Girton College, Cambridge

University residence
4.5 178
4.5 (178)
Free WiFi
Free parking
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1/12
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Pear Trees Superior Double en-suite
Pear Trees Superior Double en-suite
Pear Trees Superior Double en-suite
2/12
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Social Hub Café Bar
Social Hub Café Bar
Social Hub Café Bar
3/12
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Swimming Pool
Swimming Pool
Swimming Pool
4/12
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Ash Court single en-suite
Ash Court single en-suite
Ash Court single en-suite
5/12
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Front Entrance
Front Entrance
Front Entrance
6/12
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VIP Double en-suite
VIP Double en-suite
VIP Double en-suite
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Front Entrance
Front Entrance
Front Entrance
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Pond
Pond
Pond
9/12
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Grounds
Grounds
Grounds
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Social Hub Café Bar
Social Hub Café Bar
Social Hub Café Bar
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Cafeteria
Cafeteria
Cafeteria
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Single Standard
Single Standard
Single Standard

Dates:

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Guests:

Please select dates to view availability for this location

Overview

The College site has Grade 2* listed heritage buildings and is located to the north-west of the city centre. The site is wonderfully spacious, occupying 50 acres of beautiful gardens and grounds, which range in character from formal planting to natural woodlands.

Girton College is cashless, debit or credit cards are accepted. 

The college offers free on-site parking to visitors at the Mare's Run car park.

   


Check in: 14:00 (2:00pm) - 22:00 (10:00pm) (arrivals may be allowed outside this window if your travel plans can't be adjusted however this is subject to availability)

Check out: 06:00 (6:00am) - 10:00 (10:00am)



History

On 16 October 1869, the ‘College for Women’ opened at Benslow House in Hitchin, 30 miles south of Cambridge. This was a small-scale start in a rented property but the new College was born of an audacious vision.

As student numbers grew, and the Hitchin lease drew to an end, it was decided to move nearer to Cambridge for ease of integration into the life and work of the University. Various options were debated and in 1872 a site close to Girton village was secured. Here there was room for buildings and gardens and the potential for later growth.

 In October 1873, the College, and its then 13 students, moved from Hitchin to Girton into a building designed by Alfred Waterhouse (and later augmented by both his son and his grandson). The new building could accommodate up to 21 students and three resident staff. Its three floors also included a dining hall (now Old Hall) and kitchens, reading room, reception room, three lecture rooms, a prayer room, entrance hall, and servants’ quarters. From the very beginning, Girton opened a door to the residential educational experience that is the hallmark of collegiate Cambridge.

Girton was the UK’s first residential institution offering university-level education for women. Girton’s foundation was a bold step towards women’s full and equal participation in political, social and economic life. Girton became a mixed college in 1979. 

Today, Girton College is a permanent institution within the world-class University of Cambridge, with enough heritage and new build accommodation, spread over 65 acres of gardens and grounds, to house over 700 of its students.

Food & beverage

All rooms have tea and coffee making facilities. The cafeteria and the social hub café bar offer meals, snacks and hot drinks throughout the day which can be purchased using a debit or credit card. Meals purchased through the cafeteria can be eaten in the Great Hall. The social hub café bar offers a range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks in the evenings.

During term, October - June, rooms are on a room only basis. July - September breakfast is included.

 

Grounds & Gardens

The college sits in 50 acres with woodland walks, orchard, pond and gardens which guests are welcome to enjoy.

Other facilities

Residents have free access to parking, Wi-Fi, the indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, gym, chapel, prayer room, peoples portraits, museum (open on a Thursday) and grounds. The laundry room has washing machines and tumble dryers. 

Please note, there must be a minimum of two swimmers to use the swimming pool.

 

Reviews

4.5
Based on 178 reviews
Room
4.4
Value
4.3
Food
4.2
Service
4.7
Experience
4.6
★★★★★
136
★★★★
33
★★★
8
★★
1
★
0

We had a simply wonderful stay at Girton College in the "Pear Trees". Girton College is a beautiful college far from the crowds of Cambridge center. Our room was quiet with a large comfortable bed, ensuite bathroom and windows overlooking Girton's gardens. The Porters were warm, helpful and welcoming. Breakfast was delicious and all staff so friendly and welcoming. We very much enjoyed the exhibit of paintings of ordinary people on the walls of the college. We will be back!

SarahC

I stayed at Girton College from 10 to 12 July 2026. Before my arrival, I called to confirm my reservation and asked about the swimming pool facilities as I was travelling alone and hoped to swim before breakfast. I was informed that at least two people must be present for swimming. I would suggest that Girton College review how the pool is managed so that lone guests can safely access the facility, whether through supervised sessions, lifeguard cover, or another suitable arrangement.

Anon

The room was sumptuous - better than any hotel room we have stayed in lately. My first attempt at booking online did not go through, but Ruth was very helpful in sorting it out. I am disabled, so had rung her to ask about lift access. When we were there, we found you could not access the lift without an electronic card. The very helpful Gemma from the Porters’ Lodge went back and forth and got one issued to us.

Anon

Lovely large room, very quiet and comfortable with good facilities. Porters very helpful - thank-you! Easy bus journey to the centre of town, highly recommend. Breakfast was included, could have been improved with some simple changes and more healthy choices, such as plain yoghurt

Anon

It was a wonderful experience. I beautiful building and grounds. The room was clean, comfortable , well appointed, and of good quality. I would definitely recommend the accommodation, and the experience.

CindyM

Lovely place to stay. Has large grounds for walking around. And allows people who are staying to buy food in the dining hall and in the bar.

Anon

Really enjoyed our stay. Good value, easy access to Cambridge. Highly recommended

Anon

Excellent value and fantastic traditional setting. Would highly recommend.

GeorgeC

Comfortable, clean, beautiful college and very helpful staff.

SophieN
View all

Facilities & information

Summary

19th-century buildings

21st-century buildings

Parking (free)

No smoking

Child friendly

Historic property

Lifts

Facilities

Free broadband access (wired)

Free broadband access (wifi)

Shared gardens

Outdoor terrace

Garden furniture

Games pitches

Squash court

Tennis court

Gym

Swimming pool

Children's cots

Children's highchairs

Woodland walks

Luggage storage

24 hour security

Linen included

Towels included

Common room

Iron/ironing board

Hair dryers

Washing machine

Central heating

Bicycle storage

Heated swimming pool

First aid / doctor on site

Food

Restaurant

Bar

Picnic area

Recreations

Recommended walks

Pub (walking distance)

Pub (a short drive)

Museums (walking distance)

Museums (a short drive)

Historic Houses

Gardens

Golf course (walking distance)

Golf course (a short drive)

Tennis courts (walking distance)

Recommended restaurants (walking distance)

Recommended restaurants (a short drive)

Theatre (a short drive)

Arrival information & directions

Address: Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, Cambs, CambridgeCB30JG, United Kingdom

On arrival please check in at the Porter's Lodge which is open 24hrs

There is free on-site parking in Mare's Run car park. Please contact the Porter's Lodge if a disabled parking space is required.

The college is a 20 minute taxi ride from Cambridge railway station and 30 minutes from Stansted airport. A bus stop into Cambridge city centre is a 2 minute walk from college. 

https://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/sites/default/files/college-maps/v1.3.2019.Visitor-plan-master.pdf

 

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