The Corpus Clock
A mesmerizing gold clock with a mechanical grasshopper that appears to devour time, mounted on a historic Cambridge college wall.
The Corpus Clock, also known as the Chronophage or Grasshopper Clock, is a striking modern sculpture and timepiece mounted on the exterior of the Taylor Library at Corpus Christi College in central Cambridge. Designed by inventor John C. Taylor and unveiled in 2008 by Stephen Hawking, this 1.5‑metre gold‑plated clock has no hands; instead, time is shown by blue LED lights in three concentric rings. Atop the clock perches the Chronophage, a mechanical grasshopper that appears to devour each passing second, symbolizing time’s relentless passage. It’s a mesmerizing, slightly unsettling landmark that draws crowds day and night.
A brief summary to The Corpus Clock
- 58 Trumpington St, Cambridge, CB2 1RH, GB
- +441223338000
- Duration: 0.25 to 1 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Local tips
- Visit in the late afternoon or early evening when the blue LED lights are most visible against the darkening sky.
- Be patient when photographing; the Chronophage’s movements are subtle, and the busy junction means people often walk into the frame.
- Look for the Latin inscription below the clock – mundus transit et concupiscentia eius – and reflect on its meaning about the fleeting nature of time and desire.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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On foot
From central Cambridge, the Corpus Clock is a short, easy walk along King’s Parade or Trumpington Street. It’s located at the junction of Trumpington Street and Bene’t Street, just outside Corpus Christi College, and is clearly visible from the pavement.
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By local bus
Cambridge local buses serve stops near King’s Parade and the city centre; from there, the clock is a 5‑minute walk along Trumpington Street. Buses run frequently, but service is less frequent on evenings and weekends.
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By taxi
A taxi from Cambridge city centre or the railway station takes about 5–10 minutes to reach the Corpus Clock. The drop‑off point is on Trumpington Street, right at the junction with Bene’t Street, where the clock is clearly visible on the college wall.
The Corpus Clock location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about 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.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Magdalene Bridge
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Museum of Cambridge
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Castle Mound
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Unmissable attractions to see
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King's College, Cambridge
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Cambridge Alumni Tours
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St Catharine's College
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Corpus Christi College
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King's College Visitor Centre
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University of Cambridge Museums Shop
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King's College Chapel
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Great St Mary's
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University Museum Of Zoology
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Essential places to dine
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Market House
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Trinity Restaurant
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The Ivy Cambridge Brasserie
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Bill's Cambridge Restaurant
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Garden House
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d'Arry's Restaurant, Liquor Loft & Cheesemonger
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KIBOU Japanese Restaurant & Bar Cambridge
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Granta
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Podarok
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Ark
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Samuel Smiley
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Parade
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Iris and Violet Cambridge
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Unique
- Lively
- Quirky
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Modern Designs
- Industrial Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Art & Design
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Business Friendly
