King's College, Cambridge

King's College, Cambridge (must see)

King’s College is located on the western side of Cambridge University campus, close to the River Cam and the surrounding Backs area of countryside. The college gatehouse stands adjacent to King’s College Chapel, one of the city’s most iconic buildings. The history of King’s College is one of many paradoxes. Completed in the Tudor era, the college was at one time only accessible to students of Eton, a renowned private school for children of the English upper classes. Nowadays, it has one of the highest intake rates of students from state schools of any Cambridge college.

True to its name, the college was founded by Henry VI and saw heavy investment under his reign, including the creation of the adjoining chapel. Other colleges viewed King’s College as a status symbol for the Tudor monarchy – to this day, many of the buildings, including the striking Gothic gatehouse, feature the Tudor rose emblem repeatedly. Despite its royalist beginnings, King’s College has become known for left wing and republican sentiment among its student base. Famous alumni of the college include authors Salman Rushdie and E.M. Forster.

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King's College on Map

Sight Name: King's College
Sight Location: Cambridge, England (See walking tours in Cambridge)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Cambridge, England

Create Your Own Walk in Cambridge

Create Your Own Walk in Cambridge

Creating your own self-guided walk in Cambridge is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Religious Buildings

Historical Religious Buildings

Renowned for its academic excellence, Cambridge is also steeped in religious history. It has quite a few churches dating back hundreds of years, some even predating the Anglican Church itself. These historical sanctuaries have stood the test of time and today offer a glimpse into the city's religious and architectural heritage.

Great Saint Mary's Church, a stunning example of English...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Cambridge Introduction Walking Tour

Cambridge Introduction Walking Tour

Set along the banks of the River Cam in one of the picturesque eastern shires of England, Cambridge is a place that exudes an air of academic excellence and historical charm. For those not particularly well-versed in the annals of English history, Cambridge holds a prominent spot as one of the country's most esteemed academic hubs. The University of Cambridge consistently ranks among the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Colleges of Cambridge University

Colleges of Cambridge University

The University of Cambridge, England's second oldest learning institution, has made Cambridge famous worldwide. The collegiate university is made up of 31 self-governing and independent colleges whose grounds, apart from having been blessed with world-renowned alumni, are also beautifully decorated with lush lawns and terrific Gothic architecture.

Each of these colleges has its unique...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles