Lethal Dose, supported by Strontium 90 (not the Police precurser), played at the venue. Splinters was a club held at The Cambridge and Controls played there on 3 October ’84. The last gig, of which we are currently aware, was Supermodel on 16 October ’96.

The Cambridge during demolition in 2022. Source: Mark Naylor via Camberley, Frimley & Bagshot & surrounding areas, Some Serious History

The venue closed for good in 2016 and was demolished in 2022, with construction starting shortly after of the residential Cambridge Court.

Gallery:

Cambridge Hotel, Camberley in the 1960s. Source: Neil Parker via Camberley, Frimley & Bagshot & surrounding areas, Some Serious History
10 or 17 October 1968: Clipping from Melody Maker of 12 October 1968 puts Memphis Express at the Cambridge Hotel, Camberley on one of these two dates.
17 March 1981: Lethal Dose, supported by Strontium 90, played at the Cambridge Hotel, Camberley. Source: Paul Pomeroy