Clare College Cambridge History & Access

Clare College, Cambridge

Jake Davies

Clare College in Cambridge is the second-oldest college in the University of Cambridge, being founded in 1326 when it was named University Hall.

Just 12 years later, in 1338 it was re-founded as Clare Hall following an endowment from Elizabeth de Clare. It kept that name until 1856 when it took on its current name.

Lady Elizabeth de Clare (1295-1360) was a granddaughter of Edward I, and she not only contributed financially but was also active in setting up the hall.

Entrance into the quadrangle of Clare College's Old Court. — Entrance into the quadrangle of Clare College's Old Court

Whimsical figure carving above a gate into Clare College. — Whimsical figure carving above a gate into Clare College

History

The current campus sits on either side of the River Cam, with Memorial Court being constructed in the early 20th century followed by a series of later developments all to the west of the River Cam.

The original college, known as Old Court, is on the east side of the Cam sandwiched between King's College and Trinity College. Between the two parts of the campus is Clare Bridge, the oldest bridge in Cambridge, and the college gardens, considered to be the best in Cambridge.

The Great Hall of Clare College Cambridge. — The Great Hall of Clare College Cambridge

Construction of Old Court began in 1638 but was not completed until 1715, being interrupted by the English Civil War.

In the intervening decades architectural tastes had changed so the oldest part of the structure, the north wing, shows many elements of traditional Gothic style, but the newest part, the south wing, is in full-blown Classic style.

The Great Hall, now used for events and ceremonies, though relatively small, has all the grandeur of larger halls. The college chapel, also relatively small, was designed by Sir James Burrough and built in 1763. The altarpiece painting is Annunciation by Giovanni Battista Cipriani (1727-1785), an Italian painter and engraver resident in England at the time.

Over the centuries Clare College has produced many notable scholars and eminent alumni but the most well known is probably Sir David Attenborough, the world-famous TV presenter and naturalist. He won a scholarship to Clare in 1945 and received his degree in Natural Sciences.

Looking up into the cupola between the Great Hall & the Chapel of Clare College. — Looking up into the cupola between the Great Hall and the Chapel of Clare College

Information

Trinity Lane, Cambridge CB2 1TL
Tel: 01223 333200
www: clare.cam.ac.uk

The college is a 30-minute walk from Cambridge Station along Regent Street. Alternatively, take a 1citi or 3citi bus up Regent Street from stop 6 at the station.

Because of the Covid pandemic and also major renovations, the college is currently not often open to the public, but when it is open it is well worth a visit.

Clare College Chapel with Annunciation by Cipriani as the altarpiece. — Clare College Chapel with Annunciation by Cipriani as the altarpiece

Accommodation

If you wish to stay in Cambridge there are several recommended options. These include the three-star Holiday Inn Express Cambridge, the three-star ibis Cambridge Central Station and the four-star Ramada Cambridge, a 20-minute drive from the centre.

See here for a listing of hotels and guesthouses in Cambridge.

Fine painted detail in the ceiling of the chapel at Clare College Cambridge. — Fine painted detail in the ceiling of the chapel at Clare College Cambridge

Cambridge Access - Getting To Cambridge

Cambridge Station is over a mile south east of the city centre off Hills Road. The number #3 bus runs into town to Emmanuel Street. Long distance buses leave from nearby Drummer Street bus station.

Cambridge Station has rail services to Liverpool Street Station in London via Tottenham Hale and Hackney Downs. The "Cambridge Cruiser" travels non-stop between London King's Cross and Cambridge with slower trains stopping at Finsbury Park Station (connections to the Piccadilly & Victoria tube lines), Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth Garden City and Baldock.

Other local lines from Cambridge run to King's Lynn, Ipswich and Norwich.

Clare College Chapel built in 1763, Cambridge. — Clare College Chapel built in 1763

CrossCountry connects Cambridge to Birmingham New Street Station in Birmingham and to Stansted Airport via Leicester and Peterborough.

By car Cambridge can be reached by the M11 motorway or A14.

It's definitely worth renting a car if you want to get to some of the more off-the-beaten track places in East Anglia and out to the Wash and Hunstanton, a quaint Victorian resort on the coast.

Cycling is a good way to get around Cambridge and there are cycle hire outlets all over town. Do take care to lock your bike securely as prevention against theft.