Mill Road was originally a quiet country lane leading to the southeast out of the city of Cambridge, named after the windmill that stood at what is now the corner of Covent Garden.

The coming of the railways in the mid-19th century brought about a rapid development of the eastern part of the city after the University of Cambridge repeatedly blocked attempts to build a more central station.

[3] Petersfield and Romsey Town, the areas of Mill Road to either side of the railway bridge, developed in markedly different ways.

[3] In 1838 the Cambridge Union Workhouse was opened, a building subsequently to become the Mill Road Maternity Hospital[4] and finally Ditchburn Place, a sheltered housing scheme.

Regular activities include a shop window display competition, live music, folk dancing, a local history walk and open days at the road's churches, temple and mosque.

[12] Following repossession of the temple by Cambridgeshire County Council in 2020, the archway was bought by hairdresser Piero D'Angelico, a member of Mill Road Traders' Association for £1.