Somerville College

Somerville College was established in 1879 to enable women to receive an Oxford education 41 years before women were awarded degrees by the university. At its foundation, the college was known as Somerville Hall, taking on the description of ‘College’ in 1894, but joining the university as a full college only in 1959. During its almost 150 years of history, Somerville has grown from a single building housing 12 students to a complex of over 20 buildings accommodating 450 undergraduate students and associated teaching spaces. Each building reflects the time in which it was built, and the varied architecture illustrates wonderfully the college’s rich history. Visit the college, view its buildings and learn more about its contribution to the history of the University of Oxford as you survey 150 years of architecture.

Timings & Tours

Sunday 14 September:

1000 - 1600 (last entry 1530)

Location & directions

Somerville College, Woodstock Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 6HD

Contact on day:

Anna Clark

Telephone number:

+441865242918

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Access to the college is, in the main, level or via ramps, with a few gentle inclines to negotiate. Steps can be avoided for the majority of a visit, except where refreshments will be served, (which is up two flights of steps), and access to the library where the exhibition is being held is via a different route. There is an accessible toilet available towards the front of the college.

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