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King’s College Cambridge: History, Tickets, Opening Times & More!

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Of the 31 colleges dotted around the English city of Cambridge, King’s College may well be the most popular among visitors, earning a top spot on many tourist bucket lists and itineraries.

Famed for its stunning Gothic chapel (home to the world’s largest fan vaulted ceiling), as well as its picturesque grounds, King’s College is definitely one of the prettiest colleges to visit in Cambridge, especially for those eager to ooh and ahh over some of the most photogenic structures in the city.

So, if you’re keen to see the very place that helped nurture famous minds like Alan Turing, Zu Zhimo, and Salman Rushdie, read on.

In this King’s College Cambridge guide, we’ll be covering all of the following:

• Practical Info for Visiting King’s College in Cambridge

A Brief History of King’s College Cambridge

How to get to king’s college cambridge.

• Things to do at King’s College Cambridge

Additional Tips for Visiting King’s College Cambridge

Practical Info for Visiting King’s College Cambridge

Public entry to King’s College is only possible through paying an admission fee. You can save a bit of money by booking your tickets online in advance here.

Ticket Prices

According to the official King’s College website, here are the ticket prices (as of January 2023):

Opening Hours

For the most accurate and up-to-date opening hours, be sure to check the King’s College calendar here.

Hotels Close to King’s College

Looking for somewhere to stay nearby? Here are some recommendations:

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Originally founded in 1441 as “The King’s College of Our Lady Saint and Nicholas in Cambridge”, King’s College has enjoyed a lengthy history over the centuries, persevering through wars, conflicts, and global pandemics.

The college was originally established by King Henry VI as a finishing school for students from Eton College, of which the top 70 worthiest were recruited each year to join King’s. The college would remain Eton-exclusive for over 400 years until 1861, when a new set of statutes opened up admission to those from other schools.

Today, King’s College is home to over 100 fellows and 400+ undergraduate students, many of which live and work on the college grounds.

Of course, the King’s College we see today looks significantly different to how it would have looked back in the day. While construction on the famous King’s College Chapel began only five years after the founding of the college, its completion would not be reached until almost 100 years later thanks to the War of the Roses.

Besides the chapel, the college would see a great deal of expansion and development over the next few centuries. The now iconic neoclassical facade of the Gibbs Building for example wasn’t completed until 1724, and it took until the early 19th century for the front court to be completed.

But of course, good things come to those who wait. These days, King’s is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful colleges in Cambridge… certainly among visitors, who come by the thousands every year to see the beauty of the college and chapel for themselves.

King’s College is conveniently located in the Cambridge city centre along King’s Parade here .

Arriving by car:

There is no parking on-site, but there are a number of car parks close by that will put you within easy walking distance of the college.

Arriving by train:

King’s College is located about a 25 minute walk from the Cambridge Train Station (which is located outside of Central Cambridge).

Arriving by bus/coach:

King’s College is located about a 15 minute walk from the Drummer Street Bus Station.

Things to Do at King’s College Cambridge

Wondering what there is to do during your visit to King’s College in Cambridge? Here are some fo the must-sees.

Admire King’s College Chapel

Of course, the starring attraction at King’s College is the King’s College Chapel , home to the world’s largest vaulted ceiling, and considered by many to be a true masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

Besides the beauty of the chapel itself, there are also a number of informative displays available for visitors to learn about the history of the college, chapel, and its construction.

Of course another highlight is the Adoration of the Magi painting by Rubens, which was gifted to the college by property millionaire Alfred Ernest Allnatt in the early 1960s. Visitors can now view it in the eastern part of the chapel.

Attend a chapel service

And if simple sightseeing in the chapel doesn’t feel like enough, visitors are also welcome to attend services and choral performances inside the chapel. Click here for more information about attending.

Gawk at the grounds

As the college is a working college, many parts are off-limits to public visitors, such as the Gibb’s Building, Wilkins Building, Old Lodge, and both Bodley’s Court and Chetwynd Court.

That said, some of the building exteriors are still stunning to admire from the outside, especially the Gibb’s Building which has a beautiful classical facade made of Portland stone.

Admire the King’s College Wildflower Meadow

Stretching from the King’s College Chapel to the scenic banks of the River Cam, another highlight for visitors to King’s College is the lush wildflower meadow, where (when the timing’s right) you’ll find a sea of poppies, cornflowers, mayflowers, corn cockles and more.

Stop by the Xu Zhimo Memorial Garden

Officially opened in 2018, another King’s College attraction is the Xu Zhimo Memorial Garden, the first Chinese garden to be installed in any of Cambridge’s colleges, dedicated of course to the famous Chinese poet Xu Zhimo, who once spent 18 months at King’s College.

Populated with a mix of British plants and plants from Xu’s home region of Haining, China, this tranquil piece of King’s College is well worth a visit.

Nearby the garden, you’ll also find a white marble memorial stone dedicated to Xu, which is engraved with lines from his famous poem ‘Second Farewell to Cambridge’, which is now a poem so famous in China that it is studied by millions of students each year as part of many school curriculums.

Last but not least, here are some practical tips to keep in mind before your visit to King’s College.

Buy your tickets online in advance

During our visit, we noticed that ticket purchases were not possible at the entrance gate, and instead you needed to go to the Visitor Centre across the road. Not a huge distance to travel, but you’re better off buying your tickets online because then you can guarantee your entry (they can sell out quickly during peak season!) and you save a tiny amount on the entrance fee as well.

NOTE: We’d recommend keeping your tickets handy, as we were checked at the entrance gate and again upon entry to the chapel.

Do not visit during mid-April to mid-June (Easter Term)

During this period, it’s exam time at Cambridge, so College grounds are closed to visitors (although the Chapel is usually still open).

Use the facilities before visiting the college

At King’s College, you will not find any toilets or bathrooms open to the public, so be sure to take care of business before your visit!

Keep off the grass!

According to some wordy signs, walking on the grass is only possible if you are accompanied by a senior member of the college. You’ve been warned!

We Hope You Enjoyed This Guide to King’s College Cambridge!

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• Visiting Cambridge Colleges in 2024 – Latest Information

Most visitors to Cambridge would like to take a look inside a College or two. There’s over 800years of history to explore and many of them are free to enter.

We have created an exclusive and helpful table showing Colleges, weblinks, opening information and charges. See here… https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OlNqtNpEPFtrLmnF4n6VCbJWccBZEgP59_tpjdX3WmE/edit?usp=sharing

It should be noted that Colleges are private institutions that have the ability to close at a moment’s notice if a special guest has been invited to look round or something like that. There is no guarantee that a College will be open on the day you might have decided to visit.

If there is a concert or a recording taking place this might also be a reason for a College to close so it’s best to check their websites before you go. Many Colleges keep their social media up to date with any opening restrictions.

We hope some of your questions might be answered below:-

Which are the best Colleges in central Cambridge that are free to look round?

These would be:-

• Christ’s College where Charles Darwin studied (Only open Tuesdays and Thursday)
• Downing College has the Heong Gallery
• Pembroke College with it’s Chapel by Sir Christopher Wren
• Gonville & Caius College with it’s different courts and medical history
• Jesus College with it’s garden sculptures
• Magdelene College right on the river with the Pepys Library
• Peterhouse being the oldest of all the Colleges in Cambridge
• Sidney Sussex where Oliver Cromwell’s head is buried
• St. Catherine’s College in a small intimate College in the heart of Cambridge
• Trinity Hall has an amazing history and a beautiful garden on the river

Which are the Colleges that charge visitors to enter?

These would be:

• Clare College
• Corpus Christi College
• St John’s College
• King’s College
• Queens’ College
• Trinity College

Which are the most famous or popular Colleges to look round?

Trinity college.

Trinity is by far the wealthiest and the largest of all the Colleges in Cambridge. They only charge £3 for an adult to enter the College but access is restricted to the Great Court and the Chapel. To gain admission enter via the Great Gate on Trinity Street.

It is also possible to see the Great Court free of charge by entering through the Queen Elizabeth Gate on Trinity Lane but do not cross the barrier marked PRIVATE! If you do the porters wearing bowler hats will be after you.

Trinity Great Gate seen from the Great Court

KING’S COLLEGE

King’s College is probably the most visited College in Cambridge as the chapel is the finest example of late gothic architecture anywhere in the world. It has the finest example of renaissance stained glass anywhere in the world and the largest fan vaulted ceiling.

To look round the chapel and grounds at King’s you can buy a ticket online here:  https://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/visit/your-visit

It is £1 cheaper online but you can just pop into the Kings Shop on Kings Parade and buy your ticket there. It is £11 for an adult and £8.50 for a child when buying from the shop.

Once you have your ticket you will need to walk round to the north door of the chapel to present your ticket and enter.

Inside King’s College Chapel

After you have seen the chapel and the priceless painting by Rubens you can walk round the College grounds. Many visitors just head off after the chapel but it’s a strong recommendation to enjoy the grounds and walk over the bridge to the west, which has inspired famous Chinese poetry.

It is worth noting that with many guided walking tours entry to the chapel is included. Many people walk around the chapel but have no idea what they are looking at so having a guide is a strong recommendation. These can be arranged through Cambridge Walking Tours http://www.cambridgewalkingtours.co.uk/

It is possible to attend a Choir Services known as Evensong at King’s College chapel free of charge. These take place in term time and you will need to book online as they are restricting the number of people attending due to Covid-19. You can see all the information you need and book online here:- https://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/chapel/attending-chapel-services

Once you’ve booked you need to come to the front of King’s College on King’s Parade at 4:55pm. If you are after 5:05pm you will be at the back of the queue. At 5pm you will be allowed into the College and permitted to queue up at the south door to the chapel (follow the crowd). At 5:15pm you will be allowed into the chapel. At 5:30pm Evensong will start. You will not need to pray or sing. Just stand up when everyone else stands up and sit down when everyone else sits down. The service lasts around 45mins. Dress appropriately for a religious service and do not take photographs. It’s important to be respectful of the College allowing visitors to participate in an ancient and beautiful tradition.

King’s College taken from Queen’s Road

QUEENS’ COLLEGE

Queens’ College is special because of the wooden bridge over the cam often incorrectly referred to as the Mathematical Bridge. It also has a historic sun dial and some of the oldest courts in Cambridge.

It is only £5 to look around this College and much of it is open to the public.

Access is gained via Queens’ Lane.

St. JOHN’S COLLEGE

St. John’s College is very famous as William Wordsworth studied here and it’s one of the most beautiful. It is also the only College to have two bridges over the river one being the famous Bridge of Sighs.

The movie about Steven Hawking’s life called The Theory of Everything was filmed here although Mr. Hawking went to Trinity Hall.

Entry to this College is £11 for an adult and they charge for children over 12yrs. This is the most expensive of all the Colleges to visit.

With the entry to the College you can wonder around most of the buildings. It’s possible to go into the chapel but often this is restricted just to the entrance and not the stalls.

Make the most of your time at St. John’s College and make sure you walk over the Bridge of Sighs and into New Court and the gardens.

New Court at St. John’s College

What Colleges are off the beaten track but worth a visit?

Selwyn College is a short walk to the west and has some pretty buildings.

Churchill College is a bit of a trek but it has a lot of grounds and some amazing sculptures.

When is the worst time of year to visit the Colleges?

That would be April and May whilst the exams are taking place. Colleges are often closed around this time to allow students to study and prepare for exams.

When is the best time of year to visit?

July and August are good because Colleges are open and there are no student’s around but King’s College Chapel Evensong is not on as it is out of term time.

June can be a great time with Evensong on, students still around and the crowds have not arrived.

If you want to see some nervous new students and get a feel for life as a student October can be fun.

Our favourite time in September when things are quietening down but the evenings are still long and mild.

Here are some other bits of information about visiting Colleges that you might wish to know

Cambridge Alumni can gain entrance to Colleges with their CamCard. It allows them to bring one guest with them into St. John’s or Queens’ or up to three guests in other Colleges. It even allows access with two guests into King’s College Chapel.

Cambridge residents can apply for a resident’s card at Kings Shop to gain access to Colleges for free.

Social distancing is still important to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19. There are various measures in place within Colleges that must be adhered to. There is a new booking system for the chapel at Kings for example to keep numbers in confined spaces to a minimum.

Colleges are centres for academic study and life within them are for students, staff and fellows. It is a privilege to be allowed in as a visitor so be mindful of people trying to work.

Many people see their College as their home and identify strongly with them. Alumni and staff can choose to get married in their College chapel as example and so often a College might close for the day to allow that to happen.

If you are interested in women-only Colleges there are now only Murry Edwards and Newnham after Lucy Cavendish started to admit men in 2021.

Once you have looked round a College take the time to enjoy their gardens. Make the most of your visit. College gardens are arguably more exclusive and more enjoyable to look round than the buildings.

Fellow’s gardens are closed to the public but each summer they hold plays as a part of the Shakespeare festival. It is a chance to look inside a garden that’s rarely available to the public’s eye. Get to a performance well before the start and enjoy the garden before the play begins. Don’t forget to bring your picnic! For more information visit https://cambridgeshakespeare.com/

When walking around Colleges it’s easy to forget that the cobbles under your feet are hundreds of years old and may not be perfectly flat so do mind your step.

Fellows are often trying to educate young minds just the other side of a window as you walk around a College so do be mindful not to shout. Many areas are marked PRIVATE for good reason.

Be aware of emergency procedures in the event of an alarm. This information is usually quite clear but might be worth noting as you go in.

We hope this article has proved interesting and useful.

Plan your visit and take as much time as you can to enjoy this wonderful City.

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Visiting King's College

Buy your official tickets to visit King's College Chapel & Grounds here.

You are encouraged to buy tickets in advance as numbers are limited, we are unable to guarantee that tickets will be available to purchase on the day.

You'll be taken to our external ticket link, managed through TicketTailor.  

For more information on opening days and times, please see our website .

Ticket Prices for Self-Guided Visits

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Cambridge is the country’s most beautiful historic city. Its elegant centre is framed by architectural triumphs, surrounded by green spaces and home to the University of Cambridge’s world-famous colleges.

Cambridge lives and breathes its past in its present; wander through the winding streets and follow in the steps of the city’s luminaries including Charles Darwin, Alfred Tennyson and Sylvia Plath to name but a few. Poets, philosophers, scientists, medics, engineers, prime ministers and Nobel Peace Prize winners have all left their mark here.

Pay a visit to King’s College Chapel – a truly inspirational experience. It is the largest and most spectacular of the college chapels in Cambridge.

Admire the picturesque waters of the River Cam and gaze in wonder at the Bridge of Sighs at St John’s and the Mathematical Bridge at Queens’.

• Corpus Christi college is famous for the Chronophage, the amazing £1m golden clock invented by one of its former students, John Taylor.
• Trinity College has a famous statue of Henry VIII holding the orb of state, and a sceptre, which in fact is a chair leg mischievously put there by an irreverent student in the 19th century.

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Clare College

The College was founded in 1326 and was the first of the Oxford and Cambridge foundations to provide for a Master, Fellows and Scholars in a single community.

Clare Hall is a college for advanced study at the University of Cambridge. We have beautiful grounds and gardens to explore. A British architect and long-time resident of Sweden, Ralph Erskine, was enlisted to build a resolutely modern community within Cambridge’s history-rich landscape.

Corpus Christi College

Corpus Christi College was founded in 1352. The College provides a stimulating academic and residential environment.

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Emmanuel College

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With over 800 years of history, tread in the footsteps of many famous faces, including Charles Darwin, James Watson and France Crick, Rosalind Franklin, Sylvia Plath and Professor Stephen Hawking.

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Consider King’s College a four-year laboratory that helps you discover what you are passionate about while preparing for your profession. We blend large university opportunities with personalized support in a smaller setting, creating the ideal environment for a college education.

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Here Are 6 Reasons to Choose King's College

Let’s help you narrow down your college search with just six (of many) reasons why King’s College should top your list and you should join our Monarch family by applying.

1. This is an Education You Can Afford

It is possible to receive a high-quality, premier education at an affordable cost, thanks to generous donors who make King's College scholarships available to every accepted student. That’s why 100% of our first-time, full-time students have a King’s College scholarship.

2. We're an Inclusive Community

Part of our mission is to respect the inherent dignity of every person... and we mean it. Our community welcomes everyone, including legacy families, first-gen students, individuals from minority backgrounds, and those of all faiths. At King's, this is your home, too.

3. We Enrich Your Mind and Heart

We don't simply provide an education; we develop your mind and heart through student success services and wellness programs that ensure you have both a healthy school-life balance and a safe space to challenge yourself.

4. Our Degrees Are In Demand

Our curriculum provides you with not only what you want and need to learn but also a degree that lays the groundwork for high growth potential. When other schools are cutting programs, we’re adding majors that are in demand.

5. Here, Everyone Thrives

With nearly half of our student body made up of athletes and at least 60% of students involved in at least one or more club, intramural, or arts program, we encourage teamwork, collaboration, and leadership over individual success, so you'll develop skills that set you up for academic, career, and personal achievement.

6. This is a Classic College Town

Wilkes-Barre is a small city with an exciting future as large corporations put down roots and small businesses open next door to arts and sports venues, great restaurants, and parks, trails, and slopes. You have quick access to bigger cities, too.

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We understand financial fit is a big factor when selecting your school. We make every effort to support you and empower you with as much information as possible to navigate the financial aid process. We want you to be confident that your choices today will lead to a promising future.

These statistics are based on 2022-23 data.

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Better yet, 80% of the average offer does not need to be repaid, so everyone can and should apply for financial aid.

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Former Administrator & Professor Earns Holy Cross Award

The Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers, announced that Steven Seitchik, who served King's College for more than 50 years as Registrar, Associate Professor in the Department of Economics, and Vice-President for Business Affairs, is among the 2023-2024 Spirit of Holy Cross Awards honorees.

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Graduates of the King’s College Class of 2024 received their bachelor’s and master’s degrees before a crowd of more than 3,000 family, friends, and faculty during the 75th annual Commencement at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.

Ed Kearney ’74 to Give 2024 Commencement Address

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Dr. Christy Hyman of Mississippi State University will visit King’s College on Tuesday, Apr. 23, 2024, to present “Digitally Mapping Interspecies Cooperation in the Underground Railroad."

King's Hosts 2024 Northeast PACAC College Fair

The Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling (PACAC) is hosting its Annual Northeast Regional College Fair on Monday, April 29, 2024, in the McGrane Gymnasium of the Scandlon Physical Education Center at King’s College.

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Best Colleges to visit at Cambridge University

There are lots of Colleges to visit in Cambridge; thirty-one to be exact. Naturally, as a visitor to Cambridge you will want to visit at least one of these iconic sites, but choosing which ones to visit is harder than the entrance exams!

Don’t worry, we at Footprints Tours have compiled a list of the top 5 best Colleges to visit at Cambridge. It will also tell you about opening times and costs to ensure your visit to the colleges goes ahead without a hitch.

If you fancy having a student guide along to explain the historical significance of your chosen College and to clarify the workings of the college system, why not book a  Private Tour  with us?

King's College

There was no question which College should be on the top of our list. 

King’s is stunningly beautiful, with the most recognisable building in Cambridge: King’s College Chapel. Moreover, it is  centrally located and full of fascinating history. 

 Did you know that five different Kings were involved in the construction of the chapel?

This happened due to all the turbulence caused by the War of Roses. This was one of the historical events that George R R Martin used as inspiration for Game of Thrones. 

The Chapel has the largest span of fan vaulting in the world!

The master mason and legendary gothic architect John Wastell constructed it between 1512 and 1515. Additionally the stunning medieval stained glass above and around the altar is also a thing of beauty.

Advance online tickets are £10/adult and £8/child. More info on their visitor’s page .

Please check their online calendar before visiting to make sure they will be open on the day! They are often closed on Sundays.

You can also enter this beautiful College on our Cambridge University & City Tour !

Pembroke College

Pembroke is indisputably one of the top colleges to visit at Cambridge. They are the third oldest College of the university, dating back to 1347. Their founder was Marie de St Pol, who was the widow of the Earl of Pembroke.

Moreover they are also one of the largest Colleges with over 700 students.

One of the main reason why we recommend Pembroke College is their splendid architecture.

They managed their assets well over the years and now they have a building from nearly every century since their foundation!

Their college chapel was designed by none other than Sir Christopher Wren, who designed St Paul’s Cathedral.

Pembroke is also known for academic performance. They are frequently placed very high on the Tompkins Table, which ranks undergraduate exam results.

Additionally, they are  one of only six Colleges where a British prime minister has studied. In Pembroke’s case  the PM in question was William Pitt the Younger.

The grounds and the Chapel are open to visitors and there is no entrance fee. They are generally open every day from 10am to 5pm.

It is always best to check their opening times in advance if you are travelling from far away.  You can give the Porters’ Lodge a call on 0044 1223 338100.

If you have a large group please contact them to pre-book a group time slot.

St John's College

None other than the Tudor matriarch Lady Margaret Beaufort founded the College in 1511. Its initial dedication was to liberal arts, biblical languages and theology, but since then they have developed a varied repertoire.

St John’s alumni include  twelve Nobel Prize winners, seven prime ministers, at least two princes, and three saints!

While it does not look like its namesake in Venice the Bridge of Sighs is one of the most photographed spots in Cambridge for a reason. Queen Victoria herself described it as “so pretty and picturesque”.

While Oxford’s Bridge of Sighs is slightly longer the Cambridge one was completed more than 80 years earlier!

The New Court’s central cupola is affectionately known as the ‘wedding cake’ building. It is famous for its four blank clock faces.

The architect Henry Hutchinson was famously obsessed with symmetry. According to the story Hutchinson feared that the installation of clockfaces would spoil the building’s perfect symmetry.

Please note that they are only open to visitors outside of term, so they are best suited for a summer visit. You can check the term dates here .

Entrance for adults costs £11 and for children it is £6. Generally they are open from 10am to 3pm. For more information please have a look on their website .

Queens' College

Queens’ College was originally  founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou. However they were refounded in 1465 by the rival queen Elizabeth Woodville. 

Hence the name of the College is spelled Queens followed by an apostrophe, indicating multiple Queens.

Even though they were founded 7 years before the War of the Roses they barely experienced any little construction delays due to the conflict.

Another one of the most famous bridges over the River Cam. So many rumours and legends have sprouted around the bridge that the College has a dedicated section on their website correcting misinformation.

We don’t want to give away everything we tell you on our tours, but *spolier alert* it was not designed by Sit Isaac Newton. Sorry!

College alumni include world famous figures such as Desiderius Erasmus. The philosopher and theologian studied at the college during his trips to England in the early 1500s.

Another notable alumnus is famous actor, broadcaster and comedian Stephen Fry. 

While their opening dates are a bit irregular  they are open regularly. Please check on their website before visiting.

They charge and entrance fee of £5/visitor, with children under 12 entering for free.  Please approach from the Visitors’ Gate in Queens’ Lane.

Last entry is generally at 4.00pm.

Newnham College

At last but no least Newnham College! While they are not centrally located like the others on our list, their gardens and gorgeous architecture definitely make the trip worthwhile.

Moreover their new Iris Café is also open to the public. It is the perfect place to rest before exploring the rest of Cambridge.

They were only the second women’s college to be founded in 1871. During that time  educating women at Cambridge was still a radical idea. So much so that a group of men famously besieged the college’s original entrance, the Pfeiffer Arch.

The College persevered despite these early challenges and they have maintained a strong ethos of an institution run by women for women.

Believe it or not, the College has the second-longest continuous indoor corridor in Europe!

The architect Basil Champneys designed it so the women did not have to step outside in the rain. This way they didn’t have to get their hair or dresses wet in the famously hostile English weather.

The Newnham gardens are one of the best kept secrets in Cambridge. Entrance is free and they are open to the public for most days of the year.

You can easily check on their opening status on their website.

Visit these locations on a

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Opening Times

King's College is a working College and Chapel. Consequently there are occasions when it is not possible to visit or opening times are changed at short notice. Please check below for the latest information about opening times, services and Chapel closures.

The opening days and times below are for visiting the Chapel in a leisure capacity.  If you are interested in attending a service in the Chapel, please click here for Chapel service times and booking information.

Resident Pass holders are welcome to access the grounds during Chapel sightseeing open hours.  When the Chapel is not open to visitors, the grounds are closed to non-College members.  For more information, please click here.

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