King's Parade
King's Parade is the central street that runs past the front of King's College and its chapel, the busiest and most photographed street in Cambridge. On one side stand King's College, its chapel and the Senate House; on the other, a row of shops, cafés and old houses.
In practice
The street is closed to most traffic for much of the day and carries crowds of visitors, students and cyclists. At its southern end, on the corner of Corpus Christi College, is the Corpus Clock, a large golden clock with a mechanical creature on top that "eats" time, unveiled in 2008. To the north the street becomes Trinity Street and leads to Trinity and St John's. Great St Mary's, the University Church, stands opposite the Senate House and its tower offers views over the city.
Why it matters to newcomers
King's Parade is the meeting point everyone understands and the route between the market and the Colleges. It is slow going on foot at midday and in summer; locals cross it rather than walk along it, and use the lanes behind for cycling.
Related
- Nine Lessons and Carols - the service in the chapel on the Parade
- Market Square - a minute's walk east
- Senate House and graduation - the building beside it
Sources: King's College; Corpus Christi College.