Corpus Clock, Cambridge (must see)

Found in the newest of the three courts at Corpus Christi College – the Library Court, the Corpus Clock is the Library Court’s centrepiece. It was unveiled to the public in 2008 by Professor Stephen Hawking, himself a Cambridge University graduate. Apart from the clock, the court also incorporates a former library building, redeveloped and extended to provide accommodation for students.

As for the clock, it is a unique device, a fitting addition to the university campus renowned for invention throughout its history. Fitted with a rippled, 24-carat gold face, the clock displays time through three rings of LEDs, which depict hours, minutes, and seconds.

The face is topped by a large metal object, which resembles a grasshopper. This is an enlarged clock escarpment, which links the pendulum to the cogs inside the clock. It has been set on top of the clock face to resemble an insect that ‘eats’ time as the clock face rotates, and for that purpose, it is even fitted with eyes that blink occasionally.

Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the Corpus Clock is the fact that it is only accurate once every five minutes. It has been set to randomly slow and accelerate, so as to give the impression that the metal insect is indeed eating up time at will. To see the clock, dubbed by Time Magazine as one of the 21st century's greatest inventions, ask at the Corpus Christi College porter’s lodge for admission times and costs.

Tip:
During the daytime, there are generally a number of tourists standing in the road taking photos, gathering particularly on the hour, so take care not to get run over. Instead, try to time your visit after dark and see the clock from across the road, when there's no traffic or significant pedestrian noise, as it is then seen at its best.