Delegate Experience

The Women's Art Collection

The Women's Art Collection at Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge is the largest collection of art by women in Europe. Items from the collection are found all throughout the college's buildings and we welcome and encourage guests, delegates, and members of the public to explore and enjoy the pieces. A self-guided tour is available, with a digital guide available online. 

Guided Tours

Alternatively, we offer guided art tours run by a member of the Curatorial team - a perfect additional experience for your delegates.*

_{*Subject to availability, group size, and a supplementary charge}

Art Café

Our beautiful Art Café is adorned with pieces from The Women's Art Collection and looks out (and has access to) our flagship outdoor space, Fountain Court. 

The Café is open daily to all between 08:30-17:00 and serves a range of hot and cold beverages, snacks and lunch options. Our friendly Head Barista Patrick and the rest of the team look forward to serving you. 

Please note that the Art Café, along with the rest of the college, is cashless. 

College Gardens, Courts and Lawns

We encourage all visitors to explore our outdoor spaces - including walking on the grass (forbidden by many Cambridge Colleges). Our gardening team work hard to create a beautiful environment across the site which changes with the seasons. Notable areas include:

• Emma Darwin's greenhouse
• Orchard Court - our largest outdoor space
• Wildflower beds by Canning and Eliza accommodation
• Fellows' Garden and its pergola and pond
• Various potted plants by the Porters' Lodge entrance

Guided Tours

We also offer guided tours of the gardens by a member of the team.* Learn more about what is sprouting, budding and blooming with a behind-the-scenes look inside the college's greenhouses and polytunnel. 

_{*Subject to availability, group size, and a supplementary charge}

College Architecture and History

Murray Edwards College was founded as ‘New Hall’ in 1954, six years after the University began awarding women degrees. We opened our doors to just 16 students in that first year, who resided in temporary accommodation while funds continued to be raised for a permanent home. This came in 1965, with the opening of our current buildings which were designed by Chamberlain, Powell and Bonn - the same architects who later designed the Barbican Centre in London.

Alumna you may have heard of include: Sue Perkins, Mishal Husain, Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Tilda Swinton, Claudia Winkleman and Dame Barbara Stocking.

From an events perspective, we feel The Cambridge Meeting Space at Murray Edwards College provides the perfect backdrop for events for women or with women at their heart. However, our venue is open to everybody and there are always plenty of men on campus, from staff to fellows and students, so everybody will feel at home.