Keble College

Established in 1870, Keble is one of Oxford’s newer colleges and it is noted for the distinctive brick buildings designed by William Butterfield. When it was first completed the building was universally derided by critics as it was a very bold design for the time and while it still has its detractors, the college’s buildings fit in with their surroundings.

Former Keble students include former shadow chancellor of the exchequer, Ed Balls; former Governor of Hong Kong, David Wilson and Pakistani prime minister and former cricket captain, Imran Khan.

What to see at Keble College

Although it doesn’t have the rich history of Oxford’s older colleges, Keble College is still worth a visit if only to see the chapel and dining hall.

You enter through the main gate next to the Porter’s Lodge, which forms part of Liddon Quad. Liddon Quad is probably the most iconic area of Keble College as you’re surrounded by the distinctive patterned brick buildings that Keble is known for.

The chapel at the northern end of Liddon Quad is the most striking building here. The chapel’s interior is a majestic space that is quite unique when compared with other college chapels at Oxford. The chapel also features Holman Hunt’s painting, The Light of the World. Hunt also painted two other copies of this painting, a smaller copy hangs in the Manchester City Art Gallery and a larger copy is on display at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Keble’s dining hall is the longest at Oxford and can seat 300 diners. It is a magnificent space that has recently been restored to its original glory.

While the aforementioned buildings bear William Butterfield’s distinctive Gothic Revival style the newer Hayward and De Breyne buildings added in the 1960s, the ARCO building added in 1995, the Newman Quad and the 2002 Sloane Robinson Building complement the college’s older buildings.

Visiting Keble College

Keble College is located north of the city centre close to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Pitt Rivers Museum. It is around a 10-minute walk into the centre of Oxford.

The public can visit free of charge between 2pm and 5pm daily. Although, like other colleges at Oxford, Keble College is occasionally closed to the public for university events.