Oxford Open Doors is back, giving us a chance to look inside some of the city’s most historical buildings.
Every year, the annual heritage festival unlocks the doors to buildings across Oxford, letting us explore unusual and historical sides of the city that we otherwise might not get the chance to see.
Although tickets for many properties get snapped up pretty quickly, there are still plenty of architectural delights you can check out on a drop-in basis, all for free.
There’s also tours, exhibitions and talks to help you dive even further into the hidden histories of the capital and a range of guided and self-guided walks around the city and its green setting.
1. University Church of St Mary the Virgin
The University Church has been visited by many illustrious figures who left their mark on the building. Meet five of the most famous ones, Elizabeth I, Archbishop William Laud, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, John Henry Newman and John Wesley, in a tale woven over the centuries expertly led by an accredited guide.
The tower is the oldest part of the church that is still visible today. It dates from 1280 and is decorated with beautifully carved gargoyles and grotesques. The 127 steps up to the top lead you past the Clore Old Library and the historic bell ringing chamber.
Open on Friday, 08 September, from 9.30am to 6.00pm.
Outside of Oxford Open Doors, access to the church remains free, but visitors need to purchase a ticket for the tower for an allocated 20-minute period.
2. Holywell Music Room
Holywell Road, Oxford OX1 3SD
The Holywell Music Room, with access from Holywell Street, is said to be the oldest purpose-built music room in Europe and hence England’s first concert hall. It was designed by Thomas Camplin, former Vice-Principal of St Edmund Hall, and opened in July 1748.
The room continued as a concert venue throughout the 18th century until 1836, from which time it was used for several other events, including auctions and exhibitions. The interior has been restored to a near-replica of the original and contains the only surviving Donaldson organ, built in 1790 by John Donaldson of Newcastle.
Open on Saturday, 09 September, from 10.00am to 2.00pm.
3. Oxford Town Hall
St Aldate’s, Oxford OX1 1BX
Opened by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales on 12 May 1897, Oxford Town Hall is a Victorian Grade II* listed building which hosts over 2,000 events throughout the year. It is located in the heart of Oxford and is home to the Museum of Oxford, the Town Hall Café, and is the administrative base of Oxford City Council.
Visit this Grade II* listed Town Hall and join a free taster tour (usually £5.00 per person) of rooms not normally open to the public. Tours take place at 11.00am and 1.00pm. Tickets are limited, so kindly pre-book on the museum’s website at museumofoxford.org, as they cannot guarantee availability on the day.
Open on Saturday, 09 September, at 11.00am and 1.00pm. Advanced booking required.
4. Exeter College
Turl Street, Oxford OX1 3DP
Exeter College is located at the heart of Oxford, adjoining the Bodleian Library. The college is the fourth oldest at the University, and it has occupied its current site on Turl Street since 1315, one year after it was founded.
Its founder, Walter de Stapeldon, was a Devon man who rose from a humble background to become Bishop of Exeter and Treasurer of England under Edward II.
View the Chapel, the rarely-open Fellows’ Garden (pictured above) and sit in the 17th-century dining hall. See where filming for the young Tolkien, Discovery of Witches, Great British Menu final (2020), and Endeavour took place. Light snacks will be available in the Undercroft Bar.
Open on Saturday, 09 September, from 11.00am to 4.00pm.
5. The Old Palace, Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy
85-87 St Aldates (entrance on Rose Place), Oxford OX1 1RD
The Old Palace, the current home of the Catholic Chaplains to the students and other Oxford University members, was the residence of the first Bishop of Oxford, Bishop King, in the 1540s.
Its present impressive frontage dates from 1628, and the interior includes vestiges of both the earlier occupancy and the more ornate decorations of the Jacobean period, with the ceiling of the ‘Blue Room’ being the most striking.
The house has had a fascinating history since then and became the home of the University of the Catholic Chaplaincy in 1920.
Open on Saturday, 09 September, from 11.00am to 5.00pm.
6. Examination Schools
High Street, Oxford OX1 4BG
Built between 1876 and 1881, this Grade II listed building in the heart of Oxford’s City Centre was designed to house the University’s examinations, and this remains its primary purpose to this day.
During the First World War it acted as headquarters for the 3rd South General Hospital (a facility for the Royal Army Medical Corps to treat military casualties).
This building is not normally open to the public, so it is a rare and fantastic opportunity to step beyond the grand entrance.
Do a self-guided tour, or book onto a guided tour to learn more about the architecture, history and use of this beautiful building. Guided tours run from 10.00am to 11.00am, noon to 1.00pm and 3.00pm to 4.00pm. Contact james.tibbert@admin.ox.ac.uk to book. Max 16 people per tour.
Open on Saturday, 09 September, from 11.00am to 5.00pm.
7. Blavatnik School of Government
Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG
Designed to support the school’s mission of inspiring and promoting better government around the world, the Blavatnik School of Government’s award-winning building provides a purpose-built home for a vibrant academic community.
The building was developed by internationally renowned architects Herzog & de Meuron, inspired by “openness, communication and transparency in parliamentary spaces”. Look around the various spaces in this buildingincluding the 4th floor terrace with stunning views over Oxford.
Open on Sunday, 10 September, from 10.00am to 3.00pm.
8. Balliol College
Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BJ
Oone of the oldest Oxford colleges, Balliol College was founded around 1263 by John I de Balliol, a wealthy landowner from Barnard Castle in County Durham, who provided the foundation and endowment for the college.
The college is well known for its diverse community, friendly atmosphere and lively spirit of intellectual debate. Notable alumni include four Prime Ministers, five Nobel laureates and numerous literary and philosophical figures.
Open on Sunday, 10 September, from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
Can’t make it for Oxford Open Doors? The college is open as often as can be and welcomes visitors who wish to tour the buildings and gardens.
9. Carfax Tower
Queen Street, Oxford OX1 1ET
St Martin’s Tower, more commonly referred to as “Carfax Tower”, is all that remains of the 13th century St Martin’s Church, the official city church of Oxford from 1122. It is considered to be the centre of the city. In 1896, the main part of the church was demolished to make more room for traffic in the area.
The tower is 74 feet tall, and no building in central Oxford may be constructed higher than it. Climb the 99 steps to the top of Carfax Tower for an amazing birds-eye view of Oxford’s Dreaming Spires.
Open on Sunday, 10 September, from 11.00am to 5.00pm, with last admission at 4.30pm.
Beyond Oxford Open Days, the tower is open 10.00am to 5.30pm from Easter to October, and 10.00am to 3.30pm between October and Easter.
The post Oxford Open Doors: nine properties to see inside appeared first on The Oxford Magazine.
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