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West Range

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Springtime at Downing

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Superior Double Bedroom

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Downing College

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Superior Double En Suite

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Wisteria

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Superior Double En Suite

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Downing College

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Superior Double En-suite bedroom

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The Heong Gallery at Downing College

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Gardens

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The Hall

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Superior Double En Suite Room

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Bedroom ensuite bathroom

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Winter at Downing

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The Heong Gallery at Downing College

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Snowfall on the Domus

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The Maitland Robinson Library & N Staircase

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Il. Col. Anderson Gym

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Wildlife in the College Gardens

Availability Overview Reviews Facilities & information Arrival information & directions

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Overview

Downing College, dating from the early 1800s, has a unique setting amidst 20 acres of lawns and trees. While the college environment itself is quiet and peaceful, the museums, shops and River Cam in the very heart of Cambridge is only a few minutes walk away. Downing College is an ideal location for visitors on a leisure break or in Cambridge on business.

Their spacious bedrooms are fully equipped for the modern-day traveller, with facilities such as a flat-screen television, a spacious desk and free Wi-Fi. A hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities are also provided and bedrooms are cleaned daily by the College Domestic Assistants.

Please note:

Downing College does not offer twin bedrooms and is unable to accept bookings for children of 16 years and under, or for Stag and Hen parties. Guests of sixteen to eighteen years must be accompanied by an adult (21 or over).

Check in: 14:00 (2:00pm) Onwards (no arrivals allowed outside this window)

Check out: 06:00 (6:00am) - 09:30 (9:30am)

History

Cambridge University and Downing College have been the starting place for many well-known actors, artists and politicians, trace the footsteps of some of Downing's famous alumni including John Cleese, Quentin Blake, Trevor Nunn, Thandie Newton and Mike Atherton.

When a door of No 10 Downing Street London was replaced in the 1960's, the original was donated to Downing College and is now the door of the College Office.

Food & beverage

If breakfast is not available or you have booked on a room-only basis, Cambridge has a wide variety of cafes and restaurants to choose from and in close proximity. Guests check-in at the Porters' Lodge which is open 24/7, and staff are on hand should you require any guidance or information about the College, your stay or recommendations for Cambridge .

The Lord Butterfield Cafe offers snacks and drinks during weekdays 8.00am-4.00pm and on Saturdays between 8.00am - 2.00pm.

The College is located on Regent Street where there are many restaurants and bars offering a wide range of cuisine.

Grounds & Gardens

Downing is set amidst 20 acres of lawns, trees and gardens for visitors to enjoy during their stay.

Visitors can enjoy such activities as punting on the River Cam, taking a guided walking tour of the city which is compact and easy to walk around or attending Choral Evensong in King’s College Chapel.

The Cambridge University Botanic Garden is just 20 minutes walk from the College where you can discover plants from all over the World in 40 acres of beautiful gardens and glasshouses.

Other facilities

The Heong Gallery - Downing College opened the new public Art Gallery on 5th February 2016. Architects transformed the original Edwardian stables into the new gallery space which is dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Please visit their website to find further information about the Heong Gallery and current exhibitions.

Opening Hours: Wednesdays: 10.00am – 8.00pm
Weekends and bank holidays: 10.00am - 6.00pm

Take a tour of the Classical Downing Architecture. Pick up one of their Architecture Tour leaflets from the Porters' Lodge to learn all about the buildings on the Domus and the history of the college.

The College has a small but modern gym facility, located behind the Howard Theatre, which may be used by guests. Please speak with Porter's Lodge for further information and access.

There are two outdoor tennis courts situated by the Singer Building. These may be used by arrangement with the Porters Lodge. The College does not hire out sports equipment so if you would like to use these facilities, please bring your own equipment.

Acess to the University of Cambridge wireless network will be offered to you when you check-in at the Porters' Lodge.

Reviews

4.5

Based on 244 reviews

Room
4.4

Value
4.3

Food
4.4

Service
4.7

Experience
4.6

★★★★★

192

★★★★

★★★

★★

★

Everything was perfect! Booking easy and clear; grounds lovely; all staff extremely helpful; room and kitchen very clean. Belinda extremely kind. Our only recommendation would be to have basic details available; ie..bus number details ( when we asked what bus number we take to get to the train station, the porter room staff did not know;, restaurant recommendations in relation to various types i.e. Thai, Indian, Italian , etc…I appreciate the staff may not be allowed to recommend favourites.
SarahM

Room, amenities, etc all fine. Location lovely. But particular note must be taken on the exemplary staff throughout my stay (part of the IP Law week, so my stay at the location was from Sunday through Friday). Consistently attentive and friendly service, staff who were problem solvers, and the highest quality food and drink throughout. Downing College is surely a draw, but your staff made the stay as pleasurable as it was, and I hope you feed this back to them.
ShaleneS

I've stayed in college accommodation a few times in Cambridge. The Downing accommodation was by far the best - high standards of comfort, cleanliness, a full size double bed, good size bathroom, good desk and wardrobe space, tea/coffee and wifi facilities. The staff (porters and cleaners) were also all really welcoming and friendly. I would book a room a Downing again, not only in preference to other colleges, but to nearby hotels as well.
Anon

The porters were very friendly and helpful with lots of good advice on Cambridge. The accommodation was lovely and clean, well appointed with everything we needed. Great location for exploring Cambridge. Extra bonus being safe and secure parking.
JohnG

We were delighted. Constructive points The cistern has a constant running leek costing you money no problem to us. You should provide coasters to protect your surfaces from hot drinks.
DavidP

It was a wonderful experience staying at Downing College! Such a remarkable and beautiful college with wonderful staff. I hope to return soon.
EmefaA

Great college so close to tge centre yet peaceful and relaxing. Fab recommendations from the porter. Hope to be back!
DorothyB

A very enjoyable stay. The college is central. It has wonderful grounds. The rooms were spacious and comfortable.
JaneS

Clean, comfortable and welcoming - great place to stay??
Anon

View all

Facilities & information

Summary

19th-century buildings

No smoking

Historic property

Facilities

Free broadband access (wired)

Free broadband access (wifi)

Shared gardens

Tennis court

Gym

Television

24 hour security

Linen included

Towels included

Iron/ironing board

Hair dryers

Central heating

Recreations

Pub (walking distance)

Museums (walking distance)

Gardens

Golf course (a short drive)

Tennis courts (walking distance)

Recommended restaurants (walking distance)

Theatre (walking distance)

Arrival information & directions

Address: Downing College, Regent St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CambridgeCB2 1DQ, United Kingdom

Guests can check-in at the Porters Lodge from 2pm and check-out is no later than 10am.

Access to the College is via the Main entrance on Regent Street. For security reasons, the pedestrian gate is closed at 11.00pm (sometimes earlier, depending on external activity). After this time, access can be gained by ringing the bell via the Porters’ Lodge, which is staffed 24 hours a day.

On arrival, all Guests are required under the Immigration (Hotel Records) Order 1972 to complete a registration form giving full name and address and nationality. Non-UK guests will also be required to provide the number and place of issue of their passport, their nationality and their next destination. These records must be kept for at least 12 months and be available for inspection by any police officer.

How to Find Downing College:

By Train: Downing College is situated about ¾ of a mile (15 minutes walk) from the station and is served by regular buses and taxis.

By Bus: Cambridge's main bus station, Drummer Street is only a 5-minute walk from the College.

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Downing College, Cambridge