Peterhouse College: Places to see in the University of Cambridge

The mention of Cambridge conjures up visions of academic excellence and architectural wonder, true attractions for any city indeed. They often go together, as tourists flock to the city to wander through rooms and courts, while students move from their residences to halls dating back as far as the XIIIth Century. The University of Cambridge was founded in circumstances worthy of a novel in 1209 after a crime was committed in Oxford forcing some students to flee or move to Cambridge and opening a new school of learning. A papal bull granted it the status of university in 1290.

The University of Cambridge has 31 colleges, the oldest of which is Peterhouse on Trumpington Street. It was founded in 1284. The college system was created many decades after the founding of the university and its original use was as chapels for student prayer, but when Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in 1536, they became centres of learning.

The idea for the college first developed in 1280 in the mind of Hugo de Balsam, who was the bishop of Ely. He purchased two houses and accepted 14 students in 1284. Two years later, he built a hall. He died the same year. Up until 1326, Peterhouse was the only college in Cambridge.

With only about 400 students and fellows, Peterhouse is the smallest of the colleges, but do not let its size deceive you. Being the oldest college, many architectural changes have been made, and very little of the original XIIIth buildings remain. When walking down Trumpington Street, it is quite possible that you could pass Peterhouse without noticing it. Its entrance is small and appears to lack grandeur, but when you walk inside, this impression is swept aside.

The first visible structure is three of the chapel cloisters. Through its arches, you can see the Old Court. Mixing Gothic and Renaissance styles, the chapel was built in 1628. The old hostels used as student residences were torn down to make room for it. The cloisters were a later addition. Walk inside to see the Pieta altarpiece and the golden suns blazing across the ceiling, while being surrounded by dark wood panelling.

The Old Court was only enclosed in the XVth Century when the north and west sides were added. Located on the south side, the dining hall is the only structure that dates back to time of Hugo de Balsam. Stained glass windows populate the walls, while the fireplace was added in the XVIth Century. Move your gaze to the roof to spot the oriel window.

There is a passageway on the Old Court's west side leading to the Gisborne Court, built in 1825, but only three sides presently exist. The absence of a fourth side opens unto the Deer Park, which used to have deer up to 1918. The building's white brick is soft on the eyes. If you go further, you will come across the Fen Court and Birdwood Building, which were added in between 1930 and 1940.

Another of the attractions in Cambridge that Peterhouse has to offer is The Master's Lodge is not located on the college's grounds, but across the street from the main gate. It was given to the college as a bequest in 1727. Rumours abound in the colleges, and Peterhouse is no exception, so listen carefully, but beware of the ghost in the Combination Room.

Official Site for Peterhouse College, University of Cambridge