Harris Manchester College

Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TD, GB

Rating: 4.7 ★ (37 ratings)

Details

Mansfield Road is home to Harris Manchester College, an Oxford institution with a distinctive heritage and a modern outlook. Founded originally as the Warrington Academy in 1757 for Unitarian students, and later re-founded in Manchester in 1786, it provided higher education for those dissenting from the Church of England who were barred from Oxford and Cambridge. After several relocations, including to York and London, the college settled in Oxford in 1893, eventually becoming a full constituent college of the University in 1996. Today, it's uniquely dedicated to mature students, welcoming undergraduates and postgraduates aged 21 and over, creating a diverse and vibrant international community. This focus means every student arrives with a unique story, enriching the academic and social life of this friendly and supportive college.

The main quad, designed by architect Thomas Worthington, was constructed between 1889 and 1893 and showcases late Gothic designs. A particularly notable feature is the college chapel, which contains stunning stained-glass windows designed by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris, making it the only room in Oxford entirely lit by their glass. The Arlosh Hall, added in 1913, is another significant architectural element. Despite being one of Oxford's smallest colleges in terms of undergraduate numbers, Harris Manchester boasts the sixth largest college library, holding an impressive collection of books and manuscripts, some dating back to the fifteenth century. Visitors can typically access the chapel during specified hours, and while entry is free, donations are welcomed.

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Location

Opening Hours

Monday: 8:30 AM – 11:00 PM; Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 11:00 PM; Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 11:00 PM; Thursday: 8:30 AM – 11:00 PM; Friday: 8:30 AM – 11:00 PM; Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Sunday: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Contact

+44 1865 271006