St Catharine's College, Cambridge

As you walk along Trumpington Street toward the junction with Silver Street, look for the elegant brick buildings of Saint Catharine's College, affectionately known throughout Cambridge as "Cat's." Founded in 1473 as Katherine Hall, the college was dedicated to Saint Catharine of Alexandria, the patron saint of learning. Although it was once best known for theology and philosophy, the college has developed into one of the university's strongest all-round academic institutions while retaining its reputation for being one of Cambridge's friendliest and most welcoming colleges.

The main entrance leads into one of the college's most distinctive features. Before going inside, however, pause on Trumpington Street and look through the wide opening in the frontage. Unlike most Cambridge colleges, whose courts are hidden behind imposing gates, Saint Catharine's offers an unusually clear view of its Main Court, a rare three-sided quadrangle framed by warm red-brick buildings. The open fourth side facing the street creates a welcoming first impression and allows visitors to admire the symmetry of the courtyard without entering.

The surrounding buildings were constructed between 1675 and 1757, giving the court its harmonious Georgian appearance. Plans to enclose the fourth side have existed for generations, making this open vista one of the college's most distinctive and potentially temporary characteristics.

If the college is open to visitors, step inside and stroll around the peaceful court. Notice the neatly kept lawns, classical façades, and elegant chapel, which blend seamlessly into the intimate scale of the college. Compared with some of Cambridge's grander foundations, Saint Catharine's feels remarkably approachable, and its compact layout makes it easy to appreciate the balance between academic life and historic architecture. The dining hall, if accessible, reflects centuries of collegiate tradition and is still used daily by students.

As you continue exploring, remember that Saint Catharine's has also played a pioneering role in modern university life. In 2007, it became one of the first Cambridge colleges to appoint a female master, Dame Jean Thomas. Among its notable former students are actor Sir Ian McKellen and broadcaster Jeremy Paxman. During university vacations, the college welcomes overnight guests, offering a rare opportunity to stay within a working Cambridge college. The accommodation is simple rather than luxurious, but sleeping in historic student rooms and enjoying breakfast or dinner in the traditional dining hall provides an authentic taste of collegiate life that few visitors get to experience.