Cambridge Travel Forum

the only way to see the bridge of sighs is entering saint john's college paying the ticket or is it possible to see it also from a part (street, other bridge etc...) of the city?

thanks

It is actually quite easy to sneak into the colleges without paying. Most of them stop charging admission fees some time in the late afternoon, once the masses of day trippers have gone. That is how we entered into St John's. The fees are only a way to keep tourists to a minimum within the grounds of the colleges. It is also quite easy to get into the colleges from "The Backs". We found some of the colleges keep their fences unlocked to allow students and staff easy access. If you are young(ish) and you look like you could be a college student, just go for it. We did!

Hire a punt along the backs and you'll see it in the best way possible

thanks!

I am a Cantabrigan and agree with a posting that when the coilleges charge for entry (mainly in the summer) just walk in and act like you belong there. I have a local resident pass so don't need to but in summer it becopmes wildly expensive to visit all the colleges on the Backs.

St Johns is a beautiful college and the Bridge can be viewed from the steps of the Cripps Building by the river. Enter the College from St Johns Street, head over the river (viewing the Bridge of Sighs), bear right through the courtyard of the magnificant old coolege building on the right, through some passageways to the rear 1967 Award Winning developement called the Cripps Building. From there you can go down some large steps and to the river.

If you can don't be put off by notices directing visitors around the BOS, just walk right over it.

great tip thanks!
so also if the chapel opening hours is ended, is it possible to enter the college and have a look around?

if i'd pay for the entry... i'll enter the chapel and could I walk ON the b.o.s. or not?

The college closes off access with a board asking visitors not to cross the BOS, but its mainly to stop big parties of people so just confidently go for it. You won't get struck down with lightning !!