Cambridge Nightclimbing – Hederatus

Title: Cambridge Nightclimbing

Author: Hederatus

Publisher: Chatto & Windus

Edition & Year: 1970 Edition

Pages & Size: 95 pages · Hardcover · 5.5 in × 8 in

Step into the mischievous heart of Cambridge University with Hederatus’s Cambridge Nightclimbing, a slender yet captivating hardcover first released in 1970 by Chatto & Windus. Spanning 95 pages, this delightful volume documents the whimsical world of “nightclimbers,” students who scaled the walls, spires, and rooftops of the ancient colleges under cover of darkness.

Written under a pseudonym, the book fuses anecdote, practical guidance, and affectionate satire, inviting readers to relive an eccentric tradition that combined athleticism, ingenuity, and an irrepressible sense of adventure. Alongside vivid descriptions of climbs and daring escapades, Hederatus offers humorous commentary on the culture and characters of the university, capturing the essence of Cambridge’s spirited youth.

Collectors and enthusiasts will appreciate this edition for its:

• Unique Cultural Focus: An authentic record of an underground sport that thrived in mid-20th-century Cambridge.

• Blend of Humor & History: A lively narrative enriched with sly observations about student camaraderie and academic life.

• Compact Design: A conveniently sized 5.5 × 8 in hardcover, perfect for personal libraries or as a conversational showpiece.

Whether you’re fascinated by British academic history, curious about university folklore, or drawn to books celebrating unconventional pastimes, Cambridge Nightclimbing stands out as a rare and entertaining title that preserves the spirit of one of England’s most storied institutions.

• Entertaining account of the clandestine sport of night climbing at Cambridge

• Written with wit and authenticity under the pen name “Hederatus”

• First published by Chatto & Windus, 1970 edition

• 95 pages in a sturdy hardcover format (5.5 × 8 in)

• A collectible slice of student history and architectural adventure