Side-by-side racing is not possible over a long distance on the narrow and winding River Cam, so the bumping races were introduced in the early 19th century as an exciting alternative.

At the start of the bumping races, crews line up, in their finishing order of the previous year, along the river with one and a half boat lengths of clear water between them. On the start signal (the firing of a cannon) they chase each other up the river. When a bump occurs (when one crew is touched by its chasing crew), they pull over to allow the other crews to continue racing. The next day, all crews involved in a bump swap places and the race is run again. After the days of racing, the aim of the top crews is to be at the “head of the river,” i.e. to lead the first division. Lower crews cannot expect to achieve this, but can win their “blades” by bumping up every day.

Although the bumps are split into divisions of 17 boats (usually seven in Lents, ten in Mays), the top boat of each lower division (apart from the first division) races at the bottom of the next division (the “sandwich boat”) and so a continuous chart can be drawn mapping the progress of all crews.

The Lent (late February/early March) bumping races are run over five days but not all divisions race each day. The May races (early June) are run over four days. The Control Desk is at Peter’s Posts, the Chesterton racing marshalling area.

More information here

Evensong during Michaelmas Term at Kings College Chapel

Michaelmas Term being Tuesday 7th Oct to Friday 5th December 2025

This is the most special thing that anyone can do when they visit Cambridge. Allowing the public to enjoy Evensong is an incredibly generous gift by the college and it must be appreciated as a privilege. There are lots of things to do in Cambridge but this should be at the top of anyone’s list. Soak up the voices of the choir under the vaulted ceiling of Kings College Chapel. Bask in the splendour and the majesty of this remarkable chapel and it’s talented members of the college.

As a visitor we recommend that you arrive at 4:55pm at the front entrance to the college on Kings Parade and then you will be at the front of the queue that will form behind you. 5pm they will let you into the college and make your way to the south door. 5:15pm you will be allowed into the chapel and be directed to a seat. 5:30pm Evensong will start.

There is no need to sing or pray but stand up when everyone else stands up and sit down when everyone else sits down.

Be respectful by dressing appropriately, not talking and not taking photographs.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DETAILED INFORMATION

Easter Term Evensong will start on Tuesday 7th October and runs nearly non-stop until Friday 5th December 2025.

*Closed Mondays’

Easter Sunday has a morning Holy Eucharist at 10:30am and a special Festival Evensong at 3:30pm

Wednesdays’ are the Kings Voices being students and choristers

Thursdays’ is Holy Eucharist

Sundays’ is Holy Eucharist at 10:30am and Evensong at 3:30pm

Evensong does not operate during Christmas but there are lots of winter concerts to enjoy. Evensong and coral services start back up again on Tuesday 20th January 2026 for the Lent Term finishing on Friday 20th March for Easter. You can always check future term dates here: https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/term-dates-and-calendars

For more detailed information about what you may bring and precisely what service is on visit: http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/events/chapel-services.html

Evensong during Michaelmas Term at Kings College Chapel

Michaelmas Term being Tuesday 7th Oct to Friday 5th December 2025

This is the most special thing that anyone can do when they visit Cambridge. Allowing the public to enjoy Evensong is an incredibly generous gift by the college and it must be appreciated as a privilege. There are lots of things to do in Cambridge but this should be at the top of anyone’s list. Soak up the voices of the choir under the vaulted ceiling of Kings College Chapel. Bask in the splendour and the majesty of this remarkable chapel and it’s talented members of the college.

As a visitor we recommend that you arrive at 4:55pm at the front entrance to the college on Kings Parade and then you will be at the front of the queue that will form behind you. 5pm they will let you into the college and make your way to the south door. 5:15pm you will be allowed into the chapel and be directed to a seat. 5:30pm Evensong will start.

There is no need to sing or pray but stand up when everyone else stands up and sit down when everyone else sits down.

Be respectful by dressing appropriately, not talking and not taking photographs.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DETAILED INFORMATION

Easter Term Evensong will start on Tuesday 7th October and runs nearly non-stop until Friday 5th December 2025.

*Closed Mondays’

Easter Sunday has a morning Holy Eucharist at 10:30am and a special Festival Evensong at 3:30pm

Wednesdays’ are the Kings Voices being students and choristers

Thursdays’ is Holy Eucharist

Sundays’ is Holy Eucharist at 10:30am and Evensong at 3:30pm

Evensong does not operate during Christmas but there are lots of winter concerts to enjoy. Evensong and coral services start back up again on Tuesday 20th January 2026 for the Lent Term finishing on Friday 20th March for Easter. You can always check future term dates here: https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/term-dates-and-calendars

For more detailed information about what you may bring and precisely what service is on visit: http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/events/chapel-services.html

Evensong during Michaelmas Term at Kings College Chapel

Michaelmas Term being Tuesday 7th Oct to Friday 5th December 2025

This is the most special thing that anyone can do when they visit Cambridge. Allowing the public to enjoy Evensong is an incredibly generous gift by the college and it must be appreciated as a privilege. There are lots of things to do in Cambridge but this should be at the top of anyone’s list. Soak up the voices of the choir under the vaulted ceiling of Kings College Chapel. Bask in the splendour and the majesty of this remarkable chapel and it’s talented members of the college.

As a visitor we recommend that you arrive at 4:55pm at the front entrance to the college on Kings Parade and then you will be at the front of the queue that will form behind you. 5pm they will let you into the college and make your way to the south door. 5:15pm you will be allowed into the chapel and be directed to a seat. 5:30pm Evensong will start.

There is no need to sing or pray but stand up when everyone else stands up and sit down when everyone else sits down.

Be respectful by dressing appropriately, not talking and not taking photographs.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DETAILED INFORMATION

Easter Term Evensong will start on Tuesday 7th October and runs nearly non-stop until Friday 5th December 2025.

*Closed Mondays’

Easter Sunday has a morning Holy Eucharist at 10:30am and a special Festival Evensong at 3:30pm

Wednesdays’ are the Kings Voices being students and choristers

Thursdays’ is Holy Eucharist

Sundays’ is Holy Eucharist at 10:30am and Evensong at 3:30pm

Evensong does not operate during Christmas but there are lots of winter concerts to enjoy. Evensong and coral services start back up again on Tuesday 20th January 2026 for the Lent Term finishing on Friday 20th March for Easter. You can always check future term dates here: https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/term-dates-and-calendars

For more detailed information about what you may bring and precisely what service is on visit: http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/events/chapel-services.html