Newton's apple tree
Newton's apple tree grows on the lawn beside the main entrance to Trinity College on Trinity Street, Cambridge. It was grafted from the tree at Woolsthorpe Manor, Isaac Newton's childhood home, which is linked to the famous story of the falling apple. You can see it from the street at any time, free.
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The story
Newton was a student and later a fellow at Trinity, and the college planted this tree in 1954 to mark his connection with the university. It is a Flower of Kent, an old cooking apple variety, propagated from the original tree in Lincolnshire, which is now looked after by the National Trust. It is a living link to one of the best-known moments in the history of science.
Seeing it
The tree stands on a small patch of grass outside the Great Gate, so there is nothing to book and no fee. Visitors are not allowed onto the lawn, but the tree is easy to photograph from the pavement. In late summer and autumn you may spot fruit on the branches.
Nearby
Pair it with a look at Trinity's Great Gate, with its statue of Henry VIII, directly behind. The Round Church is a few minutes' walk north along Bridge Street, and the restaurants of Trinity Street and St John's Street are on the doorstep, so it fits easily into any walk through the city centre. It takes only a few minutes to see, which makes it a good stop on a self-guided walking tour or a family visit, and children who have learned the gravity story at school often enjoy finding it.
Highlights
- Grafted from the Woolsthorpe Manor tree
- Planted at Trinity College in 1954
- Flower of Kent apple variety
- Free to view from Trinity Street
Good to know
- Visible from the street at all times, free of charge.
- Visitors cannot walk on the lawn around the tree.
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: atlasobscura.com