This film is part of Free

College Scenes

Cambridge college and boating scenes captured by a 1930s visitor.

Amateur film 1930 2 mins Silent

From the collection of:

Logo for East Anglian Film Archive

Overview

Cambridge and its colleges through the eyes of Mr Alec Paull of Colchester, visiting the town on a day out in the 1930s with his 9.5mm camera. He films leisurely punting and more energetic rowing near Trinity College bridge, The Wren Library and St John's College with its Bridge of Sighs. Then through the gates of Trinity College into the Great Court with the Fountain and Chapel, and on to view King's College from King's Parade.

The covered bridge linking the buildings of St John's College either side of the river was built 1831 and named after the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. The road and footpaths along The Backs offer a public view of the magnificent buildings of those colleges backing onto the riverside, even when the college gates are closed to visitors.