The Corpus Clock

A Modern Marvel in Historic Cambridge

Tucked into the bustling junction of Trumpington Street and Bene’t Street, the Corpus Clock stands as a bold, contemporary counterpoint to Cambridge’s centuries‑old stone buildings. Installed on the outside wall of the Taylor Library at Corpus Christi College, this 1.5‑metre‑diameter, 24‑carat gold‑plated disc is not a traditional clock, but a sculptural timepiece that challenges how we perceive time. Conceived and funded by alumnus and horologist John C. Taylor, it was unveiled in 2008 by physicist Stephen Hawking and quickly became one of the city’s most talked‑about modern landmarks. Its gleaming surface, ripples evoking the Big Bang, and eerie mechanical creature make it a magnet for both casual passers‑by and those drawn to art, science, and philosophy.

The Chronophage: Time’s Relentless Eater

The clock’s most unforgettable feature is the Chronophage, a metallic, grasshopper‑like creature perched on top whose name means “time‑eater” in Greek. With spiky legs and a gaping mouth, it appears to devour each second as the clock ticks, a visceral reminder of time’s passage. Its movements are deliberately unnerving: the mouth opens and closes, and the creature seems to crawl around the rim, embodying the idea that time is not smooth and predictable, but uneven and inescapable. Below the clock, a Latin inscription from the Vulgate – mundus transit et concupiscentia eius – reminds viewers that “the world passeth away, and the lust thereof,” adding a layer of existential reflection to this public artwork.

How the Clock Tells Time

Unlike conventional clocks, the Corpus Clock has no hands or digital numbers. Instead, time is displayed through three concentric rings of blue LED lights that illuminate slits in the gold face: the innermost ring shows hours, the middle ring minutes, and the outermost ring seconds. The clock is designed to run slightly erratically, speeding up and slowing down before resetting every five minutes, symbolizing how time feels faster in joy and slower in hardship. Entirely mechanical at its core, it uses a unique grasshopper escapement and only a small electric motor to power the LEDs, blending cutting‑edge engineering with artistic symbolism.

Art, Science, and Hidden Tricks

The Corpus Clock is more than a timekeeper; it is a work of art and a philosophical statement about mortality and invention. Taylor, a Cambridge alumnus and inventor, spent years and around £1 million creating this piece to mark the 500th anniversary of Corpus Christi College. The clock is said to perform 50 programmed “tricks,” including special light patterns and even reversing time, with unique displays on occasions like John Harrison’s birthday, New Year’s Day, and Corpus Christi Day. It also automatically adjusts for British Summer Time, seamlessly integrating modern timekeeping into its dramatic, theatrical form.

Visiting the Clock in the City

Because the Corpus Clock is mounted at street level on a busy junction overlooking King’s Parade, it is freely accessible 24 hours a day, making it easy to visit at any time. It sits in a lively urban setting, framed by historic college buildings and cobbled streets, creating a striking contrast between old and new. Crowds often gather to watch the Chronophage and photograph the gleaming face, especially in the evening when the blue LEDs stand out against the dark. While the clock itself is always visible, the surrounding area offers a rich Cambridge experience, with nearby colleges, shops, and riverside walks, making it a natural stop on any city tour.