Founded in 1473, St Catharine's College offers both modern and historic venues for conferences, events and fine dining located in the heart of Cambridge.
An extensive update and redesign of the Hall and adjoining spaces at St Catharine's College are at the centre of its Central Spaces project which is due to complete this summer. It will include an attractive Dining Hall to seat 180 for dinner, modern kitchens and cafeteria, and a light-filled Garden room. The Garden room will offer a direct route from the McGrath Centre to the Hall and existing meeting/dining rooms. Step-free access will open up all of the ground floor, including the Chapel, with lift access to the other floors. The Syndey Smith room will also provide a new meeting and dining space for smaller groups.
A range of accommodation is available in comfortable and stylish bedrooms. Delegates will experience innocative and exciting menus delivered to the highest standards of service.
Reasons To Book St Catharine's College:
- Nestled in the heart of Cambridge and a short walk from the River Cam, St Catharine's is the perfect backdrop for your event or stay
- The College has the only open sided court, visible from the street, of any Cambridge College
- The College provides innovative and exciting menus delivered to the highest standards of service
- St Catharine's is home to a mix of modern and period meeting rooms
- A recent partnership with Venue AV provides clients with creative solutions for hybrid events
- The McGrath Centre provides a dedicated events space, housing an auditorium, foyer and bar, offering state of the art AV and bespoke lighting
- A knowledgeable events and catering team are on hand to help make your event a great success
Sustainable Fact
St Catharine's College has published an environmental sustainable strategy setting out an ambition to be net zero by 2040.
Venue Insight
We caught up with Zoe Fardell, Conference & Events Manager, to find out more about this unique, academic venue...
Tell us about your role...
I manage the conference and accommodation office at St Catharine's College. Our small team of event professionals and co-ordinators look after all of the College and external events at the College alongside its accommodation which is for student use during term time, and for conferences and events in vacation periods.
Tell us something we might not know about St Catharine's College...
The College is currently undergoing an exciting refurbishment project of its Central spaces, we are really looking forward to re-opening these facilities at the end of summer.
What can you offer for clients looking for hybrid and virtual events?
St Catharine's College has set up a partnership wiht Venue AV allowing us to provide bespoke and state of the art hybrid options for our clients. A recent piece of feedback described the experience as 'the smoothest virtual event we have ever run'.
What are the benefits of holding a hybrid or virtual event at St Catharine's College?
When holding a hybrid or virtual event at St Catharine's clients can choose from a range of modern and historic meeting venues, experience high standards of service from our catering and events teams and have access to experienced AV professionals (both in house and via Venue AV). Our AV teams can recommend equipment and technologies that allow clients to achieve meeting objectives and ensure this equipment works seamlessly throughout. We have a great in house IT team who offer on the day support and can provide video links for zoom and teams meetings. We are also able to provide standard or bespoke hybrid packages through Venue AV.
How do you facilitate interaction at hybrid events for both those in house and those participating remotely?
There are a range of options depending on clients budgets and requirements, from camera feeds allowing the audience to ask questions directly, to questions moderated by social media platforms. Our Rushmore room is set up with a fixed TV screen and camera allowing the College to host hybrid meetings via teams.
