Why did a Tudor matriarch build a college to secure her family’s eternal legacy?

If King’s College represents royal power and Trinity represents royal wealth, St John’s College represents sheer, unyielding royal determination. Founded in 1511, St John's was the grand vision of Lady Margaret Beaufort—mother of King Henry VII and matriarch of the Tudor dynasty. She spent her final years fighting corrupt local bishops and rewriting legal wills just to secure the land for this college. Though she died before the first bricks were laid, her family crest still proudly guards the entrance gate today.

Today, St John's is celebrated as one of the largest and most visually breathtaking colleges in Cambridge, bridging the gap between old medieval brickwork and grand Victorian stone. At We Are Cambridge, our student teams walk past these monumental courts every single day. Here is your definitive, insider introduction to the deep history, the architectural icons, and the hidden student culture of St John’s.

The Architecture: A Masterpiece Split Across the River

You cannot talk about St John's without talking about how it seamlessly conquers both sides of the River Cam. Unlike most colleges that stay confined to one bank, St John’s expanded across the water, creating a stunning architectural timeline.

• The Crown Jewel: Spanning the river is the world-famous Bridge of Sighs. Built in 1831, this highly decorative, enclosed stone bridge was named after its famous counterpart in Venice, though Queen Victoria famously declared it "more beautiful" than the Italian original.

• The Movie Star Court: Step across the river into New Court, a massive, pale-stone 19th-century courtyard built in the striking Gothic Revival style. Its dramatic central tower resembles a giant wedding cake and has served as a filming location for Hollywood movies like The Theory of Everything.

• How to see it: Because the Bridge of Sighs is located deep within private college grounds, you cannot see it from public city streets. Make sure to check out our step-by-step entry tips on Visit Cambridge to see how to plan your walking route before you arrive.

The Hidden History: Royal Pranks and Literary Giants

St John’s academic and historical archives are packed with stories of rebellion, high politics, and artistic genius.

• The Romantic Poets: This is the intellectual home of William Wordsworth, one of England's greatest romantic poets. Wordsworth loved his time here so much that he wrote an entire epic poem (The Prelude) describing his student rooms, which sat right above the noisy college kitchens.

• The Eagle of St John's: High above the college gates sits a stone statue of an eagle—the traditional symbol of the college. During the English Civil War, when Cambridge was occupied by Oliver Cromwell’s troops, rebellious Royalist students secretly painted the eagle bright pink as a sign of defiance against the Puritan soldiers.

• The Secret Libraries: Hidden within Second Court is the Old Library, completed in 1624. It houses thousands of priceless medieval manuscripts, chained books, and even a death mask of the famous poet John Keats, kept perfectly safe beneath heavy oak beams.

The Student Vibe: Crimson Blazers and Fierce Rivalries

What is it actually like to live behind these grand brick courts today? St John's students are famous across the university for their intense college pride and sports culture.

• The Red Blazer Tradition: Members of the Lady Margaret Boat Club (the college rowing team, which is the oldest in Cambridge) are famous for wearing bright, eye-popping crimson blazers. This specific shade of red actually gave birth to the word "blazer" in the English language, as onlookers described the jackets as looking like they were "ablaze."

• The Ultimate Campus Feud: St John's shares a direct physical border with its neighbor, Trinity College. This has fueled a fierce, 500-year-old rivalry. From student pranks involving stolen property to intense, high-stakes battles on the rugby pitch, the Trinity vs. John’s feud is the most famous campus rivalry in the UK.

How can you get the ultimate view of St John's College?

Because St John's grounds stretch extensively across both sides of the river, its architecture was specifically designed to be appreciated from multiple angles. To truly see the Bridge of Sighs without the crowds blocking your view, you have to change your perspective.

If you want to glide directly beneath the stone arches of the Bridge of Sighs and snap the perfect postcard photograph, slide onto the water with us. Our standard Cambridge punting tours float right down the center of the river, giving you a completely uninterrupted angle from the water. For photography enthusiasts or families wanting a peaceful, unhurried experience, booking a private punting tour lets you pause on the river to get your framing exactly right.

Prefer to explore the medieval brick courts and the Great Gate on foot? Let our passionate student guides show you the hidden pathways and share the real university gossip on a classic Cambridge walking tour. Or, if you want a deeply intellectual dive into the Tudor foundations, wartime records, and historic rivalries of the colleges, join our exclusive Cambridge Walking tours.

No matter how you choose to explore, our team of real university researchers is ready to help you unlock the magic of Visit Cambridge.

Written by a Cambridge guide at We Are Oxbridge.

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