CLARE COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE

The college was founded in 1326 by the university’s Chancellor, Richard de Badew, and was originally named University Hall.

Providing maintenance for only two fellows, it soon hit financial hardship. In 1338, the college was refounded as Clare Hall by an endowment from Elizabeth de Clare, a granddaughter of Edward I, which provided for twenty fellows and ten students. The college was known as Clare Hall until 1856, when it changed its name to “Clare College”. (A new “Clare Hall” was founded by Clare College as an exclusively postgraduate institution in 1966.)

Clare’s Old Court, a Grade I listed building, frames King’s College Chapel as the left border of one of the most celebrated architectural vistas in England. It was built between 1638 and 1715, with a long interruption for the English Civil War. 

The period spans the arrival of true classicism into the mainstream of British architecture, such that its progress can be traced in the marked differences between the oldest wing to the north, which still has vaulting and other features in the unbroken tradition of English Gothic, and the final southern block, which shows a fully articulated classic style. 

The college’s chapel was built in 1763 and designed by Sir James Burrough, the Master of neighbouring Caius College. Its altarpiece is Annunciation by Cipriani.

Clare has a much-photographed bridge over the river which is the oldest of Cambridge’s current bridges. Fourteen stone balls decorate it, one of which has a missing section. A number of apocryphal stories circulate concerning this – the one most commonly cited by members of college is that the original builder of the bridge was not paid the full amount for his work and so removed the segment to balance the difference in payment. A more likely explanation is that a wedge of stone cemented into the ball as part of a repair job became loose and fell out into the river.

Clare’s bridge connects Old Court to Memorial Court, which was designed by Giles Gilbert Scott and dedicated in 1926. A new court, Lerner Court, was opened in January 2009.

What Our Customers Say

  • ★★★★★
    Fabulous tour with Baby G "The weather was glorious as we approached the friendly staff and embarked on our punting tour... helped into the punt and wrapped in a lovely blanket to keep out any doring chills, we set off."
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  • ★★★★★
    Perfect "My mom and I had a lovely, relaxing, and silly time with our punting guide Jobe (or Joe? his subtle French accent had me distracted so I couldn’t tell for sure which). The weather was perfect, we learned some really cool things about Cambridge, its schools and bridges, and all of our questions were answered with a smile. I highly recommend this activity!"
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  • ★★★★★
    Best hour spent in Cambridge! "This was a last-minute decision after visiting Cambridge for the Christmas Fayre and found ourselves with plenty of spare time on our hands. Best decision we made!"
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  • ★★★★★
    Great guide "George is absolutely amazing - passionate, polite, and knowledgeable. Weather was typical and cold but he made the tour fun and enjoyable."
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  • ★★★★★
    Great experience! Well organised and great knowledgeable guide!! "Great experience! Well organised and great knowledgeable guide!! Felt safe whilst in and getting out of the boat. Stories told were great as our guide was very knowledgeable about the area! Would def do again in the summer!!"
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  • ★★★★★
    Ollie was the best guide EVER 🙌!!! "I took this tour on my own while tagging along with my husband as he was on a business trip in Cambridge. Although it was SUPER cold it was worth the chill! Ollie was the PERFECT guide 🙌!"
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