Historic college originally established in 1437 and re-founded under its current name in 1505; enjoys a prime location close to the city centre and is known for its lush Fellows’ Garden and famous alumni including Charles Darwin and John Milton. Entrance to the college chapel and grounds is free, but due to its size large groups are not easily accommodated.
Friendly, relaxed college located in parkland approximately 15 minutes walk from the city centre. Established in 1958, the college is known for its mid-century brutalist architecture, and whilst informal visits are welcome, guided tours are not available.
The University of Cambridge’s second-oldest college, founded as University Hall in 1326; known for its beautiful riverside location and architectural diversity including the stunning 17th century Clare Bridge. Visitors welcome.
Postgraduate-only college established in 1966 and known for its striking, Scandinavian-style modernist architecture and vibrant arts culture; hosts a variety of public lectures, art exhibitions and concerts throughout the year.
Historic college founded in 1352 and located next to King’s in the heart of the city; known for its Old Court, famous Corpus Clock and the Parker Library - home to a significant collection of medieval and renaissance manuscripts. Visitors are able to access the grounds and the chapel for a small entrance fee.
Postgraduate-only college established in 1964 and built around the former family home of Charles Darwin’s descendants; known for its distinctive Georgian and Victorian architecture and tranquil gardens, the college is primarily a working student community with vistors generally restricted to invited guests and prospective students.
Medium-sized college in the heart of the city known for its Neoclassical architecture, elegant green spaces and award-winning Heong Gallery which holds regular exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. Offers free entry to visitors.
Central college known for its eclectic mix of architectural styles spanning from its founding in 1584 to the present day. Visitor access is free and highlights include the extensive gardens, duck pond and stunning 17th century chapel designed by Sir Christopher Wren.
Welcoming college founded in 1869 and located a short walk from the city centre. Boasts beautiful, historic grounds and a striking blend of modern architectural styles; well-known for its pioneering history of broadening university access to students from less privileged backgrounds.
Historic college founded in 1869 and famous as the UK’s first residential institution offering university education to women. Known for its grand red-brick architecture and peaceful grounds spanning 50+ acres of woodland, wildflower meadows and immaculately-maintained gardens.
One of Cambridge University’s oldest and most prestigious colleges founded in 1348. Boasts striking symbolic architecture, historic courts and a 14h Century chapel with original wooden pews; famous for its long association with Stephen Hawking who joined the college as a research fellow in 1965.
The University’s largest college by student number, Homerton was originally founded in London in 1768 before relocating to Cambridge in 1894. It was admitted as an ‘Approved Society’ of the university in 1976, and affirmed as a constituent college in 2010 on receipt of its Royal Charter.
One of three colleges at the University of Cambridge catering specifically to mature students, Hughes Hall is known for its grand Victorian architecture and unique setting overlooking Fenner’s cricket ground. Not a traditional tourist destination like King’s or Trinity, but generally welcomes visitors who want to see the grounds.
Historic college known for its friendly atmosphere, beautiful green spaces and unique walled entrance known as The Chimney. Also famous for Barry Flanagan’s bronze horse sculpture, and the rule that any student caught riding it will be expelled! Unlike many of the colleges, Jesus operates a liberal lawn policy allowing students and visitors to walk on the grass during the summer months.
Centrally-located college founded in 1441; offers visitors access to its iconic chapel - renowned for its huge fan-vaulted ceiling and Rubens’ ‘The Adoration of the Magi’ - as well as to the scenic back lawns. There’s a dedicated visitor centre and shop opposite the main college gates where tickets and official merchandise can be purchased.
Founded as a women-only college in 1965, Lucy Cavendish has been fully co-educational since 2021. The college is renowned as a diversity leader with 90% of its undergraduate students coming from state schools. Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds, and the cafe is also open to the public.
Traditional college enjoying a riverside location in the centre of the city, famously home to the stunning 17th-century Pepys Library that houses the original diaries of Samuel Pepys amongst other historic manuscripts. While visitors to the college are welcome, access to the library is heavily restricted and subject to advanced booking.
Women-only college set in spacious grounds and known for its Brutalist architecture, iconic vaulted dome and the New Hall Art Collection - the second-largest collection of women’s art in the world. Visitors are welcome, entry is free and appointments are not necessary.
Vibrant, women-only college known for its blend of Victorian and contemporary architecture, and beautifully-kept grounds featuring lily pond, sunken rose garden and liberal lawn policy! Visitors are warmly welcomed and there’s a popular on-site cafe for refreshments.
One of the university’s oldest colleges established in 1347 and located right in the heart of the city; features a range of architectural styles from the 14th Century to the present day, including the college chapel, which was the very first public commission by Sir Christopher Wren.
Steeped in tradition, Peterhouse is the oldest, and one of the smallest constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge; known for its stunning old court, tranquil ‘deer park’ gardens and impressive roster of alumni including Charles Babbage, Frank Whittle and Sam Mendes.
One of the university’s largest colleges founded in 1448, Queen’s enjoys an enviable riverside location in the centre of the city and is famous for its historic mathematical bridge which connects both sides of the college campus. There is a small entrance fee for tourists wishing to visit the college, and walking on the lawns and river banks is prohibited.
Modern college founded in 1977 and known for its striking red brick architecture and tranquil gardens which predate the college by almost a century; tourists are welcome to explore the college grounds and visit the chapel with its glorious stained-glass windows by artists John Piper and Patrick Reyntiens.
Founded in 1882 and conveniently located near the centre of Cambridge, Selwyn is known for its striking Victorian Gothic architecture, manicured gardens and ivy-covered old court walls. Visitors are warmly welcomed to explore the college grounds and entry is free.
Centrally-located college founded in 1596; known for its historic courtyards, lush gardens and notable association with former student Oliver Cromwell, whose head - it’s claimed - is buried beneath the college chapel. Tourists are welcome and entry is free.
Founded in 1473 and known colloquially as Cat’s, St Catherine’s enjoys a central location in the heart of the city. Visitors can enjoy the college’s peaceful and leafy Sherlock Court, 17th Century chapel known for its intricate stained glass and wood carvings, and unique, open three-sided main courtyard. Entry is free.
Founded in 1896 and affectionately known as Eddie’s, St Edmund’s is one of three Cambridge colleges exclusively for mature students. Tourists are welcome to explore the leafy grounds and visit the university’s only Catholic chapel featuring a famous sculpture of St Edmund of Abingdon, after whom the college is named.
Founded in 1511, St John’s is undoubtedly one of the university’s most beautiful and photogenic colleges. Famous for its medieval courtyards, chapel with 163-foot tower, iconic bridge of sighs and stunning grounds, the college attracts a large number of visitors every year. Tourists should consider a guided tour and / or boat rental to make the most of their visit.
The largest constituent college of the University of Cambridge founded in 1546; famous for its Great Court, magnificent college chapel and historic Wren Library - home to numerous rare manuscripts including Isaac Newton’s personal annotated copy of Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica. A walk along the river Cam offers excellent views of the college’s grand, historic architecture and expansive lawns.
Small college founded in 1350; enjoys a convenient location in the heart of Cambridge and is known for its stunning riverside gardens and famous alumni, most notably Stephen Hawking who studied for his PhD here in the 1960s. Visitors are welcome to take free, self-guided tours of the historic grounds and college chapel.
Founded in 1965 as University College, Wolfson caters specifically to mature undergraduates and postgraduates aged 21 and over. Located around 20 minutes walk from the city centre, the college is known for its award-winning gardens, sculpture trails, and Modernist architecture.