St Mary's Street, Cambridge facts for kids
St Mary's Street is an old and important street in the heart of Cambridge, England. It's right in the middle of the University area. This street connects to King's Parade and Trinity Street on its west side. Many of the University's oldest colleges are found along these streets. To the east, St Mary's Street leads to Market Hill, which is where Cambridge's main Market Square is located. The street then continues as Market Street.
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Exploring St Mary's Street
St Mary's Street is a key part of Cambridge's history. It's not just a road; it's a pathway connecting important university buildings and the city's busy market. Imagine students and professors walking here for hundreds of years!
Important Buildings Nearby
Right next to St Mary's Street, you'll find some very famous places.
Great St Mary's Church
The Church of St Mary the Great is located just south of the street. This is why the street is called St Mary's Street! This church is special because it's the official church for the Cambridge University. It has been a central part of university life for centuries.
The Senate House
To the west of St Mary's Street is the University's Senate House. This grand building is where students have their graduation ceremonies. It's a very exciting place for students when they finish their studies!
St Mary's Passage
South of Great St Mary's Church, there's a walking path called St Mary's Passage. This passage also connects King's Parade and Market Hill. It's a nice, quiet path away from the main street.
The Old Schools Site
The area around St Mary's Street is part of what's called the Old Schools Site. This site includes the historic Old Schools buildings, the Senate House, and Great St Mary's Church. Both St Mary's Street and St Mary's Passage are part of this important university area. The University Proctor's Office, which helps keep order at the university, is located on the south side of St Mary's Passage.
A Historic Bookshop
At the corner of Trinity Street and St Mary's Street, there used to be a very old bookshop called Bowes & Bowes. People had been selling books from this spot since 1581! This makes it one of the oldest bookshops in the United Kingdom.
The Bowes & Bowes shop closed in 1986. Another bookshop, Sherratt & Hughes, took its place but closed in 1992. Today, this historic location is home to the Cambridge University Press bookshop. It continues the tradition of selling books in this important university area.
