St Edmund Hall

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A medieval well, reputedly used by St Edmund of Abingdon himself in the 1190s, sits at the heart of St Edmund Hall's front quadrangle, one of the most charming in Oxford. This historic college, affectionately known as 'Teddy Hall', claims to be the oldest surviving academic society for educating undergraduates at any university, with roots estimated around 1236. The architecturally diverse quadrangle also features the Old Dining Hall, dating to the 1650s, and a 17th-century chapel. The chapel itself houses an early stained-glass window by the renowned artists Sir Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris, alongside a striking modern painting, 'Supper at Emmaus', by Ceri Richards. Visitors can soak in centuries of academic tradition, often finding the college open daily with free admission.

Beyond the main quad, the college incorporates the former 12th-century church of St Peter-in-the-East, now serving as the college library since the 1970s. This impressive library conversion includes a 14th-century tower and an even older crypt dating from the 1130s. The surrounding former churchyard has been transformed into peaceful gardens, where old gravestones have been repurposed for pathways. St Edmund Hall has a noted history of independent thought, having been a bastion for Wycliffe supporters in the 14th and 15th centuries and later fostering non-jurors loyal to the Stuart succession. While steeped in history, the college also looks to the future with new developments focused on sustainability.

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Opening Hours

Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM; Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM; Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM; Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Contact

+44 1865 279000