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Visiting and viewing the College

Find out how to reach us and see maps of the College.

St Catharine's is situated in the heart of Cambridge on Trumpington Street. Visitors should report to the Porters' Lodge on arrival.

The information below will enable you to find the College's main site in the centre of Cambridge. See the location and maps of the College.

If you have the Google Maps app on your phone, you will be brought directly to the College's porters' lodge by entering the open location code '6438+5X Cambridge'.

For more information about visiting Cambridge, please see the Visit Cambridge website.

By road

From the M11, take either Junction 11 or 12 and follow into Cambridge city centre. Follow the city signs for public parking, as we regret that parking is not available at St Catharine's (except for loading and unloading, and other special circumstances). There are maps posted around the city which will help you find your way back to the College once you park. For more information on parking, see the Parking in Cambridge site.

Avoiding Silver Street to access the city centre from the Backs 

Silver Street has restricted vehicular access controls at its west end to or from the junction with Queen’s Road (the Backs), Sidgwick Avenue and Newnham Road. From 24 August 2020, these restrictions will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.. 

Any vehicle attempting to pass through these restrictions will be fined by Cambridgeshire County Council. You are encouraged to refer to road signs and/or check online as these may be subject to change.

Any visitors travelling by road should use the recommended route described below to avoid any restrictions.

Recommended route for accessing the city centre from the Backs to avoid restrictions

  • Continue south to join Newnham Road
  • Turn right (first exit) onto Fen Causeway, part of the Ring Road A1134
  • At a mini-roundabout by the Royal Cambridge Hotel, turn left
  • Go straight across an immediate second mini-roundabout (at Lensfield Road), to head north up Trumpington Street
  • Continue on to St Catharine's College on Trumpington Street or follow directions to your preferred car park

By rail

To find information on train timetables serving Cambridge, please see the National Rail website. The College is about a 25-minute walk (just over a mile) from Cambridge Station.

By taxi

Ask your taxi driver to be taken to 'St Catharine's College', not 'Catz', to avoid confusion with the CATS sixth form college in Chesterton.

By air

National Express runs a regular coach service to and from Stansted, Luton, Heathrow and Gatwick airports (telephone 01223 423900). Railway service is also available from Stansted (for more information see the National Rail website or from the UK call National Rail Enquiries on 0345 48 49 50). 

By bus/coach

The Bus Station is shown on the Cambridge Around St Catharine's map and is within walking distance of the College. For information about Coach Services to Cambridge see the National Express or Stagecoach websites.