Jesus College
Jesus College
4.5
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One of the colleges of Cambridge University that was built on the site of a 12th-century nunnery, and which today features spacious grounds and a pretty 16th-century cloister court.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
81 reviews
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alan_truelove
No Va5 contributions
If visiting Cambridge, Jesus College is worth a look. Starting at the top (North) of the Trinity/St Johns complex, where the two streets meet, go South a few yards on the Eastmost of the 2 Streets, then (at Sainsbury's) turn East onto Jesus Lane for about 150 yards, enter by Iron Gates on the North leading onto a Brick-walled alley dominated by the Entrance Gate and Porters' Lodge.
The upper part of this Gate structure contains a statue of Bishop [of Ely] Alcock , founder (1496)of the college, hence the rebus of the College, a Cockerel surmount a Globe ('all'). He founded the College on the structure of a Nunnery which had decayed down to 2 nuns. The Dining Hall, Chapel (somewhat scaled down), and the Master's Lodge still remain. 'Modern' buildings added (some quite recently) have all followed the 3-wall Courtyard plan - the only 4-wall Court is Cloister court .
Chapel has 1900's ceiling ornamentation by William Morris (or his workshop).
Every 2 years an eleborate Sculpture exhibition is held in the grounds; the rest of the year, Jesus has a permanent display of outdoor sculpture.
You can walk out to the East [among the trees note a few tiny gravestones for Undergrad's dogs in the 19th Century, if they are still ther onto Victoria Ave thru a Pedestrian gate (the Vehicle gate is usually closed) and then cross Midsummer Common to the river Cam. All College boathouses are on the opposite bank. Rowing races (eights & smaller boats) either start here and go to the East (downstream), or come back from the Road bridge (2-1/2 miles) to this point.
Alumni (or fellows) include Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Thomas Cranmer, Malthus, and more recently Bronowksi, Prince Edward ...
From the early 1900's, Jesus specialized in rowing .. this small boat club (less than 50) became World Champions (Grand Challenge Cup, Henley, 1946).
The upper part of this Gate structure contains a statue of Bishop [of Ely] Alcock , founder (1496)of the college, hence the rebus of the College, a Cockerel surmount a Globe ('all'). He founded the College on the structure of a Nunnery which had decayed down to 2 nuns. The Dining Hall, Chapel (somewhat scaled down), and the Master's Lodge still remain. 'Modern' buildings added (some quite recently) have all followed the 3-wall Courtyard plan - the only 4-wall Court is Cloister court .
Chapel has 1900's ceiling ornamentation by William Morris (or his workshop).
Every 2 years an eleborate Sculpture exhibition is held in the grounds; the rest of the year, Jesus has a permanent display of outdoor sculpture.
You can walk out to the East [among the trees note a few tiny gravestones for Undergrad's dogs in the 19th Century, if they are still ther onto Victoria Ave thru a Pedestrian gate (the Vehicle gate is usually closed) and then cross Midsummer Common to the river Cam. All College boathouses are on the opposite bank. Rowing races (eights & smaller boats) either start here and go to the East (downstream), or come back from the Road bridge (2-1/2 miles) to this point.
Alumni (or fellows) include Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Thomas Cranmer, Malthus, and more recently Bronowksi, Prince Edward ...
From the early 1900's, Jesus specialized in rowing .. this small boat club (less than 50) became World Champions (Grand Challenge Cup, Henley, 1946).
Written August 22, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK185,119 contributions
Oct 2021
One of the oldest and grandest of the colleges of Cambridge, this college has been around since the 15th century. The college has some of the most expansive grounds in Cambridge, although we only got to see the grandiose gatehouse as the interior was closed due to I guess graduation day in Cambridge.
Written October 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz49Elgin
Elgin, UK130 contributions
Aug 2018
We visited as my husband’s father was here in the early 1940s, prior to joining the RAF. The quads and garden areas are beautiful. We were lucky enough to visit when there was an organ recital in the chapel. If I wad at Cambridge this is where I would want to be.
Written August 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hammarskjold
Oxfordshire, UK77 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We booked mainly for the location, a few minutes walk from the city centre, not knowing Cambridge, and were delighted to find a comfortable room with a good shower, spotlessly clean and v quiet. We were overlooking the road rather than the quad, but had a small balcony from which one could see the Arts & Crafts church (open to the public and we'll worth a visit) further down Jesus Lane.
Breakfast is included, whereas many of the city centre hotels seem to charge more for room only, and is a pleasant continental breakfast with one cooked option, changing each day and well presented. My only gripe would be that I drink tea, not coffee, for breakfast, and although the self service coffee machine provides a hot water option, you have to ask staff for a single teabag! Bought some in town and took them in on the third morning so that I could feed my morning tea addiction in peace!
Ah, but the dining room made up for this. Not the main, historic one, but still v appealing and only downstairs from the rooms.
The staff were helpful and efficient, without exception. Car parking is across the campus (level paths to wheel cases along) and the walk around the well kept grounds admiring the sculptures is a pleasure in itself.
There is a bar open to visitors that also serves snacks, and we enjoyed a v atmospheric candlelit compline in the chapel, again open to visitors.
So glad we didn't opt for an ordinary city hotel!
Breakfast is included, whereas many of the city centre hotels seem to charge more for room only, and is a pleasant continental breakfast with one cooked option, changing each day and well presented. My only gripe would be that I drink tea, not coffee, for breakfast, and although the self service coffee machine provides a hot water option, you have to ask staff for a single teabag! Bought some in town and took them in on the third morning so that I could feed my morning tea addiction in peace!
Ah, but the dining room made up for this. Not the main, historic one, but still v appealing and only downstairs from the rooms.
The staff were helpful and efficient, without exception. Car parking is across the campus (level paths to wheel cases along) and the walk around the well kept grounds admiring the sculptures is a pleasure in itself.
There is a bar open to visitors that also serves snacks, and we enjoyed a v atmospheric candlelit compline in the chapel, again open to visitors.
So glad we didn't opt for an ordinary city hotel!
Written May 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew H
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania50 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
As a student here, it is rumoured that if you get caught riding the statues horse in the quad then you will be expelled. I can't speak to getting caught, but I definitely had a fun time sneaking in with some friends and riding the horse in the middle of the night. Don't tell the porters.
Written February 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mr_Stage
Cirencester38 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
We were lucky enough to be able to have a stroll around here the day before the Tour de France when many others were closed to the general public. It was very peaceful and the gardens are beautifully tended. We also had a very brief yet obscured view of the Antony Gormely.
Written July 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
angiejess
herts27 contributions
Grand dinner held here was disappointing although surroundings were as with all Cambridge colleges magnificent.
Starters good both vegetables and meat eaters.
Mains dreadful. Vege too busy and tasteless. Beef that really should have been tender took ages to saw and managed to quieter our fellow diners for a long spell as they excercised their jaws!
Average desert but odd combination of chocolate and mango.
Unhelpful verging on rude porter too so finding the location in snow and vice took ages.
Other colleges have done better in past.
Really are paying for the location here.
Starters good both vegetables and meat eaters.
Mains dreadful. Vege too busy and tasteless. Beef that really should have been tender took ages to saw and managed to quieter our fellow diners for a long spell as they excercised their jaws!
Average desert but odd combination of chocolate and mango.
Unhelpful verging on rude porter too so finding the location in snow and vice took ages.
Other colleges have done better in past.
Really are paying for the location here.
Written January 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
trip_architect
Cambridge, UK86 contributions
Oct 2012
My first visit was on a Thursday night for a formal dinner that I had to attend. Behind the garden walls you can find yourself wondering through a complete maze of passages between courtyards. Definitely this college has a certain enchanting something that makes you love it.
Written December 20, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dominicmoxon
Stamford, UK110 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
Following surgery at Papworh, I wasn’t allowed to drive for 24hrs. So whilst being discharged I booked a room online and took a cab to the college. Must say reception staff were really friendly. Room was functional albeit compact, the view of the quadrant from the window is beautiful. Everything you need is to hand and I have to mention housekeeping, who are doing a sterling job. Everywhere was spotless the bed was very comfortable with pristine bedding.
The only downside to my stay was breakfast, the refectory is beautiful but the staff were indifferent and if your a vegetarian or vegan you’ll be disappointed with the choice of food’s on offer.
Despite the disappointment of breakfast, I would stay here again.
Hope you find this review helpful.
The only downside to my stay was breakfast, the refectory is beautiful but the staff were indifferent and if your a vegetarian or vegan you’ll be disappointed with the choice of food’s on offer.
Despite the disappointment of breakfast, I would stay here again.
Hope you find this review helpful.
Written June 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sally F
Colchester, UK23 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
On a trip to the Cambridge Arts Theatre we decided to stay at the college for the night. The building is beautiful with lovely grounds. The room was spacious and airy but the bathroom had no shelf for toiletries etc. All very clean though with a comfortable bed. Breakfast was 7-9 and although we arrived at 8.15 and enjoyed our breakfast on a long table with everyone else we’re not impressed by being almost pushed out before we had finished at just past 9!
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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