Know Before You Go: Exploring the Oxford University Colleges

Oxford University comprises 43 different colleges or communities, some of which are closed to the public, while others are modern buildings without the postcard-perfect views most associate with college architecture in Oxford.

Even if you stick to the 20-odd colleges you can visit without an appointment, you could end up spending days touring the different sites. So it’s best to pick a selection, or explore with an Oxford University tour guide who can handle the logistics based on what’s open on the day.

The most popular college to visit in Oxford is Christ Church, an expansive space with a 12th-century cathedral, a tower designed by Christopher Wren (who created St. Paul’s Cathedral), and a grand staircase that features in the Harry Potter movies. Other popular options include riverside Magdalen College, which offers classic vistas of lawns and (in season) punts, and New College, which, despite its name, dates back to the 14th century, and also featured in the Harry Potter movies.

As well as colleges, don’t neglect the Oxford libraries and museums: The Bodleian Library, which includes the Radcliffe Camera, is a must-visit, while Harry Potter fans won’t want to miss the Divinity School.

Oxford is easy to reach from London independently. There are regular trains from Paddington Station, and the Oxford Tube coach service runs from Victoria with stops in west London.

Driving is a terrible idea as the city has ferocious traffic restrictions, and you’re expected to leave the car in parking lots outside the city. If you’d like to combine Oxford with the nearby Cotswolds, joining a small-group tour can let you pack in the maximum number of villages with minimal navigation and parking stress.

The Oxford University colleges are independent entities, and each sets its own rules for visiting: some are free, some are by appointment only, some are closed to visitors, and others charge wildly varying sums for tickets. Broadly speaking, you need to pay to visit the most popular Oxford colleges, including Magdalen College, New College, Exeter College, Balliol College, and Merton College.

Christ Church is so popular that you can only visit by timed ticket, which are released weekly; however, some Harry Potter–themed Oxford tours include a self-guided visit. Beautiful historic colleges that are free to enter include All Souls College, St. John’s College, Brasenose College, and Corpus Christi College, while it’s free to see the Bridge of Sighs from outside.

If booking a tour of the Oxford University colleges, options include excursions led by an alumni guide, who has experienced Oxford student traditions firsthand, as well as lived, studied, and taken exams in some of the historical buildings they will show you.

They’ll also likely have good travel tips for Oxford, from museums such as the Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers Museum to historic pubs including the Turf Tavern. Plenty of popular day trips from London combine Oxford with either Windsor or the Cotswolds, and it’s rare for these tours to be led by alumni.

You’ve probably learned by now that the Oxford University colleges play by their own rules, and that’s particularly true when it comes to opening hours and times. A few colleges shut during Oxford term time, while others close to the public during exam season in June.

Visiting Oxford during the summer vacation (July, August, and September) should give you the broadest range of colleges to choose from, although do note that some may close without warning for special events. The summer period also boasts the best weather for walking around town, going punting on the river, taking a river cruise, joining a hike in the countryside, or enjoying a drink at country pubs.

Just like ticketing policies, the opening and closing hours for colleges vary widely: some are open in the morning, others in the afternoon, and a few throughout the day. Note that many colleges are shut for lunch to allow attending students to enjoy their dining hall in peace.

Among the most popular colleges, Christ Church generally operates seven days a week, with bookings available throughout the day; New College opens all day during the summer season, but only in the afternoons during the winter; and Magdalen College is open throughout the day, with a closure over the Christmas period.

There’s no specific dress code for visiting Oxford University colleges, and students wear whatever takes their fancy. But most Oxford University college tours involve a degree of walking, not to mention uneven surfaces and ancient, worn staircases, so comfortable shoes are essential.

The English weather is famously changeable, so it’s always worth bringing a layer, as well as ensuring your phone is fully charged for photos. You could also pack a picnic to enjoy in one of the city’s many green spaces, or even on a punt.

Yes, the Oxford colleges are broadly accessible. Within the constraints of historic buildings, efforts have been made to adapt them for the use of students and professors who have disabilities. As a general rule, you can expect entry by ramp and access to all street-level attractions. However, due to the nature of the buildings, some upper-floor areas may not be accessible to travelers in wheelchairs.

• How old is Oxford University? People were studying and learning in Oxford as far back as AD 1096. The first colleges were established during the 13th century: University College, Balliol College, and Merton College.
• What's the oldest college at Oxford University? The question of the oldest college in Oxford is disputed: University College claims to have been founded before AD 1249; Balliol College claims to have been teaching on its present site since AD 1263; Merton College had statutes before the other two did, in AD 1264.
• What are the 43 Oxford colleges? In alphabetical order, the Oxford colleges are: All Souls College, Balliol College, Blackfriars, Brasenose College, Campion Hall, Christ Church, Corpus Christi College, Exeter College, Green Templeton College, Harris Manchester College, Hertford College, Jesus College, Keble College, Kellogg College, Lady Margaret Hall, Linacre College, Lincoln College, Magdalen College, Mansfield College, Merton College, New College, Nuffield College, Oriel College, Pembroke College, The Queen's College, Regent's Park College, Reuben College, St Anne's College, St Antony's College, St Catherine's College, St Cross College, St Edmund Hall, St Hilda's College, St Hugh's College, St John's College, St Peter's College, Somerville College, Trinity College, University College, Wadham College, Wolfson College, Worcester College, and Wycliffe Hall.