The Corpus Clock, Cambridge Travel Guide

The Corpus Clock displays time through a gold-plated disc with backlit slits rather than conventional hands. A large grasshopper-like sculpture called the Chronophage crawls across the face and appears to eat time. The mechanism includes the world's largest grasshopper escapement and runs irregularly to reflect the unpredictable nature of time. Six patented inventions are incorporated into the design.

Corpus Christi College alumnus John C. Taylor conceived, designed, and funded the clock as a gift to the college. It was built by Huxley Bertram with contributions from sculptors and engineers. The piece pays homage to 18th-century clockmaker John Harrison. It was unveiled on 19 September 2008 on the facade of the Taylor Library, a former 1866 bank building that the college redeveloped after the lease ended in 2005.

The clock is mounted at street level on the Taylor Library at the corner of Bene't Street and Trumpington Street, facing King's Parade. The compact sculpture sits against Victorian Gothic architecture in the dense historic core of Cambridge, surrounded by college buildings, shops, and pedestrian streets. The gold disc and LEDs remain visible day and night.

Most visits last between two and fifteen minutes. People stop on the pavement to observe the Chronophage movement, watch the LED time display, and listen to mechanical chain and coffin sounds that occur hourly. Photography is common. The atmosphere combines the busy street life of tourists, students, and locals with the clock's distinctive mechanical presence.

The site lies within a short walk of King's College, Market Square, and Great St Mary's Church. Walking is the primary approach, with cycling also practical. Nearby bus stops serve the area. Driving and parking are difficult in the congested centre, so park-and-ride facilities are commonly used by those arriving by car. The pavement location offers generally flat access.

No dedicated facilities exist at the clock itself. Nearby city-centre shops, cafes, and public restrooms provide basic services. The installation operates year-round with no closures. Weather does not affect visibility but influences how long visitors remain outdoors.