Christ's College

Originally founded as “God’s House” in 1437 by the London Parish priest, William Byngham, to train grammar-school masters, in 1505 Lady Margaret Beaufort – the mother of King Henry VII – re-founded it as Christ’s College. Providing an excellent day-out for architecture buffs, the original 15th- and 16th-century college buildings sit side-by-side with centuries of notable additions, from one of the oldest swimming pools in the UK – dating from the 17th century – to a mixed-reaction Modernist concrete block from the Sixties nick-named “the Typewriter”.

Among Christ’s most famous alumni are 19th-century English naturalist Charles Darwin (whose On the Origin of Species is the foundation of evolutionary biology) and 17th-century poet, John Milton, author of the epic, Paradise Lost – who both have a suite named after them at University Arms – and the comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, of Borat fame, who does not.

Visitors can also explore the College Gardens, open to visitors from 9am-4pm on weekdays, and the Old Library, open Tuesdays and Thursdays only.

01223 334900; christs.cam.ac.uk. On your way, pass Emmanuel College.