New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford. Despite its name, it dates from 1386 and was called New College to distinguish itself from the older colleges at Oxford. Of course, there are many newer colleges and now New College is one of the university’s older colleges.
What to see at New College
Visitors to New College are able to see the cloisters, chapel, hall, gardens and city wall.
New College was one of the first colleges to arrange itself in a quadrangle and the Front Quadrangle features the chapel and hall in the medieval style that is typical of the Oxford’s older colleges.
The Cloisters and bell tower are one of the last of the original buildings to be completed and was not opened until 1400. The large 19th-century evergreen holm oak in the Cloisters was used in a scene from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
The 14th-century New College Chapel is a grand hall with original walls, 18th-century stained glass windows and a roof and woodwork that was added in the 19th century. The chapel features a painting of St James by El Greco that is now believed to be a self-portrait.
The ante-chapel features medieval stained glass, the 17th-century West Window by Sir Joshua Reynolds, a statue of Lazarus by Jacob Epstein and a war memorial.
The hall at New College is the oldest dining hall of any college in Oxford (or Cambridge for that matter). The hall features 16th-century linenfold panelling and portraits of previous college wardens.
The buildings in the Garden Quadrangle were added in the 15th, 17th and 18th centuries. To the east of these are the college’s gardens including the mound, the UK’s longest herbaceous border and several large trees.
Predating the college, the 12th-century city wall defines the northern and eastern boundary of New College.
Visiting New College
New College is near the centre of Oxford, located adjacent to Hertford College and All Souls College. It is less than a five-minute walk to the Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera and the Sheldonian Theatre and Carfax Tower is less than a 10-minute walk from here.
The admission charge is £5 (£4 for students and seniors) which includes a guide and map to the college.
During the summer season (from mid-March to mid-October) entry is via New College Lane gate and during the winter season entry is via the Holywell Street entrance.
Like other colleges at Oxford, New College is occasionally closed to the public for university events.
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