[bubbles50]

Me and my friend are visiting Cambridge this Sunday, to have a look around and to help us to choose a college
How much will we be able to see the colleges?
Just the outside of the walls, the inside where the grassy areas etc are or will we be able to actually walk in the colleges to have more of a look around (which we doubt but worth asking!).
Also, even though the term hasn't started is there liekly to be anyone around who we would be able to firstly spot! and then to ask a couple questions?
Very late I know but any help is appreciated!
I know colleges will be different so if you know what a certain college is like in terms of visiting that would be great too =]

[anna_spanner89]

Go on a punt? i went on it..and the weather was really nice and they gave interesting facts and stuff..

just browse the website..see any colleges you like the look of, find their adress and go on a hunt for them, cambridge is STUNNING, so you'll have fun looking for them

[bubbles50]

Ok thank you!
And if we don't manage to fill the day looking for places we can always go on one of the little boat (gondalas?) tours for an hour! lol

[acrosstheuniverse]

Originally Posted by bubbles50

Me and my friend are visiting Cambridge this Sunday, to have a look around and to help us to choose a college
How much will we be able to see the colleges?
Just the outside of the walls, the inside where the grassy areas etc are or will we be able to actually walk in the colleges to have more of a look around (which we doubt but worth asking!).
Also, even though the term hasn't started is there liekly to be anyone around who we would be able to firstly spot! and then to ask a couple questions?
Very late I know but any help is appreciated!
I know colleges will be different so if you know what a certain college is like in terms of visiting that would be great too =]

Whether you can actually enter the colleges depends. Because people are coming up next week and some of the international students have already arrived or are arriving this weekend, some colleges may have closed to the public. However most should still be open, and as long as you tell them you're a prospective applicant you can wander round free of charge. If the door/gate for the college is open and there aren't any signs you should be able to go in, and walk over to the grassy areas, although you won't be able to walk on the grass

Anyway, hope this helps a little.

[Chewwy]

Originally Posted by bubbles50

Just the outside of the walls, the inside where the grassy areas etc are or will we be able to actually walk in the colleges to have more of a look around (which we doubt but worth asking!).
Also, even though the term hasn't started is there liekly to be anyone around who we would be able to firstly spot! and then to ask a couple questions?

you'll be able to do all of this, just ask.

and yeah, ask students questions, i'd personally love that! (and i shall be in cambridge...)

[invisibleforest]

You could try emailing admissions just to let them know too I did this last year and some will arrange a tour for you.

[Tom]

All colleges, whether closed or open, will have porters on the doors. Tell them you're an applicant wanting to look around and you can be pretty sure they'll let you in (free) and you might even find they'll be able to grab someone (student) to at least point you the way if not give you a tour.

[SimonM]

Go to the general admissions office. They gave me a nice piece of paper which explained what I was doing and essentially let me into colleges to have a look. Everyone was very nice

[Craghyrax]

Originally Posted by Tom

All colleges, whether closed or open, will have porters on the doors. Tell them you're an applicant wanting to look around and you can be pretty sure they'll let you in (free) and you might even find they'll be able to grab someone (student) to at least point you the way if not give you a tour.

This is really your best option, as porters will try to be as accommodating as they have room to be with regards to allowing prospective students to look around.

Originally Posted by anna_spanner89

Go on a punt? i went on it..and the weather was really nice and they gave interesting facts and stuff..

Most punt tour guides tell massive fibs about Cambridge history. They might be fun, but don't take anything they say too seriously, except which colleges they're actually pointing to - as they're unlikely to get that wrong

[Scipio90]

Originally Posted by Craghyrax

Most punt tour guides tell massive fibs about Cambridge history. They might be fun, but don't take anything they say too seriously, except which colleges they're actually pointing to - as they're unlikely to get that wrong

You'd think so, wouldn't you....

[Craghyrax]

Originally Posted by Scipio90

You'd think so, wouldn't you....

To be fair, one could confuse the 'Cripps' accommodation of one college for another - all in sight of the river and all ugly and concrete