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The Round Church Cambridge Begins Here Guided Walks Explore Cambridge Visitor Centre Discover Cambridge

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Round Church Cambridge

Welcome to the historic Round Church! Built in c.1130, modelled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the church has been a treasured landmark in Cambridge for centuries, and for good reason. Its innovative and beautiful architecture is a shining testimony to Cambridge’s rich history.

 

Our detailed exhibition and short film give a helpful introduction to the history of Cambridge and its university, ideal for viewing before exploring the city. Standing in the city centre, the church is a peaceful escape from the busyness of Cambridge’s streets, where you can sit back and discover the social, religious and intellectual influences that have shaped the university city you see today. Guided walking tours of Cambridge also depart from here.

ROUND CHURCH VISITOR CENTRE

Step into Cambridge’s history

The Round Church is a highly interesting piece of Cambridge’s history. Founded between 1114 and 1131, it is older than the university that surrounds it, and is one of only 4 surviving medieval round churches in England. The unusual shape comes as a result of being modelled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, an ancient church built around the possible site of Christ’s burial and resurrection, and it was founded by a fraternity likely made up of pilgrims or crusaders. Over the last 900 years, the church has gone through many moments of dramatic change, surviving puritan iconoclasm, theological disputes in the 1840s, and bombing raids during WWII.

Narrated by David Suchet, ‘Saints and Scholars‘ is a 20-minute documentary film viewable at the Round Church, which offers a compelling introduction to the rich history of Cambridge. Introducing you to some of the most significant thinkers of the last few centuries, and many Cambridge landmarks, this is a perfect orientation activity with which to begin your visit to Cambridge.

The Round Church’s exhibition, ‘The Cambridge Story: The Impact of Christianity in England‘ takes you from Roman times to the present. Highlighting the dynamic influence of Christianity on the cultural, political and intellectual history of the West, this is an exhibition which unveils the big picture, while keeping Cambridge in focus as a key centre of dramatic societal changes.

Step into the Round Church Visitor Centre to explore Cambridge’s rich history in one of the city’s oldest buildings.

GUIDED WALKS

Explore the beautiful city of Cambridge

Our affordable and engaging 1.5-2 hour guided walking tours offer a unique perspective into Cambridge over the centuries. Our experienced, local guides will help you explore the ideas and people that have shaped Cambridge University, as you take in the beautiful city and colleges.

You will visit the main Cambridge attractions, including the Round Church, the university Senate House, the Corpus Clock and the Old Cavendish Laboratory. As well as having the opportunity to admire the magnificent exteriors of St John’s, Trinity and King’s Colleges, we also aim to take you into 1-2 colleges for an inside look at the university.

Join us to explore how just how much Cambridge’s story of saints, sinners, sceptics, and scholars has to say to us today.

Private Tours

The University Walk is a perfect introduction to Cambridge’s history and Christian heritage, and we can provide multiple guides for larger groups.

 

We also offer private Reformation and C.S. Lewis tours, delivered by experts who unpack Cambridge’s rich position in the history of these subjects. On the Reformation tour, visit the church where the first Protestant sermon is said to have been preached in England and some of the colleges where key reformers studied and worked. On the C.S. Lewis tour, see the beautiful Magdalene College, where he lived, worshiped and taught, and trace his route through the city to where he delivered his lectures.

What Our Visitors Have to Say

  • 'Fascinating history, very informative, full of character! Highly recommended!'

    Visitor from Hong Kong

  • 'Brilliant exhibition, brief but exhaustive.'

    Visitor from India

  • 'The exhibition is the best history of western civilisation in a nutshell I have seen.'

    Visitor from UK

  • 'A fascinating and comprehensive record of Cambridge, its Christian history and development as a centre of learning. A very worthwhile visit.'

    Visitor from Sydney, Australia

  • 'One of the many "Wonders" of Cambridge! Very welcoming, thank you.'

    Visitor from London, England

  • 'Beautiful building, well worth a visit. Stunning stained glass windows. Video very informative.'

    Visitor from Scotland

  • 'Fascinating and interesting church especially in its round architecture. Learned a lot from the video, very insightful!'

    Visitor from Lebanon

  • 'A fascinating source of Cambridge history, and it was very interesting and encouraging to hear of Christianity's rôlé throughout.'

    Visitor from Cambridge, England

  • 'A very enjoyable, informative and thought-provoking visit in a building that ought to be more iconic (on a par with King’s College Chapel!) than it is.'

    Visitor from UK

  • 'Thank you very much for preserving this monument, but more importantly for preserving cultural heritage.'

    Visitor from Mexico

  • 'So lovely and informative, truly a gem in Cambridge – thank you!'

    Visitor from New York, USA

  • 'Great place for visitors to start their visit to Cambridge. Informative and interesting.'

    Visitor from Melbourne, Australia

  • 'I wish I had known about this place earlier. It is perhaps the most meaningful and inspiring site in Cambridge.'

    Visitor from Bosnia and Herzegovina

  • 'As soon as you walk into the Round Church it is a peaceful haven. History abounds and sets you thinking of all that has gone before – I am so pleased I spent 30 minutes here and go out into the city refreshed.'

    Visitor from Wiltshire, England

  • 'The most marvellous and exciting piece of architecture in Cambridge. Everything from the doorway to the capitals. The history panels are good too – an interesting take on history.'

    Visitor from UK

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