Hotels near the King's College Chapel

A highlight of any visit to Cambridge is magnificent King's College Chapel, the most famous building in this historic town. Imposing from the outside, inside the fan-vaulted ceiling, stone carving and stained glass are a sight to behold.

Henry VI was just 19 when he laid the first stone on Passion Sunday, 1441. Hampered by war and the comings and goings of successive kings, the chapel was finally completed under the reign of Henry VIII, just over 100 years later, finally recognised as one of Europe's finest, late medieval buildings.

Today the chapel is most famous for its choir, which also owes its existence to Henry VI, who envisaged the daily singing of services in his magnificent chapel. Every year on Christmas Eve people queue for tickets to hear the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, which is broadcast to millions of listeners worldwide.

Members of the public are welcome to visit the Chapel and the grounds of King's College, but are requested to remember that this is a working college where tutors, students and staff live, work and study.