King’s College Chapel, Cambridge

Last March I went on a five night trip to Cambridge. One of the reasons I wanted to visit the city was to see King’s College Chapel. I’m not at all religious but I do like a good Christmas carol and watch the carols from King’s programme each year and have always admired the setting. Needless to say I was not disappointed.

Tickets are best bought in advance from their website and the price differs depending on whether you’re visiting off peak (basically outside of summer) and on a weekday or weekend. I visited in March on a weekday so it cost me what I thought was a very reasonable £12. All visits are self-guided with timed entry but you can spend as much time as you like there once you’re inside.

I spent several hours here exploring and taking photos but also taking in the atmosphere. It’s hard to explain but it’s a very comforting building, more so than any other church or cathedral I’ve visited, and I’ve been to a lot! With its foundation stone laid in 1446 by Henry VI, King’s College Chapel is the oldest building within the college site. Building however was eventually interrupted by the Wars of the Roses and Henry’s eventual murder at the Tower of London in 1471. Work continued slowly under Edward IV and then a more generous Richard III until it was eventually completed in 1515 under the reign of Henry VIII.

The most famous aspect of the chapel is its fan vaulted ceiling, the largest such ceiling in the world. It’s said to be a particularly English design – another great place to see such a vaulted ceiling is at St Mary Aldermary in London.

Another striking feature is the organ; although there was an organ in the chapel in the 1530s the present version dates from around 1934 with renovations a constant feature. The oak screen that surrounds it was a gift from Henry VIII and bears his initials along with that of his queen at the time, Anne Boleyn.

There is of course beautiful stained glass everywhere but some of the windows are so high up that you can’t appreciate them all.

There are also beautiful statues and stone work wherever you look.

King’s, as is common with a lot of the college chapels, also allow people to attend a service in the evening. It typically starts at 5.30pm and you’re advised to get there half an hour before (it’s not held every day so make sure to check the website for details). I got there about 5pm and there were about 10 or so people before me. It doesn’t cost anything but is first come first served and lasts around 45 minutes. It was a beautiful service and great to be so close to the choir and hear them sing. Do note however that this is a religious service and phones/photography are not allowed.