Merton College
Merton College
4.5
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
6:15 PM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
6:15 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
6:15 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
5:45 PM - 7:00 PM
About
Founded in 1264 AD, Merton is one of the oldest colleges in Oxford. It is home to the oldest academic library in continuous use anywhere in Europe, built between 1373 and 1378. The buildings around the College span many time periods and illustrate several different architectural styles. The oldest buildings still standing date to the 1280s. The current student body comprises c. 700 students (equally divided between undergraduates and graduates). Open to tourists most days of the year. Entry £3. Regular tours available daily July-September at 2 & 3pm. Booking recommended via the email address listed, though places are often available on the door. Charge £5 (£3 for Oxford University members and alumni with card), payable by cash or cheque. If you are a larger group, please email us in advance. If you would like a tour of the college outside regular summer tour hours, please email for availability. Evensong is sung at 6.15pm Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, and is free to the public.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
179 reviews
Excellent
117
Very good
58
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
0
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KH
London, UK676 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
This college is famous for being where the current Emperor studied when he was still Crown Prince. In the recently republished "Tomo ni Thames," you can read about his memories of studying there. Unfortunately, it was winter vacation and the general public was not allowed in, so I could only see the atmosphere from the outside.
Written January 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thursowick
Knoxville, TN132 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
We attended Evensong. It was stunning. Literally one of the best choirs I've ever heard. Among the many things they sang were two works by William Walton (Magnificat and Nunc dimitis from Chichester Service)—modern but still accessible. It was truly amazing. The ending organ voluntary was also modern and wild and then the church bells started to ring like crazy and you can look up actually see the bell-ringers up near the ceiling just below the bell tower. Really cool.
Written May 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
permia
Ireland67,094 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
A terrific institution and one of the highest achieving and regarded of the colleges. Great architecture is across its historic buildings, including the lovely chapel.
Impressively it has an uninterrupted sequence of Wardens since 1264. Supported by that accolade it makes a claim of being the oldest college in Oxford. But unsurprisingly other colleges dispute this.
Impressively it has an uninterrupted sequence of Wardens since 1264. Supported by that accolade it makes a claim of being the oldest college in Oxford. But unsurprisingly other colleges dispute this.
Written August 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark R
Oxford, UK7 contributions
Jan 2022
Merton College is currently closed to general visitors but members of the public are always welcome for chapel services and events. The choirs are exceptionally good as is the organ, so a detour for evensong (tues to thurs at 615) or for the organ recital (thurs at 115) will prove well worthwhile. Enjoy the architecture as much as the music.
Written January 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NormandInLondon
London, UK900 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Less touristy but excellent oxford college overlooking the Christ church meadow. Should take about 40 mins to see as the whole complex is quite small, but beautiful, with several enchanting quads. Chapel is a highlight
Written January 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL22,554 contributions
Dec 2022
One of the older and prettier colleges at Oxford is Merton. While we did not get to go inside the chapel of buildings we did walk around it from the Christ Church meadows. The list of those associated with the college is impressive and from a literary side includes TS Elliot and JRR Tolkien. The chapel tower is also a great sight from St. Mary's.
Written December 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeamWard
Nottingham, UK5,684 contributions
Feb 2020
Merton College is easy to walk around the outside along the delightful Dead mans walk, great views of the architecture and across the fields to the river cherwell, well worth a viewing.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ArbiterOxford
Oxford13 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
Merton College (under Benjamin Nicholas) and The Queen's College (under Professor Owen Rees) have the two best mixed-voice college choirs in Oxford. I now strongly prefer to hear the college choirs with 20-year-old sopranos rather than 12-year-old (boy) trebles. There is little to choose between the quality of these two choirs - both are stunningly good.
Both Merton and Queen's have outstanding chapels. Merton's chapel is medieval, vast and often cold; but the chaplain and his helpers give members of the public a warm welcome. Queen's chapel is baroque and cosy, but I'm afraid they have suddenly become a bit aloof with members of the public who attend their services. (By "they", I don't mean the college porters.)
Anyone visiting Oxford in term time should make a special point of attending choral evensong at Merton College. Entrance is free; you just turn up at the porters' lodge and say you have come for evensong.
Those with no religious faith will still find the singing sublime and be moved by the spirituality of the occasion.
Both Merton and Queen's have outstanding chapels. Merton's chapel is medieval, vast and often cold; but the chaplain and his helpers give members of the public a warm welcome. Queen's chapel is baroque and cosy, but I'm afraid they have suddenly become a bit aloof with members of the public who attend their services. (By "they", I don't mean the college porters.)
Anyone visiting Oxford in term time should make a special point of attending choral evensong at Merton College. Entrance is free; you just turn up at the porters' lodge and say you have come for evensong.
Those with no religious faith will still find the singing sublime and be moved by the spirituality of the occasion.
Written December 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
plushkanyc
Brooklyn, NY93 contributions
Sep 2017 • Solo
I got a bit lost and accidentally stumbled upon Merton during Oxford Open Doors day. So I went it, and didn't regret it. Really lovely college, particularly the gardens and the chapel.
Written September 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fudge03
Sussex, England1,155 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
Although I know Oxford quite well I'd never been into Merton before, and it was stunning. Every inch of it was history brought to life, a wonderful mixture of buildings and gardens, and that amazing chapel. Highly recommended.
Written August 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alessandracaldasso
Capao da Canoa, RS
Quais cursos de estudos existem no Merton College??
Written June 21, 2018
I want to start a career in Software Engineering and need to know what kind of Entry requirements is needed and if there is any other way like going on courses in college rather than going to Uni? Any help please
Written January 12, 2015
I want to start a career in Software Engineering and need to know what kind of Entry requirements is needed and if there is any other way like going on courses in college rather than going to Uni? Any help please
Written January 12, 2015
Merton_Tours
Oxford, United Kingdom
Please visit Merton's website to contact the admissions team directly. They will be able to help you with any questions you may have!
Written January 15, 2015
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