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St Catharine's College

The Porters' Lodge takes you directly into Main Court, the centre of College life.

Main Court

Refurbished College Hall, a magnificent venue that re-opened in August 2022 seating 180 guests.

Dining Hall

The auditorium provides tiered retractable seating for up to 154 delegates, fully equipped with customisable lighting and audio-visual facilities. The flexibility of the auditorium allows you to create a bespoke environment and range of seating options which can to be used for meetings, lectures, performances and receptions.
The open plan foyer creates an excellent space for guest registrations, exhibitions and refreshment breaks with the option of separating the foyer from the auditorium with a retractable wall. Direct access is also provided to the Dining Hall, Bar, and additional breakout rooms.

McGrath Centre

The McGrath Bar is a flexible, modern space that can host up to 180 for a reception or party. It can also be used as a syndicate/catering room for larger conferences in conjunction with use of the McGrath Centre.

McGrath Bar

Dating back to the 17th century, the Senior Combination Room is the former dining hall of St Catharine's, and today provides an intimate setting for medium-sized dining and receptions, with stunning views over the College's Main Court.

Senior Combination Room

Sydney Smith Meeting Room

Sydney Smith Room

Founded in 1473, St Catharine’s College is situated in the heart of Cambridge provides a historic and beautiful setting for conferences, events, receptions, weddings and dining.

As a conference and meeting venue, the College offers a wide range of versatile rooms, both modern and traditional to suit all of your needs. With room capacities ranging from 10 to 154 delegates, the College can accommodate large scale conferences to smaller day meetings allowing maximum flexibility for your event. For private dining the College offers a range of modern and traditional dining rooms including the refurbished College Hall, a magnificent venue that re-opened in August 2022 seating 180 guests.

The College takes great pride in producing the highest standards of classical food with a contemporary twist preparing innovative and exciting menus to suit all budgets, using the best locally-sourced produce. The team is committed to creating sustainable events and is very proud of its awards.

En-suite and standard accommodation is available outside of term time, offering guests a comfortable and enjoyable stay in the city centre.

At St Catharine's College, you'll experience beautiful surroundings and exceptional service.

Contact Meet Cambridge

Telephone

+44 (0)1223 768740

Make an enquiry

Take a virtual tour of this venue

Venue fact sheet

Green Tourism Bronze award

Rooms and Accommodation

Rooms
Accommodation

Bedroom

Breakout Areas

Theatre
Layout

Classroom
Layout

U-Shape
Layout

Boardroom
Layout

Cabaret
Layout

Dimensions

During Easter and Summer vacation we offer smaller meeting rooms that can accommodate between 8 and 16 delegates.

Small Syndicate Rooms

12

8

-

12

-

Width: -
Length: -

Located just above the Hall and with a view directly over the College's Main Court, the Old Combination Room provides an intimate setting for smaller luncheons, dinners or receptions.
It can also be used as a meeting room for up to 35 guests and can be set up with portable projector and screen.

Old Combination Room

30

12

18

22

18

Width: 7m
Length: 7m

Dating back to the 17th century, the Senior Combination Room is the former dining hall of St Catharine's, and today provides an intimate setting for medium-sized dining and receptions, with stunning views over the College's Main Court.

The Senior Combination Room provides an intimate setting for medium-sized dining and receptions, with stunning views over the College's Main Court.
It can also be used as a meeting room for up to 60 guests and can be set up with portable projector and screen.

Senior Combination Room

60

30

31

36

32

Width: 7m
Length: 13m

A beautiful airy room overlooking Trumpington Street, the Rushmore Room is perfect for medium-sized meetings, presentations or workshops.

Overlooking Trumpington Street, the Rushmore Room is perfect for medium-sized meetings, presentations or workshops.

A beautiful room overlooking Trumpington Street, this room is perfect for medium-sized meetings, presentations or workshops.

Rushmore Room

60

24

30

28

32

Width: 5.5m
Length: 13m

The Ramsden Room is a stunning venue for meetings and receptions, overlooking the main court.
The room can accommodate various layouts from 20 in boardroom to 40 in theatre style and has full audiovisual functionality.

The Ramsden Room is a stunning venue for meetings and receptions, overlooking the main court.
The room can accommodate various layouts from 20 in boardroom to 40 in theatre style and has full audiovisual functionality.

The Ramsden Room is a stunning venue for meetings and receptions, overlooking the main court.
The room can accommodate various layouts from 20 in boardroom to 40 in theatre style and has full audiovisual functionality.

The Ramsden Room is a stunning venue for meetings and receptions, overlooking the main court.
The room can accommodate various layouts from 20 in boardroom to 40 in theatre style and has full audiovisual functionality.

The Ramsden Room is a stunning venue for meetings and receptions, overlooking the main court.
The room can accommodate various layouts from 20 in boardroom to 40 in theatre style and has full audiovisual functionality.

Ramsden Room

40

16

30

20

28

Width: 6.5m
Length: 13.5m

This multi-purpose room offers in-built hybrid meeting options and also provides the ideal venue for an intimate dinner.

This multi-purpose room offers in-built hybrid meeting options and also provides the ideal venue for an intimate dinner.

Sydney Smith Room

-

-

-

18

-

Width: 5m
Length: 6m

Dining Rooms

Max Diners

Room Width

Room Length

The Senior Combination Room setup for dinner in a traditional banquet layout

Dating back to the 17th century, the Senior Combination Room is the former dining hall of St Catharine's, and today provides an intimate setting for medium-sized dining and receptions, with stunning views over the College's Main Court.

The Senior Combination Room provides an intimate setting for medium-sized dining and receptions, with stunning views over the College's Main Court.
It can also be used as a meeting room for up to 60 guests and can be set up with portable projector and screen.

Senior Combination Room

48

7m

13m

Located just above the Hall and with a view directly over the College's Main Court, the Old Combination Room provides an intimate setting for smaller luncheons, dinners or receptions.
It can also be used as a meeting room for up to 35 guests and can be set up with portable projector and screen.

Old Combination Room

30

7m

7m

The St Catharine's Dining Hall is one of the largest of the Cambridge Colleges, making it the ideal venue for high-quality dining and receptions on a grand scale. The refurbished Dining Hall seats up to 180 for dining and provides the perfect setting for formal dinners during vacation periods. With wood panelled walls and an impressive sky lantern the new Dining Hall will provide a stylish setting for private dining and events.

The St Catharine's Dining Hall is one of the largest of the Cambridge Colleges, making it the ideal venue for high-quality dining and receptions on a grand scale. The refurbished Dining Hall seats up to 180 for dining and provides the perfect setting for formal dinners during vacation periods. With wood panelled walls and an impressive sky lantern the new Dining Hall will provide a stylish setting for private dining and events.

Dining Hall

190

17m

29m

The auditorium provides tiered retractable seating for up to 154 delegates, fully equipped with customisable lighting and audio-visual facilities. The flexibility of the auditorium allows you to create a bespoke environment and range of seating options which can to be used for meetings, lectures, performances and receptions.
The open plan foyer creates an excellent space for guest registrations, exhibitions and refreshment breaks with the option of separating the foyer from the auditorium with a retractable wall. Direct access is also provided to the Dining Hall, Bar, and additional breakout rooms.

McGrath Centre

200

12m

13m

Hyper modern bar area in the Student Union of St Catharine's College

McGrath Bar

180

-

-

The Ramsden Room setup for a dining experience for guests

Ramsden Room

36

6.5m

13.5m

This multi-purpose room offers in-built hybrid meeting options and also provides the ideal venue for an intimate dinner.

This multi-purpose room offers in-built hybrid meeting options and also provides the ideal venue for an intimate dinner.

This multi-purpose room offers in-built hybrid meeting options and also provides the ideal venue for an intimate dinner.

Sydney Smith Room

16

5m

6m

Main Meeting Rooms

Theatre Layout

Classroom layout

U-Shape Layout

Boardroom Layout

Cabaret Layout

Dimensions

The auditorium provides tiered retractable seating for up to 154 delegates, fully equipped with customisable lighting and audio-visual facilities. The flexibility of the auditorium allows you to create a bespoke environment and range of seating options which can to be used for meetings, lectures, performances and receptions.
The open plan foyer creates an excellent space for guest registrations, exhibitions and refreshment breaks with the option of separating the foyer from the auditorium with a retractable wall. Direct access is also provided to the Dining Hall, Bar, and additional breakout rooms.

Image of the McGrath Centre showing a conference taking place.

he lobby area of the McGrath Centre with people

The auditorium provides tiered retractable seating for up to 154 delegates, fully equipped with customisable lighting and audio-visual facilities. The flexibility of the auditorium allows you to create a bespoke environment and range of seating options which can to be used for meetings, lectures, performances and receptions.
The open plan foyer creates an excellent space for guest registrations, exhibitions and refreshment breaks with the option of separating the foyer from the auditorium with a retractable wall. Direct access is also provided to the Dining Hall, Bar, and additional breakout rooms.

McGrath Centre

154

28

36

28

56

Width: 12m
Length: 13m

View Media

The Ramsden Room is a stunning venue for meetings and receptions, overlooking the main court.
The room can accommodate various layouts from 20 in boardroom to 40 in theatre style and has full audiovisual functionality.

The Ramsden Room is a stunning venue for meetings and receptions, overlooking the main court.
The room can accommodate various layouts from 20 in boardroom to 40 in theatre style and has full audiovisual functionality.

The Ramsden Room is a stunning venue for meetings and receptions, overlooking the main court.
The room can accommodate various layouts from 20 in boardroom to 40 in theatre style and has full audiovisual functionality.

The Ramsden Room is a stunning venue for meetings and receptions, overlooking the main court.
The room can accommodate various layouts from 20 in boardroom to 40 in theatre style and has full audiovisual functionality.

The Ramsden Room is a stunning venue for meetings and receptions, overlooking the main court.
The room can accommodate various layouts from 20 in boardroom to 40 in theatre style and has full audiovisual functionality.

Ramsden Room

40

16

30

20

28

Width: 6.5m
Length: 13.5m

View Media

A beautiful airy room overlooking Trumpington Street, the Rushmore Room is perfect for medium-sized meetings, presentations or workshops.

Overlooking Trumpington Street, the Rushmore Room is perfect for medium-sized meetings, presentations or workshops.

A beautiful room overlooking Trumpington Street, this room is perfect for medium-sized meetings, presentations or workshops.

Rushmore Room

60

24

30

28

32

Width: 5.5m
Length: 13m

View Media

Dating back to the 17th century, the Senior Combination Room is the former dining hall of St Catharine's, and today provides an intimate setting for medium-sized dining and receptions, with stunning views over the College's Main Court.

The Senior Combination Room provides an intimate setting for medium-sized dining and receptions, with stunning views over the College's Main Court.
It can also be used as a meeting room for up to 60 guests and can be set up with portable projector and screen.

Senior Combination Room

60

30

31

36

32

Width: 7m
Length: 13m

View Media

Located just above the Hall and with a view directly over the College's Main Court, the Old Combination Room provides an intimate setting for smaller luncheons, dinners or receptions.
It can also be used as a meeting room for up to 35 guests and can be set up with portable projector and screen.

Old Combination Room

30

12

18

22

18

Width: 7m
Length: 7m

View Media

This multi-purpose room offers in-built hybrid meeting options and also provides the ideal venue for an intimate dinner.

This multi-purpose room offers in-built hybrid meeting options and also provides the ideal venue for an intimate dinner.

Sydney Smith Room

-

-

-

18

-

Width: 5m
Length: 6m

View Media

St Catharine's College Accommodation

St Catharine's welcomes you to stay in its beautiful surroundings, located in the heart of the city centre, perfect for business guests, private group bookings and residential conference delegates. The guest rooms are comfortably furnished, offering excellent value for money.

Guests have a choice of single en suite bedrooms in Chapel Court or more traditional single standard bedrooms in Sherlock Court, both provide a taste of traditional College life.

St Catharine's can also offer fantastic 4 and 5-bedded self-catering flats at its St Chad's site, just a 10-minute walk along "the backs" to the city centre.

All guest bedrooms include complimentary toiletries, Fairtrade tea and coffee, free Wi-Fi and an extensive breakfast buffet served in the main dining hall.

Single room with a private en suite bathroom with shower. Rooms are serviced daily during the week and towels and a vanity pack are provided.

The en suite rooms are located in the newer part of the college and have complimentary WiFi access. Hairdryers may be available on request from Porters' Lodge.

Please kindly note that as we are a city centre college, our rooms are subject to street noise.

Single en suite bedroom

100 Rooms

Single room with a wash basin in the room and shared bathroom. Rooms are serviced daily during the week and towels and a vanity pack are provided.

Standard rooms are located in the older part of College and therefore only accessible via staircases. All of our rooms have complimentary WiFi access. Hairdryers may be available on request from Porters' Lodge.

Please kindly note that as we are a city centre college, our rooms are subject to street noise.

Single standard bedroom

135 Rooms

Double room with a private en suite bathroom with shower. Rooms are serviced daily during the week and towels and a vanity pack are provided.

Rooms have complimentary WiFi access. Hairdryers may be available on request from Porters' Lodge.

Double en suite bedroom

5 Rooms

The College has 25 x 4 bed flats and 6 x 5 bed flats at our St Chad's Site, just off Grange Road.

Self-Catering Flats at St Chad's

130 Rooms

Total

370 Rooms

Weddings

With our charming architecture, beautiful grounds and elegant reception rooms, St Catharine's College, Cambridge, provides a stunning backdrop for your wedding day. Centrally located within the heart of this historic city, our dedicated team are on hand to support you throughout the whole process to ensure you have the most special day.

Civil Licence

No

Maximum number for a Civil Ceremony

Not Applicable

Maximum number for a Wedding Breakfast

165

Maximum number for an Evening Reception

200

Restrictions:

Weddings can only be accommodated during the College vacations in the Spring, Summer and at Christmas. Our Wedding package requires a minimum of 80 guests. Anglican services of up to 100 guests are available in the Chapel to College members.

Additional Information

Green Initiatives

College ethos, underpinned by a 90-point externally reviewed Sustainability Policy, incorporates green initiatives adopted across all areas of College life
Winners of initiatives such as Green Impact (Gold), Student Switch Off and Green Living Guides led by students.
Awarded the Green Tourism Bronze Certification, in recognition of our environmentally friendly practices and our continuing commitment to sustainability.
Sustainable Restaurant Association members demonstrating best practice in sourcing, engagement and valuing natural resources to provide a sustainable food service.

Did You Know?

St Catharine's has the only open-sided court, visible from the street, of any Cambridge College.
John Addenbrooke, who gave his name to Cambridge's hospital, was a Fellow. We still have his books, specimens and body.
The two lampposts in front of the College have bases made out of French cannons captured at Waterloo.
St Catharine's is the College of Sir Ian McKellen, known for his roles as Gandalf, Magneto and King Lear.

How To Find St Catharine's College

St Catharine's College
Cambridge
CB2 1RL

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