Cambridge Punting Sights

Established as a monastic community for young monks in 1428, Magdalene College emphasised poverty, chastity, and obedience. However, due to it’s location near the Pickerel Inn (15th Century pub), the college was unable to maintain this lifestyle and transformed during the Reformation. Today, Magdalene College is renowned for it’s association with the Wyverns, a prominent drinking society, rather than it’s religious history. Despite this, the college has a notable alumni base, including literary greats Samuel Pepys and C.S. Lewis.

The Magdalene Bridge was built in 1823. Despite undergoing two renovations, the bridge’s design did not account for the advent of double-decker buses. The bridge occupies the site of the original bridge over the river, referred to as the “cantebrigge”, which was first documented in Geoffrey Chaucer’s work. This name provided the basis for the city’s original designation, and to this day, Cambridge graduates are still referred to as “Cantabrigians” in the Latin language.

A very popular sight is the back of the New Court building. Depending on the season, the Parthenocissus Quinquefolia, more commonly known as Virginia Creeper, grows along the back of the new court. During the autumn months, you might even notice the ivy’s colour changing. This is a beautiful scene! The ivy is also protected by law under the building’s listing.

The renowned Bridge of Sighs. This name is shared by four bridges globally, with the original located in Venice. While this bridge in Cambridge may differ in appearance from it’s Venetian counterpart, it shares a similar origin story. The original Bridge of Sighs in Venice connected the palace to the courthouses, where individuals crossing it were likely to face judgment and possible execution. As they made their way across, it was customary for them to release a sigh as a final act of resignation. In Cambridge, this bridge connects student housing to the location where exam results are disclosed (ha ha ha). Although Cambridge no longer imposes execution as a punishment for poor academic performance, it is not uncommon for students to experience a sense of apprehension and release a sigh as they cross the Bridge of Sighs.

The Wren Bridge also referred to as the Kitchen Bridge or the Old Bridge at St John’s, is a notable structure designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Sir Wren, who is well-known for his design of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, was a prominent architect during his time.

St John’s College was established in 1511, under the patronage of Lady Margaret Beaufort, grandmother of King Henry VIII. Despite her passing before the college’s formation, the majority of its founding was accomplished by St. John Fisher, who was instrumental in suppressing a John the Evangelist hospital located on the site and gaining access to Lady Margaret’s estate. The college was named in honour of John the Evangelist, rather than Fisher himself, who was later executed by King Henry VIII despite the Church’s efforts to protect him by elevating his status to that of a Cardinal.

Trinity College, Cambridge is considered to be the premier college of the Early Modern era, having been founded by King Henry VIII himself. To this day, it continues to hold the distinction of being the wealthiest of the 31 colleges in Cambridge and the largest landowner in the city. This grand institution has played host to a diverse array of noteworthy figures, including the likes of Isaac Newton and A.A. Milne. Their original works can be found preserved inside the college’s Wren Library.

The Wren Library, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, houses a vast collection of valuable books and manuscripts. Within its walls are several significant works, including a rare example of John Milton’s handwriting, the first edition of Sir Isaac Newton’s “Principia Mathematica” with the physicist’s annotations, and the first translation of the Bible into Welsh. Additionally, the Library boasts two of the earliest known folios of William Shakespeare’s plays, original poems by Lord Byron, and the first published edition of A.A. Milne’s classic “Winnie the Pooh.” These important works are protected and preserved for future generations to study and appreciate.

The Trinity Bridge was constructed in 1764 as a replacement for the bridge that was destroyed during the Civil War by Oliver Cromwell. The design is attributed to James Essex, who was also responsible for building the original wooden bridge that was designed by William Etheridge.

The Garret Hostel Bridge is the latest addition to the river. It was designed by the winner of a design competition, open to individuals under the age of seven, as evidenced by the unique design of the bridge.

Trinity Hall, which is separate from Trinity College. Founded in 1350, it is the original Trinity establishment in Cambridge. While it’s Jerwood Library is relatively recent, the college has a long and rich history. The college was established during a time when the Black Death was sweeping across England and decimating the population, including lawyers. In response to the shortage of legal professionals, the Bishop of Norwich, William Bateman, established Trinity Hall to help replenish the ranks. To this day, the college has a strong tradition in the study of law, though it also offers a range of other subjects. Notably, renowned physicist Professor Stephen Hawking received his Master’s degree from Trinity Hall.

Clare College is the oldest college along the river and the second oldest at the university. It was established in 1326 under the name University Hall by Richard De Badew. In 1338, it gained a wealthy patron, Elizabeth De Clare, who was married at the age of 12 to the wealthiest man in England, but he passed away shortly after the wedding. Despite her misfortune, she found a second and third husband who were both wealthy and well-connected, but unfortunately, they also passed away shortly after their weddings. Despite it’s humble beginnings, Clare College has a rich history and is known for being a respected institution of higher education.

The Clare Bridge is named after it’s founder and is the oldest bridge on the river. A notable feature of the bridge is the misalignment of the capstone in the far right arch, which gives the impression of a skewed structure. Despite the perception that the bridge is unstable, it has withstood the test of time and has been in use since the 1600s. The designer of the bridge, a known alcoholic, misjudged the distance between the banks and had to improvise in his design to make the bridge fit. The college was initially doubtful of its stability and underpaid the designer for his work, leading him to take compensation in the form of stone from the bridge itself.

King’s College and its Chapel are renowned for their iconic representation of Cambridge, with the Chapel being a prominent example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. It was a collaborative effort of four different architects and took nearly a hundred years to build. Over the years, the Chapel has proven to be a popular climbing spot among students.

King’s Bridge is noteworthy, as it is home to a marble memorial dedicated to the renowned Chinese romantic poet 徐志摩 (Xú Zhì Mó), most notable for his poem 再别康桥 (Farewell Cambridge). This may be of interest to individuals with a passion for Chinese literature and poetry.

This college has a history of having queens among it’s founders, with Margaret of Anjou as the original founder, followed by the refounding by Elizabeth Woodville. Although she is not widely recognised, Elizabeth Woodville is remembered for her infamous association with The Princes in the Tower, who were her sons and were locked up by Richard III to prevent them from claiming the throne. Additionally, Elizabeth Woodville is noted as being the first person of commoner status to enter into marriage with a member of the British monarchy.

The Wooden Bridge, also known by it’s nickname “the Mathematical Bridge,” is a well-known bridge in Cambridge. Despite a popular legend that states Isaac Newton designed the bridge without bolts, relying solely on mathematics, gravity, and his genius, this is in fact a myth. The truth is that the bridge is held up using mathematics, like every other bridge in the world, and it’s design incorporates tangential radial trussing, a technique that originated in China and utilises straight wooden beams. Nevertheless, the bridge is a complex design and requires bolts to remain sturdy. The story about the fellows at Queens’ College attempting to disassemble the bridge to uncover its secret, only to fail in reassembling it, is a fanciful tale.