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  "editorialMarkdown": "Central-S · Founded 1800\n\n## Downing College\n\nThe purest neo-classical ensemble in Cambridge, laid out as open parkland rather than enclosed courts, and often called the oldest of the new colleges and the newest of the old.\n\n[Official site](<https://www.dow.cam.ac.uk/>)\n\nFounded  1800\n\nWhere  Central-S\n\nAccess  Check before visiting\n\nType  College\n\nThe college\n\n### A closer\n*look.*\n\nCentral-s — Regent Street\n\n**Founded 1800.** Founded by Royal Charter in 1800 under the 1717 will of Sir George Downing, 3rd Baronet, after thirty-six years of litigation over his estate, making it the only college added to the university between 1596 and 1869.\n\nWilliam Wilkins's Greek Revival ranges of 1807–1820, built in pale Ketton stone, frame the broad lawns of the Domus, giving the college the feel of a neo-classical campus; twentieth-century classicists Sir Herbert Baker and Quinlan Terry continue the idiom, including Terry's Maitland Robinson Library of 1993.\n\nNearby on foot · Central-S **Find Downing College and the closest colleges.**\n\nExplore around Downing College\n\n The map will load when you reach it.\n\n52.2006°N, 0.1238°W [Get directions](<https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=52.20062,0.12384>)\n\nOn the same walk\n\n### Closest to\n*this one.*\n\n[4 min walk **Emmanuel College** Central-S](<https://above.guide/cambridge/colleges/emmanuel>)[4 min walk **Pembroke College** Central](<https://above.guide/cambridge/colleges/pembroke>)[5 min walk **Peterhouse** Central](<https://above.guide/cambridge/colleges/peterhouse>)[6 min walk **Corpus Christi College** Central](<https://above.guide/cambridge/colleges/corpus-christi>)\n\nOn a visit\n\n### Don’t *miss.*\n\n1. 01  William Wilkins's Greek Revival East and West Ranges\n2. 02  The great lawn of the Domus\n3. 03  The neo-classical Chapel completed in 1953\n4. 04  Quinlan Terry's Maitland Robinson Library\n5. 05  The Heong Gallery in converted Edwardian stables\n\nConnected to\n\n### Notable\n*names.*\n\n- F. R. Leavis (literary critic and Fellow)\n- John Cleese (comedian and actor)\n- Quentin Blake (illustrator)\n- Trevor Nunn (theatre director)\n- Thandiwe Newton (actress)\n- Mike Atherton (England cricket captain)\n\nBefore you go\n\n#### Visiting Downing College\n\nThe college states that the Howard Gate is normally open to the public from 10.30am to 4.30pm daily, but that it may be locked at times and there is no public right of way through the grounds, so access cannot be assumed; current arrangements are set out on the college website.\n\nOpening hours, admission and access change often — check the [official site](<https://www.dow.cam.ac.uk/>) before you travel.\n\nFounded\n\n1800\n\nArea\n\nCentral-s — Regent Street\n\nType\n\nCollege\n\nBefore you visit\n\n### Check hours, tickets and access.\n\nCheck opening hours, admission prices and access with the venue before setting off.\n\nUpdated\n\nDate unavailable\n\nBy\n\n[Above Guide Editorial Team](<https://above.guide/cambridge/about#editorial-team>)\n\nUseful links\n\n- [Official site dow.cam.ac.uk ↗](<https://www.dow.cam.ac.uk/>)\n- [Reference identity en.wikipedia.org ↗](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downing_College,_Cambridge>)\n\n[Report a correction](<https://above.guide/cambridge/corrections>)\n\nKeep exploring\n\n### Where to\n*next.*\n\n[All colleges](<https://above.guide/cambridge/explore>)[Neighbourhoods](<https://above.guide/cambridge/neighbourhoods>)[Things to Do](<https://above.guide/cambridge/things-to-do>)"
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