Balliol College Historic Collections Centre at St Cross Church

It often feels like the end of the world ... but is it? This year's exhibition, Apocalypse Now? Seven Visions from the Historic Collections looks at apocalyptic scenarios in Balliol's collections from the Book of Revelation to climate change. How scared should we be? Hopefully we can find some reasons to be cheerful.

First built in 890, St Cross Church houses Balliol College's historic collections of books and manuscripts.

Arguably the oldest of all the Oxford colleges, Balliol has one of the longest continuous histories of any educational institution in the English-speaking world. The College Archives contain well over 10,000 items, covering all aspects of the College's history from its earliest years to the present.

Balliol holds many collections of modern personal papers from Balliol alumni including from TH Green, Harold Nicolson, Benjamin Jowett (Master of Balliol 1870-1893); the papers of the Mallet and Morier families; and literary manuscripts including material from Matthew Arnold, Arthur Hugh Clough, Graham Greene and Robert Browning.

Balliol's early libraries include 20,000 early printed books dating back to the 15th century and 400 early manuscripts including a part of the Domesday Book (1160-1170), Richard Hill's memorandum book (the unique source of many English carols) and the library of William Gray, Bishop of Ely, which has been called 'by far the finest, as well as the largest, private collection to survive in England from the Middle Ages'.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 13 September:

1100-1600

Sunday 14 September:

1100-1600

Location & directions

St Cross Church, St Cross Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3UH

Contact on day:

Anna Clark

Telephone number:

+441865242918

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

There is ramped access via portable ramps to all areas of the building. Please ask staff to make these available at the door.

Additional information

Families are welcome and there will be things to do for visitors of all ages.

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