The colleges are grouped together on the east bank of the River Cam. Each college has a bridge linking it with the other bank, known as The Backs , a broad expanse of lawn, planted with trees. The most illustrious include St John's , Trinity , and..

Built between 1446 and 1515, this building represents the apogee of the Perpendicular Gothic style. Its scale is more in keeping with the chancel of a cathedral than a college chapel. Of twelve bays, the nave soars upwards supported by buttressing so..

A tour of St John's College (founded 1511) is a walk through the world of architecture. It is Cambridge's second largest college; the gatehouse, decorated with coats of arms, is one of the finest in the city. The courtyards are predominantly Tudor. B..

Designed by Georges Basevi in a monumental neo-Classical style, verging on Victorian Baroque, the famous University Museum opened its doors to the public in 1843. The treasures in the Upper Galleries include 25 Turner watercolours, a gift from John R..

Founded in 1441 by King Henry VI, the college is set around a Front Court . It is separated from King's Parade by a Gothic revival screen and gatehouse by William Wilkins (1778-1839) and is dominated by the classical-style Gibb's Building. To th..

Trinity was founded in 1546 by Henry VIII whose statue stands over the Great Gate. It is the largest Cambridge college. The Great Court with its Renaissance fountain, designed by Thomas Neville, the architect who was responsible for the current lay..

The college was founded in 1326 as University Hall and renamed Clare Hall in 1338. The rows of 17C buildings are the work of Robert Grumbold and his father, Thomas and are among the most harmonious in Cambridge. Clare Bridge was built by Thomas..

The college, founded in 1446, takes its name from the two queens who were patrons of " Queens' College ". Old Court , finished in 1449, is a perfect example of late medieval, red-brick architecture. Erasmus, the philospher, taught Greek he..

According to the creator of Kettle's Yard, Jim Ede, it is "a continuing way of life" where works of art can be enjoyed in the atmosphere of a home. This excellent collection of 20C art in a house with numerous volumes that visitors can read..

The college was founded in 1584 by Sir Walter Mildmay. The only surviving buildings of the Dominican Priory are the Hall and Old Library , with Tudor façades, forming the south and east sides of New Court . The Chapel was built by Wren (1668-1674..

Founded in 1347, Pembroke College was the first to have its own chapel. It was commissioned by Matthew Wren, Bishop of Ely, who wanted to make it a gift for his nephew. The ceiling is by Henry Doogood who worked on the ceilings of 30 of the churches ..

Founded in 1496, Jesus was a former Benedictine convent, built around the Cloister and 12C Priory Chapel. The First Court , with its robust Tudor architecture, was added in the 16C. The Second Court and Chapel Court date from the 19C and the N..

Founded in 1352, Corpus Christi is the second smallest college in Cambridge but nonetheless the most interesting from a historical standpoint. Old Court still has its monastic-style central buildings made of irregular stonework with clay dressing (..

The rebuilding of the university church began in 1478 in late Perpendicular Gothic and was not completed until 1608 when Robert Grumbold's grandfather, also called Robert, added the tower with an extremely fine view.

Founded in 1348 and again in 1557 by John Caius (pronounced "keys"), a Renaissance scholar and physician to King Edward VI and Queen Mary. To symbolise a scholar's progress, Caius devised a series of gates with evocative names: he enters ..

These are the oldest of the university's central buildings. Old Schools , the School of Law and Theology, was given a Palladian façade. Senate House is a blend of Roman Wren and new Palladianism by James Gibbs.

Trinity Hall was founded in 1360. Behind the 18C ashlar of the Principal Court are three rows of buildings dating from 1350 (best viewed from North Court) and, beyond, are the delightful Elizabethan Library and gardens that Henry James called "t..

The college was founded in 1542 by Lord Audley of Audley End on the site of a Benedictine college. The First Court is essentially 15C; except for the 16C gatehouse and the hall. Behind the Second Court is the Pepys Building , which contains Samu..

As the second Cambridge college founded for women (after Girton College and before New Hall College), Newham was founded in 1871 by moral philospher, Henry Sidgwick , a believer in women's rights and their entitlement to higher education. The attrac..