Ancient Shepherds by Mark Poynton

The story

Ancient Shepherds by Mark Poynton – Modern British Dining in Cambridge

History and setting

Ancient Shepherds occupies a Grade II listed building that began life as three cottages in 1540. First licensed to sell beer in 1805, it has returned to its original form under chef Mark Poynton, who has been involved since 2020 with a clear aim: making fine dining accessible. The restaurant sits on High Street in Fen Ditton, a short drive from Cambridge city centre.

The food

Poynton’s kitchen focuses entirely on tasting menus – three, five or seven courses – built around the finest local and seasonal produce. The style is Modern British, with dishes such as carrot and goats cheese salad, orange and seaweed cured cod with tomato and burnt chilli ponzu, quail breast and leg with turnip, pistachio and lime, and halibut with squash and trompette mushrooms. Desserts include apricot and almond ice cream sandwich and dark chocolate tart with mandarin and Cointreau. Optional wine flights are available for each menu length. The entire table must choose the same number of courses. Sunday lunch is offered as a three-course set alongside the five-course tasting menu.

Rooms

Five letting rooms sit in the courtyard behind the restaurant: two deluxe with king beds and baths, three standard with double beds. Each comes with a continental breakfast delivered to your door, a Nespresso machine and freeview TV.

Recognition

Ancient Shepherds holds a Michelin Recommended award for 2026 – a mark of the consistent, thoughtful cooking that has made it a destination in Cambridge’s dining scene. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Thursday to Saturday, and for Sunday lunch.