Christs College - Christs College Hospitality

Christ's College

Guest Information

Welcome to Christ’s College, Cambridge, a unique place to stay in the heart of the city. With its historic courts, beautiful gardens, and rich heritage as the former home of Charles Darwin, Christ’s offers a rare glimpse into Cambridge life.

We hope the charm, setting, and unique atmosphere of Christ’s make your stay a memorable one.

We are looking forward to meeting you.

Our check-in time is from 14:00.

If you have arrived early for various reasons you can leave your luggage in the Porters’ Lodge and have a wander around our fabulous grounds or have a bite to eat or a drink at our Buttery while waiting for your room.

Below are some things you that you may wish to consider when packing.

Things you don’t need to bring

Bed linen, bedspread, bath towels and hand towels
Hand soap, hair and body wash, conditioner
Toilet paper, Tissues
Selection of teabag, regular and decaffeinated coffee, sugar and milk

Things you may need to bring

Hairdryer/ Straighteners
Camera or binoculars
UK adaptable plug if travelling from abroad
We do not provide television , so if you like watching news, sports or Netflix you may want to bring a tablet.

Directions to the College can be found here.

Please note there is no parking on-site and we recommend using public transport.

Our Porters are looking forward to greeting you on your arrival at the Porter’s Lodge!

Travelling to Christ’s College

There is no parking on-site at Christ’s College. We recommend guests use public transport to visit us.

On University map
Postcode: CB2 3BU
What3Words location of main gate: ///petty.dose.lonely

Christ’s main gate is on St Andrew’s Street. To check in please go through the Gates and you will find the Porter’s Lodge on the right.

By Train

You can check the timetable and prices, and book tickets on the The Trainline or National Rail enquiries website

Cambridge has 2 railway stations. We recommend that you travel to Cambridge (a 21 min walk from Christ’s) and not Cambridge North (a 45 min walk from Christ’s).

Cambridge railway station is not in the city centre. When you arrive at Cambridge station, the options for getting to Christ’s are as follows:

Walk

Walk (1.1 miles / 1.8 km):

Exit the station onto Station Road
Walk straight to the end, then turn right onto Hills Road
Keep walking straight — Hills Road becomes Regent Street, then St Andrew’s Street
Christ’s College is along this route

. Route to Christ’s.

Get on a Cambridge bus

Turn left when exiting the station to find the bus stops
Take the Citi 1, Citi 3, or Citi 7 bus (heading into the city)
Alight at St Andrew’s Street, Emmanuel Street, or Drummer Street Bus Station

By Coach

National Express long-distance coach services terminate at Parkside, on the Northern side of Parkers Piece. Christ’s is only a few minutes walk from there.

By Road

There is no parking on-site at Christ’s College. We recommend guests use public transport to visit us

Use any Park and Ride site around Cambridge – they’re well-connected to the city by frequent buses
Overnight parking is available at most Park and Ride sites (charges apply)

If you choose to drive into the city:

Closest car parks: Grand Arcade and Grafton Centre
Be prepared for heavy congestion and high parking costs
Watch out for bus gates – entering these zones by car can result in fines

By Plane

The nearest and most convenient airport for Cambridge is London Stansted.

Direct trains run regularly between Stansted and Cambridge
Alternatively, take a National Express coach from the airport to the city

Maps

How to find us
Christ’s College Map(this identifies staircases and public rooms)
Printable Cambridge map(showing the train station bottom right)
Visit Cambridge Map

Laundry

Guests are welcome to use our laundry facilities, located in the basement of P Staircase. These include:

Washing machines
Ironing facilities

Please note: Washing powder is not provided.

Opening Hours:
Daily from 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Access is via keycard – please contact the Porters’ Lodge for assistance.

The Buttery / Bar

Our Buttery is a welcoming coffee shop and bar, located within the stunning First Court, home to the Great Gate, Porters’ Lodge, Chapel, Masters’ Lodge, and Formal Dining Hall.

Opening Hours:

Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Enjoy a wide range of refreshments:

Sandwiches, paninis, salads, crisps, and healthy snacks
Costa coffee products, soft drinks, and smoothies
Draft and bottled beers, spirits, and a brand-new cocktail menu
Milkshakes and smoothies also available – just ask at the bar!

Breakfast

Guests can enjoy breakfast in the Upper Hall, accessible via the Second Court.

Opening Times:

Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Weekends: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Breakfast options include:

Full English
Continental
Pastries and fresh fruit
Tea and coffee

Have dietary requirements or allergies? Let our staff know when booking.

Gardens

Our beautiful gardens feature a variety of botanically significant trees, shrubs, and borders, alongside sculptures and artworks.

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Parking

There is no parking on-site at Christ’s College.

Please see our Directions & Travel page for full details on where to park in Cambridge.

We have provided unlimited superfast broadband. However, speeds may vary based on the usage.

Whatever the speed, you are welcome to log in.

The details are: ID: Christs
Password: Generated during log-in process.

The service is provided for your enjoyment but you are responsible for safe and appropriate use and complying with all law.

Welcome to the Gardens

We are lucky to have some beautiful gardens on our college site, which are perfect to relax and unwind in.

The Gardens include botanically important trees, shrubs, and borders, as well as sculptures and artwork. Our gardens comprises a series of courts, each with a different style of planting.

Usual Opening Times

The College: 9am – 4pm throughout the week
Fellows’ Garden: 9am – 4pm Monday to Friday

The Gardens are closed to the public during the Easter Term.

You can follow this garden plan.

First Court
This court, the oldest part of the College, was mainly built around 1505, and surrounds a circular lawn – the only one of its type in any Cambridge College.

Second Court
Second Court consists of formal lawns bordered by informal planting.

Third Court

The garden in Third Court has two botanical collections of Irises and Salvias.

The Fellow’s Garden

In 1825 this two-acre plot was redesigned with informal borders, shrubs, trees, and winding paths, reflecting the ideas of J.C. Loudon, whose intention was “to display the individual beauty of trees, shrubs and plants in a state of nature.”

Darwin Garden

The Darwin garden displays a selection of plants that Charles Darwin (alumni of the College) would have encountered during his voyage on the HMS Beagle. It also showcases a bronze sculpture of Darwin by Anthony Smith.

Thanks to our central location, Christ’s College is just a short stroll from Cambridge’s main shopping streets, banks, cafés, and other everyday essentials. Whether you’re popping out for a coffee, picking up a few groceries, or exploring local boutiques, you’ll find everything you need close by.

Pharmacies

If you need a pharmacy, there are two conveniently located options nearby:

Boots The Chemist (St Andrews Street) is the closest pharmacy.
Superdrug (Sidney Street) also has a pharmacy.

Banks

There are several banks within walking distance of the college. Please note that opening hours may vary, so it’s best to check their websites before visiting. Nearby branches include:

Post Office

The main central Post Office is located on St Andrews Street – a few minutes from the College.

Convenience Stores

Tesco Express – 8.30am- 10pm
Sainsbury – 7.30am-10pm (Weekdays and Sat) / 11.30am-5pm (Sunday)
Marks & Spencer – 8am-7pm/ 11am-5pm (Sunday)

Bigger supermarkets can be found at the Beehive Centre which is home to an Asda and a Marks & Spencer Simply Food. A larger Tesco superstore and Aldi can be found along Newmarket Road, which is a 20 minute walk away or you can catch the number 3 bus from St Andrews Street (near Ted Baker).

Grande Arcade

Located in the heart of the city, the Grand Arcade is a modern shopping centre with over 50 high street and designer brands. Shops include John Lewis, Ted Baker, Swarovski, Skechers, and Russell & Bromley. Its bright and open layout makes it easy to browse and enjoy a relaxed shopping experience.

Independent Shops – All Saint’s Passage

This tucked-away street near Bridge Street is home to The Cambridge Cheese Company, a must-visit for fans of cheese, charcuterie, and fine deli goods. You’ll also find All Saints Garden Art & Craft Market at the far end of the passage, held every Saturday. It’s a charming outdoor market featuring local makers and artists selling pottery, jewellery, paintings, and more.

Independent Shops – Rose Crescent

Just off Market Square, Rose Crescent offers a lovely mix of boutiques and specialist stores. Highlights include Neal’s Yard, Jo Malone, and Molton Brown, along with The Department of Magical Gifts—a shop packed with official Harry Potter merchandise. Whether you’re a fan of wizardry or just love browsing magical curiosities, it’s well worth a visit.

Independent Shops – Mill Road

Cambridge is also home to a vast number of independent shops. You’ll find all sorts of gems in the city’s passageways and squares and The Mill Road area is known for being a hub of indie stores and community events.

If you love shopping take a look at our Shopping in Cambridge Guide.

Maps

Printable Cambridge map(showing the train station bottom right)
Visit Cambridge Map

Time to say goodbye

We hope you have had a wonderful stay. Please switch off the lights and lock the door before you check-out.

Our check-out time is until 10:00am. Please check out at the Porter’s Lodge.

Your feedback

We would love to hear from you and your feedback helps us improve our services. Please leave a review here

Follow us on social media

We’d love to see you over on our social media pages. Just click below to find our page and start following us – and if you like to tag us in your holiday snaps. We love to see your photos of Christ’s College.

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

We’ll then keep you updated with news about Christ’s College and Cambridge.

Please note that the property cannot accommodate children under 18 years of age.
Kindly note some of the accommodation is located on high floors and is accessible via stairs only. Therefore, it may not be suitable for guests with mobility impairment.
Please note that a Wi-Fi code is given to guests on arrival. Guests can register on a daily basis.
Please note that this property does not have parking.
Please note this property does not have air-con but fans are available.

Weather

CAMBRIDGE

Local Attractions

Recommended places to visit

Satnav

Map & Directions

Christ’s College is situated in the Centre of Cambridge. Step outside to discover historic side streets, iconic buildings, shops, restaurants, cafes, and more in the City Centre.

Our central location offers easy access to the bus station, and taxi ranks, and it is a short bus journey to the Train station.

Need to Know information.

Please note that the property cannot accommodate children under 18 years of age.

Kindly note some of the accommodation is located on high floors and is accessible via stairs only. Therefore, it may not be suitable for guests with mobility impairment.

Please note that a Wi-Fi code is given to guests on arrival. Guests can register on a daily basis.

Please note that this property does not have parking.

Please note this property does not have air-con but fans are available.

Contact Us

This Rental is operated byChrist's College Hospitality

The Porters are on site 24/7, so if you have any problems or need any help, please do contact them. Enjoy your stay!