Cambridge University and Colleges

(Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, UK)

Cambridge is first and foremost a university city, with a lengthy heritage when it comes to teaching and education. Many people mistakenly think that the university is a giant complex set within one campus. However, in actual fact it comprises more than 30 individual, independent colleges and many of these are dotted around the city centre, with the oldest dating back some 800 years or so.

Cambridge University has recently ranked as the world's very best, knocking Harvard off the top spot. Amongst the most notable of the colleges are Churchill, Corpus Christi, Emmanuel, King's, Magdalene, Pembroke, Queens and Trinity. There are currently three women's only colleges, namely the Lucy Cavendish, the New Hall and Newnham, while both Clare Hall and Darwin are for graduates only.

Christ's College

Address: St. Andrew's Street, Cambridge, CB2 3BV, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 334900
Standing right in the very heart of the city, the impressive Christ's College provides much to see. The principal highlights include spectacular Tudor buildings and classical architecture with castle-like crenalations fronting the roof, as well as detailed carvings, 18th-century facades and a pleasant garden. If you are here to do a spot of shopping, then Sidney Street is a good place to start, being traffic-free and offering many familiar brands.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

Churchill College

Address: Storey's Way, Cambridge, CB3 0DS, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 336000
Just across from Trinity Hall and near Clover House, Churchill College is amongst the most recent colleges built in the city and was opened in 1960. Located on the outskirts of the city centre, the college concentrates on science and technology, and was actually named after famous wartime Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

Clare College

Address: Trinity Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1TL, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 333200
Founded in 1326, Clare College is actually the second-oldest in Cambridge and has always been an important part of university life. Attractions include detailed architecture, stone carvings and the Fellow's Garden, which features landscaped gardens, flower borders and riverside seating areas.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: charge, children under 16 years old are free

Clare Hall College

Address: Herschel Road, Cambridge, CB3 9AL, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 332360
Built in 1966, Clare Hall soon became an independent college and features impressive, modern Swedish architecture. Clare Hall is surrounded by four popular student residences, namely the Brian Pippard Building, Elmside House, the Leslie Barnett House and the Michael Stoker Building.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Corpus Christi College

Address: Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1RH, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 338000
Corpus Christi features the oldest university college court in Cambridge and this important building dates back to the mid-14th century. Attractions include a series of passageways, detailed architecture, an interesting religious crest and the vast Parker Library, where some valuable medieval manuscripts are housed. The St. Botolph Parish Church is nearby and serves as a handy point of reference.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

Darwin College

Address: Silver Street, Cambridge, CB3 9EU, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 335660
Lying next to Sidgwick Avenue and fronting a pleasant green, Darwin College is actually named after Charles Darwin. Vistors should take a stroll to the Mill Pond, where punting is a popular pastime during the summer months. A number of themed restaurants are close by, specialising in Indian, Italian and Thai cuisine.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: charge

Downing College

Address: Regent Street, Cambridge, CB2 1DQ, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 334800
Separated from the Parker's Piece Park by Regent Street, Downing College is situated near the Scott Polar Research Institute, the Arts Picturehouse and Janus House. With glorious Greek-style buildings and period architecture, Downing was built in 1800 and is named after its founder, Sir George Downing. Over the years, Downing College has been sympathetically extended and features large lawns and gardens.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

Emmanuel College

Address: St. Andrew's Street, Cambridge, CB2 3AP, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 334800
Situated in central Cambridge, Emmanuel College is an especially striking building, with the Master's Lodge appearing rather like a palace and standing on St. Andrew's Street, over the road from the John Lewis department store. Founded in the late-16th century, Emmanuel is home to a grand chapel designed by Christopher Wren.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

Fitzwilliam College

Address: Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0DG, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 332000
Formerly known as Fitzwilliam House, this building was founded in 1869 for students unable to afford full membership fees. The site was further developed in the 1960s and now includes a number of striking, modern buildings and a small chapel. Of note, the Trinity Hall Ground is next-door, while just up the road is the Ascension Parish Burial Ground.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

Girton College

Address: Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0JG, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 338999
Girton is to be found on the far north-westerly side of the city and was the first women's college to be built here, being completed in 1869 and becoming co-educational in 1976. Visitors will discover landscaped gardens, Victorian architecture and outdoor plays during the summer months. Girton College is connected to the city centre via Huntingdon Road (A3107), being conveniently close to the A14 and junction 14 of the M11 motorway.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

Gonville and Caius College

Address: Trinity Street, Cambridge, CB2 1TA, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 332400
Opened in 1348, the centrally located Gonville and Caius is the fourth-oldest college in the Cambridge University complex, being close to Sidney Sussex and Market Street. Highlights include a chapel dating back to the 14th century, pretty courtyards and historic stone gates, which are full of character.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

Homerton College

Address: Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 8PH, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 307111
Founded more than 200 years ago in London, Homerton College became part of Cambridge University in the late-19th century. Now located on the southern side of the city, near the Hill Road Sports and Tennis Centre, Homerton is used as a teacher-training college. Onsite buildings include the Great Hall, the Science Education Centre, Harrison House and West House.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

Jesus College

Address: Jesus Lane, Cambridge, CB5 8BL, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 339339
Sited alongside the Midsummer Common and near the open-air Jesus Green Swimming Pool, Jesus College was founded in the late-15th century and features some of the most historic and precious medieval university buildings in Cambridge. These include a 12th-century chapel, a grand dining hall, detailed architecture, stone carvings and a number of attractive, more modern buildings.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

King's College

Address: King's Parade, Cambridge, CB2 1ST, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 331100
Located just across from the Cambridge Arts Theatre and The Eagle public house, King's College has a number of impressive buildings, some of which date back to the early 18th century. There is a chapel, large lawns, riverside walks and pleasant gardens. Follow King's Parade and you will soon reach pedestrianised St. Mary's Passage and its plentiful shopping opportunities. The St. Edward King and Martyr Church is also nearby, along with the Central Science Library and a popular National Trust shop.
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children
Open hours: Monday and Tuesday, and Thursday to Saturday - 09:30 to 16:30, Wednesday - 10:00 to 16:30, Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00

Lucy Cavendish College

Address: Lady Margaret Road, Cambridge, CB3 0BU, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 332190
The Lucy Cavendish lies next to Albion Row and Madingley Road, and was built in the mid-20th century as a college solely for women. Home to around 200 female students, this is actually one of the smallest of all the university colleges in the city.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

Magdalene College

Address: Magdalene Street, Cambridge, CB3 0AG, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 332100
Magdalene ranks amongst the most famous of the city's university colleges and was founded in the mid-16th century by King Henry VIII. Situated close to the River Cam and on the northern side of the city centre, attractions include a college chapel and the highly regarded Pepys Library. Many famous historic figures have studied in Magdalene over the years, including barons, dukes and lords a plenty.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

New Hall

Address: Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0DF, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 762100
Founded in 1954, New Hall can be found at the top of the famous Castle Hill and is often referred to as Murray Edwards. This women-only college features a number of important historic buildings and enviable panoramic views across the city.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

Newnham College

Address: Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 9DF, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 335700
Newnham is located next to Grange Road and Champneys Walk, where it opened in 1871 as a women-only college, in an effort to encourage more female students. Highlights include detailed Victorian architecture, gardens and many nearby city attractions.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

Pembroke College

Address: Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1RF, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 338100
Established in the mid-14th century, Pembroke College features an important chapel, which was one of Christopher Wren's earliest designs. This is the third-oldest college in the Cambridge University complex and it comes with an imposing clock tower, attractive gardens and a number of noteworthy statues. Just a stroll away are some tempting museums, including the Whipple Museum of the History of Science, the Museum of Zoology and the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

Queens' College

Address: Silver Street, Cambridge, CB3 9ET, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 335511
The important Queens' College is especially famous and features wonderful Tudor architecture. Founded in 1448, Queens' is located off Silver Street and centred around the President's Lodge. There are impressive cloisters, courtyards, gardens and historic murals, while the well-known Mathematical Bridge is also worth looking out for here.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: April to October - free, November to March - charge

Robinson College

Address: Grange Road, Cambridge, CB3 9AN, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 339100
Cambridge University continues to expand and Robinson College is one of the latest additions to the complex. Built in the late 1970s, the college features modern red-brick architecture, balconies, a courtyard and a stunning chapel. Both the Trinity Old Field and the Needham Research Institute are nearby, along with Clare Hall and Thorneycreek Cottage.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

Selwyn College

Address: Grange Road, Cambridge, CB3 9DQ, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 335846
Selwyn College is named after George Augustus Selwyn, a former student of Cambridge University who went on to become the first Anglican Bishop of New Zealand. Founded in the late-19th century and sited on the western side of the centre, close to both the Real Tennis Club and the Rubgy Union Football Club, Selwyn College features attractive gardens, red-brick architecture and a peaceful setting.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

Sidney Sussex College

Address: Sidney Street, Cambridge, CB2 3HU, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 338800
Located in the heart of the city and next to King Street, Jesus Lane and Malcolm Street, the Sidney Sussex College dates back to the 15th century. Highlights include an important chapel, stone walls and many historic period features, both inside and out. Nearby you will find a Marks & Spencer department store, the Holy Trinity Church and Westcott House.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

St. Catharine's College

Address: Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1RL, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 338300
Founded in the late-15th century, St. Catharine's College stands in between Queens Lane and Trumpington Street, being conveniently located nearby many city attractions. The original buildings were rebuilt in the 17th century and now feature classical, red-brick architecture.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

St. Edmund's College

Address: Mount Pleasant, Cambridge, CB3 0BN, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 336250
St. Edmund's was opened in the late-19th century as a Roman Catholic college and only became recognised as part of the Cambridge University complex in 1965. Located in the city centre, close to the Blackfriars Priory and Mount Pleasant Walk, this is now a postgraduate college.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

St. John's College

Address: St. John's Street, Cambridge, CB2 1TP, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 338600
Founded in 1511, St. John's College stands next to Bridge Street, in the city centre. Attractions include a historic gatehouse, courtyards and the famous Bridge of Sighs, which was built in 1831.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 09:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children

Trinity College

Address: Trinity Street, Cambridge, CB2 1TQ, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 338400
Trinity College was established in 1546 and quickly became the wealthiest. Formerly two separate colleges, Trinity offers many historic attractions, period features and pleasant gardens, which lie alongside the River Cam. A number of popular restaurants are located close by, along with the Round Church and the often busy All Saints Garden Craft Market.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children and families

Wolfson College

Address: Barton Road, Cambridge, CB3 9PB, England
Tel: +44 (0)1223 335900
Wolfson College was founded by the university in 1965 and attracts students from all over the world, being known for its cosmopolitan status and proximity to the University Sports Ground.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free