All Souls College

What to see at All Souls College

The most notable areas of All Souls College are the chapel and Codrington Library and the college’s quadrangles are a delightful spot to explore.

The Codrington Library was designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor and built between 1716 and 1751 to house books bequeathed to the college by Christopher Codrington, a wealthy sugar plantation owner in Barbadoes. The library houses around 185,000 books with one-third of these printed before 1800. Although only students may enter the library, visitors to the college can see the exterior from the quadrangle.

The college chapel dates from the 15th century and features an original medieval hammer-beam roof, 15th-century stained glass windows and a baroque chapel screen designed in 1716 by Sir James Thornhill.

Although there is not an awful lot to see here, it is well worth popping in for a look if you’re in the neighbourhood during opening hours. The quadrangles are lovely and offer a peaceful escape from the busy streets outside.

Visiting All Souls College

All Souls College is centrally located immediately south of Hertford College and across Catte Street from the Radcliffe Camera and the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. The main entrance to the college is on the High Street near Catte Street.

The college is open to the public on Sunday and weekday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm and it is free of charge to visit.

Visitors have access to the College Front, the Great Quadrangle and the chapel. It is only a relatively small part of the college but it is still worth a wander around the college quadrangles.