Cambridge Colleges Queens' College

History of Queens’ College

Queens’ College was founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou. Rather appropriately, it sits next to King’s College, founded by her husband Henry VI. Rumour has it that the apostrophe comes after the ‘s’ on Queens’ to indicate multiple Queens. As a second Queen later refounded the College: Elizabeth Woodville.

An Isaac Newton Creation…?

A popular tourist myth in Cambridge is that the original Mathematical Bridge was built by Isaac Newton and held itself up without any nuts and bolts. However, this story is in no way true. Firstly, the Bridge was built 22 years after Newton died. Secondly, it has always contained nuts and bolts! It is ‘mathematical’ because of the use of straight wooden planks and perpendicular angles.

Queens’ Alumni

Queens’ alumni include Stephen Fry: British actor and comedian Desiderius Erasmus: influential philosopher, and Alexander Crummell: the first black graduate of Cambridge.

Prices and Admission

Entrance Fees

Entrance costs £3.50 per person with children under 12 going for free.

Opening Hours

The College is open 10-16:30 daily (last entry at 16:00).

Accessibility and Facilities

Accessibility

The College contains several old buildings, and many routes have steps that make access a challenge. There are step-free routes around the College. For more information, see here.