of soldiers. At one point in the C19th it was home to three
traction engines belonging to the works department of the
The Meadow (bounded by Addison's Walk)
triangular meadow lies to the east of the college, bounded on all
sides by the River
Addison's Walk in Autumn
the spring, it is filled with the flower Fritillaria Meleagris
(commonly known as Snakeshead
), which gives it an attractive green-purple colour.
These flowers grow in very few places, and have been recorded
growing in the meadow since around 1785. Once the flowering has
finished, the deer are moved in for the Summer and Autumn. In wet
winters, some or all of the meadow may flood, as the meadow is
lower lying than the surrounding path. All around the edge of the
meadow is a tree-lined path, Addison's Walk. It is a beautiful and
tranquil walk, favoured by students, dons, and visitors alike. It
also links the college with Holywell Ford, and the Fellows'
The Fellows' Garden
The Fellows' Garden
Located to the north east of the Meadow, directly behind the new
building of the Oxford
Centre for Islamic Studies
. This long and (fairly) narrow garden follows
the Cherwell to the edge of the University Parks .
In spring, the ground is covered with
flowers. In summer, there are some flowers, many different shrubs,
and the varied trees provide dappled cover from the sun. It is
linked to Addison's Walk by a bridge.
The Great Tower was built between 1492 and 1509, and is an imposing
landmark on the eastern approaches to the city centre. The hall and
chapel were built at similar times, though both have undergone some
changes in the intervening years.
The cloister and the New
The Cloister or Great Quad was built in 1474-80 and has been
altered several times since then. In 1822, the north side was in
bad shape, and was knocked down while most of the fellows were away
from college (only a small group of fellows were in favour of
demolishing it). It was rebuilt shortly afterwards. In the early
1900s, renovations were performed, and it was returned to a more
mediaeval character. Student rooms were installed in the (very
large) roof space in the 1980s.
The New Building was built across a large lawn to the north of the
Great Quad in 1733. Its spacious setting is due to the builders'
intentions to create an entirely new quad, but only one side was
completed. C. S. Lewis
rooms in this building, and as there are very few student rooms
(many being occupied by tutors), they are highly sought
The college has four other quads. The irregularly shaped St John's
Quad is the first on entering the college, and includes the Outdoor
Pulpit and old Grammar Hall. It connects to the Great Quad via the
Perpendicular Gothic Founder's Tower, which is richly decorated
with carvings and pinnacles and has carved bosses in its
The Chaplain's Quad runs along the side of the Chapel and Hall, to
the foot of the Great Tower
Swithun's Quad and Longwall Quad (which contains the Library) date
from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and make up the
southwest corner of the college. The Grove Buildings are the
newest, built in the 1990s in a traditional style.
The chapel is a place of worship for members of the college and
others in the university community and beyond. Its tradition is
influenced by the Catholic Revival
in the Church of England. Said and sung services are held daily
during term. The choir sings Choral Evensong
every day except Tuesday.
On Sundays, Sung Mass is offered in the morning and Compline
(Night Prayer) and Benediction
congregationally to plainsong
o'clock. Mass is also sung on major holy days.
is one of the three Choral Foundations in Oxford, meaning that the
formation of the choir was part of the statutes of the college, the
other two choral foundations being New College and Christ Church.
consists of twelve Academical Clerks who are students at the
College, and sixteen boys aged seven to fourteen, all of whom have
scholarships at Magdalen College School.
The school was originally founded for this
express purpose but has long since become an independent public
The choristers' day begi