Magdalen College - Oxford

Yui K.

If you love beautifully planted gardens and grounds, I would recommend it. A very pretty old college. I recommend visiting between March to April for all the showy spring blooms. Though, I'm sure the ground would be full of roses and other ornamental flowers in the summer months as well.

Alyssa B.

Absolutely stunning! We visited Oxford in July and had decided on visiting Magdalan college. We paid 15 pounds for a joint ticket with the Botanic Gardens across the street. Our visit to Magdalan exceeded expectations. The grounds are absolutely stunning! The attention and care given to the flowers and gardens is unreal. Addison’s path is a beautiful place for a walk, and to view the deer in July. It was nice and quiet when we were there, which just added to the positive experience. So glad we visited.

Nikol H.

Really beautiful place! If you are not an Oxford citizen or a student there, you need to play about 8£ to enter and explore the college. Many places are private but it is worth the visit as it is really pretty, gives off great vibes as if you are in a movie, and you can take plenty of nice photos.

Ellie

Such a beautiful college! Loved all the greenery! If you are not a student, you need to pay an entrance fee of £10.

#truth

April 30th, 2025 | Magdalen College, Oxford

🕯️I came to Oxford seeking to be closer to where our beloved C.S. Lewis lived (at The Kilns) and taught (here at Magdalen College).

Clive Staples Lewis, the celebrated author of the Chronicles of Narnia, literary scholar, and theologian, had a significant and long-lasting association with Magdalen College, Oxford

* Fellow and Tutor: In 1925, Lewis was elected a Fellow and Tutor in English Language and Literature at Magdalen College. He remained in this position for 29 years, until 1954.

* Rooms in New Building: Lewis's rooms were located in New Buildings, specifically the two windows directly to the right of the protruding center section, on the second floor (first floor by English reckoning), above the wisteria.

* Conversion: It was in these rooms, and during walks at Magdalen, particularly Addison's Walk, that Lewis moved from atheism to theism. A significant turning point was a late-night conversation in Magdalen with his friends Hugo Dyson and J.R.R. Tolkien.

As I walked along Addison’s Walk it occurred to me C. S. Lewis had cheated as a writer! The wonderland he’d described wasn’t something of his imagination, but right here in Oxford! 😄

❤️ You must do Addison’s Walk while here - it’s a slice of heaven. And don’t forget the circular plaque commemorating Lewis along the walk with a poem he wrote. It’s over the bridge to the right side when viewing the deer.

* The Inklings: Lewis's rooms in New Buildings at Magdalen served as one of the primary meeting places for the Inklings, his informal literary discussion group. This group, which included Tolkien, met on Thursday evenings to read, discuss, and critique their works in progress.

* Move to Cambridge: Lewis left Magdalen College in 1954 to take up a professorship at Magdalene College, Cambridge. This move was partly due to the fact that he never made professor at Oxford, and the Chair at Cambridge was created with him in mind. Despite this, he maintained a connection with Oxford and was elected an Honorary Fellow of Magdalen College in 1955.

* Many of his most famous works, including Out of the Silent Planet, The Screwtape Letters, and the Narnia series, were written during his time at Magdalen.

💳 Fee to See Magdalen College:

Magdalen College does charge an admission fee for visitors. As of May 2025, the general admission prices are:
* Adults: £10.00
* Over 65s, Children, Students: £9.00
* Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children aged 7 or over): £28.00

Guided Tours: During certain times, guided tours are available for £13.00 per person (including the admission fee). Check the Magdalen College website for the current schedule of guided tours.

Unfortunately these tours weren’t available during my time there, but it was no trouble at all. I was more than happy to wander through this picturesque oasis in the heart of Oxford, renowned for its stunning architecture, tranquil deer (that’s right, d-e-e-r) park, and the gentle flow of the River Cherwell. I even enjoyed a simple salad in the sun at its little bistro snugly situated in a casual corner of the campus next to the river.

⛪️ Magdalen College Chapel

The Chapel at Magdalen College is an integral part of the college and has a rich history.

* Active Place of Worship: It remains a very active chapel within the University, hosting approximately fourteen services a week during Full Term. While I did not attend a service there, I drifted away into a joyful place whilst listening to its choir there one evening.

* Welcome to All: Magdalen College explicitly states that all are welcome to attend Chapel services, regardless of whether they are members of the college or visitors. This suggests there is no fee to attend regular services.

* Historical Significance: After his conversion to Christianity in 1931, C.S. Lewis was known to attend weekday services in the College Chapel.

What a day! It was a wonderful walk through time bringing me closer to C. S. Lewis - may he rest in peace.

Ilias E.

It's beautiful but not worth the £10pp unless you have a sunny day in your hands and you wish to spend it at the meadow; even then, I'm not sure. Hall is undoubtedly overrated.

Edith N.

The ticket was £9.50 per person. It cannot be booked online; it's walk-in only, but there's no need to worry about tickets selling out. The college wasn't crowded, so we could take our time and explore slowly and quietly. The deer park is big and lovely although we could not get close enough to the deer. It's definitely worth a visit.

Melanie M.

I like visiting colleges in Oxford and I decided to give it a try with Magdalen College. And it was a really nice surprise! The college was better than what I was expecting. First of all, it is quite big and you can wander around for hours. I stayed 2 hours but could have stayed longer. You can visit the cloister, some hallways, the chapel, the dining room and the gardens. The gardens are gorgeous with a lot of cute deer in a field. You can also have a walk around in the wood which is very pleasant. For less than £10 it is worth the money! If you visit Oxford, it is one of the college you don't want to miss.