Visiting College
The visitor policy currently permits St John’s alumni and their guests to enter the College, along with other members of the University and those visiting for specific education or research purposes. Please check the main College website for updates about closures pertaining to alumni (CAMcard holders).
Access to College is via the Great Gate or alternatively the Forecourt wicket gate (opposite Taylors Guild) between 9am – 5pm Monday to Sunday. Additionally, alumni are always welcome to attend Chapel services at 6.30pm.
Alumni are welcome to enter Chapel if it is open.
Enjoy new social dining spaces at St John’s.
Punts can be used if available. You can book in advance via Northampton Street Porters’ Lodge on 01223 338729.
Rooms can be booked for overnight stays by contacting guestrooms@joh.cam.ac.uk.
Toilets are available at the Fisher Building, I First Court, the Buttery/Bar/Cafe in Second Court and E staircase Chapel Court.
No parking is available to alumni on site.
Read the full visitor policy here
A visitor guide to the College with map is available here.
St John’s alumni benefits
St John’s guest rooms can be booked by alumni for a maximum of three consecutive nights. The accommodation is located at 9 Pound Hill, a 3 minute walk from Northampton Street Porters Lodge. The 2023/24 prices are £63.45 for a single room and £86.44 for a twin room.
To book please contact the Accommodation & Bookings Office on guestrooms@joh.cam.ac.uk or 01223 338691.
Please note that children under the age of 16 cannot be accommodated in College. All rooms are subject to availability. Rooms are unavailable during the Christmas vacation period.
Johnians who matriculated as undergraduates six or more years ago and Johnians who began a course of graduate studies three or more years ago, if not currently in residence, are welcome to dine in College up to three times per academic year at College expense. Exceptions are Saturdays, dates when there is a College function and the month of August.
Accommodation is available on the night you dine, if a guest room is available. See rates and booking details above.
Dinner bookings should be made through the Fellowship and Events Administrator on 01223 338731, by email at FellowsSteward@joh.cam.ac.uk or by using our dining privileges form a minimum of 7 days before you wish to dine.
A spectacular new Buttery, Café and Bar has opened to meet the demands of 21st century studying and eating. All three venues are filled with natural light while maintaining a sense of homeliness. The new Buttery is located in Second Court and can be located via the map.
Alumni are welcome to make use of these contemporary and stylish spaces to eat, drink and meet when they are visiting College.
Opening hours at all three facilities vary according to term/holiday periods. Opening hours for Michaelmas Term 2023 are available here.
Johnians are welcome to use the College punts. Punts cost £18 per hour for alumni and should be booked and paid for by filling out this online form: https://st-johns-college-punt-society.checkfront.com/reserve/
Punts can be hired from March to the end of November between 9am and 5pm, with the last punt being available at 4pm. Please note that there are a few days when punts are not available (e.g. during the set-up to the May Ball, and some days in the summer holidays when they’re booked by College groups). Punt occupancy is restricted to 6 people, including the punter. Keys can be collected from the Northampton Street Porters’ Lodge. More information can be found here.
Johnians are always welcome to attend College Chapel Services. During Full Term, Choral Evensong takes place at 6.30pm every day, and there is a sung service at 10.30am on Sunday. Details may be found on the Chapel webpages.
College members are permitted to climb the Chapel tower with up to seven guests during daylight hours. Keys to the Chapel tower are available from the Forecourt Porters’ Lodge. Please note that guests musts wear appropriate footwear and abide by the Chapel tower access conditions.
Johnians and their guests are welcome to visit the Old Library without prior appointment on Wednesdays during term time from 2pm to 4pm. However, because it is closed on certain days throughout the year, it’s best to contact the Old Library before making a trip to College (special.collections@joh.cam.ac.uk or 01223 339393). Johnians wishing to consult material held in the Old Library should arrange an appointment in advance by contacting the Library, specifying what material they wish to consult.
The newer Working Library welcomes all St John’s alumni wishing to visit or study during staffed hours, usually 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. The new Library can be contacted at library@joh.cam.ac.uk or 01223 338600. Discover more about the College’s Old Library, Working Library and Archives.
Due to limited space, we are unable to offer car parking to Johnians unless they have booked a guest room in College or parking has been provided for a specific event.
When parking is available, it is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Vehicles are left at the owners’ risk. Public parking is available nearby on Castle Hill and at the Grand Arcade. Cambridge is served by a number of Park & Ride services.
As an alumnus/a of St John’s, you have access to a programme of alumni events in College and around the world as well as matriculation reunion lunches and dinners in College. We will keep you updated on news from College and the alumni community through our publications and monthly enewsletter. You can join Johnian Hub to connect directly with other Johnians.
University of Cambridge alumni benefits
Additional University benefits and services are available for alumni and former postdocs. These include the CAM card and cantab email.
St John’s College reserves the right to modify or withdraw its alumni benefits at any time without prior notification.