Corpus Christi College
Corpus Christi College
Corpus Christi College
4.5
Monday
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
About
Founded in 1352 by the townspeople of old Cambridge, this is one of the older and more central Colleges of Cambridge University.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
97 reviews
Excellent
43
Very good
43
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Teapot☕🏝🗺🗻🏞🏜🌍
Southport, UK79 contributions
Nov 2013 • Friends
I had the opportunity to visit Corpus Christi and to hear Corpus Christi choir sing inside the beautiful chapel.
It is well worth a visit. The choir was excellent. Acoustics were very good. The service was very moving. I will definitely return again when I am in Cambridge.
It is well worth a visit. The choir was excellent. Acoustics were very good. The service was very moving. I will definitely return again when I am in Cambridge.
Written 6 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK1,86,358 contributions
Oct 2021
The only college founded by Cambridge townspeople, you wouldn't know that from the grand buildings. The immaculate lawns and quadrangle of New Court are the most impressive sights.
Written 27 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Milly F
Cambridge, UK6 contributions
Mar 2016 • Friends
So, okay, this is a biased review. I have been at Corpus for four years, and consequently should not be trusted. I do genuinely believe it is the best college, but so do other people at other colleges. Fools. (I debated whether I should leave a review, but I get no money or other benefit from your coming. I mean, it's actually a slight inconvenience to wade through tourists at the porter's lodge?) However, this is also a review from an insider who knows and loves the college, and thinks you should know and love it too. First, though it is generally free, this is not true in the summer (it is not expensive to visit, £2.50 I think, but not free). You also will unfortunately be turned away in exam term, because in exam term everyone becomes a stressed puddle of sadness and should not be subjected to human contact. All of that having been said, you should come and see the college - especially on a Thursday! The Parker Library, which has some really spectacular manuscripts, is open to the public just once a week, and should be visited by everyone if possible. Our oldest book is from the sixth century. The clock is very iconic, and the buildings are beautiful. The chapel is small, certainly not the size of Kings or something, but is unusually bright and lovely for a Cambridge chapel. You are also very close to other colleges you might want to visit.
As a final note, PLEASE DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO THE MAN PLAYING GUITAR IN THE BIN across the road. It is, granted, a funny idea, but it is the same idea he has had ever since I arrived, and he only knows three songs. Much more to the point, you can hear him in the library and he makes being in any of the rooms near the library (which are many) unbearable. I do not think the dream of being able to work in your own library, or spend time in your own room without contemplating death (yours? his? who can say?) is so far-fetched. He has been asked to move countless times, but he is making money and doesn't care. (I appreciate now that it seems that I have left my review simply to make this point, which is not the case, but despite feeling a bit embarrassed about doing so I am leaving my plea in because I feel quite strongly about it.)
As a final note, PLEASE DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO THE MAN PLAYING GUITAR IN THE BIN across the road. It is, granted, a funny idea, but it is the same idea he has had ever since I arrived, and he only knows three songs. Much more to the point, you can hear him in the library and he makes being in any of the rooms near the library (which are many) unbearable. I do not think the dream of being able to work in your own library, or spend time in your own room without contemplating death (yours? his? who can say?) is so far-fetched. He has been asked to move countless times, but he is making money and doesn't care. (I appreciate now that it seems that I have left my review simply to make this point, which is not the case, but despite feeling a bit embarrassed about doing so I am leaving my plea in because I feel quite strongly about it.)
Written 29 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff4312
1 contribution
Nov 2017 • Friends
The hall itself was very nice, the setting is a nice environment to have a formal dinner, its a shame the food was so underwhelming. For anyone who wants to go to a formal dinner whilst in Cambridge, there are much better college's elsewhere.
The starter was a tasty but small pesto linguini, probably the best dish of the night.
The main, "Bavette of beef with straw fries", translates as thinly cut pieces of beef and chips. I've had lunch at Corpus before and I can confirm that the 'straw fries' was also served at lunch with 'Fish and Chips'. Of all the ways of cooking a potato, chips is the laziest and definitely not what you want to eat at a formal dinner.
The dessert had just been taken out of the freezer because there was still little flecks of ice and as a consequence tasted of nothing whatsoever. This was just lazy, perhaps the chef was off and they got a first year undergrad to cook instead.
The weird thing was the coffee at the end was served in an espresso cup, despite the fact it was a weak americano - I'm not really impressed by that.
What i thought was strange was that between the main course and dessert, all the fellows at the front table got up and left. We realised that this was because they had all already eaten their desserts and had completed their dinner. I found that a bit rude, It like if you were going out for dinner and some of the guests leave because they didn't want any dessert. We weren't supposed to get up before they had left, so why should they?
All in all, perhaps they were on an off day, or perhaps I should just ignore all theses 'minor' flaws and embrace the history and tradition of Corpus Christi College. However, fundamentally this dinner was underwhelming and disappointing.
The starter was a tasty but small pesto linguini, probably the best dish of the night.
The main, "Bavette of beef with straw fries", translates as thinly cut pieces of beef and chips. I've had lunch at Corpus before and I can confirm that the 'straw fries' was also served at lunch with 'Fish and Chips'. Of all the ways of cooking a potato, chips is the laziest and definitely not what you want to eat at a formal dinner.
The dessert had just been taken out of the freezer because there was still little flecks of ice and as a consequence tasted of nothing whatsoever. This was just lazy, perhaps the chef was off and they got a first year undergrad to cook instead.
The weird thing was the coffee at the end was served in an espresso cup, despite the fact it was a weak americano - I'm not really impressed by that.
What i thought was strange was that between the main course and dessert, all the fellows at the front table got up and left. We realised that this was because they had all already eaten their desserts and had completed their dinner. I found that a bit rude, It like if you were going out for dinner and some of the guests leave because they didn't want any dessert. We weren't supposed to get up before they had left, so why should they?
All in all, perhaps they were on an off day, or perhaps I should just ignore all theses 'minor' flaws and embrace the history and tradition of Corpus Christi College. However, fundamentally this dinner was underwhelming and disappointing.
Written 11 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rih2010
Huddersfield, UK497 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Our visit was on Friday in August so the college was very quiet. It costs £2.50 to enter and kids are free. The hustle and bustle of Cambridge's busy streets felt a world away as we stepped into the peace and tranquility of the college. Having never attended university, I must admit to lacking first-hand experience of the life of an undergraduate. In colleges such as this in this city of great learning, I imagine it to be far-removed from a typical British university education.
Once inside you are left to roam around unsupervised with no sign of anyone keeping a check on visitors. Only a relatively small part of the college is accessible to the public, but this includes the chapel and three courts, including the old court, parts of which date back to the 1350s. It's a shame there was no access to any libraries as that would've enhanced my visit further.
We only spent around 30 minutes wandering around but it gave us a great feel for it's history and tradition.
Once inside you are left to roam around unsupervised with no sign of anyone keeping a check on visitors. Only a relatively small part of the college is accessible to the public, but this includes the chapel and three courts, including the old court, parts of which date back to the 1350s. It's a shame there was no access to any libraries as that would've enhanced my visit further.
We only spent around 30 minutes wandering around but it gave us a great feel for it's history and tradition.
Written 23 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark
Amersham, UK1,937 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
Lovely college, one of the smaller and older colleges - BUT it still has its old original 14th century court, the oldest in Britain.
The "New Court" is 250 years old and is the main courtyard that greets visitors. From the street you enter via the Porters Lodge gateway to be greeted by the sight of the beautiful lawn and courtyard, with the college chapel directly opposite.
If the college its well worth a look round as then you'll be able to see the Old Court dating back to the 14th century and the Master's court.
Its all quite small but is THE stereotype image of a Cambridge College.
The "New Court" is 250 years old and is the main courtyard that greets visitors. From the street you enter via the Porters Lodge gateway to be greeted by the sight of the beautiful lawn and courtyard, with the college chapel directly opposite.
If the college its well worth a look round as then you'll be able to see the Old Court dating back to the 14th century and the Master's court.
Its all quite small but is THE stereotype image of a Cambridge College.
Written 11 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelling-Couple-02
Montreal, Canada172 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
My cousin is a visiting fellow of Cambridge so he got us into this dining room for lunch. They have three selections which are not bad and reasonably priced.
The real interest though is the dining room with high-table (where the master and the professors sit) and three rows of regular tables. The windows are stained glass and the ceiling is right out of the late middle ages. Christopher Marlowe did his B.A. and M.A. here.
The real interest though is the dining room with high-table (where the master and the professors sit) and three rows of regular tables. The windows are stained glass and the ceiling is right out of the late middle ages. Christopher Marlowe did his B.A. and M.A. here.
Written 5 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David K
Prague, Czech Republic123 contributions
Sept 2013 • Couples
There is only a restricted area you can visit at Corpus Christi as majority is for privat use, but it is still worth a visit. Both old and new courts are pitoresque and lovely.
Written 23 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robinkay462
London, UK26 contributions
Jun 2012 • Solo
I live in Cambridge and some years back decided to visit all the colleges, even the lesser known ones. Most of them have something of value to see, many are very beautiful.
Visiting the 30 odd colleges took me 6 months, except for Corpus Christi which took me 3 years! Every time I was in town I went to see if it was open and it always had the sign up saying "closed to visitors". I tried weekends, weekdays, bank holidays, mornings, evenings, lunchtimes, term time and holidays but it was never open. Eventually, after three years it was actually open, I paid and it was alright - better than some, not nearly as good as others.
So just to warn you, if you come to Cambridge to visit Corpus Christi - make sure you have an alternative planned because it is almost never open. I have emailed them to ask about opening times and they didn't reply.
Visiting the 30 odd colleges took me 6 months, except for Corpus Christi which took me 3 years! Every time I was in town I went to see if it was open and it always had the sign up saying "closed to visitors". I tried weekends, weekdays, bank holidays, mornings, evenings, lunchtimes, term time and holidays but it was never open. Eventually, after three years it was actually open, I paid and it was alright - better than some, not nearly as good as others.
So just to warn you, if you come to Cambridge to visit Corpus Christi - make sure you have an alternative planned because it is almost never open. I have emailed them to ask about opening times and they didn't reply.
Written 22 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda E
London, UK324 contributions
Oct 2012 • Family
It was such a treat to go round the gounds of Corpus Christi College - Old Court is particularly atmospheric - as is the Chapel where someone was practising the organ when we went in - we're looking forward to going back in better weather as it's even more beautiful in the sunshine!
Written 29 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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