Jesus Lane
An ancient route to a medieval nunnery, now lined with colleges, theological houses and a Victorian church.
Jesus Lane is an ancient route. It was formerly Nunnes Lane, since it gave access to the medieval nunnery dedicated to St Mary and St Radegund, whose site later became Jesus College. The college stands on the north side of the lane and gives the street its present name. At the western end, Sidney Sussex College fronts onto Sidney Street on the south side, and the lane begins at the junction with Bridge Street. At the eastern end a roundabout links in King Street, and the route runs on out of the city by way of Maid's Causeway and Newmarket Road.
Along the lane
The lane has several religious houses. Two theological colleges face each other across the road: Methodist Wesley House to the north and the Anglican Westcott House to the south. A Quaker meeting house was established on land given by Anne Docwra in 1700. All Saints church, by G. F. Bodley, constructed in 1863–70, now stands here; it replaced the medieval All Saints Jewry in St John's Street, which was taken down in 1865. It is often counted as one of the best examples of a Victorian church in the area.
Little Trinity, on the lane, is often counted among the best domestic buildings in Cambridge. At 7a is the University Pitt Club, in a neoclassical building that began as Victorian Roman Baths designed by Matthew Digby Wyatt in 1863.
Where it leads
Park Street, near the western end, is the home of the ADC Theatre. North of the lane, Victoria Avenue runs between Jesus Green and Midsummer Common. To the south, Short Street leads quickly to Emmanuel Road and Christ's Pieces.
Historical names: Nunnes Lane
Sources: Wikipedia: Jesus Lane · Wikidata: Jesus Lane (Q6188196)