Lucy Cavendish

Founded 1965 by the Society of Women Members of the Regent House who are not Fellows of Colleges as the Lucy Cavendish Collegiate Society.
Sister College – None.
Mature Women only – Undergraduates 150 Postgraduates 220.
Lucy Cavendish is a feisty little college that has carved itself a unique and important place within the university. ‘Lucy’, as it is affectionately known, has never enjoyed anything but very modest resources, but makes up for this with a focused tenacity and a relentless devotion to the cause. That cause is the education of mature women (over 21) who may have felt that an academic opportunity, at the highest level, had passed them by. Women wishing to study for their first, or second degree at a time suiting their life path, are encouraged to apply, as long as they can demonstrate potential, coupled with high intellectual ability.
Today, Lucy educates 220 postgraduates and 150 undergraduates, all are female and all are from the state sector. Many will have chosen a career, marriage and children before taking the plunge. The college is situated to the north west of the city centre in a surprisingly large site secreted away between Madingley Road and Lady Margaret Road, about a ten-minute walk from the market square.

Radical roots
Lucy has its roots in the 1950’s, when a group of radical women organised regular meetings to offer each other intellectual stimulation and a chance to explore new ideas that might enable women to reach their academic potential. They called themselves the ‘Society of Women Members of the Regent House who are not Fellows of Colleges,’ a title that was intended to be a battle cry. As most of their meetings were conducted around a meal, they became known as the ‘Dining Group’.
In 1954 the ...

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...carefully matched to the scale and texture of the existing fabric, adding interesting low key, slightly cubist, modern touches.

American support
The appeal of the Lucy Cavendish mission captivated two American artists following an article in the New York Times. Painter Mai-mai and costume designer Irene Sharaff expressed a desire to support the work and suggested that they would like to build a pavilion for music and meditation. Their generous donation resulted in the Music Pavillion being constructed in the gardens in 1994.
Lucy provides comfortable accommodation in a realaxed, tolerant and supportive environment. Some students complain that the lack of men and entertainment facilities make the college a little dull and visit neighbours for a more vibrant social life. (Wolfson bops attract many a Lucy reveller.) However, peace and quite to many members is paradise.