Visiting Magdalen
***Magdalen College has taken the precaution of closing to tourists until further notice***
Magdalen welcomes visitors throughout the year. As a busy and lively working academic community we like to ensure you will enjoy your visit whether it is as a potential student here, an alumnus, an academic visitor, or as a tourist.
We do this by making the College accessible at regular times of the day and with particular facilities open for you to see. The principal areas of the College that are normally open are the Hall, Chapel and Old Kitchen Bar. In addition the gardens, grounds and parkland, including the water walks beside the River Cherwell are open. The Deer Park can be viewed from the path.
Opening times
Set out below are our normal opening times. These are subject to occasional change which will be advertised on this website, or our noticeboard outside the main entrance. To help defray the cost of providing facilities charges are made for most visitors; those who live locally, or who hold an Oxford University card, an OUP card, or alumnus card can come in with up to one guest free of charge. Outside these times the College is open only to those on College or official University business.
2020 opening times
| January to late June: | 10am to dusk or 7pm, whichever is the earlier. |
| late June to early October: | 10am to dusk or 7pm, whichever is the earlier. (29 June to 3 October). |
| October to December: | 10am to dusk or 7pm, whichever is the earlier. |
(Please note: the College will be closed to all visitors all day Thursday to Sunday 25 to 28 June, Sunday 19 July, Friday 25 September, Sunday 4 October, and 23 – 31 December 2020, all dates inclusive.)
Access
You are asked not to enter staircases, College rooms and areas marked as private. The Hall may be closed over lunchtime. Dogs, except guide dogs, are not allowed in the College. Please do not walk on the grass or picnic in the grounds. In the interests of security, random bag searches may be carried out; CCTV is in use throughout the grounds. Supervised children are welcome. We regret we are unable to provide parking. Drones may not be used anywhere in the College grounds. Wedding and engagement photography is not permitted, except when the ceremony is taking place in the College.
Please read our accessibility information for disabled visitors. Smoking is only permitted at seven designated smoking areas in the college grounds; the locations can be found on the Smoking Areas Map. Smoking is not permitted inside any of the buildings, cloisters, or elsewhere in the grounds. E-cigarettes and vaping may not be used in public rooms.
Admission Charges
Adults £8; Over 65s, children, students £7; Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children aged 7 or over) £25. Children under 7 years of age are admitted free of charge. Potential applicants and their families are admitted free of charge. Certain card-holders may also enter without charge (see above under ‘Opening times’).
For details of charges and times for Guided Tours please see the section below on Summer Tours.
Where applicable, prices include VAT. The last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.
Joint tickets for access to Magdalen and to the Oxford Botanic Garden (across the High Street from the College) are available at either location. Adults £11.50; Over 65s £9.50, family tickets are not available. Tickets must be used within one year of date of purchase. For details of the Botanic Garden see: https://www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk/
Groups
We welcome groups subject to a maximum of 20 people, larger groups may split. Groups are not admitted before 12pm (noon) on weekdays. A 30 minute interval is required between the admission of each group. Groups should book in advance using the group booking form. We do not accept payment by cheque or voucher. Please note groups of under 21 year olds must be accompanied by a responsible person throughout their visit.
You may wish to consider arranging your own qualified guide. For details, please see https://www.oxfordguildoftourguides.co.uk/
If you are booking on behalf of any UK school (excluding fee-paying programmes), then please fill in the outreach event booking form or contact outreach@magd.ox.ac.uk prior to booking your visit.
Printed Information
Leaflets with a map and illustrations are provided in several languages. One is provided free to each family, couple, or indivdual coming on their own. Group leaders will be given a copy each. Further copies can be purchased at 50p each.
An illustrated short history of the College is available at the Porters’ Lodge, price £8.
A free activity sheet is available for children to help them enjoy their visit and learn about the College and its history.
Summer Tours
On some days in the summer hours period (see above) a Guided Tour is offered at 11am and 3pm, subject to a minimum of 4 persons and a maximum of 20. There is a charge of £10 for this which includes the admission fee; the tour includes areas of the College, such as the Longwall Library Quad, which are not open to the general public. Information and tickets may be obtained from the Visitor Desk on the day.
Refreshments and Shop
Refreshments, including morning coffee and snacks, light lunches and afternoon teas are available in the Old Kitchen Bar and Riverside Terrace. Our Visitor Shop sells recordings of the College choir, various publications on the College and other areas of interest, along with souvenirs.
Alumni Visits
Old Members of College wishing to visit Magdalen should please refer to this page, which provides useful information for alumni.
Special Openings
National Gardens Scheme: On Sunday, 19 April the College and Grounds will be open for the National Gardens Scheme. Charges are as above; as all proceeds go to the NGS there are no free admissions on this day. The Old Kitchen Snack Bar will be open for light lunches, refreshments and teas.
Oxford Open Doors: On Saturday, 12 and Sunday, 13 September the College and Grounds will be open as part of the Oxford Open Doors weekend. There is no charge for admission. The Old Kitchen Snack Bar will be open as usual. Various events may be organised and information will be provided here nearer the time.
New Year’s Day: The Grounds and Chapel will be open free of charge from 10am to 3.30pm.
