Colleges of Cambridge University, Cambridge

Colleges of Cambridge University (Self Guided), Cambridge

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 character and traditions, making Cambridge a truly diverse and intellectually vibrant place. On this tour, we'll explore some of them.

Trinity College, one of the largest and wealthiest in Cambridge, was founded in 1546. Its Great Court is a famous architectural marvel, and its notable alumni include Sir Isaac Newton and King Charles III.

Gonville and Caius College, often referred to simply as "Caius," was established in 1348 and is known for its science and medical programs, as well as a grand library.

King's College, founded in 1441, is renowned for its beautiful chapel, which hosts the famous Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols every Christmas Eve.

Saint Catharine's College, nicknamed “Catz”, has been in place since 1473. It has among its alumni the likes of actor Sir Ian McKellen (the one who played Gandalf, the wizard, in The Lord of the Rings).

Corpus Christi College, sometimes shortened to "Corpus", was founded in 1352 and it ranks among the wealthiest Cambridge colleges in terms of fixed assets (particularly silver).

Pembroke College, founded in 1347, is one of the university's larger colleges, with buildings from almost every century since its founding, as well as extensive gardens.

Peterhouse is the oldest college in Cambridge, founded in 1284. It is known for its academic excellence and historic dining hall.

Queens' College, founded in 1448, has a stunning riverside location along the Cam River and a beautiful Mathematical Bridge.

Finally, Darwin College, established in 1964, is a relatively newer college and is known for its postgraduate and research programs.

Given the opportunity, we encourage you to explore these distinguished institutions, each with its charm and contributions to the world of academia. Discover the intellectual treasures and the beauty of Cambridge's colleges and experience the legacy of knowledge they represent.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Chris Huang.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Cambridge

Map Instructions: (1) Click the "Nearby Sights" button to view the nearby attractions; (2) click a map pin to see sight information.

Guide Name: Colleges of Cambridge University
Guide Location: England » Cambridge (See other walking tours in Cambridge)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles

Sights Featured in This Walk

WalkBuilder (customize this walk)

Use the WalkBuilder tool below to customize this walk to suit your interests. Instructions: click

at the upper right corner in the map above to view other sights in the city. To learn more about a sight, click a map pin. Click the “+” or “–” to add or remove a sight from the walk. To reorder the selected sights, simply drag and move them up or down the list in the left column.

Click here to view route map

Enter a name for your custom walk, along with your email address, in the fields below. You will receive the instructions for retrieving your custom walk in the GPSmyCity app by email. The GPSmyCity app offers turn-by-turn travel directions to guide you from one attraction to the next.
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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I access my walking tour in Cambridge?
Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Cambridge Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.

2. How do I view other attractions in Cambridge?
At the upper-right corner of the map above, click the “Nearby Sights” button to show or hide other sights in the city. Click a map pin to view details about a sight. To add a sight to your walk, find it in the right column of the WalkBuilder tool above and click the “+” button next to it.

3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
In the left column of the WalkBuilder tool, drag a sight to move it up or down the list. Then click “Click here to view route map”. Repeat this process until the route meets your needs.

4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add your hotel as the starting point, the ending point, or both (creating a loop route). This feature is currently available only in the GPSmyCity app.

5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add sightss that are not in our database and include them in your walk. To do so, sign in to your GPSmyCity account on the website or use the GPSmyCity app.

6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
For technical reasons, the number of sights in a walking tour is currently capped at 20. This limit may be increased over time.

Walking Tours in Cambridge, England

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.

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

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