East Anglia Sights

Guidebooks

St. John's College

Write a review

Fodorite Reviews

Average Rating:  

St. John's College Review

Two mythical beasts called "yales," with the bodies of antelopes and heads of goats, hold up the coat of arms and guard the gateway of Cambridge's second-largest college. St. John's was founded in 1511 by Henry VII's mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, who briefly ruled England in 1509 as regent for the young Henry VIII. Its structures lie on two sites: from the main entrance, walk to the left through the courts to the 1831 "Bridge of Sighs, " which bears only a passing resemblance to its Venetian counterpart. The windowed, covered stone bridge reaches across the Cam to the mock-Gothic New Court (1825), nicknamed "the wedding cake." If you walk through to the riverbank, you can stroll along the Backs and photograph the elegant bridge.

    Contact Information

  • Address: St. John's St., Cambridge, CB2 1TP | Map It
  • Phone: 01223/338600
  • Cost: £3.20
  • Hours: Mar.--Oct., daily 10--5:30; Nov.--Feb., daily 10--3:30
  • Website: www.joh.cam.ac.uk
  • Location: Cambridge
Write a review

Fodorite Reviews

Average Rating:  
  • Experience  
    Ease  
    Value  
    Don't Miss  

    Pleasing

    Yet another college worth a look -- has an ornately attractive bridge over the Cam River that suggests the Bridge of Sighs in Venice.

    by bachslunch, 4/22/08

Add your own review

Free Fodor's Newsletter

Subscribe today for weekly travel inspiration, tips, and special offers.

· Browse East Anglia sights

By Location

 Fodor's Trip Planning Ideas

Travel Deals in East Anglia

View all travel deals
* Some taxes, fees additional

· Forums Trip Reports

View more trip reports

·

View more travel discussions

· News & Features

View more blog stories