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St John’s College celebrated its 500th Anniversary in 2011. The College was founded on the site of the 13th-century Hospital of St John in Cambridge, expanding over the subsequent five hundred years to become the largest of the Oxford and Cambridge Colleges by area.

St John's has magnificent gardens and extends onto the famous Cambridge Backs beyond the River Cam, with its courts connected by the beautiful Bridge of Sighs. Although the Main Gate of the College leads right into the heart of the city, the College courts provide a serene and peaceful environment for guests.

The Bed and Breakfast offer bedrooms in recently refurbished rooms situated in North Court, Chapel and in New Court. These rooms accommodate students during Term time. Both twin and single rooms are available and all have ensuite facilities. The twin rooms have separate beds in different rooms and are connected with a small lounge.

The College has been awarded a 4* rating by Visit England, for the last three years, the last audit being in September 2020

The College will be undergoing refurbishment from July 2021 to September 2022 and there may be some disruption and scaffolding around the College. There is a compound on The Backs but not located near any bedrooms although there may still be fencing up in different parts of the College Full traditional cooked breakfast along with Continental breakfast will be served in the Temporary Buttery Dining Room located in First Court, which is also where the College Bar will be found.

PLEASE NOTE: THE COLLEGE CANNOT ACCOMMODATE PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 16YRS

Check In: 14:00 (2:00pm) - 23:00 (11:00pm) (arrivals may be allowed outside this window if your travel plans can't be adjusted however this is subject to availability)

Check Out: 06:00 (6:00am) - 10:00 (10:00am)

History

St John’s College was founded on the 9th April 1511, its charter is sealed by the executors of the foundress, Lady Margaret Beaufort (mother of King Henry VII) who had begun the process of transforming the ancient hospital of St John the Evangelist, Cambridge, into a college for students in the liberal arts and theology.

College alumni have included the classicist Roger Ascham, the social reformer William Wilberforce, the poet William Wordsworth, the physicist Paul Dirac, and the athlete Christopher Brasher.

Food & beverage

The rate includes a full English Breakfast, served in the Buttery Dining Room between 08.00am -10.00am, which is located in 1st Court. The college is unfortunately unable to offer dinner.

The College Bar also located in 1st Court is open daily from 12.30pm -21.30pm, offering a range of International lagers and Local Artisan beers along with a full range of spirits, tea and coffee and also a varied selection of crisps and confectionery. A superb range of wines and champagnes, including the house Champagne Pol Roger and the College's own labelled port and sherry. These make for the perfect gift and a permanent reminder of your stay at St John's. It is one of the best traditional colleges.

Allergy Awareness training has been carried out with the staff. They have Allergy Accreditation. All staff are fully trained in food hygiene to way beyond the minimum level, and there is a continuous training programme for all the Catering Staff. They are members Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, and The Universities Caterers Organisation (TUCO).

Grounds & Gardens

Allow time to walk by the beautiful River Cam which flows through the college, and to view the world-famous Bridge of Sighs of which Queen Victoria was a great admirer.

The gardens are very beautiful and allow time to walk by and see all the flowers

Other facilities

Rooms are serviced daily and included in the room rate. There are no lifts to any of the rooms. There is also 24hrs security.

Wi-Fi is offered throughout most of the College, it has to go through the University network, and information is included in the folder in the room.

Guests are welcome to view the Chapel and to attend if a public service is taking place.

Top facilities

Free WiFi

Breakfast included

Availability

Please select dates to view availability for this location

Reviews

4.5

Based on 1,346 reviews

Room
4.3

Value
4.4

Food
4.5

Service
4.6

Experience
4.6

★★★★★

1,049

★★★★

243

★★★

★★

★

We stayed for our daughters graduation (from a different college). Location was ideal. Being central it meant everything we needed was in walking distance The rooms were clean. The porters were helpful, lending us an iron, and letting us keep our bags in the portes lodge after we checked out, so...
Gwyn E 20/09/2022

Found the staff, in particular the Porters - very friendly, so professional - nothing was too much trouble. St. John's is the lovely setting and staying in the University was ideal for a visit to Cambridge - we felt, in a small way, part of the University for those few days.
Anon 10/09/2022

Everything was good. In particular the staff in the Porters Lodge were very friendly and helpful and the breakfast was excellent, especially the scrambled egg which was of the highest quality
Anon 19/09/2022

We loved staying here, great friendly service and wonderful accommodation to experience. It was a perfect location for my family's special occasion. Will definitely return.
Sara S 11/09/2022

We were very happy with our stay at St. Johns. It was a very convenient location, and the facilities were excellent. The porters were outstandingly helpful.
Clement B 11/09/2022

We had a lovely stay The building and ground is very special Comfortable facilities would definitely recommend
Mimi H 11/09/2022

Excellent value compared to a local hotel and a lovely way to see a university college from the inside.
Julie D 17/09/2022

Thank you. Very good. Only glitch was street noise at night
Anon 10/09/2022

Amazing place to stay
Liam F 21/09/2022

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Facilities & information

Summary

16th century buildings

Breakfast included

Public car parking for a charge (nearby)

No parking

No smoking

Historic property

Facilities

Free broadband access (wired)

Free broadband access (wifi)

Shared gardens

24 hour security

Linen included

Towels included

Hair dryers

Central heating

Food

Cooked breakfast (included)

Bar

Recreations

Recommended walks

Pub (walking distance)

Museums (walking distance)

Historic houses

Gardens

Theatre (walking distance)

Arrival information and directions

View map

Address: St John's College, St John's Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CambridgeCB2 1TP, United Kingdom

On arrival, please check-in at the Forecourt Porters Lodge situated on the corner of Bridge Street and St John’s Street. If coming by train, taxis are positioned outside the station concourse and if you ask to be dropped off at Forecourt Porters Lodge. If arriving early, luggage may be left at the Forecourt Porters Lodge and the Porters can also store your baggage following check-out, whilst you have a last look around the College or City.

Please show your booking confirmation to Porter, who will provide you with your room keys, a map of the College and direct you to your room.

Despite the term “Porters”, it is not part of a College Porter’s duties to handle luggage. You must carry your own luggage to your room. The Forecourt porters Lodge is open 24 hours.

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.

Travel information:

There are two rail stations in Cambridge, you require the main station and not Cambridge North.

The College is unable to offer parking on site, Parking is available at the Park and Ride on Madingley Road on the A428 nad just off the M11 or Newmarket Road with the bus from both of these locations dropping off just outside the College on Bridge Street.

The main Railway Station is approximately a 30-40 minute walk from St Johns, or there are various bus services, Nos 5 or 6, which will get you close to the College. There is also a taxi service available outside the Railway Station which is approximately £10.

The Coach terminal, in the centre of the city, is a 10-minute walk to the College.

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