Kings College Chapel dates back to the beginning of the Wars of the Roses, when it was built and defined in stages from the years of 1446 to 1515 by a range of English Kings who reigned at that time. The
Kings College Chapel dates back to the beginning of the Wars of the Roses, when it was built and defined in stages from the years of 1446 to 1515 by a range of English Kings who reigned at that time. The chapel itself is often used as one of the defining symbols of the city of Cambridge and boasts some of the best Gothic Architecture in the UK. To add to its rich history, the chapel was even used by Oliver Cromwell as a training ground for his troops during the English civil war and graffiti by his troops can still be found behind the altar. Not only this, but it is still a practicing church and holds daily sermons. Put all of this together and for those staying at Clayton Hotel Cambridge, one of the hotels near Cambridge Station, you have a prime tourist destination which caters to those with an interest in religion, architecture and history alike.
The chapel’s principal architect was either head press mason Reginald Ely or Surveyor Nicholas Close. The Chapel features the world’s largest Fan Vault, the name given to the arched ceiling of gothic style buildings, resembling the shape and curve of a fan. Behind the altar, original medieval stained glass can be found as well as the Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Ruben’s The Adoration of the Magi from the year 1616. The property millionaire Alfred Ernest Alnatt bought the painting in 1959 for a record breaking price and gifted it to Kings College Chapel. The chapel also has twelve Great Windows, built by the Flemish glazier Barnard Flower. Even the rood screen, between the altar and the nave, boasts a colourful history, dating back to Henry VIII as a celebration of his marriage to Anne Boleyn and is a shining example of renaissance architecture.
Kings College Choir
Music lovers staying at Clayton Hotel Cambridge would be interested to sample the chapel’s home choir, Kings College Choir. The Cambridge choir is widely regarded as one of the best in the country and holds up England’s great choral tradition in the modern day.
Museum and opening times
Kings college Chapel holds a museum for visitors, where they can learn about the history of Kings College Cambridge and the architecture of the Chapel itself. The opening times for the Chapel are Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3.30pm, Saturdays 9.30am to 3.15pm and Sundays 1.15pm to 2.30pm.