Magdalen College, Oxford (must see)

Magdalen College is one of Oxford’s most memorable colleges, admired for its medieval architecture, spacious grounds, and picturesque setting beside the River Cherwell. Founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor of England, it grew out of Magdalen Hall, established in 1448.

The college took over the site of the former Hospital of Saint John the Baptist after its dissolution in 1457, and some of that earlier history still lingers: the Old Kitchen Bar, now the college bar, occupies what was once the hospital’s kitchen. Its name is pronounced “Maudlin,” a useful detail to know before saying it aloud in Oxford.

Much of Magdalen’s historic character comes from the major building work begun in 1470 under the mason William Orchard. He oversaw the construction of the Chapel, Hall, and Cloister, including the Muniment and Founder’s Towers.

The central architectural highlight is located within the Cloister Quad, where it can often be seen as you walk through the covered stone walkways. Here, you will find the strange and allegorical stone figures known as the “Hieroglyphs.” To find these highlights, look at the tops of the stone buttresses lining the courtyard; you will see carved figures such as the Lion, the Pelican, and the Hippopotamus, which have stood as symbolic guardians of the college since the early 16th century.

The most recognizable feature is Magdalen Tower, one of Oxford’s defining landmarks. Completed in the early 16th century, it rises above the eastern approach to the city centre. To find this highlight, look toward the corner where the college meets Magdalen Bridge; notice the 144-foot-tall limestone structure and the ornate pinnacles at its summit. Once you find yourself at the base, you are standing below the tower where the college choir has sung every May Day at 6 a.m. since the reign of Henry VII, a tradition now closely associated with Oxford’s May Morning celebrations.

Beyond the main college buildings, the large wooded area known as the Grove preserves a sense of Oxford’s older landscape. After you pass the 18th-century New Building, walk toward the boundary railings and look for the herd of fallow deer that live in this centuries-old park. Once you find yourself at the edge of the meadow, you may see the deer grazing beneath the mature trees. This distinctive feature is complemented by Addison’s Walk, which links the Meadow to Fellows’ Garden and follows a peaceful route near the Cherwell.

Notable residents include Oscar Wilde, who studied here from 1874 to 1878, and C. S. Lewis, who was a Fellow and English tutor from 1925 to 1954. His rooms became a meeting place for the Inklings, the literary circle that included J. R. R. Tolkien.