New College Oxford

 

Despite its name, New College is one of the oldest in Oxford. Founded in 1379 by then-Bishop of Winchester, William of Wykeham, the college was originally named in honour of St Mary the Virgin. It was the second college to be so-named (after Oriel), and developed it’s new title colloquially over the course of the 15th century.

New College boasts a number of unique elements:

• When William of Wykeham purchased the plot of land in the early 1370s, he agreed to a covenant set by the Mayor of Oxford obliging him to maintain the stretch of the city wall that runs through the college. This stretch is the last remaining example of the original city wall, constructed in 911 AD.
• The Cloisters of New College were featured multiple times in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Film fans will most likely recognize it from the scene where Harry pushes through a crowd of his peers as they make fun of him after he was selected as the fourth Triwizard champion.
• The college Quadrangle, now a typically Oxonian architectural feature, was the University’s first such courtyard.
• Notable alumni include Kate Beckinsale, Hugh Grant, Tony Ben and Richard Dawkins.

Find out more about this College on our Oxford University & City Tour, below.

Opening Times Subject To Change

Entry: £8 adults, £7 concessions

 

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