Jesus College
Turl Street, Oxford, OX1 3DW, GB
Rating: 4.6 ★ (72 ratings)
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Founded in 1571 by Queen Elizabeth I, Jesus College holds the distinction of being the first Protestant college at the University of Oxford and the only one established during her reign. Its initial purpose was to educate clergy, particularly to support the Elizabethan Religious Settlement across England, Ireland, and Wales. The impetus for its creation came from Hugh Price, a Welsh clergyman who sought a place for Welsh scholars. This Welsh connection has remained a strong tradition throughout the college's history, with St David's Day still celebrated with daffodils and Welsh tea. The oldest parts of the college, found in the first quadrangle, date back to the 16th and early 17th centuries, including the Chapel and the Principal's Lodgings, which remarkably still serve their original functions today.
Visitors can step into the first quad from Turl Street and also explore the larger 17th-century second quad, often home to first-year undergraduates and Fellows. The college's stunning Elizabethan Hall showcases portraits of its foundress queen and notable alumni such as T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) and former Prime Minister Harold Wilson. While retaining its historic charm, Jesus College has also evolved, admitting women for the first time in 1974 – a milestone commemorated by a flagstone at the Turl Street entrance. More recently, the Cheng Yu Tung Building, completed in 2021/2022, added a fourth quadrangle with new student accommodation, teaching spaces, and a Digital Hub, integrating modern facilities into the historic site. Organised tours are available daily in the afternoon, offering a chance to soak up the atmosphere of this unique Oxford institution.
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+44 1865 279700
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