Chichele College: the remains of the medieval college of Higham Ferrers

Chichele College survives today as architectural fragments spread across a defined site, featuring a gatehouse, chapel, and residential structures displaying Gothic details and crafted stonework. The layout reveals how different buildings once stood in relationship to each other, creating a complete medieval institutional complex.

Henry Chichele founded this educational institution in 1422 when he held significant church authority, intending it to prepare future clergy for leadership roles. The college operated as a training center for centuries before being abandoned and eventually becoming the archaeological remains visible today.

The chapel serves as a venue for art exhibitions and community events today, keeping the medieval building actively connected to local life. Visitors experience how this space continues to gather people around shared interests in heritage and creativity.

The site can be visited during opening hours and features gravel paths and mown grass areas that make walking the grounds straightforward. Wear suitable footwear since surfaces may be uneven, particularly after wet weather, and allow time to explore the various building remains.

The gardens have been recently redesigned to replicate a medieval Cloister Garth through community fundraising efforts and public funding support. This reconstruction gives visitors a sense of how the outdoor spaces might have looked originally, though it represents a modern interpretation based on historical knowledge.

Location: Higham Ferrers

Website: https://english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/chichele-college

GPS coordinates: 52.30760,-0.59354

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:40