Magdalen College
Magdalen College
4.5
Architectural BuildingsReligious SitesEducational sites
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Please visit magd.ox.ac.uk
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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  • geo3
    Calgary, Canada1,331 contributions
    My favourite Oxford site
    So much history and so much beautiful architecture, with a peaceful walk around the deer meadows as an added bonus! The chapel was closed, unfortunately, but it was still very interesting to see the St. Swithin's tower and the outdoor pulpit, then the small Chaplain's Quad with the great tower, on which building was started in 1492. The nearby Cloister area is much larger and very beautiful. Then from here there was a small, rather obscure, archway which led into the lawns in front of the 'New Building' (from the 1700s), which is completely different in architectural style than everything else in the College. This led in turn to the 2 km Addison's Walk around the water meadow, with deer grazing in the paddock. If you want to go even further, you can explore the Fellow's Garden at the far end of Addison's Walk. It's hard to believe that such a peaceful area can be right in the middle of Oxford. Overall very enjoyable.
    Visited October 2022
    Written 3 January 2023
  • Helen S
    23 contributions
    Beautiful gem
    CS Lewis had the right idea but what an incredible gem! Those familiar with Oxford will already know of the beauty of Magdalen but for first timers this is definitely a must visit. Behind the gates, the college is immense with stunning architecture, meadows, deer and impressive plane tree; which we loved and actually hugged! The Cloisters are really beautiful and the sun certainly enhanced these. Heading out to the deer park was a real surprise and where the land opens up. Such privilege to be able to study somewhere like this, with such tranquility in the heart of such a busy city. Walking round the meadow, in to the Fellows garden, stopping to look back at the college buildings and spotting the rare purple flower dotted across the water meadow was all so peaceful. Stunning college. Only criticism would be that they should take cash as well as card and a real shame we could not gain access to St Swithin's Tower.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 April 2023
  • CC3Nassau
    39 contributions
    Worth making part of your evening
    Enjoyed Evensong service. Arrive about 10 minutes early and the porter will let you through. Services are open to the public and schedule is on the college web site. Different choirs perform different times and sometimes they have visiting choirs. Expect to stand for much of the service. Very special experience.
    Visited May 2023
    Written 16 May 2023
  • felinesussex11
    Sedlescombe, United Kingdom184 contributions
    college and the botanical gardens
    gardens and buildings in the college very nice we walked around the grounds and also could see deer in the park.staff very helpful. you can buy a combined ticket here for the botanical gardens as well opposite which we thought was a good deal(you cant buy the combined ticket at the gardens if you go there first which is strange??).£14 for both or £12 for concessions .we enjoyed our time at both .would recommend.
    Visited June 2023
    Written 3 July 2023
  • 141jeng
    Evesham, United Kingdom541 contributions
    A lovely place to visit
    Visited here on a day trip to Oxford. It was a lovely sunny day and perfect to explore the college and grounds. Enjoyed a cuppa and cake in the cafe by the river, too. It was a lovely place to visit.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 1 October 2023
  • Kaulostar
    Greater London, United Kingdom892 contributions
    lovely
    I really enjoyed walking around the college grounds. the grass/gardens are so well kept and beautiful. The building and chapel are divine. would highly recommend visiting. there is an entrance fee for visitors so do pay attention to the time as you cannot visit the dining hall during the lunch hours and that was not shared at the entrance
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 16 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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DVB67
Purley, UK61 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Wonderful quad, got some best pictures, the chapel and hall are also very interesting though unfortunately I didn’t see any deers.
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kaulostar
Greater London, UK892 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
I really enjoyed walking around the college grounds. the grass/gardens are so well kept and beautiful. The building and chapel are divine. would highly recommend visiting. there is an entrance fee for visitors so do pay attention to the time as you cannot visit the dining hall during the lunch hours and that was not shared at the entrance
Written 16 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

141jeng
Evesham, UK541 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
Visited here on a day trip to Oxford. It was a lovely sunny day and perfect to explore the college and grounds.
Enjoyed a cuppa and cake in the cafe by the river, too.
It was a lovely place to visit.
Written 1 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

felinesussex11
Sedlescombe, UK184 contributions
Jun 2023
gardens and buildings in the college very nice we walked around the grounds and also could see deer in the park.staff very helpful. you can buy a combined ticket here for the botanical gardens as well opposite which we thought was a good deal(you cant buy the combined ticket at the gardens if you go there first which is strange??).£14 for both or £12 for concessions .we enjoyed our time at both .would recommend.
Written 3 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

vivian r
London, UK63 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We were lucky enough to enjoy the choral evensong. Absolutely fabulous.
The choristers voices will stay in our memory for a long time. Utterly fantastic.
Written 2 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CC3Nassau
Portland39 contributions
May 2023
Enjoyed Evensong service. Arrive about 10 minutes early and the porter will let you through. Services are open to the public and schedule is on the college web site. Different choirs perform different times and sometimes they have visiting choirs. Expect to stand for much of the service. Very special experience.
Written 16 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TheBurtfamily
North Leigh, UK410 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Visited open gardens during a national garden scheme open day, although they are open other times. Lovely ground to walk around and good cafe for lunch and coffees.
Written 23 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helen S
23 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
CS Lewis had the right idea but what an incredible gem!
Those familiar with Oxford will already know of the beauty of Magdalen but for first timers this is definitely a must visit.
Behind the gates, the college is immense with stunning architecture, meadows, deer and impressive plane tree; which we loved and actually hugged!
The Cloisters are really beautiful and the sun certainly enhanced these. Heading out to the deer park was a real surprise and where the land opens up. Such privilege to be able to study somewhere like this, with such tranquility in the heart of such a busy city.
Walking round the meadow, in to the Fellows garden, stopping to look back at the college buildings and spotting the rare purple flower dotted across the water meadow was all so peaceful.
Stunning college.
Only criticism would be that they should take cash as well as card and a real shame we could not gain access to St Swithin's Tower.
Written 15 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

geo3
Calgary, Canada1,331 contributions
Oct 2022
So much history and so much beautiful architecture, with a peaceful walk around the deer meadows as an added bonus!

The chapel was closed, unfortunately, but it was still very interesting to see the St. Swithin's tower and the outdoor pulpit, then the small Chaplain's Quad with the great tower, on which building was started in 1492.

The nearby Cloister area is much larger and very beautiful. Then from here there was a small, rather obscure, archway which led into the lawns in front of the 'New Building' (from the 1700s), which is completely different in architectural style than everything else in the College. This led in turn to the 2 km Addison's Walk around the water meadow, with deer grazing in the paddock. If you want to go even further, you can explore the Fellow's Garden at the far end of Addison's Walk. It's hard to believe that such a peaceful area can be right in the middle of Oxford.

Overall very enjoyable.
Written 4 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gail N
13 contributions
Nov 2022
My husband paid the 7 pound each admission price as we wanted to do the Addison’s Walk (a lovely ~20 minute walk) and what we thought would be access to the chapel, but that was closed as was the College Shop since we were visiting in November. My husband thought the high season price was 10 pounds each so maybe a discount was there, BUT I think there should be signs prior to entering the payment area as to what is closed so that you can evaluate whether you’re getting your money’s worth.
Written 8 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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