Emmanuel College students are lucky enough to have access to an 18th-century outdoor pool WIKIMDAVID PURCHASE VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS/ https://commons. wikimedia. org/wiki/File: The_swimming_pool_at_Emmanuel_College_-_geograph. org. uk_-_2619903. jpg/ RESIZED
One of the standout features of Cambridge is its unique college system. Each college comes with plenty of perks (and some drawbacks), which get a lot of attention online as prospective students try to figure out where to apply. So, when it comes to sports, which colleges at Cambridge really shine for those who love being active?
“The biggest pull is, of course, the pool!”
Usually, the farther a college is from the city centre, the more facilities it tends to have on site. But that’s not always the case-some colleges right in town also offer amazing amenities like outdoor pools, beautiful sports fields, or brand-new gyms. Here’s a look at some of Cambridge’s colleges with top-notch sports facilities!
Christ’s College
Mostly famous for academics, Christ’s also stands out as a great spot for sporty students thanks to its wide range of facilities. It has both an in-college gym and one at its boathouse, plus a squash court on campus and shared sporting grounds with St Catharine’s College. The highlight? Their stunning seventeenth-century outdoor swimming pool tucked away among greenery-it looks like something straight from a film set! And it’s tradition for Christ’s students to take full advantage after exams.
Churchill College
With 42 acres of space, Churchill offers loads of green areas that get put to good use by sport lovers. Having basketball hoops, tennis courts and rugby pitches right on campus is super convenient if you’re at Churchill. Plus there’s a well-equipped gym and even two dance studios-that makes it one of the easiest places at Cambridge for keeping active.
Emmanuel College
A bit like Christ’s, Emmanuel boasts an 18th-century outdoor pool as its star feature. Students also get access to squash courts, table tennis tables and a gym all inside college grounds. On top of that, they have their own nice sports field on Wilberforce Road just for them. And in summer you might even find croquet matches happening in college!
Girton College
Often called Cambridge’s most remote college, Girton makes up for that by having fantastic sports facilities onsite. Like Churchill, it offers several outdoor courts and pitches used during student matches along with fully equipped gym gear and a squash court. But what really sets it apart is their heated indoor swimming pool – definitely a luxury not every college has.
Homerton College
Another one far from downtown but packed with great stuff is Homerton. Their gym stays open 24 hours and is easily one of the best around university-wide; plus their big Hills Road grounds give students plenty of space just outside their rooms for playing sports whenever they want. They’ve also teamed up recently with St Mary’s School nearby to build an impressive sports ground on Long Road featuring everything from high jump pits to two floodlit Astroturf pitches.
Jesus College
No surprise here given its reputation as ‘the sporty’ college – Jesus offers excellent on-site facilities including multiple hard courts, gyms and squash courts-and it’s close enough so students can quickly get down to the river where their boathouse sits for rowing practice (a favourite sport around here). The views during rugby games played against Jesus’ gorgeous buildings make perfect photos too.
St John’s College
The last college I’m highlighting here is one of Cambridge’s biggest-reflected clearly in how massive their sports fields are! St John’s players benefit hugely having top-quality football and hockey pitches literally across the street along with spaces for loads more activities too. These large central grounds show off how well-funded this place is-and they’re regularly winning big in Cuppers tournaments because of it.
Almost every college has somewhere you can do sport but don’t forget there are huge differences between them when it comes down to what kind of facilities each offers. Some colleges far out from central Cambridge reward their athletes with great onsite options; meanwhile others (looking at you Jesus and St John’s) have amazing pitches just minutes away from your dorms-which explains why they often dominate university competitions!
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