Church of St Mary the Great, Anglican church in Market Square, Cambridge, England
The Church of St Mary the Great is an Anglican place of worship on Market Square in central Cambridge. Its tower of pale stone rises above the market stalls and surrounding streets with Gothic pointed arches and tall windows.
Construction began in 1478 under Edward IV and continued until 1519 during the reign of Henry VIII. During this period the church grew into the central place of worship for both university and town.
The bells here first played the Westminster Quarters melody before Big Ben adopted it. They still ring out across the market square today, marking the hours for students and visitors alike.
The tower is reached by a narrow spiral staircase with more than a hundred steps. At the top, the platform offers wide views over the colleges and city center all around.
This church marks the zero point from which all distances in Cambridge are measured. It also once determined the residence limits for university members within the town.
Location: Cambridge
Inception: 14 century
Website: http://gsm.cam.ac.uk
GPS coordinates: 52.20530,0.11820
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:31
Senate House
56 m
Church of St Michael
78 m
Fence And Gates At The Church Of St Mary The Great
19 m
Gonville And Caius College, The North And East Ranges Of Tree Court And South Wall
80 m
3 St Mary's Passage
33 m
Market Hill Buildings (St Michael's Court), Gonville And Caius College
58 m
17, King's Parade
60 m
Three Telephone Kiosks
32 m
16, King's Parade
66 m
1, Trinity Street
32 m
15A And 16, St Edward's Passage
49 m
4,5 And 6, Trinity Street
58 m
Railings And Gates Round The Senate House
36 m
27 And 28, Market Hill
35 m
8, St Edward's Passage
87 m
Urn On Senate House Lawn
53 m
12-15, St Edward's Passage
65 m
2 Lamp Posts In Senate House Passage At The Entrance To The Old Schools
88 m
1, St Mary's Passage
35 m
13, King's Parade
81 m
9, St Edward's Passage
87 m
18-21, King's Parade
48 m
14, King's Parade
76 m
15, King's Parade
71 m
3, Trinity Street
46 m
2 Trinity Street
38 m
Market Place paving and two sets of iron railings
61 m
22, King's Parade
36 mReviews
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