Trinity College, Cambridge University
A guide to Cambridge and Cambridgeshire, England, highlighting attractions, history, and
visitor information.
Home > England > Cambridgeshire > Cambridge > University > Trinity College
SITE MAP

Home
spacer
Accommodation
 Hotels
 Hostels
 B&B
 Self catering
Attractions

 Scotland
 Wales
 England
  Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire Travel Guide

Cambridge
Tourist information
Cambridge University - university history
Cambridge Museums
Art Galleries
Punting on the River Cam
Cambridge Historic Churches
Day's out from Cambridge

Hotels in Cambridge

Cambridgeshire Attractions
Crowland Abbey
Duxford Air Museum
Ely
Elsworth

Elton House
Fens
Grantchester
Huntingdon
Kmbolton
Peterborough
Ramsey
St. Ives
St. Neots
Thorney
Wicken Fen
Wimpole Hall
Wisbech

Travel Resources
Tourist Info Centres
Travel links

Accommodation
Cambridgeshire Hotels
Bed & Breakfast


Travel Services
 Tours
 Rail Tickets
 Car Rental
Tourist Info Centres
 England
 Scotland
 Wales
Heritage
 History
 Culture
Travel Directory
 England
 Wales
 Scotland
 B&B
 Hotels
 Tour Operators
 Car Rental
 Walking Holidays
 Waterways  Holidays
 more....
About
 Contact
 About us
spacer


  
England
Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire map

Trinity College, Cambridge University

Henry VIII founded Trinity College in 1546 by joining together two existing colleges, King's Hall and Michaelhouse. Of the two, Michaelhouse was the older college, established in 1324 by Hervey de Stanton, Chancellor of the Exchequer under Edward II. The buildings originally held by Michaelhouse now form the south part of Trinity's Great Range.

King's Hall, not to be confused with King's College, was founded in 1337, and its buildings now form the northern part of the Great Range at Trinity.

Henry VIII made sure that Trinity was well endowed, with gifts of land and former monastic estates. Trinity became one of the richest and most prestigious of Cambridge colleges, drawing to it the sons of many leading families.

Under Thomas Nevile, Master from 1593 to 1615, Trinity was expanded and its buildings unified to form the core of what we can see today. Nevile even paid for the building of Nevile Court out of his own pocket.

But it is Great Court that draws the immediate attention of visitors. It is the largest and most impressive court of any at Cambridge (and larger than any Oxford Quad, too). Nevile was the mastermind of Great Court; he demolished the old hall and erected the present building, notable for its lantern and wonderful hammerbeam roof. Nevile even had the clock tower dismantled and moved, brick by brick, to its present position by the chapel.

The Great Court is entered through an imposing brick gateway dating from 1535. Above the entry is an imposing statue of Henry VIII, regally holding a chair leg! It seems that students kept removing the original sceptre held by the statue, so college porters designed this unusual replacement.

Lord Byron, when he attended Trinity, was known to keep a bear in his rooms. He would occasionally lead the bear around the college on a chain.

Rumour has it that the apple tree outside the college gate is a direct descendant of the tree which dropped an apple on Isaac Newton's head, prompting him to evolve his theory of gravity.

WREN LIBRARY
The Library at Trinity College, which faces into Nevile's Court, was built to a design by Christopher Wren, and finished in 1695. Wren designed not only the overall structure, but even took a hand in the furniture! He brought in Grinling Gibbons to carve the limewood decorative elements as well as the royal coat of arms at each end of the building. Busts of notable Trinity members dot the interior, including a full length marble statue of Lord Byron originally intended for Westminster Abbey.

LIBRARY EXHIBITS
There are 6 exhibition cases in the Library, with rotating displays from the Library's collection of books and manuscripts. Almost always displayed is the Library's prize posession, an 8th century copy of Epistles of St Paul, as well as an autographed version of Milton's poems, A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh, and Newton's annotated Principia.

Opening Details for the Wren Library
Entry to the Wren Library is free, but a charge applies to enter the college. If you want to visit just the library, enter by Queen's Road or Garret Hostel Lane.

FAMOUS TRINITY MEMBERS
Isaac Newton
John Dryden
Thomas Macaulay
Lord Byron
William Thackeray
Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Bertrand Russell
A.E. Housman

College Contact information:
Trinity Street
Cambridge
CB2 1TQ
Tel: +44 1223 338400
Fax: +44 1223 338564

ENTRY: fee charged


Cambridgeshire links

Text © David Ross and Britain Express 2001

  



Accommodation
Grampian

Bluefolds - Folds Cottage

Glenlivet
Self catering cottage

This Cottage offers 2 family rooms with 1 double & 1 single with washhand basins in upstairs bedrooms & 1 double room with ensuite shower … more >>
Sleeps 8

More cottages in Grampian >>


Cornwall

The Granary

Stratton
Self catering cottage

Offers: Very spacious lounge/diner. Fully equipped kitchen, 3 large bedrooms, 2 family rooms (each with a double bed and a single bed) & 1 twin … more >>
Sleeps 8

More cottages in Cornwall >>



Cambridge (Hotel)

Royal Cambridge Hotel

Built in Georgian times, the Royal Cambridge Hotel is located in the centre of the historic city of Cambridge. The famous 'Backs' are only metres away and the colleges, botanical gardens, theatres, museums and shops are conveniently close by. The hotel offers a lounge bar and a restaurant serving table … more >>

More hotels in Cambridgeshire >>


Cambridge (Hotel)

De Vere University Arms

Situated in the very heart of historic Cambridge, the University Arms Hotel offers an unrivalled position overlooking Parker's Piece. Just a short walk from the hotel you will find the magnificent Colleges, including the famous Kings College, together with the Bridge of Sighs which can be seen whilst being chauffeured … more >>

More hotels in Cambridgeshire >>


Peterborough (Hotel)

Bull Hotel

The Bull Hotel is located in the heart of the city of Peterborough, minutes from the railway station and close to the ancient Norman Peterborough Cathedral and immediately opposite the modern Queensgate Shopping Centre. All 118 bedrooms are fully equipped with internet access through the television with infrared keyboard and … more >>

More hotels in Cambridgeshire >>