Oriel College - Oxford

Oriel College: A Hidden Gem in Oxford

Location and Contact Information

Located at Address: Oxford OX1 4EW, United Kingdom, Oriel College is a prestigious institution nestled in the heart of the historic city of Oxford. Visitors can reach the college by phone at 1865276555 or by visiting their official website at oriel.ox.ac.uk.

Specialties and Other Points of Interest

Oriel College is a must-see for those interested in higher education and history. The college is known for its beautiful quad, which exudes a sense of cosiness while maintaining its stunning beauty. One of the most striking features of the chapel is the painting of the Queen, which was personally sat for by her majesty. This makes it the largest proper portrait of her outside of the Royal collections.

Opinions and Average Rating

With a total of 52 reviews on Google My Business, Oriel College enjoys an impressive average rating of 4.7/5. Visitors often praise the college for its welcoming atmosphere, historic charm, and unique features such as the board displaying the former Chaplains, which offers an honest look at their shortcomings.

Recommendation

If you're planning a visit to Oxford, make sure to include Oriel College on your itinerary. Its rich history, beautiful architecture, and warm hospitality make it a truly unforgettable experience. Don't forget to explore the college's website for more information on tours and events, or to arrange a visit to their Senior Common Room for a cup of coffee in a quintessentially British setting.

For some reason, the college is colloquially known by some as "Toryial," but regardless of its nickname, it is undoubtedly worth a visit. With its wheelchair-accessible entrance and a commitment to providing an inclusive experience for all guests, Oriel College welcomes visitors from around the world to explore its treasures and learn about its storied past.

We highly recommend contacting Oriel College through their website to plan your visit and make the most of your time in this stunning college.

👍 Reviews of Oriel College

Peter C.

5/5

Smaller college but beautiful quad. The first college to have the monarch as it's "Visitor". The quad has a feeling of cosiness as well as being beautiful. In the chapel is a painting of the Queen, for which she sat personally. It is the largest proper portrait of her outside of the Royal collections. Do not miss the board with the former Chaplains, it is very frank in some of their failings.
We were kindly invited for coffee in the Senior Common Room a very civilised experience.
For some reason the college is colloquially known by some as "Toryial". Well worth a look.🙂

Han S.

4/5

Nice college to visit. A little smaller than some of the other Oxford colleges. The visitor entrance fee was £3 per person. Visitors can visit the yard, chapel, and the dining hall.

Sally K.

4/5

The nicest, friendliest porter in reception. Pretty grounds.

Grant H.

5/5

Generally known as one of the most conservative colleges at Oxford. This building has the Rhodes statue.

D V.

3/5

Nice building from the outside. Pity that you have to pay to visit EVERY building in the city of Oxford….

GoodOld H.

5/5

Love its beautiful quad. Also great room.

Edward

4/5

The college has the distinction of being the oldest royal foundation in Oxford. In recognition of this royal connection, the college has also been known as King's College and King's Hall. The reigning monarch of the UK (since 1952, Elizabeth II) is the official Visitor of the College.

John B.

5/5

A lovely mixture of architectual styles. It remains a charming modestly-sized college at heart of Oxford.