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West Range

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Springtime at Downing

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Superior Double Bedroom

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Downing College

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Ensuite Bedroom

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Wisteria

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Superior Double En Suite

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Downing College

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The Heong Gallery at Downing College

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Gardens

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The Hall

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Bedroom ensuite bathroom

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Winter at Downing

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The Heong Gallery at Downing College

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Snowfall on the Domus

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The Maitland Robinson Library & N Staircase

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Il. Col. Anderson Gym

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Wildlife in the College Gardens

Availability Overview Reviews Facilities & information Arrival information & directions

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Overview

Downing College, dating from the early 1800s, has a unique setting amidst 20 acres of lawns and trees. While the college environment itself is quiet and peaceful, the museums, shops and River Cam in the very heart of Cambridge is only a few minutes walk away. Downing College is an ideal location for visitors on a leisure break or in Cambridge on business.

Their spacious bedrooms are fully equipped for the modern-day traveller, a spacious desk and free Wi-Fi. A hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities are also provided and bedrooms are cleaned daily by the College Domestic Assistants.

Please note:

Downing College does not offer twin bedrooms and is unable to accept bookings for children of 16 years and under, or for Stag and Hen parties. Guests of sixteen to eighteen years must be accompanied by an adult (21 or over).

Unfortunately, Downing College is unable to offer any car parking onsite to guests, car parking is available at the Queen Ann and Lion Yard car parks just a short walk away.

History

Cambridge University and Downing College have been the starting place for many well-known actors, artists and politicians, trace the footsteps of some of Downing's famous alumni including John Cleese, Quentin Blake, Trevor Nunn, Thandie Newton and Mike Atherton.

When a door of No 10 Downing Street London was replaced in the 1960's, the original was donated to Downing College and is now the door of the College Office.

Food & beverage

If breakfast is not available or you have booked on a room-only basis, Cambridge has a wide variety of cafes and restaurants to choose from and in close proximity. Guests check-in at the Porters' Lodge which is open 24/7, and staff are on hand should you require any guidance or information about the College, your stay or recommendations for Cambridge .

(Please note: The Lord Butterfield Cafe is closed for refurbishment, reopening in October 2026. The Porters will be happy to advise you on places to visit nearby for your stay)

The College is located on Regent Street where there are many cafes, restaurants and bars offering a wide range of cuisine.

Grounds & Gardens

Downing is set amidst 20 acres of lawns, trees and gardens for visitors to enjoy during their stay.

Visitors can enjoy such activities as punting on the River Cam, taking a guided walking tour of the city which is compact and easy to walk around or attending Choral Evensong in King’s College Chapel.

The Cambridge University Botanic Garden is just 20 minutes walk from the College where you can discover plants from all over the World in 40 acres of beautiful gardens and glasshouses.

Other facilities

The Heong Gallery - Downing College opened the new public Art Gallery on 5th February 2016. Architects transformed the original Edwardian stables into the new gallery space which is dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Please visit their website to find further information about the Heong Gallery and current exhibitions.

Opening Hours: Wednesdays: 10.00am – 8.00pm
Weekends and bank holidays: 10.00am - 6.00pm

Take a tour of the Classical Downing Architecture. Pick up one of their Architecture Tour leaflets from the Porters' Lodge to learn all about the buildings on the Domus and the history of the college.

The College has a small but modern gym facility, located behind the Howard Theatre, which may be used by guests. Please speak with Porter's Lodge for further information and access.

There are two outdoor tennis courts situated by the Singer Building. These may be used by arrangement with the Porters Lodge. The College does not hire out sports equipment so if you would like to use these facilities, please bring your own equipment.

Acess to the University of Cambridge wireless network will be offered to you when you check-in at the Porters' Lodge.

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Reviews

4.4

Based on 182 reviews

Room
4.3

Value
4.1

Food
4.2

Service
4.6

Experience
4.5

★★★★★

135

★★★★

★★★

★★

★

Downing College is a lovely place to stay with the buildings and location offering something special over a hotel. The rooms themselves are a bit more basic than a hotel but the bed is very comfortable and the room and facilities are sparkling clean with excellent service during the stay. And the location is perfect exploring Cambridge. Staying at Downing is a lovely way to get a sense of college life while you're in Cambridge.
Anon

Although my stay was brief, I really enjoyed it and felt like I was a Cambridge student. The environment was very quiet and peaceful. One small thing I noticed was that everyone seemed to wake up early, and the gravel paths made footsteps outside quite noticeable. Other than that, it was an excellent place to stay for a short visit.
CHENGH

We had a very enjoyable stay at Downing College which is in a great position close to the centre of town and several other colleges. The arrival process was very easy and the porters friendly and helpful. The room itself and the ensuite bathroom were very clean. Very comfortable bed ! would definitely stay again
Anon

I had a wonderful time staying in Downing! The room was comfortable and the view was amazing. It was a very convenient location. We were able to check in early and they kept our luggage for us the next morning. The porters were delightful: interesting, warm and helpful. I would definitely stay again.
JulietM

Thoroughly enjoyable - excellent room and facilities, clean and very comfortable and quiet in beautiful very large gardens and grounds. Friendly from first contact with porters' lodge, breakfast staff. Highly recommended!
JudyC

Friendly help from the porters while booking in and out, spotlessly clean room with everything we needed and a great location for getting around in the City. We would like to stay here again sometime.
Anon

Room GH06 was very hot due to afternoon sun. In summer a fan should be provided automatically, or even better an aircon unit. Downing's excellent porters lodge provided us with a fan on request
DavidM

The staff was lovely and the rooms were very clean and comfortable.
NatalieP

Beautiful place, very helpful porters. Thank you.
Anon

Facilities & information

Summary

19th-century buildings

No smoking

Historic property

Facilities

Free broadband access (wired)

Free broadband access (wifi)

Shared gardens

Tennis court

Gym

24 hour security

Linen included

Towels included

Iron/ironing board

Hair dryers

Central heating

Bicycle storage

Recreations

Pub (walking distance)

Museums (walking distance)

Gardens

Golf course (a short drive)

Tennis courts (walking distance)

Recommended restaurants (walking distance)

Theatre (walking distance)

Arrival information & directions

Address: Downing College, Regent St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CambridgeCB2 1DQ, United Kingdom

Guests can check-in at the Porters Lodge from 2pm and check-out is no later than 10am.

Access to the College is via the main entrance on Regent Street. For security reasons, the pedestrian gate is closed at 6pm October to March, and at 8pm April to September. After this time, access can be gained by ringing the bell via the Porters’ Lodge, which is staffed 24 hours a day.

On arrival, non-UK guests will also be required under the Immigration (Hotel Records) Order 1972 to complete a registration form giving full name, address and nationality, and to provide the number and place of issue of their passport, and their next destination. These records must be kept for at least 12 months and be available for inspection by any police officer.

How to Find Downing College:

By Train: Downing College is situated about ¾ of a mile (15 minutes walk) from the station and is served by regular buses and taxis.

By Bus: Cambridge's main bus station, Drummer Street is only a 5-minute walk from the College.

Downing College is unable to offer any car parking onsite to guests, car parking is available at the Queen Ann and Lion Yard car parks just a short walk away.

Legal information:

Downing College, Cambridge - This property is managed by a company/professional trader

Downing College, Cambridge