Cambridge Corpus Clock Guide & Reviews (2026)
The Corpus Clock, nicknamed the Chronophage, is one of Cambridge’s quirkiest photo stops. Mounted at street level outside the Taylor Library at Corpus Christi College, it tells the time with glowing blue LED rings instead of hands, while a time-eating creature appears to chew through each minute. Knowing the exact location, the best time to visit, and where to find sensible Cambridge parking makes this a quick, stress-free stop in the city centre.
Corpus Clock at a Glance
Essential visit information
Time Needed
10 - 20 Minutes
Unveiled
2008
Best For
Quirky Art & Photos
Corpus Clock Address & Location
Getting here
Address & Navigation
The Corpus Clock sits right in central Cambridge on the corner of Bene't Street and Trumpington Street, close to King’s Parade and The Eagle pub. For sat nav, use CB2 1RH.
58 Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RH
Venue enquiries: +44 1223 338000
A Brief History of the Corpus Clock
Cambridge’s most unsettling timepiece
A Clock With No Hands
The Corpus Clock is a sculptural clockface, plated in gold, that tells the time using concentric rings of blue LEDs. The rippled dial and odd behaviour are meant to make you think about how strangely time can feel.
Meet the Chronophage
Perched on top is the Chronophage, a time-eating creature that appears to step around the mechanism. It is deliberately designed to feel a little unsettling, like time is not entirely on your side.
Unveiled in 2008
Conceived and funded by Dr John C Taylor, the clock was officially unveiled to the public in 2008 by Professor Stephen Hawking, becoming a modern Cambridge landmark almost overnight.
Is the Corpus Clock Expensive?
Trav's Wallet Score
TRAV’S WALLET SCORE:
(Note: For the 'How Expensive' rating, the lower the number, the cheaper it is!)
Squawk! This one is a gift to your budget: you can see the Corpus Clock for free from the street. The only real costs are getting into the city centre and parking, so consider Park and Ride if you are driving.
Pricing & Entry
What you will pay
Typical Entry Costs
The Corpus Clock is outdoors and designed as public art, so you can view it from the pavement without a ticket. It is a quick stop, but it is worth lingering for a minute to watch the mechanism move.
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Budget Tips
Ways to keep your Cambridge day out cheap
Make It a Free Stop
Because the clock is outside, it is easy to weave into a walking route without spending anything. Perfect for a quick photo and a short pause.
Pair With Free Museums
If you want more culture after the clock, Cambridge has excellent options that do not require a ticket, including major museums that are typically free to enter.
Use Park and Ride
Driving into the centre can be pricey and slow. Park and Ride is often the cheapest way to avoid city-centre car parks and traffic restrictions.
Who Should Visit?
Is it right for your itinerary?
WHO WILL LOVE IT
WHO MIGHT HATE IT
Visiting With Kids
Is the clock family-friendly?
Monster Spotting
The Chronophage is basically made for kids. Ask them what animal it looks like and see if they can spot the mouth opening and closing.
LED Time Game
Turn it into a challenge: can they work out the hours, minutes, and seconds from the glowing rings before you tell them the time on your phone?
Keep It Short
This is an ideal low-effort stop with children because it is outdoors, free, and easy to enjoy in 10 minutes before moving on.
What to Look For
Small details that make it special
The Gold Dial
The rippled, gold-plated face is designed to look like a distorted surface, making the time display feel slightly unreal and dramatic.
The Blue Rings
Instead of hands, the clock uses three rings of blue LEDs for hours, minutes, and seconds. After dark, the effect is much easier to see.
The Chronophage
Watch closely: the creature appears to step around the mechanism, and the mouth opens at the half-minute before snapping shut as the minute ends.
Peak Crowd Heatmap
When to expect the biggest clusters of visitors
🟢 Early Mornings
Best for photos. Before the city centre fully wakes up, you can usually get a clear shot without people standing right in front of the dial.
🔴 Lunchtime and Weekends
Busiest period. Midday tends to bring walking tours and day-trippers, so expect short waits if you want a clean video of the mouth snapping shut.
🟡 After Dark
Great atmosphere. It can still be popular, but the blue LEDs look more dramatic, and photos feel a bit more cinematic.
Trav’s Insider Hack: Time Your Video
“Squawk! If you want the best clip, start filming at about :25 past the minute. The mouth opens at :30 and snaps shut as the minute ends. After dark, the blue LEDs are much easier to capture too!”
How Close Is It? (Distance Matrix)
Walking times from major landmarks
🛍️ Cambridge Market Square
🚶 About 5 mins
(A simple walk through the historic core)
⛪ King’s College Chapel
🚶 About 7 mins
(Straight along King’s Parade towards the river)
🏛️ Fitzwilliam Museum
🚶 About 10 mins
(A pleasant stroll down Trumpington Street)
Best Areas to Stay Near the Corpus Clock
Top neighbourhoods for easy access
City Centre
Perfect if you want to be able to walk everywhere, including the colleges, museums, and riverside paths, without worrying about transport.
Station Area (CB1)
Great for train arrivals and modern hotels. You can walk in around 20 to 25 minutes, or take a quick bus or taxi into the centre.
Newnham
A quieter, greener area near the river and colleges, ideal if you want a calm base while staying close to the historic centre.
Cambridge Parking Information
Where to leave your car
Nearest Car Parks (Postcodes)
Central Cambridge has traffic restrictions and can get congested. If you do drive, these council-run options are popular for city-centre visits:
If you are visiting at peak times, Park and Ride is often the least stressful choice compared with hunting for city-centre spaces.
Other Attractions Near Corpus Clock
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Traveller Reviews
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Quick answers for your visit
