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The Festival Theatre, built in 1814, is Grade II listed. It is one of the oldest and more important disused theatres in Britain. The architect is thought to have been William Wilkins, whose work includes the National Gallery, the Theatre Royal, and Downing College, Cambridge.

After a colourful and successful history, including that of a mission hall at the start of 20th Century, it was derelict when acquired in 1926 by Terence Gray. Gray, with his architect Edward Maufe, created a new open stage with a small revolve and a permanent hollow-tiles cyclorama, lit from an on-stage light bridge (at the time the most advanced experimental theatre in the county).

However, despite these alterations, Wilkins’ auditorium was almost entirely preserved.

The Cambridge Arts Theatre Trust purchased the building in 1946 when it was, once more, empty and used it as a workshop and costume store.

Bland, Brown & Cole became involved in the gradual restoration of the Grade II Theatre and the adjacent Georgian house in 1988. Barry Brown conducted a detailed survey and a series of Feasibility Studies to create a Report in 1994, which became the basis of the successful bid to the National Lottery to re-roof the Theatre and introduce temporary heat and power.

In 1998, the Windhorse Trust bought both buildings and the work of restoration was completed to the house, leaving the Theatre in a partially restored state with all of its original features protected and in place.