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Visiting Magdalen College

Opening times.

Magdalen College is open every day from 2 January to 19 December between 10am and dusk or 5.00pm, whichever is the earlier, with the exception of July, August and September when the college will close at 6.30pm

(These are subject to occasional change which will be advertised on this website, or our noticeboard outside the main entrance. The College will be closed to all visitors on 27 September, October 6th and 20 December – 31 December, all dates inclusive, but see below for New Year’s Day 2025) .

Admission Charges

Adults: £9.50 Over 65s, children, students: £8.50 Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children aged 7 or over): £28

Free admission is available to: Children under 7 Alumni Those who live locally and one guest Those who hold an Oxford University card, an OUP card, or an alumni card and one guest Prospective students and their families Pathway to Success participants

Joint tickets for Magdalen and the Oxford Botanic Garden are available at either location for: Adults: £15 Concessions: £13 (family and group joint tickets not available). These tickets remain valid for one entry at the each venue within 12 months of purchase.

Tickets can only be bought on the day of the visit, there are no advance tickets available.

Payment will be by card only, no cash. For details of charges and times for Guided Tours please see the section below on Summer Tours. Where applicable, prices include VAT. The last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.

The Outreach and Admissions team is able to offer individual tours on request.

You are asked not to enter staircases, College rooms and areas marked as private. The Hall may be closed over lunchtime. Dogs, except guide dogs, are not allowed in the College. Please do not walk on the grass or picnic in the grounds. In the interests of security, random bag searches may be carried out; CCTV is in use throughout the grounds. Supervised children are welcome. We regret we are unable to provide parking. Drones may not be used anywhere in the College grounds. Wedding and engagement photography is not permitted, except when the ceremony is taking place in the College.

Please read our accessibility information for disabled visitors . Smoking is only permitted at seven designated smoking areas in the college grounds; the locations can be found on the Smoking Areas Map. Smoking is not permitted inside any of the buildings, cloisters, or elsewhere in the grounds. E-cigarettes and vaping may not be used in public rooms.

The University’s Open Days for prospective undergraduate applicants will be on the 26th and 27th June and 20th September 2024 .

To see Magdalen’s Open Days timetable and to request support with accommodation and travel expenses, please see our Open Days page.

Bed and Breakfast

Magdalen College offers Bed and Breakfast accommodation. Please visit speedybooker.com to check whether a room is available.

We welcome groups subject to a maximum of 20 people , larger groups may split. A 30 minute interval is required between the admission of each group. Groups should book in advance using the group booking form . Payment will then be taken by card when you arrive. We do not accept payment by cheque or voucher. Please note, groups of under 21 year olds must be accompanied by a responsible person throughout their visit.

You may wish to consider arranging your own qualified guide. For details, please see https://www.oxfordguildoftourguides.co.uk/ Or, to book on a scheduled public tour, go to https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/tours

If you are booking on behalf of a fee-paying programme, eg. international schools, summer schools or languages courses , you will be asked to pay for admission, regardless of whether there are prospective applicants in the group.

If you are booking on behalf of any UK school (excluding fee-paying programmes), then please contact o [email protected] prior to booking your visit. If you are booking for a UK state school in one of our outreach link regions (Brent, Westminster, Nottingham/Nottinghamshire, Sheffield, Barnsley or Rotherham), please visit the Outreach section of the website.

Printed Information

You can download a map from our website here.

Leaflets with a map and illustrations are provided in several languages. Copies can be purchased at 50p each.

An illustrated short history of the College is available at the Porters’ Lodge, price £8.

Summer Tours

On some days in the summer hours period (see above) a Guided Tour is offered at 11am and 3pm, subject to a minimum of 4 persons and a maximum of 20. There is a charge of £13 for this which includes the admission fee; the tour includes areas of the College, such as the Longwall Library Quad, which are not open to the general public. Information and tickets may be obtained from the Visitor Desk on the day.

Refreshment

Refreshments, including morning coffee and snacks, light lunches and afternoon teas are available in the Old Kitchen Bar and Riverside Terrace Monday-Saturday from 10am to 5.30pm (closed on Sunday). Recordings of the College choir, various publications on the College, and some items of College merchandise are available to purchase from the Visitors’ Desk.

Alumni Visits

Old Members of College should visit our useful information for alumni page.

Special Opening Times

New Year’s Day : On Wednesday 1 January 2025 the college will be open to the public from 10am to 3.30pm. There will be no admission charge. The Old Kitchen Snack Bar will not be open.

National Gardens Scheme : On Sunday 7 April 2024 the College and Grounds will be open for the National Gardens Scheme. Charges are as above; as all proceeds go to the NGS there are no free admissions on this day. The Old Kitchen Snack Bar will be open for light lunches, refreshments and teas.

Oxford Open Doors : On Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September 2024 the College and Grounds will be open as part of the Oxford Open Doors weekend. There is no charge for admission. The Old Kitchen Snack Bar may be open as usual. Various events may be organised and information will be provided here nearer the time.

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Magdalen College

Stepping into Magdalen College’s grounds feels like stepping into a totally different world.

Magdalen College, one of the largest and most famous colleges, is home to an impressive courtyard, gorgeous cloisters and a deer park, hidden in the heart of Oxford. The C.S. Lewis connection makes it even more meaningful especially when you are taking a stroll along Addisons’s Walk trying to imagine him and Tolkien walking the same path.

Founded in 1458 by Bishop Wayneflete of Winchester, the college owns some remarkable buildings, including the famous Gothic Bell Tower from which the college choir sings a Latin hymn on May 1st at 6:00am each year to public crowds below to celebrate the beginning of spring. This old tradition, which began in the late 15th century, has survived until now, meaning the night before is spent dancing and pub crawling while awaiting the sunrise.

Its quiet and tucked away location, far from the hustle and bustle of Oxford, makes Magdalen College the perfect destination for taking a romantic or meditative walk amongst its 100 acres of woodlands. Throughout the different seasons you can enjoy the transformation of its tranquil gardens. In the spring, this is a downright jewel of the city with wildflowers in bloom. Visiting it then you will be able to see why Lewis stayed there for so long…

Take a look at this stunning video of Magdalen College Oxford from Skyvantage on Vimeo.

    You can make the most of a sunny day by having a bite outside by the river in The Old Kitchen Bar, which is the oldest building on site dating from the 1300s, and admire the river that runs behind it while watching people punting.

Want to see more? Visit the full gallery and get to know Magdalen College better.

On your way back, don’t forget to enter the chapel. It’s a small delight with ornate woodwork, lots of original medieval stained glass and an altar painting attributed to Tintoretto. If you are free in the evening you can join one of the evening services starting at 6pm with the choir which gives such a different experience after a day at work.  

Top facts about Magdalen College:

• Magdalen’s bell tower is the tallest medieval tower in Oxford which dates back to 1492.
• Funding for Magdalen College was enhanced by a lavish endowment: 55 manors contributed to its funding (compared with 31 for Merton, 24 for All Soul’s and only 3 for Exeter).
• Magdalen’s famous Deer Park, also known as Magalen Grove, is home to herd of deer who grazed on the college’s grounds since 1700.

  Walk through the cloister and find the majestic hall on the upper end of a steep staircase. This is where students, lecturers and fellows lunch and dine.

There is a lot of confusion around pronunciation of the name of the college. Though nowadays spelt in the biblical and continental way, ‘Magdalene’, the College name is customarily pronounced ‘Maudlyn’.

From its cloisters and beautiful chapel to its expansive and tranquil gardens, Magdalen College is a must visit place but make sure to bring your camera as there will be several nice photo opportunities awaiting you!

  Opening hours: January to late June: 1pm to dusk or 6pm Late June to the end of September: Noon to 7pm October to December: 1pm to dusk or 6pm

Tickets and Prices: Adults – £5.00 Over 60s, children, students – £4.00 Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children aged 7 or over) – £14.00. Children under 7 years of age are free of charge.

Lunch: Have a coffee and a treat by the river at Magdalen’s College The Old Kitchen Bar, which has an open seating area that looks out over the punting house and part of the canal.

Equipment: Bring binoculars or a zoom lens to see the amusing stone characters that decorate Magdalen College.

Image credits: Magdalen College by Meraj Chhaya and Adrian Scottow .

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Magdalen College

About the college, college facilities.

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College outreach

Magdalen (pronounced ‘Maudlen’) has some of the most beautiful buildings in Oxford, new as well as ancient. It is set in 100 acres of grounds which include the deer park and Addison’s riverside walk.

It is a lively college with an active and inclusive undergraduate body of about 400 students, who can live in college accommodation for the whole of their course.

Alongside its tradition of academic excellence, Magdalen ensures that its students are well supported. Besides the University’s financial support, the college’s own Student Support Fund provides outstandingly generous grants to many of its undergraduates. There are also large numbers of travel, research, and book grants given each year, along with annual tutorial prizes for the most promising and successful students.

Magdalen also has exceptional welfare provision: not only does the college have a nurse, counsellor, mentor and Dean for Welfare all on site, but the Welfare Team runs mindfulness sessions, yoga, and regular dinners and teas for the student body.

Magdalen’s students enjoy a huge range of activities available to them. We have our own professionally maintained grounds for:

• nine tennis courts
• our own squash courts
• an all-weather pitch (all on site)
• as well as an extremely well-equipped boathouse.

Magdalen also has an array of societies, clubs, and traditions, such as the May Morning celebrations.

Read more on the college website .

Magdalen is...

'…diverse, and everyone being different is what makes it so interesting. There’s lots of support with studying, both from tutors and older students.' Nadia

'…excellent teaching and supportive tutors as well as a huge variety of inclusive social activities.' Amelia

'…excellent in helping to prevent students from going unnoticed.' Catrin

'...very open and green, and the rooms are so reasonably priced for how spacious and well-furnished they are.' Ryan

'…Addison’s Walk in the sun to catch up with friends and see the deer.' Maria

Visit our  College Facilities page  to compare facilities across different colleges.

College accommodation

Clubs and societies, courses available.

• Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular)
• Biomedical Sciences
• Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
• Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
• Classics and English
• Classics and Modern Languages
• Computer Science
• Engineering Science
• English Language and Literature
• English and Modern Languages
• European and Middle Eastern Languages
• History (Ancient and Modern)
• History and Modern Languages
• History and Politics
• Human Sciences
• Law (Jurisprudence)
• Law with Law Studies in Europe
• Mathematics
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• Mathematics and Philosophy
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Medicine (Graduate Entry)
• Modern Languages
• Modern Languages and Linguistics
• Philosophy and Modern Languages
• Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
• Physics and Philosophy
• Psychology (Experimental)
• Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics

Link Regions

Nottingham Nottinghamshire Barnsley Rotherham Sheffield Brent Westminster

Outreach programmes

Magdalen has two full-time Outreach Officers who run weekly taster days for link schools and summer residentials.

During the Summer, Magdalen partners with the Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation to host two days of English and drama workshops for students, finishing with a performance of a Shakespeare play in Magdalen's Auditorium.

Magdalen also runs residentials for students interested in Law, Physics and Engineering. Over three days, students are given the opportunity to explore the academic and social side of Oxford, whilst receiving admissions support from staff, academics and current students. 

Postal address: Magdalen College High Street, Oxford OX1 4AU

Outreach events

Explore life as an oxford student via our prospectus website, ask current students your questions.

Chat to Magdalen students now

Magdalen is conveniently located at the end of the High Street, a 10-minute walk from the centre of town, University libraries, and the Science Area. First-year accommodation is located across Magdalen Bridge.

UCAS campus code: D

Student numbers.

Undergraduates: 385 Graduates: 189

Admissions contacts

Academic staff.

Visit the college website  for the full list

Our 2024 undergraduate open days will be held on 26 and 27 June and 20 September.

Register to find out more about our upcoming open days.

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Magdalen College

Ultimate guide to magdalen college.

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• the Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde, best known for The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest
• King Edward VIII, who reigned from the 20th January 1936 to the 11th December 1936
• Thomas Wolsey, an English archbishop and statesman who was sentenced to death by Henry VIII

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Famous College  

Getting Here By Tube

Oxford Train Station

Getting Here By Bus

High Street Bus Stop T3, T3, L3, L1, L2, T1, T2

Getting Here By Car

Broad Street Car Park, 52 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3BS

VISIT THIS SITE ON A PRIVATE OXFORD WALKING TOUR

You can find out more information of this site, and some of the most iconic sites in the city, on a Private Oxford Walking Tour!

Previous Tour

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C.S. Lewis Walking Tour of Oxford Centre

(Prepared by Kim Gilnett with assistance from Stan Mattson and Michael Ward)

Please be aware that this is an outdoor walking tour, and NOT a tour of the interiors of the locations you’ll be seeing. The buildings on the tour may not be open and available to the general public.

General Recommendations

Distance: 3 1/2 Miles Time Required: 2 Hours

• Start this walking tour in the early afternoon so your arrival at Magdalen College will be during visiting hours, 2:00pm to 6:15pm daily.
• Wear good, comfortable walking shoes.
• Wear light, but waterproof, clothing. We can’t promise anything about the weather except that it will be varied.
• Stop along the way when anything catches your interest. There is a great deal to see in Oxford.

Recommended Route

1. Begin this walk in front of the world-famous Blackwell’s Bookshop on Broad Street, directly across the street from the Sheldonian, Oxford’s most illustrious meeting hall designed by Christopher Wren. (You’ll love Blackwell’s!)

2. When facing Blackwell’s you will notice a tiny pub on your left. The White Horse, which seems almost part of the shop. A short distance to your right, beyond the traffic lights and on the corner, you’ll see The King’s Arms pub.

Humphrey Carpenter, in his excellent book, The Inklings , reports that Lewis and his friends used to meet in these two pubs during the war (and at the Mitre on the High Street) because of a beer shortage “caused largely by thirsty American troops waiting for D-Day.” The shortage meant that the Inklings could not always rely on their favourite haunt, The Eagle and Child (also known as “The Bird and Baby”) to provide refreshment.

From the diary of Major Warren Lewis (C.S. Lewis’s brother), we read of the death of Charles Williams on Tuesday, May 15, 1945:

“I felt dazed and restless [at the news of Williams’ death], and went out to get a drink: choosing unfortunately the King’s Arms, where during the winter Charles and I more than once drank a pint after leaving Tollers [J.R.R. Tolkien] at the Mitre, with much glee at “clearing one’s throat of varnish with good honest beer” as Charles used to say. There will be no more pints with Charles: no more “Bird and the Baby”: the blackout has fallen, and the Inklings can never be the same.”

3. Continue on past The King’s Arms along Holywell Street. As you proceed down one of the most wonderful streets in Oxford, notice a little side street called Bath Place. If you wish to take a short detour, stroll down this lane to the renowned and ancient pub, The Turf Tavern. It is one of the few places where you can order the old English drink, Mead.

4. Back on Holywell Street, notice the Holywell Music Room across the street. Built in the 1740’s, it is the oldest surviving building in Europe designed exclusively for concerts.

5. Continue walking down Holywell Street until you come to the corner of Mansfield Road. Turn into Mansfield and stop by the first house on your right. It was here that Lewis spent his first night in Oxford in December 1916.

From Surprised By Joy , by C.S. Lewis:

“My first taste of Oxford was comical enough. I had made no arrangements about quarters and, having no more luggage than I could carry in my hand, I sallied out of the railway station on foot to find either a lodging-house or a cheap hotel; all agog for “dreaming spires” and “last enchantments.” My first disappointment at what I saw could be dealt with. Towns always show their worst face to the railway. But as I walked on and on I became more bewildered. Could this succession of mean shops really be Oxford? But I still went on, always expecting the next turn to reveal the beauties, and reflecting that it was a much larger town than I had been led to suppose. Only when it became obvious that there was very little town left ahead of me, that I was in fact getting to open country, did I turn round and look. There behind me, far away, never more beautiful since, was the fabled cluster of spires and towers. I had come out of the station on the wrong side and been all this time walking into what was even then the mean and sprawling suburb of Botley. I did not see to what extent this little adventure was an allegory of my whole life. I merely walked back to the station, somewhat footsore, took a hansom, and asked to be driven to “some place where I can get rooms for a week, please.” The method, which I should now think hazardous, was a complete success, and I was soon at tea in comfortable surroundings. The house is still there, the first on the right as you turn into Mansfield Road out of Holywell. I shared the sitting room with another candidate, a man from Cardiff College, which he pronounced to be architecturally superior to anything in Oxford. His learning terrified me, but he was an agreeable man. I have never seen him since.”

6. Walk a short distance along Mansfield Road and then turn right into Jowett Walk. (Benjamin Jowett was a famous 19th Century Oxford figure and Master of Balliol College). Proceed to the end of Jowett Walk, stop and look ahead and to your left. There you will see one of Oxford’s forgotten treasures, St. Cross Parish Church. Built on an ancient foundation as the parish church of the Holywell Manor, the chancel arch of the Church of St. Cross dates from the mid-12th Century. It is the setting of the wedding between Harriet Vane and Lord Peter Wimsey in Dorothy L. Sayers’ mystery, Busman’s Honeymoon.

NOTE: St. Cross is a Special Collections Centre of Balliol College and is not open to the general public without prior appointment. See their website for information and visit here for their enquiry form .

Make sure you take time to visit the adjoining St. Cross Cemetery. As you enter, notice a small map that will lead you to the graves of Hugo Dyson, Austin Farrer and Charles Williams, all members of Lewis’s circle of friends. Also you can find the resting place of Kenneth Grahame, author of the classic children’s book, The Wind in the Willows.

7. Upon leaving the cemetery, go back towards Jowett Walk and continue past it (the pavement becomes very narrow). You are now in Longwall Street. On your left, you will find a substantial section of the old city wall. Behind that wall is the Magdalen College Grove with its unique deer park. You will see it better when you enter Magdalen College.

8. Continue to the very end of Longwall Street where it meets the busy High Street. Turn left and walk past the entrance of Magdalen College on to the center of Magdalen Bridge, which spans the River Cherwell.

9. As you turn to face Magdalen College, you will find one of the most beautiful sights in all of Oxford, the glorious Magdalen Tower. Built between 1490 and 1510, it is more than 150 feet high.

10. Looking down from the bridge, over the parapet, you will very likely see a number of punts on the Cherwell River. This is a great place to rent a punt for an afternoon on the slow-moving river.

11. Retrace your steps to the entrance of Magdalen. There is a small fee for visiting. It is highly recommended that you pay a little more for the guided tour. These tours are generally given by current students who can often take you into areas to which you would otherwise not be allowed. We also recommend that you purchase one of the guidebooks. It will give valuable information on Magdalen College. Allow at least 45 minutes to visit the college.

12. During your visit to Magdalen, don’t miss:

“You must picture me alone in that room in Magdalen, night after night, feeling, whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me. In Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all of England.”

” September 1931 He [Hugo Dyson] stayed the night with me in College… Tolkien came too, and did not leave till 3 in the morning… We began (in Addison’s Walk just after dinner) on metaphor and myth – interrupted by a rush of wind which came so suddenly on the still warm evening and sent so many leaves pattering down that we thought it was raining…. We continued on Christianity: a good long satisfying talk in which I learned a lot…. October 1931 Now what Dyson and Tolkien showed me was this: that if I met the idea of sacrifice in a Pagan story I didn’t mind it at all: and again, that if I met the idea of god sacrificing himself to himself…. I liked it very much… provided I met it anywhere except in the Gospels… Now the story of Christ is simply a true myth: a myth working on us in the same way as the others, but with tremendous difference that it really happened…. Does this amount to a belief in Christianity? At any rate I am now certain (a) that this Christian story is to be approached, in a sense, as I approach the other myths; (b) that it is the most important and full of meaning. I am also nearly sure that it happened…. “

” My big sitting room looks north and from it I can see nothing, not even a gable or a spire, to remind me that I am in town. I look down on a stretch of ground which passes into a grove of immemorial forest trees, at present coloured autumn red. Over it stray deer. They are erratic in their habits. Some mornings when I look out there will be half a dozen chewing the cud just underneath me, and on others there will be none in sight — or a little stag (not much bigger than a calf and looking too slender for the weight of his antlers) standing and sending through the fog that queer little bark which is these beasts’ “moo.” It is a sound that will be as familiar to me as the cough of the cows in the field at home for I hear it day and night.”

• The Hall (included on guided tour only): Notice the fine woodwork of the screen. It dates from the end of the reign of Elizabeth I or the beginning of James I.
• The Chapel: After Lewis’ conversion to Christianity in 1931, he used to attend weekday services in the College chapel.

13. After completing your tour of Magdalen College, step out of the Porter’s Lodge and cross the road. In front of you is the Botanic Garden, open to the public. This is the oldest garden of its kind in England and contains many rare and interesting specimens. It is built on an ancient Jewish burial-ground as is Magdalen College.

14. As you face the Botanic Garden, turn right and walk back towards the center of Oxford along the High Street (known to many simply as “the High”).

15. Continue along the High until you reach the Eastgate Hotel, which is on the corner of Merton Street. Since Tolkien was a Fellow of Merton College and Lewis of Magdalen College, the Eastgate was a convenient place for them to meet.

C.S. Lewis in a letter to his brother, November 1939:

” On Thursday we had a meeting of the Inklings — you and Coghill both absent unfortunately. We dined at the Eastgate. I have never in my life seen Dyson so exuberant — “A roaring cataract of nonsense.”

16. If you wish, you may take a detour down Merton Lane to Merton College. If you do, be sure to come back to this point to resume your tour.

17. As you return to the High, turn left and continue along the High. You will immediately find the Examination Schools on your left. Here and in other venues, Lewis, Tolkien and Williams presented their lectures to Oxford students.

C.S. Lewis in a letter of February 1940:

“On Monday Charles Williams lectured, nominally on [Milton’s] Comus but really on Chastity. Simply as criticism it was superb-because here was a man who really cared with every fibre of his being about “The sage and the serious doctrine of virginity” which it would never occur to the ordinary modern reader to take seriously.”

18. Carry on along the High Street, passing Logic Lane on your left, and you come to University College. It was here that the young C.S. Lewis arrived on April 26, 1917 to begin his academic studies as an undergraduate.

His rooms were on staircase XII, Room 5 of the Radcliffe Quad. When the young Lewis interrupted his studies to join the army, he had the good fortune to stay in Oxford and train at Keble College. He often would return to University College (known as “Univ.”) for weekends.

C.S. Lewis in a letter of July, 1917:

“You can’t imagine how I have come to love Univ., especially since I left. Last Saturday evening when I was sleeping alone, I spent a long time wandering over it, into all sorts of parts where I had never been before, where the mullioned windows are dark with ivy that no one has bothered to cut since the war emptied the rooms they belong to.”

Lewis was to take a double first in Literae Humaniores (more commonly known as “Classics”); he completed his studies with a first in English in 1923.

19. Leaving Univ. through the Porter’s Lodge, cross over the High Street, walk back towards Magdalen for a short way and you will come to Queen’s Lane. Turn left down Queen’s Lane and, as you pass St. Edmund Hall (“Teddy Hall”) on your right, notice the church of St. Peter’s-in-the-East. Now converted into the Teddy Hall Library, this church was attended often by Lewis (on Wednesdays) for Holy Communion.

20. Continue along Queen’s Lane, noticing how quiet it becomes. On your right is New College. On your left is The Queen’s College and then All Soul’s College. You will pass under a bridge which is where Queen’s Lane becomes New College Lane.

21. Continue along New College Lane until you pass under another bridge which connects two buildings belonging to Hertford College. This bridge is sometimes called “the Bridge of Sighs.” Stop here and look to your left and you will see what is perhaps the most impressive architectural view in all England: the square tower of the Bodleian Library, the round dome of the Radcliffe Camera and, beyond that, the soaring spire of the University Church. Begin to walk past these buildings.

22. To your right is the famous Bodleian Library (the main library of Oxford University) where Lewis spent many hours reading and studying. The Radcliffe Camera is part of the Bodleian and contains mostly books on theology and English.

The University Church of St. Mary the Virgin (you’ll find the best view of Oxford from its tower!) is where Lewis delivered his famous war-time sermon, “The Weight of Glory.”

23. Walk past University Church and out onto the High Street. Turn right. You may wish to visit Hall Brothers Tailors and Merchants at 119 High Street. Established in 1860, they are the perfect place to purchase a silk bow tie which was required for high table dinner in college. Halls is one of the finest clothiers in England.

24. You will pass Brasenose College on your right and, as you advance along the High Street, you will reach the Mitre Hotel (also on your right). This was another favorite spot for C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and friends.

25. Carry on up the High Street until you reach a cross-roads. Pause for a moment. In front of you is Carfax Tower, so-called from the French “carrefour,” meaning crossroads. In contrast with the quiet Queen’s Lane, this area is one of the busiest places in Oxford.

26. Turn right into Cornmarket Street and walk past all the shops until you come to Broad Street. Ahead of you and on your right you will see St. Mary Magdalen’s Church. Lewis used to frequent this church for confession.

27. Walk alongside the church (known as “Mary Mag”) and you will come upon the Martyrs’ Memorial, built in remembrance of the 16th century martyrs, Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley, who were burned at the stake nearby. Cross the street (carefully). On your left you will see the Randolph Hotel, a wonderful place for high tea (reservations recommended).

28. Continue to your right past the famed Ashmolean museum, down the wide, tree-lined road called St. Giles (so named after St. Giles’s Church at the far end). On your left you will come to the most famous Lewis pub, The Eagle and Child (also known as “The Bird and Baby”). It was here that the Inklings met informally every Tuesday morning to drink and to discuss the books they were reading (and writing). In 1962, after a remodeling of the Bird and Baby (one of many), they moved across the street to The Lamb and Flag.

From Lewis’ Out of the Silent Planet:

“[Ransom, after arriving back on earth,] contrived to get into a lane, then a road, then into a village street. A lighted door was open. There were voices from within and they were speaking English. There was a familiar smell. He pushed his way in, regardless of the surprise he was creating in the bar. “A pint of bitter, please,” said Ransom.”

29. This seems like a good place to end the Lewis tour, unless, of course, you have the time and energy for one of Jack’s favorite walks. A late afternoon walk to The Perch (a quaint, thatch-roofed pub on Binsey Lane across the Port Meadow) for a pint and conversation, followed by a stroll along the Isis River to The Trout (the most glorious of pubs) for dinner.

30. If you can’t take the walk from The Perch to The Trout, do go directly to The Trout via taxi or auto. You’ll not regret it. In any and all events, do take your time. Enjoy yourself and, by all means, return!

Note: This guide does not include information on a visit to The Kilns (Lewis’ long time home in nearby Headington) or to his parish church and grave site at Holy Trinity Church in Headington Quarry.

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Visiting Oxford  > Oxford University > Oxford Colleges

Magdalen College

Established in 1458 by William of Waynflete, Magdalen College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford. It is the fourth richest college and one of the strongest academically, setting the Norrington Score record in 2010.

There are several distinguished chairs at the university, such as the Agnelli-Serena Professorship, the Sherardian Professorship, and the four Waynflete Professorships. 

The college stands next to the River Cherwell and the University of Oxford Botanic Garden , and the college choir sings from the top of the large, square Magdalen Tower every May Morning. The tradition dates back to Henry VII’s time.

What's the History of Magdalen College?

Magdalen College was founded in 1458 by  William of Waynflete , Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor of England. It’s named after St Mary Magdelene, a woman who according to tot eh four canonical gospels travelled with Jesus and his followers. 

Magdelen College succeeded a university hall called Magdelen Hall, which had been founded by Waynflete in 1448. Most of the college’s earliest scholars came from the hall. The college took over the site of St John the Baptism Hospital, alongside the River Cherwell. It first used the hospital’s buildings and completed a new construction between 1470 and 1480. At the time of its incorporation, MAgdelen College had a president and six scholars. When its Statutes were written, there were also 40 fellows, 30 demies, four chaplain priests, eight clerks, and 16 choristers. 

During the English Civil War, Magdelen College supported the Royalist cause. In 1642, the college donated 296 lbs of plate to fund the war effort. The College actually had tactical significance, as it commanded a position on the banks of the Cherwell overlooking Magdelen Bridge and the road from London. Prince Rupert is said to have quartered in the college. During the 1680s, King James II attempted to install Englishman Anthony Farmer  as president of Magdalen. The fellows rejected this (because of Farmer’s tarnished reputation) and proposed a different person. Samuel Parker, Bishop of Oxford, was admitted by force and the fellows and demies that had defied the king were expelled. This expulsion marked a turning point in the University’s relationship with the Crown. James’ interference with the college fed resentment in Anglicans and his appointments were reversed before the Glorious Revolution. A special banquet each year marks the event, the Restoration Dinner. 

Famous Alumni of Magdalen College

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey

Thomas Wolsey was a statesman and Catholic bishop. He was one of the last English churchmen that played a dominant role in the nation’s political life. He attended Ipswich School and Magdalen College and studied theology at Magdalen College, Oxford. He graduated at age of 15, a fact that earned him the nickname ‘Boy Bachelor’. 

See more Famous Oxford Alumni >

The Buildings of Magdalen College

Magdelen College features a variety of architectural styles. It has been described as “a medieval nucleus with two incomplete additions” (one from the 18th and one from the 19th centuries).

The college is organized around five quads: St John’s Quad (the first on entering the college, and irregularly shaped), Great Quad (richly decorated with carvings and pinnacles), Chaplain’s Quad (with a Chapel and hall), St Swithun’s Quad, and Longwall Quad (which contains the library). 

The Cloister or Great Quad

The Cloister or Great Quad is the medieval nucleus of the college. It was built between 1474 and 1480 and is accessed through the Founder’s Tower or Muniment Tower. The southern side of the quad contains the chapel and the hall. There’s also the old library, and junior, middle and senior common rooms. Allegorical hieroglyphs were added to the Cloister in 1508. These grotesques represent scholarly subjects such as medicine, science, law, and theology, and virtues.

 The Chapel is a High Anglican chapel and was influenced by the Catholic Revival (or Catholic Reformation) in the Church of England. Said and sung services are held daily during term . The Chapel is a grade I listed building and was built between 1474 and 1480. The stained glass windows facing St John’s Quad show a grisaille (painted entirely in shades of greY) depiction of the Last Judgement. 

Magdalen Tower

The construction of this great tower, 144 feet tall, began in 1492 and was possibly intended to replace an existing belfry from the early hospital. By the time it was completed (in 1509), additional buildings had been erected on its sides, creating the triangular Chaplain’s Quad. The tower contains ten bells cast at a number of different foundries. The heaviest was made in 1623. This imposing landmark welcomes visitors to Oxford.

The New Building

The New Building was constructed in 1733 and is built in a Palladian style, derived from and inspired by Venetian architect Andrea Palladio. Edward Holdsworth ‘s full vision was never completed and the idea of incorporating it into a new quad was abandoned. 

The Daubeny Laboratory

This 19th-century laboratory is opposite the main college site and overlooks the Botanic Garden . Established around 1622 by polymath and Magdalen fellow  Charles Daubeny , it was created to be worthy of a great University (as opposed to the previous laboratory in the basement of the Ashmolean Museum ). In 1973, most of Daubeny’s laboratory was turned into graduate student accommodation.

The Libraries

Magdalen College has an Old Library, located in the Cloister and accessed via FOunder’s Tower, that contains a large collection og manuscripts from before the 19th century. The New Library, or Longwall Library, is the main library for students. It was renovated between 2014 and 2016. 

What is it Like to Study at Magdalen College, Oxford?

Undergraduate students at Magdalen College are guaranteed accommodation during term. This is typically done in the Waynflette building and “inside-walls” in the Cloister. Graduate students are guaranteed at least two years of accommodation. The charges are inclusive of heating, power, and internet access. Three cafeteria-style services are held each day in the hall. 

There are several clubs and societies associated with the Oxford University Student Union , which operates at the University level. Some subject-specific ones are the Atkin Society (Law) and the Sherrington Society (Medicine). A number of other societies also put on events throughout the year. For example, the Magdalen Players, a drama society, the Magdalen Music Society, and the Magdalen Film Society.

Students have access to a variety of sports and the college has sports grounds accessible from the main college via Addison’s Walk. There are pitches for soccer, cricket, hockey, and rugby, as well as tennis and squash courts. The college keeps a boathouse on the Isis for the  Magdalen College Boat Club  (MCBC).

Where is Magdalen College?

Magdalen College is located in High Street (OX1 4AU), Oxford. Tel 01865 276000.

Can you Visit Magdalen College?

Yes, Magdalen College is open to the public and bookings are not required. 

• Open : January to late June: 10am to dusk or 7pm, whichever is the earlier (4 January to 26 June inc) late June to early October: 10am to dusk or 7pm, whichever is the earlier. (27 June to 2 October inc). October to December: 10am to dusk or 7pm, whichever is the earlier (4 October to 22 December inc).
• Charge : Adults £8; Over 65s, children, students £7; Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children aged 7 or over) £25. Children under 7 years of age are admitted free of charge.
• Groups : Groups of more than 20 may have to split.

Related to Magdalen College

Joint tickets for Magdalen and the Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum are available at either location.

Oxford Botanic Gardens & Arboretum

The Oxford Botanic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in the UK. It was founded in 1621 and holds unique and important species.

More Oxford University Colleges

Worcester College

A constituent college of the University of Oxford in England, Worcester College was founded in 1714 by Sir Thomas Cookes.

Wolfson College

Wolfson College is an all-graduate college affiliated with the University of Oxford in England, located near the River Cherwell.

Wadham College

Wadham College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford. It is located in the centre of Oxford.

University College

University College (colloquially known as “Univ”) is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England and possibly the oldest.

Trinity College

Trinity College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It was founded in 1555 by Sir Thomas Pope.

Visiting the Colleges

Things to do in oxford.

The Old Parsonage Hotel

The Old Parsonage Hotel is one of the best-ranked hotels in the city and dates back to the 17th century. Here’s how to visit.

The Randolph Hotel

The Randolph Hotel, situated in the heart of Oxford, stands as a distinguished landmark of the city, attracting guests from around the world.

Westgate Oxford

Westgate Oxford has more than 100 stores featuring prestigious luxury brands and beloved high-street choices.

Barefoot Jericho

Barefoot offers homemade cakes, pastries and bread, delicious coffee for eat-in or takeaway in the neighbourhood of Jericho, in Oxford.

The Cake Shop

The Cake Shop offers ready-made designs and bespoke masterpieces and has been trading since 1986 in Oxford’s Covered Market.

Oxford Museums & Art Galleries

Antiques on High

Antiques on High is an antiques and art shop from Oxford founded in 1997 and open seven days a week. It has won several awards.

Aidan Meller Gallery

Aidan Meller Gallery is one of Oxford’s longest-established specialist art galleries. They showcase modern, contemporary and old masters.

Christ Church Picture Gallery

Christ Church Picture Gallery is an art museum holding an important collection of about 300 Old Master paintings.

Oxford Parks & Meadows

Shotover Country Park

Brasenose Wood is a woodland park featuring quiet walking paths and diverse flora. It’s also part of a larger nature reserve in Oxford.

Crocodiles of the World

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Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

The Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens is a renowned zoological collection in Oxfordshire. Here’s how to visit from Oxford.

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Prettiest Oxford Colleges To Visit, Prices + Map

Table of Contents

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Thinking of visiting the Oxford colleges? The city is built around 38 of them, each with different entry prices and opening times. Since it’s slightly confusing, I’ll let you in on the prettiest colleges in Oxford as well as the cheaper ones to enter. With almost 800 years of history, the Oxford colleges make the city a captivating place to explore. Stick your head around a door on the High Street and find a whole little world, sometimes with a field of deer or the Harry Potter Great Hall inside. There are many famous Oxford colleges as well as plenty of hidden gems. If you’re spending a weekend in Oxford and want to see the best of the city, you won’t want to miss them. Even if you’re just visiting Oxford as a day trip , you can squeeze a couple into your itinerary. After living and working in the city for years, here are the best colleges to visit in Oxford …

OXFORD ESSENTIALS Oxford & Cotswolds Pocket Lonely Planet guidebook Accommodation:  Booking.com Activities:  GetYourGuide Getting there: Trainline / Busbud

Oxford University colleges map

Check out this Oxford University map which shows you all the Oxford colleges and university buildings spread across the city.

FAQ – are all Oxford colleges open to the public? The answer is no. You cannot freely wander into any college. However, all the ones included in this guide are open to the public. Stick to these and you won’t have any problems, plus they’re the prettiest colleges in Oxford anyway!

Visiting the prettiest Oxford colleges

Unless you have a month in Oxford, you probably won’t have time to explore them all . I’ve collated the most beautiful Oxford colleges to visit including their opening times and entrance fees. Be sure to plan your trip around these. Here’s my full visitor’s guide to the Oxford University colleges…

Want a local hand? Take this Oxford University colleges tour with a local guide !

Magdalen College (#1 prettiest Oxford college)

Magdalen College is one of the most traditional and pretty Oxford colleges to visit. Inside you’ll find an Instagrammable phone box and a whole field of deer inside the massive grounds. For an escape from the busy city, this is the perfect place for a leisurely walk.

Read next: 20 Instagrammable spots in Oxford

Magdalen’s grand nature is because of the ex-Bishop of Winchester who was Lord Chancellor of the University in the 1450s. He desired a grand college with room for 40 fellows and a choir. He got what he wanted: to this day, Magdalen is one of the most impressive colleges to visit in Oxford. Nine Nobel Prize winners and C.S Lewis (author of the Narnia series) have studied at Magdalen. Magdalen College is set slightly away from Oxford city centre, just beside Magdalen Bridge. The 10-minute walk is well worth it since not many tourists stray so far from the centre. When you visit Magdalen College Oxford, you’ll get the grounds almost to yourself!

Where: Towards the end of the High Street, beside Magdalen Bridge Boathouse. Entrance: £6, June-September 1pm-7pm, rest of the year until 6pm.

Balliol College (the second prettiest Oxford college)

Balliol College quibbles with Merton and University College about who is the oldest. While no one is quite sure, it’s known that Balliol was built in the 13th century. People also quibble over which is the prettiest Oxford college. IMO, it’s probably Magdalen then Balliol. Have you seen the wisteria window display? This Oxford college was founded by John de Balliol, a rich landowner from County Durham. It’s of the most famous Oxford colleges because of its alumni including Boris Johnson and John Wycliffe, the man who translated the Bible into English, who was the college master in the 1360s.

When visiting the Oxford colleges, Balliol is a must for its beautiful gardens. In spring months, wisteria wraps its way around golden window frames while daffodils and wallflowers grow below, giving the college a yellow and red colour pop. Balliol College has lots of quirky traditions although many of them have come to a halt in the modern day. It was one of the last Oxford colleges to compete in the annual tortoise race and was previously home to a society that saw students living one day of each term backwards. Balliol’s central location means it’s one of the best Oxford colleges to visit if you’re short of time. If you’re making your way down Broad Street, you can easily pop inside for a quick lap of the quad. Where: The entrance is on Broad Street near to the junction of St Giles and Cornmarket. Entrance: £3, 10am-5pm.

Christ Church College (the most famous Oxford college)

No guide to visiting the Oxford colleges would be complete without a little Oxford Harry Potter history! Christ Church College is the most famous Oxford college to visit, apparently because of a movie about a boy who goes to wizard school? To set the record straight, only a couple of Harry Potter scenes were filmed at Christ Church. The most famous is the scene in the Philosopher’s Stone when Harry, Ron and Hermione are greeted at the bottom of the staircase by Professor McGonagall. However, the dining hall at Christ Church is thought to be the inspiration for the Hogwarts Great Hall in the Harry Potter movies.

Read next: A self-guided Harry Potter Oxford tour

In other Oxford University facts , the real Alice in Wonderland (her father was the Dean of the college) actually lived at Christ Church, as did Alice and Wonderland author, Lewis Caroll. Christ Church is one of the largest Oxford colleges with over 600 students and its own cathedral where you can catch a daily evensong, one of the best free things to do in Oxford during your visit. Like many of the top Oxford colleges, it was male-only for centuries and only started accepting female students around 40 years ago. Where: St Aldates. Entrance: £15, usually between 10am-5pm depending on the season. See Christ Church rates and times . Yup, this is the most expensive college by a long shot.

University College

University College is another of the best Oxford colleges to visit due to its long history and pretty outside quad. The website declares they’re Oxford’s oldest college, however the main University website says they share the title with Balliol and Merton. We may never know the truth! Don’t miss the opportunity to wander the symmetrical quad at University College, knowing that famous alumni Stephen Hawking and Bill Clinton did the same during their studies. You can also pay a visit to nearby pub, the Turf Tavern, where Clinton allegedly smoked a spliff but famously ‘didn’t inhale!’. Where: High Street. Entrance: £2, 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm outside of uni term time only.

New College

This is another famous Oxford college, full name The College of St Mary of Winchester in Oxford. With a mound island in the middle of the grounds, it makes you wonder how all the colleges fit in such a small city centre.

A little-known fact about New College is that Hugh Grant and Kate Beckinsale both studied there. Who could blame them? It’s easily one of the most beautiful colleges in Oxford. More recently, the TV show His Dark Materials was filmed at New College. Author Philip Pullman studied at Oxford and based the novels in alternative universe Oxford so it only makes sense that the TV adaptation was filmed locally. In episode two, you’ll see the characters take off in airships from what they call Jordan College (a fictional place not named after any real Oxford college). The scene from Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire  where Harry turns Malfoy into a ferret was filmed beside New College Cloisters (the semi-covered walkways around the edge of the college). For fans of Harry Potter and His Dark Materials, New College is a must-visit Oxford college. Where: Enter on Holywell Street or Queen’s Lane. Entrance: Free from 2pm-4pm, October-March (Holywell Entrance), £5 from 11am-5pm the rest of the year (Queen’s Lane entrance).

Worcester College

Built in 1714, Worcester College is practically a brand new Oxford college! Actually, a college has stood on this patch of land since the 13th century but it used to be called Gloucester college, somewhere that no longer exists. Emma Watson, who played Hermione in the Harry Potter movies, studied at Worcester College just a few years ago. There are many contenders for the most beautiful college in Oxford but Worcester College has 26 acres of gardens, a wood and a lake. Who could argue with that? Since it’s just a 10-minute walk from the main bus and train station, it’s an easy Oxford college to visit and enjoy before heading home. Where: The corner of Worcester, Walton and Beaumont Street. Entrance: Free, 2-4pm.

Merton College

Merton College has its own chapel, loads of gargoyles and an apparently ‘haunted’ alley called Dead Man’s Walk. Sound similar to your uni halls? (NOPE).

Merton is another of the oldest and prettiest Oxford colleges, built to house 20 original fellows. During its 750 years of history, it’s hosted famous alumni like American poet, T.S Elliot, and author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R Tolkien. Merton College is hidden away on Merton Street (which runs adjacent High Street) making it one of the quietest and peaceful Oxford colleges to visit. This street is a personal favourite of mine with red and golden leaves lining the walls come autumn. Where: Merton Street. Be sure to check out some of the quirky buildings and doorways along the way. Entrance: £3 from 2pm-4.30pm, Mon-Fri and 10am-5pm at weekends.

Lincoln College

Lincoln College is one of the smallest and cosiest Oxford colleges. It may not be as impressive as Magdalen or Christ Church but it’s still worth popping inside especially since it’s free. Lincoln College can be found on Turl Street, one of the most photogenic streets in Oxford. Bikes lean against grand doorways and golden window frames. Make sure to grab a coffee at the Missing Bean, one of my favourite coffee shops in Oxford , just outside Lincoln College. Where: Turl Street. Entrance: Free, 2-5pm, Mon-Fri and 11am-5pm at weekends.

All Souls College

A final contender for the prettiest college in Oxford is All Souls. Founded by the King of England at the time, All Souls College is one of the grandest and wealthy colleges. Apparently, the entrance exam for students is one of the hardest in the world.

While a visit inside is awesome, I still think the best view is this aerial one from the top of University Church on High Street. Where: Catte Street. Entrance: Free from 2-4pm on weekdays and Sundays.

Tips for visiting Oxford colleges

• In winter, the colleges will shut when it gets dark – even if that’s before closing time.
• Remember that not all Oxford colleges are open to the public.
• Check for closure dates like Christmas on the individual colleges’ websites.
• Christ Church is busy and touristy so plan your visit early or late in the day, especially during summer and weekends.
• Budget more for the more famous Oxford colleges as they have higher entrance fees (listed above).
• Don’t wave a selfie stick around. Even in the prettiest Oxford colleges, the staff and students won’t be impressed!
• The list above isn’t a complete one – for all the colleges you can visit, see the Oxford University website .

Thanks for reading

I hope my guide has given you a good idea of the prettiest Oxford colleges to visit. Remember to use my Oxford University colleges map to navigate around. Have a fantastic trip!

Check out my other Oxford posts:

• Guide to backpacking the UK & spending tips
• How to spend a weekend in Oxford
• The perfect Oxford day trip
• Where to eat in Oxford
• The best restaurants in Oxford with outdoor seating
• A self-guided Harry Potter Oxford tour
• 32 free things to do in Oxford
• Guide to Gloucester Green Oxford Market
• Oxford Covered Market visitors guide
• A guide to the food markets in Oxford
• Cafes and coffee shops in Oxford
• 12 best Oxford pub gardens
• 10 amazing Asian restaurants in Oxford
• My top 20 Instagrammable spots in Oxford
• Neighbourhood guide to Jericho, Oxford
• Jericho food guide, Oxford
• Where to find the best brunch in Oxford

See you next time for more adventures,

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Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

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