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The College Chapel and Gatehouse

2/15

Stay for Afternoon Tea!

3/15

Double Suite

4/15

Inside the Chapel

5/15

Double Bedroom

6/15

Fellows' Garden

7/15

Twin Room Sitting Room

8/15

The Dining Hall

9/15

Single Room (Shared Bathroom)

10/15

The Grounds in Winter

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Palmer's Tower

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The Entrance to the Dining Hall

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Front Quad

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View from mound

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The J. R. R. Tolkein Bust within the College

Availability Overview Reviews Facilities & information Arrival information & directions

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Overview

Exeter College is situated in the middle of Oxford. Shops, cafes, restaurants, libraries and museums are all just a short walking distance from the college, as well as many other attractions, making it an ideal place to stay.

All the rooms offered are occupied by students during term time, and although the college does not offer 5-star accommodation, they can guarantee that it will be clean, well kept and comfortable. Tea and coffee making facilities are complimentary, as well as towels and bed linen. Both standard and ensuite bedrooms are available on-site, and all the rooms are situated on traditional staircases overlooking either the idyllic quad, fellow's garden or one of the many historic streets of Oxford.

Check in: 14:00 (2:00pm) - 23:30 (11:30pm) (arrivals may be allowed outside this window if your travel plans can't be adjusted however this is subject to availability)

Check out: 06:00 (6:00am) - 10:00 (10:00am)

History

Exeter College was founded in 1314 by Walter de Stapeldon. It was originally known as Stapeldon Hall and consisted of only a Rector, a Chaplain and twelve or fourteen fellows. The college then started offering rooms to students in the late fifteenth century. Of this medieval college, all that remains is the building known as Palmer's Tower, due east of the Chapel, which takes its name from a fifteenth-century rector.

Exeter College became one of the leading colleges in the next century after a generous donation from Sir William Petre, a former undergraduate of the college. Numbers expanded, and the present hall was built in 1618, together with a matching Chapel on the opposite side of the quad. The rest of the front quad was completed in stages between 1672 and 1710. Due to the generosity of old members, the college has expanded further in the twentieth century.

Famous undergraduates that have studied and lived at Exeter College include J. R. R. Tolkien, Lord Fisher, Arch Bishop of Canterbury, and Philip Pullman. William Morris was also a Victorian undergraduate, whose work can be found within the college.

Food & beverage

A full English breakfast, plus continental options are included in the price of the room and is taken in the 17th century Dining Hall. Breakfast is served between 8.00am and 9.00am every day.

Grounds & Gardens

The fellows' garden provides a haven of quiet in which to relax and breathe in the sense of history which pervades the College. Guests are welcome to take a stroll around the gardens and witness the view of Radcliffe Square from the top of the stairs at the rear end of the garden.

Other facilities

Guests are welcome to visit the Chapel and the Dining Hall during their stay. Original William Morris artwork can be found in the Morris Room within the College. Guests are welcome to view the Morris Room on an arrangement with the college.

Washing machines and Driers are available for guests to use. Please ask for further details at the Porter's Lodge located at the main entrance of the College

If guests need to store their luggage they are able to ask the Porter on duty if there is any space to do so. Please note there may not always be room for luggage storage.

Reviews

4.4

Based on 96 reviews

Room
4.0

Value
4.2

Food
4.7

Service
4.6

Experience
4.5

★★★★★

★★★★

★★★

★★

★

Excellent one night stay. Room was very clean with a lovely toiletries welcome pack together with tea and coffee. Although I didn't use it, a fridge was also provided. Breakfast was very good and was taken in the Grest Hall which all added to the experience. Porters and catering staff were very friendly and helpful. Exeter College is very centralvand Excellent base for the Oxford Literary Festival.
SusanS

Excellent one night stay in a great central location for all the Oxford Literary Festival events. Room was very clean and had a toiletries welcome pack. Breakfast in the Great Hall was a wonderful experience and the cooked food was excellent.
SusanS

Overall brilliant stay but just couple of ‘niggles’ - please get info out re breakfast times at weekend being 9-10 and not 8-9 as during week. Would be even better if mugs/decent sized cups were provided!
KathyS

Really enjoyed the stay. Just the kettle was not working, also couldn’t work out little heater and no wifi in the room but honestly this didn’t detract really as a graduate I love Oxford so much !!!
JoanneH

Comfortable room. The porters and breakfast staff were all very friendly.
DianeF

Lodgings and staff were great, and the breakfast was always good.
Anon

A very enjoyable visit, I would love to come again next year.
Anon

Excellent accommodation and helpful , friendly staff.
RichardH

Excellent evening- thank you
StephenJ

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Facilities & information

Summary

17th century buildings

18th century buildings

19th century buildings

Breakfast included

Public car parking for a charge (nearby)

No parking

No smoking

Historic property

Facilities

Free broadband access (wifi)

Shared gardens

Garden furniture

Children's highchairs

24 hour security

Linen included

Towels included

Washing machine

Central heating

Bring your own travel cot

Food

Tea room

Continental breakfast (included)

Cooked breakfast (included)

Picnic area

Recreations

Recommended walks

Pub (walking distance)

Museums (walking distance)

Historic houses

Gardens

Golf course (a short drive)

Tennis courts (a short drive)

Recommended restaurants (walking distance)

Theatre (walking distance)

Arrival information & directions

Address: Exeter College, Turl Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OxfordOX1 3DP, United Kingdom

On arrival please report to the Porters' Lodge located at the main entrance of the College. Here you will be given your keys and directed to your rooms. The Porter's Lodge is manned 24 hours a day, and the Porters on duty are always happy to help you with any queries you may have.

Unfortunately, the College does not offer any parking facilities.

The College is a 20-minute walk from the train station and a 10-minute walk from Gloucester Green coach station. Taxis are available from both the train station and Gloucester Green.

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Exeter College, Oxford