Open to the Public
Cambridge University is not a single campus but a collection of 31 independent colleges spread across the city. Many of these colleges open their courtyards, gardens and chapels to visitors, making it possible to walk through some of the most historic academic buildings in the world.
The degree of access varies from college to college. Some, like Trinity College and St John's College, charge an entry fee but allow visitors to explore their courts, lawns and chapels. Others, like Pembroke College and Corpus Christi College, are free to enter but may close during exam periods or at short notice for college events. A few colleges are generally closed to the public or open only at very limited times.
King's College Chapel
King's College Chapel is the single most visited building in Cambridge and for good reason. Its fan-vaulted ceiling, the largest of its kind in the world, is one of the great achievements of English medieval architecture. The chapel was built between 1446 and 1515, and its interior is both vast and intricate, with stone vaulting that seems almost impossibly delicate given its scale.
The chapel also contains Rubens's painting The Adoration of the Magi and some of the finest medieval stained glass in England. Entry to King's College includes the chapel and the grounds, and there is a charge during most of the year. The college's famous Christmas Eve carol service, broadcast by the BBC, has made the chapel known worldwide.
Trinity College
Trinity College is the largest and wealthiest of the Cambridge colleges, founded by Henry VIII in 1546. Its Great Court is the largest enclosed courtyard in Europe, and the Wren Library, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, houses a remarkable collection of rare books and manuscripts. Trinity has produced more Nobel Prize winners than many entire countries.
Visitors can enter the Great Court and visit the Wren Library during opening hours. There is an entry fee. The college's grounds along the River Cam, known as the Backs, are particularly attractive and can be seen from the river during a punting trip.
Other Colleges Worth Visiting
St John's College is known for the Bridge of Sighs, a covered bridge over the River Cam that, despite its name, bears little resemblance to its Venetian namesake. Queens' College has the Mathematical Bridge, a wooden footbridge whose construction has generated various myths about its design. Clare College has some of the prettiest gardens along the Backs.
Emmanuel College is free to enter and has a chapel designed by Christopher Wren. Peterhouse, the oldest college, founded in 1284, is small and often overlooked but has a quiet charm and a beautiful chapel.
Practical Tips
If you are visiting during university term time, particularly during the Easter exam period in May and June, some colleges close to visitors entirely or restrict access to certain hours. The summer months from July to September tend to offer the widest access, as students are away. Weekday mornings are generally the quietest time to visit the more popular colleges.
A good approach is to pick two or three colleges to visit inside, rather than trying to see them all. Walking through the city centre and punting along the Backs gives you views of many colleges from the water, and you can choose which ones to enter based on your interests and the time available.
