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  "editorialMarkdown": "Central · Founded 1264\n\n## Merton College\n\nA place to see Oxford's medieval origins first-hand, with an ancient library, a fine chapel, and the tranquil cobbled Merton Street and college gardens overlooking Christ Church Meadow.\n\n[Official site](<https://www.merton.ox.ac.uk/>)\n\nFounded  1264\n\nWhere  Central\n\nAccess  Open to Public (Ticketed)\n\nType  College\n\nThe college\n\n### A closer\n*look.*\n\nCentral — Merton Street\n\n**Founded 1264.** Founded in 1264 by Walter de Merton, Bishop of Rochester and Lord Chancellor, whose statutes became a model for collegiate life at Oxford and Cambridge.\n\nOne of Oxford's oldest colleges, home to Mob Quad (largely 14th-century, often called Oxford's oldest quadrangle) and the medieval Old Library, among the oldest working libraries in the world. Its 13th–15th-century chapel set the template for later college chapels.\n\nNearby on foot · Central **Find Merton College and the closest colleges.**\n\nExplore around Merton College\n\n The map will load when you reach it.\n\n51.7508°N, 1.2521°W [Get directions](<https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=51.7508,-1.2521>)\n\nOn the same walk\n\n### Closest to\n*this one.*\n\n[2 min walk **Oriel College** Central](<https://above.guide/oxford/colleges/oriel-college>)[2 min walk **Corpus Christi College** Central](<https://above.guide/oxford/colleges/corpus-christi>)[2 min walk **University College** Central](<https://above.guide/oxford/colleges/university-college>)[3 min walk **The Queen's College** Central](<https://above.guide/oxford/colleges/the-queens-college>)\n\nOn a visit\n\n### Don’t *miss.*\n\n1. 01  Mob Quad\n2. 02  Medieval Old Library\n3. 03  Chapel\n4. 04  Hall\n5. 05  Fellows' Garden\n6. 06  Views over Christ Church Meadow\n7. 07  Cobbled Merton Street\n\nConnected to\n\n### Notable\n*names.*\n\n- J.R.R. Tolkien (professor)\n- T.S. Eliot\n- Roger Bannister\n- Andrew Wiles\n- Emperor Naruhito of Japan\n\nBefore you go\n\n#### Visiting Merton College\n\nOpen to Public (Ticketed). Published visitor access: Monday–Friday 14:00–17:00; Saturday 10:00–17:00; Sunday 12:00–17:00; last entry 16:30. Admission: Adults £5; children aged 13–17 and adults 65+ £3; under-13s free; guided college and medieval library tours £10 in summer. College events, services and exams can still close areas at short notice.\n\nOpening hours, admission and access change often — check the [official site](<https://www.merton.ox.ac.uk/>) before you travel.\n\nFounded\n\n1264\n\nArea\n\nCentral — Merton Street\n\nType\n\nCollege\n\nBefore you visit\n\n### Check hours, tickets and access.\n\nCheck opening hours, admission prices and access with the venue before setting off.\n\nUpdated\n\nDate unavailable\n\nBy\n\n[Above Guide Editorial Team](<https://above.guide/oxford/about#editorial-team>)\n\nUseful links\n\n- [Official site merton.ox.ac.uk ↗](<https://www.merton.ox.ac.uk/>)\n- [Reference identity en.wikipedia.org ↗](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merton_College,_Oxford>)\n\n[Report a correction](<https://above.guide/oxford/corrections>)\n\nKeep exploring\n\n### Where to\n*next.*\n\n[Compare the best colleges to visit](<https://above.guide/oxford/best-colleges-to-visit>)[All colleges](<https://above.guide/oxford/explore>)[Neighbourhoods](<https://above.guide/oxford/neighbourhoods>)[Things to Do](<https://above.guide/oxford/things-to-do>)"
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