As demand continues to rise for distinctive venues across the UK’s meetings and events sector, one of Cambridge’s most historic institutions is marking a rare milestone: this year, Clare College celebrates 700 years since its founding.
The anniversary highlights the growing relevance of heritage venues for business events, where organisers are increasingly prioritising memorable settings alongside tech-ready infrastructure.
Part of the Meet Cambridge portfolio, Clare College was founded in 1326 as University Hall and endowed by Lady Elizabeth de Clare, a granddaughter of King Edward I. Clare is Cambridge’s second oldest college and one of the few venues in the world where 700 years of history provide the backdrop to modern events.
Andrew Bell, Head of Meet Cambridge, said:
It’s rare to find a venue with this level of heritage still operating at the heart of modern business events and conferences. What we are seeing more broadly is a clear demand for venues that offer experience as well as technical capability. Clare College represents that balance - 700 years of history combined with modern conferencing infrastructure.
The College boasts a number of illustrious alumni who have gone on to achieve great success across a wide range of fields, including Sir David Attenborough, who spent his undergraduate years at Clare reading Natural Sciences; composer Sir John Rutter, who honoured the College with his anthem A Clare Benediction after studying here as an undergraduate and later returning as Director of Music; and Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Defence Staff - the highest-ranking officer in the British armed forces.
In 2009, the Gillespie Centre and Lerner Court was opened by the late His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT. With its light, airy design and flexible meeting spaces, the Gillespie Centre offers an ideal setting for memorable events and conferences. Since opening, the centre has been upgraded with the latest audio-visual technology, including hybrid meeting capabilities, making it easier than ever to host modern conferences and events.
The statutes given by Lady Elizabeth emphasise the value of education as the “precious pearl of learning,” a philosophy that continues to inspire the College today and makes it an exceptional setting for conferences, meetings and events focused on knowledge and innovation.
Today, Clare College brings together its extraordinary heritage with state-of-the-art event spaces, offering a distinctive setting for modern meetings and conferences in the heart of Cambridge. To find out more and check availability, click here.