Queen's takes it name from the wives of Henry VI (1448) and Edward IV (1465). Queen's is often singled out for having the most picturesque court in Cambridge and is an almost untouched example of late medieval brickwork. The Cloister Court is enclosed in brick and built around 1460.

Dominating the court on the North side is the Long Gallery of the President's Lodge dating from about 1597. This is the only substantial half timbered building in Cambridge. As evocative of it's medieval past as it may be, it should be noted that the timbers were actually plaster covered until 1911.

This photo of Kings College and its Chapel is viewed from the top of Great St Mary's church tower located in the centre of Cambridge and completed in 1608. From here, great views across the city can be had.

Next to Kings Chapel can be seen these three famous buildings. The nearest is The Old Schools, immediately behind is Trinity Hall and behind that is Clare College. The tower in the distance is the University Library.

A fine example of Gothic architecture, Kings College Chapel is supreme in grandeur comparable with Chartres cathedral in France. Henry VI conceived it as an act of piety, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Began in 1446, the chapel was completed around 1516. The stained glass windows are actually the originals. The superbly carved wooden screen was a gift from Henry VIII and has Henry's initials entwined with those of Anne Boleyn - thus dating this at between 1533 and 1536 when she was executed.

Originally constructed between 1686 and 1688, the magnificent organ has been rebuilt and developed over the years. And what an organ it is. The impressive intricacy of the fan vaulting can also be seen more clearly. The Chapel is 88 meters long, 12 meters across and 24 meters high. The fan vaulting was completed between 1512 and 1515 and is the largest of its kind in the world.

The heraldic carvings are the armourial devices of the House of Tudor. Briefly, the emblems are: the Portcullis and Greyhound, badge of the Beaufort family (Lady Beaufort being the mother of Henry VII); the Tudor Rose, incorporating the red rose of the House of Lancaster and the white rose of the House of York, emphatically symbolising the Tudors' links with both Royal Houses; the Fleur de Lys reminds us that from Edward III onwards, the English Monarch was also Monarch of France (dropped by George III). The Coat of Arms is the Royal Arms of England; the Welsh Dragon representing Henry VII's father.

With the court still in medieval form, the door to the chapel is flanked by two statues. On the right is Matthew Parker, college master in 1544 and Archbishop of Canterbury for much of the reign of Elizabeth I. Mr Parker was known for for his curiousity and endless questioning eventually gave us the term 'nosy parker'.

Taking a punt (with the propulsion from a hired punter) along the Backs is a great way to while away some time though it can be hectic on a weekend and/or hot day. Two notable bridges cross the area known as the Backs. This, at Clare's college, is ornamented with decorative balls - though I can't see them - and is the oldest (1639).

The second notable bridge on the Backs is the Bridge of Sighs, built in 1831 and is named after the original in Venice although they have little architecturally in common beyond the fact that they are both covered. Incidentally, Oxford has its own Bridge of Sighs also.