Magdalen College

Magdalen College, pronounced Maudlin, was founded in 1458 and has one of the most beautiful sites in Oxford. Its tower rises above the Cherwell at the east end of the High Street, and every year on May morning choristers sing from the top to welcome spring, a tradition that draws large crowds to Magdalen Bridge. Inside the gate are medieval cloisters decorated with carved grotesque figures, a chapel, and a series of quadrangles leading to the New Building. Beyond them lie Addison's Walk, a circular path beside the river, and a deer park with a herd of fallow deer grazing in the meadows. The mix of architecture, water and meadow makes it feel almost like a country estate in the middle of a city.

The college has a distinguished list of former members. C. S. Lewis was a fellow here from 1925 until 1954 and walked Addison's Walk with J. R. R. Tolkien in a conversation that helped to shape his faith. Oscar Wilde studied here in the 1870s, and the poet Seamus Heaney and the physicist Erwin Schrodinger were later associated with the college. Visitors on a tour that includes Magdalen can see the cloisters, the chapel and the paths that connected these writers.

Entry is by ticket and usually timed. The college is a working community, so visiting hours change in term and vacation, and some areas close for exams, services or events. The tour linked here includes entry to Magdalen as part of a Lewis and Tolkien walking route, which gives context for the sites and simplifies the booking. Dogs and bicycles are not generally allowed, and visitors are expected to stay on the paths and respect the quiet of the college.

The deer park and Addison's Walk are the highlights for many people. The path loops around a water meadow beside the Cherwell, and in spring the meadow is full of fritillary flowers. The river is also the place to hire a punt, and the boathouse at Magdalen Bridge is a few steps from the gate. If you want a classic Oxford afternoon, visit the college, walk the path and then take a punt along the river.

Visitors often ask whether Magdalen is worth the entry charge. The answer is usually yes if you enjoy gardens and quiet corners. The grounds are among the most extensive of any central college, with the water meadow, the deer park and the long path beside the Cherwell making it feel like a country estate.

The cloisters are covered, so a visit works in light rain, and the chapel is open to visitors when it is not in use. The tower is closed to the public except for specific events, but you can see it from the grounds and from the bridge.

The college has a distinguished choir, and choral evensong is open to visitors who wish to attend, subject to the term calendar. Try to arrive near opening time, when the paths are quiet and the deer are often visible near the trees, and allow time to sit by the river before you leave. Comfortable shoes are worth wearing because the paths around the meadow can be muddy after rain, and umbrellas are a good idea on unsettled days.