I'm planning to visit one or two colleges during my time in Oxford. The most obvious choice seems to be Christ Church College, but since I’m not a big Harry Potter fan, I’m wondering if it should still be at the top of my list. How does it compare to other options like Magdalen, New College, or Trinity? I won’t have time to visit many, so setting aside the Harry Potter factor, which college would be the best choice in terms of architecture, gardens/meadows, chapels, or other features accessible to visitors?
Posted by
Buckinghamshire
356 posts
Many, but not all, of the colleges now charge visitors to enter - the link below gives the entry costs for each of the colleges. Christ Church is very expensive in my view.
https://www.ox.ac.uk/visitors/visiting-oxford/visiting-the-colleges
This link gives some more details of the most popular colleges:
https://oxfordvisit.com/articles/how-do-you-arrange-to-visit-oxford-university-colleges/
It also depends a bit on what you want to see. Many of the older colleges have little of their original buildings left - they were often built of wood and have since burned down. I would also put in a mention for Wadham College (central location, free to enter) whose Front Quad - the bit you see as you enter - is pretty much as it was when it was first built over 400 years ago. If the hall is open, it has a lovely Jacobean hammer-beam ceiling.
Posted by
London
554 posts
Christ Church College is definitely worth visiting in my opinion, and I say that as someone who has never read/watched HP nor plans to- it's beautiful on its own merits. Back in March we visited Magdalen College, which also has an entry fee, and I really enjoyed that one as well- beautiful architecture and grounds, including the river running through it and deer.
If you have time, I highly highly recommend a tour of the Bodleian Library, but you have to book the tickets as soon as they go on sale (the tours are normally once a week and go on sale the month before). If you do the full tour you get to see some of the best architecture in Oxford and go inside the Radcliffe Camera.
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
35436 posts
One of my favourites is Balliol.
A small charge (just £6) at the Porter's Lodge (you have to go in to the Lodge). http://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/
I have personal reasons including, among others, that Lord Peter Wimsey went to school there.
It doesn't hurt that it is the best College, IMHO.
Posted by
Buckinghamshire
356 posts
I would agree that a tour of the Bodlean Library is well worth while, if you can get a ticket.
Posted by
TX, USA
5478 posts
I wish I had visited more, but I will confirm that Balliol is beautiful and that I really enjoyed my tour of Christ Church (wonderful stories from my guide having nothing to do with HP), and that the Bodleian Library is amazing. Check open hours of the ones you want to see. Christ Church requires a reservation (except for evensong) and the Library a ticket bought well ahead of time.