King's College Chapel, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. Opening Times Vary. Paid Admission.

Details

Accessibility

There is disabled on-road parking outside the main entrance to the College and Chapel entrance.

There are some steps throughout the site ~ see the Accessibility Guide for details.

The College Accessibility Guide can be found HERE. https://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/accessibility-guide

Brief description

The famous Chapel associated with King's College, which was started to be built in 1446.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King's_College_Chapel,_Cambridge

2025: "King's College Chapel is the chapel of King's College in the University of Cambridge. It is considered one of the finest examples of late Perpendicular Gothic English architecture and features the world's largest fan vault.[3] The Chapel was built in phases by a succession of kings of England from 1446 to 1515, a period which spanned the Wars of the Roses and three subsequent decades. The Chapel's large stained glass windows were completed by 1531, and its early Renaissance rood screen was erected in 1532–36. The Chapel is an active house of worship, and home of the King's College Choir. It is a landmark and a commonly used symbol of the city of Cambridge.[4][5] 

The Chapel features the world's largest fan vault, constructed between 1512 and 1515 by master mason John Wastell. It also features fine medieval stained glass.

The windows of King's College Chapel are some of the finest in the world from their era. There are 12 large windows on each side of the Chapel, and larger windows at the east and west ends. With the exception of the west window, they are by Flemish hands and date from 1515 to 1531. Barnard Flower, the first non-Englishman appointed as the King's Glazier, completed four windows. Galyon Hone and three partners (two English and one Flemish) are responsible for the east window and 16 others between 1526 and 1531. The final four were made by Francis Williamson and Symon Symondes. The one modern window is that in the west wall, which was donated by King's alumnus Francis Stacey and is by the Clayton and Bell company and dates from 1879.

The Chapel is actively used as a place of worship and also for some concerts and college events. Notable college events include the annual King's College Music Society May Week Concert, held on the Monday of May Week. The event is popular with students, alumni, and visitors to the city.

The Chapel is noted for its splendid acoustics. The world-famous Choir of King's College, Cambridge, consists of choral scholars, organ scholars[20] (male students at the college), and choristers (boys educated at the nearby King's College School). From 1982 until shortly before his death on 22 November 2019 the director of music for the choir was Sir Stephen Cleobury. It is currently Daniel Hyde. The choir sings services on most days in term-time, and also performs concerts and makes recordings and broadcasts.

The BBC has broadcast the Choir's Nine Lessons and Carols from the chapel on Christmas Eve, during which a solo treble sings the first verse of Once in Royal David's City. There is also a chapel choir of male and female students, King's Voices, which sings Evensong on Mondays during term-time.

The chapel is widely seen as a symbol of Cambridge (for example in the logo of Cambridge City Council)."

Address

King's Parade, Cambridge CB2 1ST

Email

tourism@kings.cam.ac.uk

Phone

01223 331212

Website

www.kings.cam.ac.uk/chapel

Directions

The majority of the City Centre is pedestrianised.

Use the Car Parks around the City ~ details, and availability, of which can be found HERE.

The nearest car park to the College is in Corn Exchange Street, and to access this

1. Approach Cambridge on the A14 (accessible from the M11, M1 and M6)
2. At junction 33 of the A14, take the A1309 Milton Road south signed 'Cambridge and City Centre'.
3. At a roundabout 1 1/2 miles along, turn left onto Elizabeth Way signed 'Cambridge'. Go straight ahead at the next roundabout, signed 'Station and Cherry Hinton', and cross the river Cam on an obvious modern bridge.
4. At the next roundabout carry straight on to join the A603, East Road, and remain on this for a while. As you pass Parker's Piece playing field, keep in the right hand lane to carry straight on at the traffic lights.
5. After a further 1/2 mile turn right into Tennis Court Road, via the right hand feeder lane.
6. At the T Junction turn right onto the 1 Way Downing Street and then immediately left onto Corn Exchange Street and enter the car park.

Exit the car park, onto Corn Exchange Street and walk up to the end and turn left onto Wheeler Street and continue straight ahead onto Bene't Street. At the end of the road turn right onto King's Parade. The entrance to the front of the Chapel, and College, is on the left hand side, or to enter via the North Gate Entrance walk past Chapel, turn left onto Senate House Passage and then left onto Trinity Lane and the Chapel entrance is in front of you.

OS TL447583

Opening Times

Please check the website for times of opening of the Chapel and for Service times. https://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/opening-times-and-tickets

Transport

The Chapel is within walking distance of the Train Station and Bus Stops which are located on Parkside.

For more travel information go to www.traveline.info or call 0871 200 22 33

Amenities

The Town Centre has full amenities.