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St John's College, Cambridge (Cambridge)
B&B accommodation in recently refurbished rooms at this 16th Century Cambridge College.
Summary
- 16th century buildings
- Breakfast included
- Public car parking for a charge (nearby)
- No smoking
- Minimum age 16
Facilities
- Free broadband access
- Shared gardens
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Food and Drinks
- English breakfast (included)
- Bar
Nearby recreations
- Recommended walks
- Pub (walking distance)
- Museums (walking distance)
- Historic houses
- Gardens
- Theatre (walking distance)
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Introduction
St John’s College celebrates its 500th Anniversary in 2011. The College was founded on the site of the 13th century Hospital of St John in Cambridge, expanding over the subsequent five hundred years to become the largest of the Oxford and Cambridge Colleges by area.
St John's has magnificent gardens and extends onto the famous Cambridge Backs beyond the River Cam, with its courts connected by the beautiful Bridge of Sighs. Although the Main Gate of the College leads right into the heart of the city, the College courts provide a serene and peaceful environment for our guests.
Our recently refurbished guest rooms, situated in North Court, accommodate students during Term. Both twin and single rooms are available, and all rooms are serviced daily.
History to the present day
St John’s College was founded on the 9th April 1511, its charter sealed by the executors of the foundress, Lady Margaret Beaufort (mother of King Henry VII) who had begun the process of transforming the ancient hospital of St John the Evangelist, Cambridge, into a college for students in the liberal arts and theology.
College alumni have included the classicist Roger Ascham, the social reformer William Wilberforce, the poet William Wordsworth, the physicist Paul Dirac, and the athlete Christopher Brasher.
Food and Drinks
Our rates include a full English Breakfast, served in the Buttery Dining Room between 08:00-09:15.
We are unable to offer dinner.
Grounds and gardens
In Tudor times the landscape of St John's was strikingly different from today. On part of the present site of New Court and the Cripps Building lay fish ponds which had once served the brethren of the Hospital of St John. To the south of these, where the sandy Broad Walk now crosses St John's Meadow, was the Close, surrounded by trees and ditches. Beyond the ditch at the western edge of the meadow stretched pasture and open arable fields.
By the seventeenth century, the gardens at St John's had expanded and taken on a more formal aspect, along with with the creation of a bowling-green in 1625; further developments took place during the eighteenth century, and an entirely new garden was added in the late nineteenth century, when the Master's Lodge was built.
An avenue of tall limes, with one hundred metres of yew hedges on each side, lead down to the Queen's road gate of the College, beside the Fellows' Garden and the wildlife haven of the Fellows' Wilderness.
Other facilities
Guests are welcome to view the Chapel, and to attend if a service is taking place.
Arrival information and how to find us
Address: St John's College Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1TP, United Kingdom
Address: St John’s College, St John’s Street, Cambridge CB2 1TP
Check In: From 2pm - 11pm Check Out: By 10am
Parking is available, for a charge, nearby. There is a public multi-storey car park in Park Street, adjacent to the College.
The Porters will be pleased to store your baggage following check-out, whilst you have a last look around the College or City.
On arrival, please check-in at the Forecourt Porters Lodge situated on the corner of Bridge Street and St John’s Street.
Please show your booking confirmation to the Porter, who will provide you with your room keys, a map of the College and direct you to your room.
Despite the term “Porters”, it is not part of a College Porter’s duties to handle luggage. You must carry your own luggage to your room. After 23:00 a Porter is onsite to deal with emergencies.
The Railway Station is approximately a 30-40 minute walk or there are various bus services, which will drop you close to the College. There is also a taxi service available outside the Railway Station.
The Coach terminal, in the centre of the city, is a 10 minutes walk to the College.
Customer feedback
We guarantee that all our feedback is genuine and can only be submitted by people who have booked through our websites.
Mr Ron Harris, September 2011: Excellent location; all staff were very helpful; surprised that there were no opportunities for discounted parking arrangements but overall a good experience.
Mr nicholas marsh, September 2011: The accommodation was faultless and the location superb.
The Buttery where breakfast was served was better than many 4 or 5 star hotels when it came to choice, quality, service and setting.
I would have no hesitation in booking St. Johns College in the future and will also be recommending friends to this hidden gem.
Miss Ruth Boxall, September 2011: Our first experience of college rooms. Our twin en suite was actually even better - a flatlet with our own door with 2 single study rooms, a shower room and little kitchen with fridge, sink and electric hobs. It was spotlessly clean and towels were changed each day.
We enjoyed walking across the Bridge of Sighs and onto the Backs in the evening.
The porters were helpful with information, polite and friendly and the breakfast staff very efficient.
The booking service was very simple and efficient. We would certainly book again.
Mr Hans Peter Schapitz, August 2011: It was a great experience to live in an old historical building without missing the comfort. I´ve enjoyed staying in your college and the special atmosphere. I´ll come back anytime. I like Cambridge and I like their people.
Dr Sumi David, August 2011: Everything was fantastic - the porters were very helpful and allowed me to keep my bags in the Porters' Lodge the next day until I was able to come and collect them. I asked for some advice on the best walks around the gardens of St John's and the porter very kindly took the time to map out the ideal route; as a result, I had an amazing walk around St John's!
Prof Andrew Jones, August 2011: Super stay in a lovely college
Susan Jepson, August 2011: Very nice accommodation, great location so near to other colleges and city centre. Porters Lodge staff very helpful and allowed us to leave our bags before and after our stay.
Dr Edna Wong, August 2011: wonderful location and very helpful staff
Mrs Ruth Chylik, August 2011: Thanks for everything - it was the perfect way to spend time in Cambridge!
Mrs Angela Lane, August 2011: WE WERE DELIGHTED WITH THE EXPERIENCE AND WOULD USE SAME AGAIN
Ms Sue Mussett, August 2011: St John's was an excellent base for the weekend with stunning buildings and grounds. Rooms were comfortable, breakfast was fine and all staff we met were very friendly.Would definitely stay again.
Dr Pamela Parker, July 2011: The rooms were nce and clean and very comfortable
Elaine Hernen, September 2010: Had an excellent stay in amazing rooms! Porter's lodge really helpful and supplied info and first aid supplies when needed. Other members of college very friendly and informative about the history of the college. Good breakfast slightly spoiled by one grumpy female server - other kitchen staff extremely nice. Proper fresh orange juice too!
Nicholas Hammond, September 2010: A good nights sleep in comfortable accomodation. Helpful porters and a great breakfast. All in all a great experience. I would certainly book again! Nick Hammond
Martin Frame, September 2010: Very welcoming. A great experience.
Dale J Elliott, August 2010: My wife and I loved this experience. Ian at Porter's Lodge was very helpful. The room was excellent and this is the best value for money in Cambridge. A friend of ours satyed at a hotel and it cost him more than 150 quid. We will recommend this to all and will certainly return.
Mrs Clare Annal, August 2010: Had A fantastic weekend, St John's College has some amazing architecture and loved 'The Bridge of Sighs'.Really impressed with rooms and toiletry bags were a nice touch. The Porters were very friendly and helpful and I have been promoting your rooms to everyone.Added bonus for married couples they can get away from a snoring partner with the separate rooms ! I think thats something to promote, Many Thanks for great weekend.
Tony Burnside, August 2010: Would recomend staying at St Johns college - the staff at breakfast went overboard to make us welcome and look after us! Wonderful to wander through the college before breakfast before all the tourists came in too!!
