Central · Founded 1517
Corpus Christi College
One of Oxford's smallest and most charming colleges, known for its Pelican Sundial, humanist library heritage and the tradition of a college tortoise.
The college
A closer
look.
Central — Merton Street, off High Street
Founded 1517. Founded in 1517 by Richard Foxe, Bishop of Winchester, as one of Oxford's earliest Renaissance humanist colleges.
Tudor and intimate in scale: a 16th-century Front Quad centred on the ornate Pelican Sundial of 1581, with a chapel, Hall and library, and gardens overlooking Christ Church Meadow.
On the same walk
Closest to
this one.
On a visit
Don’t miss.
- 01Pelican Sundial (perpetual calendar)
- 02Front Quad
- 03Chapel
- 04Hall
- 05Historic library
- 06Gardens with Meadow views
- 07The tortoise mascot and Tortoise Fair
Connected to
Notable
names.
- John Keble
- James Oglethorpe (founder of the Georgia colony)
- Vikram Seth
- David Miliband
- William Waldegrave
Before you go
Visiting Corpus Christi College
Open to Public (Limited Hours). Published visitor access: 13:30–16:30, subject to college events and exams. Admission: Free. College events, services and exams can still close areas at short notice.
Opening hours, admission and access change often — check the official site before you travel.
- Founded
- 1517
- Area
- Central — Merton Street, off High Street
- Type
- College
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