Submitted by Timea Walker on Fri, 19/04/2024 - 16:41

Undergraduate Colleges Guide

Parker's Piece and Hills Road

Student Admissions and Access

This article is the second in our six-part series helping you to learn more about the 29 Colleges available to Cambridge undergraduate students. This series is focusing on the areas in which the Colleges are located. However, there are other factors to consider when deciding on a College. Please read our full advice here.

Parker’s Piece is a large square public park towards the south-east of Cambridge city centre. It is a popular place for people to relax and play sports games. It also hosts occasional fairs and markets. 

Near to Parker’s Piece, you’ll find 3 of our Colleges, as well as another College further along Hills Road (one of the main roads that runs alongside the park).   

These Colleges are:

  • Downing College
  • Emmanuel College
  • Homerton College
  • Hughes Hall

Most students live in College for all their years at Cambridge so it’s a good idea to learn more about the area of the city which you may end up calling home. 

About the area

Colleges near Parker’s Piece and Hills Road are within easy reach of the city centre as well as various University departments and facilities.  

Nearby University facilities

These Colleges are nearby to the following University areas:

  • Grange Road for the University Library and Sidgwick Site (including the Faculties of Law, English, Economics and more) 
  • Locations in the city centre, such as the Downing Site (home to departments of Earth Sciences, Psychology, and Genetics) and New Museums Site for the Student Services Centre (SSC) 

Getting around

There are bus stops close to all of the Colleges that can take you into the city centre and further afield. Walking and cycling are both popular options. 

We’ve included some approximate travel times below.  

City Centre 

  • Walking:  Parker's Piece, 5-10 mins. Homerton, 30 mins. 
  • Cycling: Parker's Piece, 5 mins. Homerton, 12 mins. 
  • Bus: Parker’s Piece, 10 mins. Homerton, 20 mins. 

Train station 

  • Walking:  Parker's Piece, 20 mins. Homerton, 14 mins. 
  • Cycling: Parker's Piece, 6 mins. Homerton, 5 mins. 
  • Bus: Parker’s Piece, 10 mins. Homerton, 8 mins. 

University Library and Sidgwick Site

  • Walking:  Parker's Piece, 21 mins. Homerton, 44 mins. 
  • Cycling: Parker's Piece, 5 mins. Homerton, 12 mins. 
  • Bus: Parker’s Piece, 15 mins. Homerton, 25 mins. 

Cambridge is a small city that is easy to navigate on foot, by bike, or on public transport. You’ll never be a long journey away from any part of the city whichever College you become part of. 

Local amenities

Colleges in this area are all close to shops and bars. They are also the Colleges closest to the main train station.  

Highlights in the area include: 

Downing College

Hidden away from the hustle and bustle of Hills Road, you’ll find the spacious grounds of Downing College. The College is very neatly arranged with a wide lawn surrounded by neo-classical columned buildings.  

Even though it was founded in 1800, Downing is still considered a ‘new’ College by Cambridge standards. At the time it was the first College founded in over 200 years. 

With a diverse and close-knit community of students, Downing College provides everything you need to live and study at Cambridge.

Key facts

Year founded

1800

Population size

Approx. 905

Courses available

All courses

Percentage of en suite rooms

51%

Did you know?

The architect who designed Downing College, William Wilkins, also designed the National Gallery in London.

Want to explore further?

Visit the College's webpage

Emmanuel College

Emmanuel College is one of the first Colleges you’ll get to when you travel to the city centre from the train station. 

Fondly referred to as ‘Emma’ by students and staff alike, the College provides a peaceful escape from the busy streets surrounding it.   

Accommodation at Emmanuel is arranged around a network of historic ‘courts’ (an open square surrounded by buildings). There are several courts across the College, with buildings from different centuries. 

Key facts

Year founded

1584

Population size

Approx. 730

Courses available

All courses except Land Economy

Percentage of en suite rooms

22%

Did you know?

Emmanuel College has a large fish pond, complete with resident ducks, in its grounds. 

Want to explore further?

Visit the College's webpage

Homerton College

Founded in London in 1768, Homerton was established in Cambridge in 1894 and gained full College status in 2010. Even though it is Cambridge's newest College it has decades of history as part of the University. 

Based in the south of the city on Hills Road, the College is well situated for the train station and Addenbrookes Hospital, with easy routes into the city centre. 

With a large student population, spacious grounds, and a welcoming and diverse community, Homerton is a great College to join. 

Key facts

Year founded

1768 (given full College status in 2010)

Population size

Approx. 1330

Courses available

All courses

Percentage of en suite rooms

89%

Did you know?

The College gets its name from the Homerton area of London, where the institution was originally established.

Want to explore further?

Visit the College's webpage

Hughes Hall

Hughes Hall is nestled between the vibrant Mill Road area and the University Cricket Ground. The College’s friendly community welcomes applications from students aged 21 and over.   

Although the College was founded in Victorian times, Hughes Hall is proud of its progressive and modern outlook which is reflected in its diverse community of students from across the globe.   

The College has a large postgraduate population, with a smaller number of undergraduates. 

Key facts

Year founded

1885

Population size

Approx. 930

Courses available

All courses except Medicine (other than the Graduate Course) and Veterinary Medicine

Percentage of en suite rooms

61%

Did you know?

Hughes Hall was originally a women-only College, before it started enrolling male students in 1973.

Want to explore further?

Visit the College's webpage

The information in this article is correct at the time of publishing. Please check our website for the most up-to-date information.

Last reviewed: March 2025

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