Ben’s Yard retail village on Stuntney Estate near Ely confirms opening date

Ben’s Yard, the new rural retail village on the 2,500-acre Stuntney Estate near Ely, has confirmed its opening date of Friday, June 30.

Championing local businesses and British brands, it will offer shops, hospitality, a restaurant and café plus wildlife trails.

And children can also look forward to using the Ely Cathedral-themed play area.

Ben’s Yard has been created on the estate, which lies off the A142 to the south-east of Ely, by Alastair and Victoria Morbey, who describe it as the fifth child – and the third parent – in their family.

They told the Cambridge Independent: “We are most excited about being open to the public and welcoming guests on site to create a great sense of community in the local area.

“We are at the final stages and applying the finishing touches ahead of the launch.”

Alastair runs the estate and farm and is keen to conserve the landscape, rewilding an area for wildlife and the community.

The trails will take visitors through woodland, fen and wildflower meadows, with a two-kilometre stretch designed for wheelchairs, bikes and buggies.

After building up an appetite in the shops or on the trails, visitors can try out the seven-day-a-week Ben’s Yard Restaurant, which will offer modern British and international classics, while Ben’s Yard Café will provide nutritious salads, snacks and sandwiches and there is an enclosed outdoor terrace for when the weather is unkind.

Shops will include Freda & Bert, a gift shop from the people behind Manor Gift Shop, Love Lane by Abi, featuring elegant homewares, women’s wear retailer Something about Rose, electric bike shop Spoke and Motor and independent florist Thatch & Roses, while The Hair Company, an independent British hairdressing business awards finalist, will operate Ben’s Yard Salon.

Alastair and Victoria said it was “incredibly important” to them, in the age of internet shopping, to create an experience and a day out for visitors.

“We want to create a naturally immersive experience for all our guests, where traditional customer service meets the beautiful landscape of the Stuntney Estate,” they said.

A spokesperson added: “Making the business current and relevant in the 21st century, but still embodying the generosity of community spirit and sense of place, has been at the heart of their decision to create this rural retail village.”