Wolfson College, Oxford

History

Founded in 1965 as “Iffley College”, benefactions from the Wolfson Foundation enabled the renamed College to admit postgraduate students from 1968. The College's buildings, designed by Powell and Moya, were completed in 1974 and are in part Grade II listed. Recent years have seen ambitious expansion, with the Academic Wing opened in 2013 to architectural acclaim, and the concluding extension now in place and providing new frontage to the College, with an enclosed Granite Quadrangle.

The College's democratic structure and egalitarian ethos originate from the inspirational leadership of its first President, Sir Isaiah Berlin. Most unusually, all College members share a single "Common Room" and there is no "High Table".

Food & Beverage

Breakfast in Hall is included in the B&B overnight rate (except in specifically discounted "room only" bookings). The usual breakfast time is 8am - 9am, but please check the electronic noticeboard in the Lodge for updates. A range of cooked items are supplemented with cereals, croissants, toast, yogurts, fruits, juice, and hot drinks. Please advise at time of booking if you have any special dietary requirements, the college will then do their best to accommodate.

All bedrooms have an associated kitchen/lounge, shared with the other 4 - 9 bedrooms in that "set". These are fully equipped with all appliances and basic cookware and kitchenware.

Guests are welcome to use the College Cafe for barista-service coffees and light snacks, and to join College members for lunch and supper served weekdays only. These meals are "canteen style", with a selection of hot dishes, self-service salad bar, cold drinks, wine, desserts and other supplementary items. Payment is in cash (only) at the till, and no prior booking is required.

The Lodge Reception can direct to local restaurants, pubs and bars both in the immediate vicinity and going south toward Oxford city centre, and north in Summertown.

Grounds & Gardens

Wolfson is positioned within 13 acres of riverside landscape, and the College's gardens and grounds received attention on BBC Radio 4 programme "Gardener's Question Time". The main lawn slopes down to the College's own harbour, separated by a narrow "island" from the flowing River Cherwell. A rainbow arch bridge crosses the river to two flood meadows. As designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the gardens are not treated with fertilisers or pesticides, and host a wide variety of native flora and fauna. On the far side of the river, guests can walk along the towpath, all the way to Oxford city centre.

Other facilities

There is WIFI internet in all bedrooms, accessed through the site password. Please note that there is NO telephone nor television, and staff are not permitted to supply adaptors.

The College has a limited quantity of car parking on-site, subject to other demands. Guests are asked to request parking at the time of their booking, and will be contacted to confirm whether or not this can be provided. Please note that only cars can be accommodated; no vans, campers, caravans, etc. There are two parking spaces for disabled use.

Irons and hairdryers can be borrowed from the Lodge. Guests have use of the College laundrette, with detergent on sale at the Lodge. Also provided are a letterbox for Royal Mail, pigeonhole for guests' post and sale of stamps. Luggage store is available before check-in/after check-out.