Round Church Visitor Centre

About the museum

The Round Church in Cambridge was founded between 1114 and 1131 and is one of only four surviving medieval round churches in England. Its shape follows the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and it was probably founded by a fraternity of pilgrims or crusaders. It is older than the University of Cambridge, by about 75 years. Over nine centuries it survived Puritan iconoclasm, a controversial Victorian restoration and bombing raids in the Second World War.

The congregation moved to St Andrew the Great by 1994, so the church no longer holds regular Sunday services. Today the building houses the Round Church Visitor Centre, which is part of Christian Heritage, a project of The Foundations Trust, a registered charity. The building also contains a study centre for Christian students and hosts public events through Life in the Round.

In the visitor centre, an exhibition called The Cambridge Story follows the impact of Christianity in England on twelve panels, from Roman times to the present. A documentary film, Saints and Scholars, narrated by Sir David Suchet, introduces the history of Cambridge. From the church, guided walking tours depart through the city and begin with the history of the building; themes include the University, the Reformation and C. S. Lewis, and one tour is offered in Mandarin.

Highlights

• Medieval round church modelled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
• The Cambridge Story exhibition on twelve panels
• Film Saints and Scholars, narrated by Sir David Suchet
• Guided walks on the University, the Reformation and C. S. Lewis

Permanent exhibitions

• The Cambridge Story – A twelve-panel exhibition on the impact of Christianity in England, from Roman times to the present.
• Saints and Scholars film – A short documentary introducing the history of Cambridge, narrated by Sir David Suchet and shown inside the church.

Operated by

Christian Heritage, a project of The Foundations Trust (registered charity 1076750)

Admission & discounts

Cambridge residents (postcodes CB1 to CB5) are admitted free. Admission is paid by cash or card on arrival and cannot be booked online; guided walks should be booked in advance.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Access from the street is step-free but over an uneven surface. The ambulatory and the exhibition are step-free, with small steps down into the nave and up into the chancel. The film can be reached along a pew aisle wide enough for most wheelchairs, with room for one or two wheelchair users at a time. Visitors are invited to get in touch before visiting.

Kids & families

Children under 13 are admitted free when accompanied by a responsible adult.

Getting there & parking

Vehicle access to the city centre is limited and the visitor centre recommends using a Park & Ride. A taxi rank is outside the railway station.

Amenities & dining

There are no public toilets on site; the nearest are on Jesus Green and at the Lion Yard shopping centre.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit