Free Entry to Kings College Chapel
If like me you love visiting the vibrant city of Cambridge your parents or carers are probably put off taking you into some of the famous venues because they charge lot's of money..
However, one of the most iconic (really famous) views of Cambridge is Kings College, you will have been past it lots of times in your life I expect, but probably not inside, & believe me it's worth a look ...& a listen.
It’s not well publicised but it is illegal to charge people to worship in the UK and so if you attend a chapel service such as evensong it is completely free of charge. Monday to Saturday you can queue up at the front gates on Kings Parade a 4:55pm and they will allow you in to the chapel at 5:15pm and then the service starts at 5:30pm and only lasts 40mins. At no point are you asked to pray or sing a hymn. Just sit quietly and respectfully. There are two evensong services on a Sunday at 10:30am and 3:30pm so arrive 30mins before the start. (full details below)
There are no services in August and September as the choristers from Kings College Choir School are on holiday as are the students of the college. They are liable to cancel a service so check before-hand by walking past or asking the Tourist Information Centre.
Wherever my dad has been in the world since he was young, he always thinks of, & tunes into the BBC carol service from Kings which has taken place on Christmas eve & is broadcast live around the world, every year since December 1918. for a lot of people this carol service brings them a feeling of being closer to home no matter how far away the really are.
If you click the link (having had a look at the picture below, it takes you to the BBC website & you can see & hear the choir singing in this remarkable building.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0127m4j
Monday is King’s Voices (College mixed voices)
Tuesday is FULL CHOIR
Wednesday is men’s voices only
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday is FULL CHOIR
Monday to Saturday
4:55pm line up at main entrance on Kings Parade 5pm walk through to south door of chapel 5:15pm take seats in Chapel 5:30pm service begins (no need to sing or say prayers simply stand when everyone else does).
Sundays 10am line up with a 10:30am service and also a 3pm line up with a 3:30pm service
Services:-
15th January 2013 to 15th March 2013 (Lent Term)
23rd April 2013 to 16th June 2013 (Easter Term)
8th Oct to 6th December 2013 (Michaelmas Term)
14th January 2014 to 14th March 2014 (Lent Term)