The Cambridge Union Society

The Cambridge Union Society is the world’s oldest debating society. Founded in 1815, the Society hosts events for its members, made up of students and alumni of the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University. 

Across the years the Union has hosted a range of famous faces and events. From President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill to Robert De Niro and Dua Lipa.  

The Union is run by a student committee led by the President. Famous ex-Presidents include Arianna Huffington and John Maynard Keynes. The Union also has a notable and eclectic list of members including Stephen Fry, Robert Oppenheimer, and H.M. King Charles III. 

The Union is perhaps best known for its Thursday night debates, where members and invited speakers propose and oppose a motion brought “before the house” in a similar way to the House of Commons. 

Whilst associated with the University, the Union is an entirely separate entity and an educational charity active in 18 countries around the world, encouraging debate and free speech primarily through debating competitions. The charity is also active in schools in the UK with particular attention to underprivileged areas.  

100% of profits from The Orator and our Conferences & Events business go to the Union to help with the delivery of its charitable aims and for the upkeep of this stunning Grade II listed building. 

When it all started… 

Cambridge University was founded in the year 1209 by scholars from Oxford who had found their work restricted there. Cambridge gained a reputation for its progressive thinking and research academics. We perhaps take freedom of speech for granted today but it was not a right in England until 1720, and then only for MPs in Parliament. Students at Cambridge took an avid interest in its development and formed societies to promote the idea of free expression. 

In 1799 Napoleon rose to power in France after the French revolution ended, sparking fears that a similar revolution could take place in Britain.  

The Government asked universities to restrict discussions on politics to try and keep control of the situation.  

 In Cambridge, this was taken badly and caused an increase in students meeting to discuss politics. Between 1799 and 1815, these student groups grew in popularity and became a considerable cause for concern by the University. In 1815 the societies agreed to join together in a union and the Cambridge Union was founded, with a focus on promoting free speech in Cambridge and increasing pressure on the authorities.  

 Following the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo later in 1815, the government was less concerned by a revolution in Britain and took little interest in the newly formed Cambridge Union Society, but the University authorities were outraged and felt very uncomfortable about this popular pressure group meeting in University property. In March 1817 the University interrupted a Union meeting on the pretext it was too rowdy, and banned the Society from the University, forcing it to seek accommodation elsewhere in Cambridge.  

 Over the next 20 years the Union continued to grow; however, it struggled to find places that were large enough to meet as the University would not allow them to use any of their buildings. The society decided to raise money to buy a property and a pub, called The Hoops (which was behind the round Church on Bridge Street), which was purchased around 1840. Further money was raised, and the pub was demolished to make way for a purpose-built club house which was completed in 1866. 

 A small gallery was created just outside of The Orator’s main entrance to tell the story of the Union. Whilst the main building is regularly closed to visitors, the gallery is accessible to everyone during the restaurant’s opening hours.

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Accessibility Facilities

• Assistance dogs welcome
• wheelchair access