Great St Mary's Church (Church of England)
Great St Mary's Church (Church of England)
Great St Mary's Church (Church of England)
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travelers are saying
- Manfred B138 contributionsHistoric Church in Centre of CambridgeWhen we visited Cambridge we looked up the Great Mary's Church and we were not disappointed. The Interior was very beautiful. We also managed to climb up the 123 steps to the top of the Tower to enjoy stunning views of Cambridge. Entrance to the Church was free, but there is a small charge for the Tower.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 27, 2023
- Mich J37 contributionsGive it ago !Small church so any visit won't take long. Nice gift shop. We paid ÂŁ6.00 to climb the 100+ stairs for the panoramic views of the city which was amazing. You can stay up there as long as you like. Definitely worth doing.Visited November 2023Traveled with friendsWritten November 11, 2023
- Blue Prints of BritainBury St. Edmunds, United Kingdom44 contributionsBest viewpoint in Cambridge!This is a beautiful historical building which is worth exploring. The entrance to the church is free. You can buy tickets to enter the tower (ÂŁ6 pp) and enjoy a magnificent 360 view of the city. We totally recommend doing that as this is the best viewpoint in Cambridge. The views are stunning. Going up to the tower is via a tiny old stone staircase, it gives you that 'adventure' feel. We suggest coming here early in the morning, right after opening, as the tower can get pretty busy during the day, especially during weekends.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten January 21, 2024
- morePEASpleaseDerby, United Kingdom668 contributionsWorth the climbWe were visiting Cambridge for the first time and came here on a recommendation. The prices have increased and it is ÂŁ7 each to go to the top. Maybe a little expensive, but the views are amazing and there is no time limit on how long you can stop at the top. It is quite a steep set of steps, 123 in total. There is an intercom system so you always know if the staircase is clear before you head up or down. The staff are friendly and you are given a leaflet informing you about the tower and explaining what you can see in each direction at the top. I can imagine it gets quite crowded during peak season, but this was not something we had to worry about on a chilly afternoon in January. We got some good photos and would definitely recommend a visit.Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 3, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
362 reviews
Excellent
175
Very good
151
Average
33
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Big_Jeff_Leo
St Helens, UK22,640 contributions
Aug 2020
The Church is at the very Heart of the city. It offers something special - you can climb the 123 steps to the top of the tower to see some amazing views of the city and the colleges. Clearly this is only an option for those mobile enough to do it and it is a tight space going up - a windy stone staircase. What you are then met with is well worth the climb. The staff operate a CCTV System and speaker to ensure that no pone crosses on the way up or the way down so there are no Covid worries.
Written August 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blue Prints of Britain
Bury St. Edmunds, UK44 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
This is a beautiful historical building which is worth exploring. The entrance to the church is free. You can buy tickets to enter the tower (ÂŁ6 pp) and enjoy a magnificent 360 view of the city. We totally recommend doing that as this is the best viewpoint in Cambridge. The views are stunning. Going up to the tower is via a tiny old stone staircase, it gives you that 'adventure' feel. We suggest coming here early in the morning, right after opening, as the tower can get pretty busy during the day, especially during weekends.
Written January 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MYDOGISFINN
Emsworth, UK839 contributions
Sep 2021
We stumbled upon this very big church whilst walking around the town. It is well worth a visit. It is a big church and one can get a helpful leaflet to guide ones self around this fine building. There is a lot to see in Cambridge but this should be on your to do list.
Written October 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A Midlife Adventure
Dursley, UK2,766 contributions
Jul 2021
The church, itself, isn't that outstanding but the young man who greeted us was very helpful and my partner was happy to climb the 123 steps (all numbered!) to the top to use his camera to get some good views of the city.
Whilst there is metal fencing for HASAW reasons he was able to ensure his lens was fitted through the A4 viewing gaps in the fence to get the best uninterrupted photos of this architecturally beautiful city.
It's always nice to get a birds eye view of a city rather than just those achieved at ground level and donating ÂŁ6 per person to the church funds was well worth it!
Whilst there is metal fencing for HASAW reasons he was able to ensure his lens was fitted through the A4 viewing gaps in the fence to get the best uninterrupted photos of this architecturally beautiful city.
It's always nice to get a birds eye view of a city rather than just those achieved at ground level and donating ÂŁ6 per person to the church funds was well worth it!
Written July 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mich J
37 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Small church so any visit won't take long. Nice gift shop. We paid ÂŁ6.00 to climb the 100+ stairs for the panoramic views of the city which was amazing. You can stay up there as long as you like. Definitely worth doing.
Written November 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RWietlisbach
Kawasaki, Japan796 contributions
May 2022
For a 360-degree view of Cambridge, this is the place to go!
I wasn't sure whether the tower was open, or whether there were any Covid restrictions, so I inquired by e-mail before my visit to Cambridge. I received a response almost immediately, with a lot of extra information I hadn't even asked for, which I found extremely helpful! The same friendliness of the staff I then also experienced during my actual visit.
The view from the tower is absolutely exquisite!
Someone who visited at the same time negatively commented on the fencing surrounding the top of the tower, which no doubt is there for protection. I agree that it may not be very aesthetic, but I guess it's there for a reason, so I didn't mind so much.
Note that there is a one-way system in place for the narrow staircase, but it's managed very well by the staff.
Highly recommended for a beautiful view over the city, including King's College Chapel right across the street!
I wasn't sure whether the tower was open, or whether there were any Covid restrictions, so I inquired by e-mail before my visit to Cambridge. I received a response almost immediately, with a lot of extra information I hadn't even asked for, which I found extremely helpful! The same friendliness of the staff I then also experienced during my actual visit.
The view from the tower is absolutely exquisite!
Someone who visited at the same time negatively commented on the fencing surrounding the top of the tower, which no doubt is there for protection. I agree that it may not be very aesthetic, but I guess it's there for a reason, so I didn't mind so much.
Note that there is a one-way system in place for the narrow staircase, but it's managed very well by the staff.
Highly recommended for a beautiful view over the city, including King's College Chapel right across the street!
Written June 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
morePEASplease
Derby, UK668 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We were visiting Cambridge for the first time and came here on a recommendation. The prices have increased and it is ÂŁ7 each to go to the top. Maybe a little expensive, but the views are amazing and there is no time limit on how long you can stop at the top.
It is quite a steep set of steps, 123 in total. There is an intercom system so you always know if the staircase is clear before you head up or down.
The staff are friendly and you are given a leaflet informing you about the tower and explaining what you can see in each direction at the top.
I can imagine it gets quite crowded during peak season, but this was not something we had to worry about on a chilly afternoon in January. We got some good photos and would definitely recommend a visit.
It is quite a steep set of steps, 123 in total. There is an intercom system so you always know if the staircase is clear before you head up or down.
The staff are friendly and you are given a leaflet informing you about the tower and explaining what you can see in each direction at the top.
I can imagine it gets quite crowded during peak season, but this was not something we had to worry about on a chilly afternoon in January. We got some good photos and would definitely recommend a visit.
Written February 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sfmann106
Colchester, UK1,179 contributions
Sep 2022
Nice church in the centre of Cambridge with a commanding presence in the midst of several colleges. Nice quiet atmosphere in here but I suspect most people visit to go up the tower (£6 a pop when we went...) for a 360 degree view around the city centre. Not sure £6 is good value (there are much better views from other towers and view points elsewhere) but 'when in Cambridge....' Grab a leaflet as this entitles you to 10% reduction at the nearby Meadowhall centre (café).
Written September 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sanka1 🇱🇰🇬🇧
Bicester, UK5,876 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
This is a church with a 1000 year history which still operates and holds regular service. It's free to visit but you can pay ÂŁ6 to climb 100+ steps to the top of the tower to get panoramic views of Cambridge which includes clear unobstructed views of Kings College and Chapel. Highly recommended!
Written August 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rama1
Melbourne, Australia1,186 contributions
Jul 2022
The history of this church is amazing. Goes way back to 1010 AD and is tied to the early University.
I recall reading on their (very good) information boards that to attend the university you had to live within 3 miles of the church which wqs coincidently the centre of the city from which milestones were measured
I recall reading on their (very good) information boards that to attend the university you had to live within 3 miles of the church which wqs coincidently the centre of the city from which milestones were measured
Written July 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What time does the tower close?
Written March 24, 2019
I believe it closed at either 4 or 5 --- sorry for the delay in answering your question. I only just saw it today. Hope you're able to visit the tower on a sunny day!
Written April 16, 2019
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