Christ’s College Guide Book
Welcome to Christ’s College, a unique place to stay in the heart of Cambridge. 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. Everything you need for your stay is below, and our Porters are here around the clock if you need help.
Before You Arrive
Check-in is from 14:00. If you arrive early, you can leave your luggage at the Porters’ Lodge and wander around our grounds, or have a bite to eat or a drink in the Buttery while you wait for your room.
Our Porters look forward to greeting you at the Porters’ Lodge, just inside the Great Gate on St Andrew’s Street.
Things You Don’t Need to Bring
- Bed linen, bedspread, bath towels and hand towels
- Hand soap, hair and body wash and conditioner
- Toilet paper and tissues
- Tea, regular and decaffeinated coffee, sugar and milk
Things You May Need to Bring
- A hairdryer or straighteners
- A camera or binoculars
- A UK plug adaptor if you’re travelling from abroad
- A tablet if you’d like to watch the news, sport or films, as rooms do not have televisions
Please note there is no parking on site, and we recommend using public transport.
There is no parking on site at Christ’s College. We recommend guests use public transport to visit us.
- Christ’s College on the University map
- Postcode: CB2 3BU
- What3words location of the main gate: ///petty.dose.lonely
Our main gate is on St Andrew’s Street. To check in, go through the Great Gate and you’ll find the Porters’ Lodge on the right.
By Train
Cambridge has two railway stations. We recommend travelling to Cambridge (a 21-minute walk from Christ’s) rather than Cambridge North (a 45-minute walk). You can check times and book tickets on Trainline or the National Rail website.
On foot (1.1 miles / 1.8 km):
- Leave the station onto Station Road
- Walk 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 (see the route)
By bus:
- Turn left out of the station to find the bus stops
- Take the Citi 1, Citi 3 or Citi 7 bus heading into the city
- Get off at St Andrew’s Street, Emmanuel Street or Drummer Street Bus Station
By Coach
National Express long-distance coaches stop at Parkside, on the northern side of Parker’s Piece. Christ’s is only a few minutes’ walk away.
By Road
- 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:
- The closest car parks are the Grand Arcade and Grafton Centre
- Be prepared for heavy congestion and high parking costs
- Watch out for bus gates: driving through them can result in a fine
By Plane
The nearest airport is London Stansted. Direct trains run regularly between Stansted and Cambridge, or you can take a National Express coach from the airport to the city.
Maps
- How to find us (PDF)
- Christ’s College map, showing staircases and public rooms (PDF)
- Visit Cambridge city maps
During Your Stay
Breakfast is served in the Upper Hall, which you reach through Second Court.
Opening times: Monday to Sunday, 7:30am to 9:30am
Breakfast options include:
- Full English
- Continental
- Pastries and fresh fruit
- Tea and coffee
Have dietary requirements or allergies? Please let our team know when you book.
Our Buttery is a welcoming coffee shop and bar in First Court, home to the Great Gate, Porters’ Lodge, Chapel, Master’s Lodge and Hall.
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 10am to 11pm
- Sunday: 10am to 10pm
Enjoy a wide range of refreshments:
- Sandwiches, paninis, salads, crisps and healthy snacks
- Costa coffee, soft drinks and smoothies
- Draught and bottled beers, spirits and a cocktail menu
- Milkshakes too, just ask at the bar
We provide unlimited superfast broadband, although speeds may vary with use. Your Wi-Fi code is given on arrival and you can register daily.
The network ID is Christs, and your password is generated when you log in. The service is provided for your enjoyment, but you are responsible for using it safely and appropriately and within the law.
Guests are welcome to use our laundry in the basement of P Staircase, which has washing machines and ironing facilities. Washing powder is not provided.
Opening hours: daily, 3pm to 9pm. Access is by key card, so please ask at the Porters’ Lodge if you need help.
We are lucky to have beautiful gardens that are perfect for relaxing and unwinding. They include botanically important trees, shrubs and borders, as well as sculptures and artwork, set in a series of courts, each with its own style of planting.
Usual opening times: the College is open 9am to 12 noon throughout the week, and the Fellows’ Garden 9am to 12 noon, Monday to Friday. The gardens are closed to the public during the Easter Term, but residents may wander the grounds. You can follow this garden plan (PDF).
First Court
The oldest part of the College, mainly built around 1505, surrounds a circular lawn, the only one of its kind in any Cambridge college.
Second Court
Formal lawns bordered by informal planting.
Third Court
Home to two botanical collections, of irises and salvias.
The Fellows’ 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.”
The Darwin Garden
The Darwin Garden displays plants that Charles Darwin, an alumnus of the College, would have encountered on his voyage aboard HMS Beagle. It also features a bronze sculpture of Darwin by Anthony Smith.
Around Cambridge
Thanks to our central location, Christ’s is a short stroll from Cambridge’s main shopping streets, banks, cafés and everyday essentials.
Pharmacies
- Boots (St Andrew’s Street) is the closest pharmacy
- Superdrug (Sidney Street) also has a pharmacy
Banks
Several banks are within walking distance, including HSBC, Lloyds, Halifax, Metro Bank, NatWest, Santander and Barclays. Opening hours vary, so please check before you visit.
Post Office
The main Post Office is on St Andrew’s Street, a few minutes from the College.
Convenience Stores
- Tesco Express: 8:30am to 10pm
- Sainsbury’s: 7:30am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, 11:30am to 5pm Sunday
- Marks & Spencer: 8am to 7pm, 11am to 5pm Sunday
Larger supermarkets are at the Beehive Centre (Asda and M&S Simply Food) and on Newmarket Road (Tesco and Aldi), a 20-minute walk or a number 3 bus from St Andrew’s Street.
Shopping
- Grand Arcade: a modern shopping centre with over 50 high street and designer brands, including John Lewis
- All Saints’ Passage: home to The Cambridge Cheese Company and, on Saturdays, the All Saints Garden Art and Craft Market
- Rose Crescent: boutiques and specialist stores just off Market Square, including The Department of Magical Gifts
- Mill Road: a hub of independent shops and community events
If you love shopping, take a look at our Shopping in Cambridge guide.
Before You Leave
We hope you have had a wonderful stay. Please switch off the lights and lock the door before you leave.
Check-out is by 10am. Please return your keys to the Porters’ Lodge.
Your Feedback
We would love to hear from you, and your feedback helps us improve. Please leave a review of your stay.
Follow Us
We’d love to see you on social media. Tag us in your holiday snaps on Instagram or Facebook, and we’ll keep you updated with news about Christ’s College and Cambridge.
Need to Know
- We cannot accommodate children under 18.
- Some rooms are on upper floors reached by stairs only, so they may not suit guests with limited mobility.
- Your Wi-Fi code is given on arrival, and guests can register daily.
- There is no parking on site.
- Rooms do not have air conditioning, but fans are available.
Recommended Places to Visit
Museums and Galleries
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
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University of Cambridge Museum of Zoology
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Green Spaces
Cambridge University Botanic Garden
The Cambridge University Botanic Garden is a breathtaking 40-acre sanctuary showcasing over 8,000 plant species from across the globe.
Contact Us
Our Porters are on site 24 hours a day, so if you have any problems or need any help during your stay, please contact them. Enjoy your stay!
- Phone+44 (0)1223 334926
- Emailreservations@christs.cam.ac.uk
- AddressPorters’ Lodge, Christ’s College, St Andrew’s Street, Cambridge CB2 3BU