Camberley then & now
Our High Street, history and independent shops
By the Illuminations of Camberley team · Updated 7 November 2026
Look beyond the shop windows and Camberley has a story to tell. Its streets link a military past with generations of local traders, while today's independent shops give you plenty of reasons to stop, browse and talk to someone who knows their subject.
Illuminations has been part of Camberley's shopping community since 1971. From our lighting showroom at 66–68 High Street, this is our introduction to the town's history, a selection of local businesses and a few ways to make more of your visit.
A short history of Camberley's shopping streets
From Cambridge Town to a connected High Street. Camberley's centre developed as Cambridge Town to serve the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. Its planned street grid is still recognisable today. The railway arrived in 1878, helping the High Street grow in importance as the connection between the college and the station.
The 1960s: a new shopping precinct. Post-war redevelopment brought a precinct between Park Street and High Street. In the late 1980s, glazing over streets including Princess Way and Obelisk Way created sheltered shopping arcades. These changes help explain why a walk around Camberley takes you between traditional street frontages and covered shopping.
Source: Surrey Heath Borough Council's town-centre history
The town's more recent chapter
The council acquired the former Mall shopping centre in 2016, followed by refurbishment and its identity as The Square. Improvements to High Street, Princess Way and Knoll Walk have also changed the public spaces around the shops, with paving, planting, seating and public art.
Smaller businesses are part of that changing story too. In November 2025, the council reported Craft Coop's return to the town centre at a new location on Obelisk Way. It is a reminder that the history of a high street is also the history of people finding ways to keep trading.
Read about Camberley's regeneration · Read the council's Craft Coop update
Independent shops to explore in Camberley
These are editorial highlights, not a complete directory. Check each business's own website for current opening hours and services before making a special journey.
Craft Coop — locally made gifts and homeware
32 Obelisk Way, The Square. Craft Coop brings local makers into a shared retail space. Browse handmade gifts, artwork and decorative pieces: a useful stop when you want something with an individual character for your home or a present.
The Rock Box — a thread through Camberley's music history
34 Obelisk Way, The Square. Established in Camberley in 1987, this independent record shop moved from London Road to its present shopping-centre home in 2019. Its vinyl and CD selection makes it a natural browsing stop, whether you are looking for a new release or rediscovering an old favourite.
Discover The Rock Box and its story
Reem Jewellers — a family business with a longer story
33a Obelisk Way. Reem began in London in 1982 and moved to Camberley in 2010. Its own history describes a family business spanning two generations, specialising in jewellery, watches and antiques. It offers another example of specialist knowledge behind a town-centre shopfront.
Octagon Sweets — a sweet stop on Princess Way
25 Princess Way, Camberley, GU15 3SP. Browse traditional favourites and retro sweets, with gift bags, jars and party bags for celebrations. A colourful stop to include while exploring the town centre, whether you are choosing a small treat or a present.
Explore Octagon Sweets on Collectively Camberley
Nearby: Longacres — Bagshot
London Road, Bagshot, GU19 5JB. If you are planning a wider day out, Longacres is a separate stop beyond Camberley town centre. Its Bagshot garden centre offers another opportunity to browse for the garden and outdoor space. Allow for onward travel and check its current opening times.
Plan a visit to Longacres Bagshot
Illuminations: part of the town since 1971
Lighting is our part of Camberley's independent retail story. Visiting a showroom lets you judge a fitting's scale, finish and light in person, and talk through how it could work in your own room.
Bring room photographs, dimensions and fabric or paint samples. We can help you think about lighting alongside the colours and materials you are choosing elsewhere. If you want to see a particular fitting, call first so we can confirm whether it is on display.
Explore our Camberley lighting showroom · Get help with your lighting plans
Make a day of your visit
Start with the High Street. Call into Illuminations, then explore Park Street and the shops around The Square. The Obelisk Way businesses above give you several different reasons to browse in one part of town.
Add some local history. Surrey Heath Museum, at 33 Obelisk Way, holds collections covering local life, commerce and military history. Check the museum's own visiting information and exhibitions before travelling.
Take a break. Explore the town centre's cafés and restaurants, or look at The Atrium's dining and leisure options. For current town activities, check Collectively Camberley.
Explore The Atrium · See more of Camberley
Parking and collecting your lights
Main Square car park is on Albert Road; Knoll Road is another town-centre option. Use the council's current information for charges, access and opening hours.
Main Square parking information · Knoll Road parking information
Ordering online? Browse Illuminations Direct for Click & Collect lighting. Wait until we confirm your order is ready before travelling. The online range is separate from the showroom selection; most online fittings are not on display. Selected items marked “See It Lit in Camberley” can be viewed in the showroom.
For a bulky or fragile collection, call us about rear loading arrangements before arriving.
Come and see it lit
Illuminations of Camberley
66–68 High Street, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3RS
Monday–Saturday, 9am–5:30pm. Closed Sundays and bank holidays.
Call 01276 24941 · Message us on WhatsApp
Have a Camberley shop memory to share?
We would love to hear about the shops you remember, or see old photographs of the High Street and Illuminations. Email the showroom team with the story behind your picture and who owns it. We will agree permission and a credit before using contributed material.
Published by Illuminations of Camberley. Historical sources and business websites are linked beside the relevant sections. Business information can change; listings do not imply a partnership or endorsement by the featured businesses.