Great St Mary's Church (Church of England)

About

Overlooking the market place in the centre of Cambridge, this beautiful church dates back to 1205 - even older than the University of Cambridge! Great St Mary's was built, rebuilt, burned and built again over the centuries. The current building is largely Tudor. King Henry VII donated 100 oak trees to build its roof and Queen Elizabeth I visited the church in 1564 and gave an impressive Latin speech to the assembled scholars. Interactive touchscreens and a short film about royal Cambridge offer a perfect introduction to the history of Cambridge. Visitors can climb the tower for stunning views of King's College Chapel and the city. We also offer brass rubbing and children's activities during busier times of year. Great St Mary's is the church at the heart of Cambridge and hosts regular services, concerts, debates and community events.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes