St. Anne's College
56 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HS, GB
Rating: 4.4 ★ (64 ratings)
Details
Originally founded in 1879 as the Society of Oxford Home-Students, St. Anne's College acquired its current name and full collegiate status in 1952, marking its place as one of the newer Oxford colleges. This history is reflected in its varied architecture, which includes a mix of Victorian houses and more contemporary designs, such as the award-winning Tim Gardam Building, which houses part of one of Oxford's largest college libraries with over 100,000 volumes. Situated on Woodstock Road, a pleasant ten-minute walk from the city centre, the college boasts five acres of tranquil, leafy grounds, offering a surprising sense of peace despite its relatively central location next to the University Parks. St. Anne's has cultivated a reputation for being down-to-earth, friendly, and progressive, stemming from its origins of enabling women from all financial backgrounds to access an Oxford education.
Visitors are welcome to explore St. Anne's beautiful buildings and scenic grounds. The college doesn't have a chapel, reflecting its secular outlook, and its dining hall is notably modern, lacking traditional portraits and instead featuring large windows. While primarily an academic hub, St. Anne's offers bed and breakfast accommodation and conference facilities, particularly during vacation periods, providing a chance to experience college life. Its location provides easy access to the independent shops and restaurants of the Jericho neighbourhood and the open spaces of Port Meadow, perfect for a riverside walk. The college website is the best source for up-to-date visitor information, including opening times (generally daily 9:00-17:00, free entry with donations welcome) and details for any events or if advance booking is required for large groups.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: Open 24 hours; Tuesday: Open 24 hours; Wednesday: Open 24 hours; Thursday: Open 24 hours; Friday: Open 24 hours; Saturday: Open 24 hours; Sunday: Open 24 hours
Contact
+44 1865 274800
Comments
The porters are useless if you ask them a question about where you can find something, like an ATM/cash machine.
The dining hall staff circle like vultures waiting to grab your plate from you, many times taking my food away before I even realized what had happened. I counted 9 times they tried taking my plate before I was finished. The dining hall manager was extremely rude to me when I took a place setting from an adjacent table to sit with my colleagues, demanding that I put it back and walk across the room to a different table to grab a place setting.
The food is decent, but not worth the money you pay. They have the same old thing every morning at breakfast, but sometimes the powdered eggs are so runny it looks like porridge. They looked pained when a vegetarian asks for an alternative meal, something they can eat.
If I had known the conditions here at St. Anne's, I would never have come.
If you stay here as a visitor, know that the price you pay is much lower than the options in the middle of the city. However, there are some drawbacks, including small, spartan rooms and shared bathrooms. But these are all noted on the college website, so they cannot be faulted for this. (Like thoughtlessly giving a one-star review for a Honda Civic for not being a Mercedes S-Class!). The rooms are good for people on a budget that just need a safe place to stay a few days. I would not recommend the place for families with infants -- there aren't elevators in most places, making it a struggle to carry strollers and large suitcases.
Tips:
- Get the ensuite bathroom option if that's available.
- Buy a bus pass for the duration of your stay, which gives you unlimited get on / get off privileges. The bus stop is within a 5-min walk from the college.
- If you're headed to Heathrow airport, catch a bus to Gloucester Green central bus station from where you could catch the direct bus to the airport.