Cambridge Travel Forum

Does anyone have advice about when/where to join the line to gain entrance to the chapel for Lessons and Carols? Are there public facilities nearby? Three of us are traveling from the USA for this marvelous event. Even leaning up against the wall on the outside will make it worthwhile, but would prefer to get in!

We went a few years ago (& yes, it's worth waiting the whole day for!). We joined the queue at about 10 to 9 in the morning (& the service as you probably know starts at 3). We got into the chapel, but only into the half furthest away from where the choir actually sings. I wasn't really expecting to get into the half with the choir as that seems to be reserved for dignitaries, choir parents etc. Nonetheless you still get a decent view of the choir as they process in, and you can of course hear everything beautifully. It's hard to estimate how late is too late to join the queue. I would guess that those who arrived before 11am got in OK, but if you are coming from the US then I would be early just to be on the safe side. Lots of people start showing up closer to 3pm and join friends in the queue, so while it might not appear that there are a lot of people in front of you at first, as the day goes on the numbers in front of you may well grow. (NB they put up signs saying that it's forbidden to mind spaces for others in the queue, but it doesn't seem to stop people). Public facilities: I don't think King's College makes its washrooms available, but you could probably go into those in the nearby Starbucks or find other public washrooms.

Hope this helps (& now if you could find a friend to answer my BritRail query then I'd be very happy ...)

Em

I agree, it's really worth waiting in the cold for! The atmosphere is great and there is some entertainment while you wait. Many people bring flasks of hot coffee or mulled wine and everyone is in a cheerful mood.
You probably need to be in line before 10.30am to guarantee getting in, but if you want a good seat you'd have to be there much earlier. Some people who have travelled from abroad actually sleep in camping chairs outside the college gates the night before to ensure their place at the front of the queue.
It's true that most of the area where the choir sits (the chapel)is reserved for members of the college and parents of the choir, but not the whole of it. I've started queueing at 9am on a couple of accasions and always had to sit in the ante-chapel (separated from the choir by the wooden screen). This can be good too, but I was a bit late to get a seat with a view, so if you're coming from so far away, I'd get there as early as you can.
King's College do allow you to use their facilities and it's perfectly acceptable to save places for your friends for a short period of time while one of you goes to the toilet, or goes to get some hot drinks. It's always best to ask the people behind you if they mind though, as some people disappear for hours and go shopping, which isn't really fair for those who've stuck to the rules.
There are lots of cafes nearby where you can ge takeaway coffees and food.
I'd recommend bringing a folding stool and a book or something to take your mind off the cold! Also plenty of warm clothing, as it gets really cold and windy, and some food and drink. You can't take large bags inside, so I'd advise you to leave anything of value at your hotel, as the bags are all just left randomly (ie you don't get a ticket to say it's your bag, so after the service anyone could come along and pick it up).
Have a great time - and go to the Eagle pub just around the corner afterwards to warm up!