Historically, Trinity Hall was known for being strong in Law; today, it has strengths not only in Law but across a range of academic subjects including all the sciences and arts. It is also known for its wonderful location on the River Cam, hidden between King's College and Trinity College (in the middle of Cambridge but only known to a select few tourists); its small but beautiful Front Court, Elizabethan Library, and Chapel; its quality food; the approachability of its porters; for the success of its sports teams and its musical and dramatic societies; and last but not least, for its friendly and unpretentious atmosphere.

It is a relatively small institution when compared to its larger but younger neighbour, Trinity College, founded in 1547, with whom it has a certain rivalry. At first all colleges in Cambridge were known as halls (i.e. Clare College was Clare Hall) and then later changed their names from hall to college. However, when Henry VIII founded Trinity College (thereby in effect stealing Trinity Hall's name) next door, it became clear that Trinity Hall would continue being known as a hall.

Recent additions have been made to the college which include the new Jerwood Library overlooking the cam. The Master is historian Professor Martin Daunton.

Notable college alumni include:

• Hans Blix, former UN Chief Weapons Inspector
• Stephen Hawking (post-grad), physicist
• Robert Herrick, poet
• Matt Holness , aka Perrier Comedy Award-winning Garth_Marenghi
• Geoffrey Howe, former MP and Chancellor of the Exchequer
• Nicholas HytnerNicholas Hytner (born May 7, 1956) is an award-winning British theatrical and opera producer and director. Born in Manchester, he has directed such plays as Ghetto Miss Saigon Orpheus Descending and Carousel''. Hytner, Nicholas., theatre and film director
• Donald MacleanDonald Duart Maclean ( 1913- 1983) was one of the Cambridge Five, members of MI5 who acted as spies for Russia in the Second World War. He was the son of the British Liberal politician Sir Donald Maclean. Chronology 1913 Born on May 25th Attended Gresham', Soviet spy
• Andrew MarrAndrew Marr is a British journalist and political commentator. He was editor of The Independent until May 1998 and is now political editor for the BBC. Andrew Marr was born in Glasgow, educated at Dundee High School, Craigflower school and Loretto School, BBC Political Editor
• Khwaja Nazimuddin, Pakistan's second Prime Minister
• J.B. Priestley, writer
• Robert RuncieSt Albans Cathedral Robert Alexander Kennedy Runcie, Baron Runcie ( October 2, 1921 July 11, 2000) was the 102nd Archbishop of Canterbury from 1980 to 1991. In 1981 he married Charles, Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer, despite suspecting privately th, former Archbishop of Canterbury
• Tony SlatteryTony Slattery (born November 9, 1959) is British actor and comedian. In his youth, he represented England at under-15 judo. He studied Mediaeval and Modern Languages at Cambridge University, where he also became a member of the Cambridge Footlights. Like, comedian
• Rachel WeiszRachel Weisz (pronounced "vice") is a British actress who was born in London on 7 March 1971. Both her mother and her father are Jewish and, in the late 1930s, were brought from Vienna and Hungary respectively to England to escape persecution by the Nazis, actress