Central · Founded 1555
St John's College
It pairs the elegant Laudian Canterbury Quad with one of Oxford's loveliest and largest college gardens, a grand and quiet contrast to busy St Giles' outside.
Official site ↗Founded 1555. Founded by Sir Thomas White, a London merchant tailor and Lord Mayor, on the site of the earlier Cistercian St Bernard's College; it is traditionally reckoned Oxford's wealthiest college.
A Tudor front quad opens to the 17th-century Canterbury Quad, built under Archbishop William Laud with Italianate arcades and bronze statues of Charles I and Henrietta Maria by Hubert Le Sueur, all set beside celebrated landscaped gardens.
Don’t miss
- Canterbury Quad with Laudian arcades and Le Sueur bronzes
- Extensive landscaped gardens
- Medieval front quad and old library
- Reputation as Oxford's richest college
Notable names
Tony Blair (former UK Prime Minister) · Philip Larkin (poet) · Kingsley Amis (novelist) · Robert Graves (poet and author)
Visiting
Among the colleges that have at times opened to visitors during set afternoon hours; current opening, any admission charge and garden access should be confirmed with the college directly.
Opening hours, admission and current access change often — check the official site before you go.