Brasenose College
Brasenose College
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Brasenose is situated in the center of Oxford, facing one of the most scenic squares in the world, and within a few minutes walk of all the major libraries and laboratories of Oxford University.
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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.
4.0
39 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
16
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
1
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Michel_Louise_2013
Quebec City, Canada28,282 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Brasenose College at the University of Oxford was officially founded in 1509 but already existed (first mentioned in 1279) within the university as an academic hall (Hall: an educational establishment governed by a headmaster ). The library and chapel were added in the mid-17th century and the addition of a third quadrangle (the New Quad), between 1886 and 1911. According to the Norrington Table (annual ranking of the colleges of the University of Oxford based on a student performance score in end-of-year examinations), Brasenose College ranked 4th in 2020-21, making it one of the largest colleges in this famous university. As of 2022, the college admits undergraduates in 17 subject groups covering sciences, humanities, social sciences and arts. Brasenose College is also well known for the performances of its rowing club (the Brasenose College Boat Club), considered one of the oldest in the world (before 1815). Notable alumni of the college include former Prime Minister David Cameron, actor and comedian Mark Williams and best-selling author Jessica Kathryn Burton ("The Miniaturist", "The Muse" and "The House of Fortune") ). One of the college's entrances opens onto High Street.
Written January 24, 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.
permia
Ireland66,076 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Grand to see the College and Chapel from both High and St Mary’s Passage. Admirable architecture is a hallmark of both.
Curious as to the origin of its name we enquired and discovered that it probably originated from a brass or bronze knocker on its hall door.
Founded in 1509 on the site of Brasenose Hall, a medieval establishment, it is now one of the foremost constituent colleges.
The lovely chapel was added in the mid 1600s.
Curious as to the origin of its name we enquired and discovered that it probably originated from a brass or bronze knocker on its hall door.
Founded in 1509 on the site of Brasenose Hall, a medieval establishment, it is now one of the foremost constituent colleges.
The lovely chapel was added in the mid 1600s.
Written August 4, 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.
Wander35706
Manchester, England1 contribution
Brasenose College is sooo quaint! Check out Staircase XIV room III - the former room of Mayer Nissim. It's so cool - the site of many nights of fun! Check it out.
Written March 25, 2003
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.
AlexSwallow
Sheffield, UK1,652 contributions
Sep 2017 • Solo
I had the pleasure of staying at Brasenose for one night for a conference. I liked everything about it- as a venue it was wonderful, the staff were polite and the room I stayed in was excellent (en suite, huge separate living room with full desk, beautiful view).
Written September 29, 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.
Rachel C
County Durham, UK61 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
I stayed here last week for Oxford UNIQ's summer school, sleeping in the Frewin annexe and eating in the main Brasenose dining hall. Our rooms were reasonably sized and cleaned regularly. Some had en suites, but even those that did not only had to share a bathroom between a maximum of 4 people. Plus, every room had a little personal sink tucked behind a cupboard door.
The food became a little monotonous: every morning the breakfast included scrambled eggs, american bacon/sausage, a tomato and some variant of potato. Basic options like toast also did not seem available. Dinner, however, was usually a lot more enjoyable and varied.
The JCR is lovely, if a little bit cramped, and there are plenty of activities to keep you busy.
All staff I encountered were friendly and professional, striving to make our stay the best. My only issue, which may not be resolvable due to the nature of the buildings, is that staircases and other steps were not always highlighted, making navigation as a partially sighted person quite difficult. Also, when sleeping in the Frewin annex, be aware that many of the rooms overlook one of the backstreets of Oxford, so you are likely to experience shouting and other street noise throughout the night.
Overall, though, a lovely college that I would definitely consider returning to.
The food became a little monotonous: every morning the breakfast included scrambled eggs, american bacon/sausage, a tomato and some variant of potato. Basic options like toast also did not seem available. Dinner, however, was usually a lot more enjoyable and varied.
The JCR is lovely, if a little bit cramped, and there are plenty of activities to keep you busy.
All staff I encountered were friendly and professional, striving to make our stay the best. My only issue, which may not be resolvable due to the nature of the buildings, is that staircases and other steps were not always highlighted, making navigation as a partially sighted person quite difficult. Also, when sleeping in the Frewin annex, be aware that many of the rooms overlook one of the backstreets of Oxford, so you are likely to experience shouting and other street noise throughout the night.
Overall, though, a lovely college that I would definitely consider returning to.
Written August 10, 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.
LostInTime
Pittsburgh, PA24,294 contributions
Oct 2018 • Business
I got a tour of this college which led me to a great understanding of how Oxford is set up. The buildings and the college in general are very old. They were setting up the hall for eating when I was there which was cool to see. I loved the old pictures and the general feel of the school. The library was also quite nice. Well worth the time.
Written December 13, 2018
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.
Pamela R
Chicago, IL8 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
Beautiful buildings and grounds, stunning dining hall, wonderful location near Radcliffe Camera and central Oxford. Those are the pros. The twin room in the old hall (which is the first building you face as you come through the porter's lodge), though spacious and light, looked as if they had taken a beautiful Tudor room and covered over everything -- including doorways, fireplace, and old wooden beams -- with thick ivory paint. Oh, if only somene had taken care to restore this room it would have been fabulous. But I suppose the college doesn't have this kind of financing. And of course the room price would no longer be reasonable. So overall, the room was kind of dingy. The bathroom was fine. Shower head in the tub, as opposed to separate stall. We only ate breakfasts there, and the food was just ok. No choices, it was just brought out. It was very crowded in the beautiful hall since Brasenose apparently hosts many young students attending Oxford programs. Fortunately, the young Chinese children who were there during our stay were chaperoned and very well-behaved. I needed a hair dryer and none was available, not even from the Porter, which was an unpleasant surprise. Housekeeping does not come daily. Most of the help were very pleasant. So all in all, a mixed bag.
Written August 27, 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.
452juliah
Davenport, FL6 contributions
Mar 2013 • Solo
The rain made the bricks seem dark and foreboding, the front lawn looked like it had only just been laid. The college is much smaller than i was expecting and does not in fact boast the radcliffe camera as the college's prospectus had me believe through clever camera angles. Disappointment.
Written April 5, 2013
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.
Astronomer
Oxford61 contributions
Oct 2012
Handily placed for the city centre; close to the Ashmolean, Randolph Hotel and shops. As with all the colleges check public opening times.
Written December 29, 2012
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.
Disinterested
Winchester, UK107 contributions
Mar 2011 • Business
Brasenose certainly isn't the grandest of Oxford colleges - that would be Christ Church- nor is it the most beautiful -Magdalen (?) Merton (?) New (?)- nor is it the most academically distinguished - Balliol (?).
Brasenose is, however, the very epitome of Oxford. Its situation in what must surely be one of the world's most beautiful squares (Radcliffe), is the very best in Oxford. Its architecture, being a combination of medieval, victorian, and contemporary, provides an excellent visual history of the university.
The location for many an Inspector Morse episode, and the site of a mysterious devil related disappearance in the eighteenth century, Brasenose has a wealth of distinguished alumni: David Cameron, Michael Palin, Geoffrey Archer (no really!), a substantial number of current MPs, the former Arch Bishop of Canterbury, Earl Haig, and John Mortimer.
Well worth a visit.
Brasenose is, however, the very epitome of Oxford. Its situation in what must surely be one of the world's most beautiful squares (Radcliffe), is the very best in Oxford. Its architecture, being a combination of medieval, victorian, and contemporary, provides an excellent visual history of the university.
The location for many an Inspector Morse episode, and the site of a mysterious devil related disappearance in the eighteenth century, Brasenose has a wealth of distinguished alumni: David Cameron, Michael Palin, Geoffrey Archer (no really!), a substantial number of current MPs, the former Arch Bishop of Canterbury, Earl Haig, and John Mortimer.
Well worth a visit.
Written December 4, 2011
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.
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