Central · Founded 1264
Merton College
A 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.
The college
A closer
look.
Central — Merton Street
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.
One 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.
On the same walk
Closest to
this one.
On a visit
Don’t miss.
- 01Mob Quad
- 02Medieval Old Library
- 03Chapel
- 04Hall
- 05Fellows' Garden
- 06Views over Christ Church Meadow
- 07Cobbled Merton Street
Connected to
Notable
names.
- J.R.R. Tolkien (professor)
- T.S. Eliot
- Roger Bannister
- Andrew Wiles
- Emperor Naruhito of Japan
Before you go
Visiting Merton College
Open 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.
Opening hours, admission and access change often — check the official site before you travel.
- Founded
- 1264
- Area
- Central — Merton Street
- Type
- College
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