The Gates of Cambridge University Colleges

As mentioned before some of the Cambridge University Colleges charge for you to visit and some allow for photography on site in designated areas but all of the college gates can be seen for free and are certainly worth paying attention to. The first is that of St. John’s College which was built in 1516. The college arms in the middle are flanked by mythical beasts called yales that have elephant tails, antelope bodies, goat’s heads and large horns. The detail really is stunning.

The second gate belongs to Trinity College which dates from 1490-1530. Interestingly the gatehouse is actually older than the college it belongs to, since that was founded by Henry VIII in 1546, hence the accompanying statue. As a student joke the king’s sceptre has been replaced by a chair leg.

Gonville & Caius (pronounced “keys”) has several different gates with interesting histories attached to them. Founded in 1348 by Edmund Gonville it fell into disrepair and was refounded in 1557 by Dr Caius who gave it its new name. There are three gates (I only photographed one) symbolising the academic life of humility, virtue and honour. The pictures below are of the impressive gate of honour, with a sundial at the top.

This impressive building is the gatehouse to King’s College and where you have to walk through to get to the Chapel. It was built quite long after the Chapel in 1824-28, but it is very much in keeping with its style.

This gate belongs to Queen’s College, which was one of the colleges charging for a tour. Built in 1448 it’s practically impossible to get a full on shot because of how narrow the road is here.

And finally this rather plainer gate is that of St Catharine’s College. The court it protects was built during 1675 to 1757 but the gate dates from 1780. The golden wheel at the top of the gate represents the wheel that St Catherine was martyred on and is from the college’s coat of arms.