St. John's College was founded in 1511 by Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII. A richly ornamented gateway opens into First Court, a fine example of Tudor architecture.
The dining hall of 1519, known simply as "The Hall," was enlarged with later buildings in 1826 and has an excellent hammerbeam roof, beautiful paneling, and some fine portraits.
The Combination Room has a splendid plaster ceiling with festoons of vines. Second Court, built in 1602, is exceptionally attractive with its mellow brickwork, while Third Court includes the Library (1624).
