The building of St. John's College is very grand, and the college also has five courtyards, among which the second courtyard built by 1589 is the most famous, and it is known as "the most beautiful Tudor courtyard in England". Legend has it that this is also the place where Britain and France signed a peace treaty in the17th century, which also contributed to the marriage of Charles I and his French queen.

The old library of the college building was established in 1624, and the funds were donated by Bishop john williams of Lincoln. The window of the library faces the Jianhe River. Of course, the most famous bridge in St. John's College is the Sigh Bridge (formerly known as the New Bridge) connecting the Third Hospital and the New Hospital. It is named after its shape is similar to the Sigh Bridge in Venice.

Since most of St John's students come from private public schools in Britain, her students are regarded as the proudest group of all colleges in Cambridge. A children's song "I'd rather go to Oxford than to St. John" has been circulating on the campus of Cambridge, teasing the aristocratic atmosphere of the college.