Downing College, Cambridge

01/06/2026

🏉 CUPPERS PLATE WINNERS 2026 🏆

Congratulations to the Downing Rugby team on securing silverware for the second time this academic year.

Find out more about the team's triumph: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/news/cuppers-success-downing-rugby

26/05/2026

Congratulations to alumnus Hugh Mercer KC (1981), who has been appointed as the UK’s Judge on the European Court of Human Rights. 🇬🇧🇪🇺

Based in Strasbourg, the court is responsible for upholding human rights and the rule of law across 46 member states. ⚖

Find out more: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/news/heart-european-justice-hugh-mercer-kc-joins-strasbourg-court

21/05/2026

🐾 Downing was delighted to welcome some canine pals to College over the weekend! 🐶

Staff were invited to bring their dogs to a garden party at the Master's Lodge. Our four-legged friends very much enjoyed their day out at College! 🐕

Images: Michelle Stone

20/05/2026

Downing will be hosting the Howard Foundation Lecture on Tuesday 20 October 2026. 🗓

Professor Frank Salmon, alumnus and Director of Studies in History of Art, will be speaking on neoclassical architecture from Downing to Sweden and the work of Slovenian architect Josip Plečnik. 📐

Event details and booking info can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/howard-foundation-lecture-professor-frank-salmon-tickets-1985828259782?aff=oddtdtcreator

18/05/2026

Today is Commemoration Day, when we celebrate the laying of the College's foundation stone in 1807. On this day, we commemorate the generations of benefactors whose generosity has helped to make Downing the successful and vibrant place it is today.

You can discover more about our principal benefactors on the College website: https://www.dow.cam.ac.uk/about/our-benefactors

15/05/2026

The Segreants' Club will be hosting a special gathering at the Quintin Boat Club in Chiswick on Friday 25 September.

This event will provide a great opportunity to catch up with Downing friends and to see the fabulous new Boathouse on the Tideway.

For event and booking information, please visit: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/events/segreants-club-drinks-reception-chiswick

13/05/2026

Congratulations to Downing alum and Honorary Fellow, Richard Snowden (1981), who has been appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court by His Majesty the King. 👏👏

Find out more about his appointment: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/news/lord-snowden-appointed-supreme-court

12/05/2026

Downing Fellow Dr Charlotte Hammer was interviewed in The Guardian yesterday. As an infectious diseases epidemiologist, she gave her thoughts on the outbreak of Hantavirus on a luxury cruise ship.

Read more:

In today’s newsletter: ​The outbreak aboard a luxury cruise ship​ offers a stark reminder of how easily a deadly pathogen can hitch a ride across borders​, and how fragile global preparedness remains

12/05/2026

Final chance to book for the Downing Engineering Annual Dinner! 🚨

Claim your place before booking closes on Friday 15 May.

Event details here: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/events/downing-engineering-annual-dinner

11/05/2026

🦆Some feathered friends spotted waddling around Downing this morning.🦆