Balliol College and Chapel, Oxford. Open most days 10am to 5pm. Charges apply.

Details

Accessibility:

A wheelchair-accessible entrance is available via the metal gates off Magdalen Street East. Please call the Lodge (01865 277777) in advance so that the Porter can operate the automatic gates. The Chapel and Front Quad can be accessed via the Fellows’ Garden and the Chapel Passage.

A map of the site with details of accessible areas is available here: https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/map_of_balliol_2014_showing_disabled_access_1.pdf

Parking is extremely limited near to the college but there are car parks within Oxford city centre. Detailed information on all of these car parks and their current Blue Badge concessions can be found here: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/directory/8/car_parks_in_oxford/category/53/categoryInfo/10

Oxford city has a Shopmobility service which is accessed from within the car park for the Westgate shopping centre (OX1 1TR). The car park itself has 50 disability parking spaces, which are located close to the lobby area. Scooters and wheelchairs can be hired free of charge from the Shopmobility office, which can be booked over the telephone on 01865 263600 (Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm). Further information can be requested via email: westgate.oxford@landsec.com.

Brief Description:

The college was founded in 1263 and as such is the oldest college in the English-speaking world. The site has seen expansion since the 13th century and the buildings now include the 19th century Front Quad, with the Chapel and 15th century buildings which house the Library. The Garden Quad is accessed via the Library Passage with the 19th century Hall and Buttery beyond.  

Further Information:

Address:

Balliol College, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3BJ

Telephone:

01865 277777

Email:

Non-academic enquiries: domestic.bursar@balliol.ox.ac.uk

E-mail addresses for other enquiries available here: https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/visit-balliol/contact-us

Website:

https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/

Opening Hours:

10.00am - 5.00pm (or dusk, whichever is sooner).

Entry fee:

£3 per adult, £1 concessions and students (includes free map and guide)

Potential applicants - Free

During term time (weeks 0-9), summer exam periods and the admissions period, the number of visitors per group is limited to eight people, or up to 25 if with a Blue Badge guide.

Call on the day to check openings: 01865 277777.

Directions:

From the M40 J8a take the A40 west towards Oxford for 5 miles. At the roundabout continue straight to take the London Road/A420 for a further 2.5 miles. At the roundabout, take the 4th exit (past the pillared monument in the middle of the road) onto The Plain/A420 for around 400 metres/yards then turn right onto Longwall Street. Longwall Street turns slightly right and becomes St Cross Road. Turn left onto South Parks Road then, at the T-junction, turn left again onto Parks Road and turn right onto Broad Street. Balliol College Board Street entrance is a short way along on the right after you reach the barriers that prevent traffic continuing down Broad Street.

OS SP 51309 06519

Transport:

Oxford is a very old city and travelling by car can be a problem. However, there is an excellent pubic transport system, which you can find further details of here: http://www.oxfordcityguide.com/oxford-tourist-information/getting-around-oxford

There are six Park & Ride sites located around Oxford's ring road; Bicester, Oxford Parkway and Pear Tree to the North, Thornhill to the East, Redbridge to the South and Seacourt to the West. The parking and bus into town are charged separately and there are no concessions for Blue Badge drivers. Each Park & Ride also has EV charge points for electric car drivers. Further details of the locations and charges can be found here: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/directory/8/car_parks_in_oxford/category/56/categoryInfo/13

The main bus services in Oxford are run by the Oxford Bus Company, Stagecoach Oxfordshire and Thames Travel. The services run throughout the city as well as the surrounding villages. Further details can be found on the following websites: https://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/, https://www.stagecoachbus.com/about/oxfordshire and https://www.thames-travel.co.uk/.

Oxford’s main railway station is located on the west side of the city centre with bus stops and taxi ranks just outside. There are frequent services to/from London Paddington, London Marylebone and Birmingham New Street. Details of the station can be found here: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/OXF/details.html. For ticket information you can telephone National Rail on 03457 484 950.

Amenities:

The Buttery in the Garden Quad serves light refreshments during visitor opening times. There are also many cafes, coffee shops, public houses, restaurants and shops to cater for any taste within Oxford town centre.