Oxford has a large variety of beautiful historical places. But if you’re coming to the city, you might be wondering: what’s actually Oxford City’s oldest building? And can you visit it today? Let’s go some of the hidden gems this amazing place has to offer that might surprise you in terms of how long they’ve been here. I’ve ordered these based on when they were built, but feel free to scroll down for the big reveal!
Oldest Oxford Buildings: 5. Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is perhaps the most stunning college chapel in Oxford. It was built as a place of worship in the late 12th century. Though one of England’s smallest cathedrals, it’s a wonderful example of late Norman architecture – and it’s definitely one of the oldest buildings in Oxford.
Christ Church Cathedral was originally St Friedeswide’s Priory, a priory of Augustinian canons that was established in the time of Henry I. St Friedeswide, in case you didn’t know, also happens to be the patron saint of Oxford.
Read more about this old place:
Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is perhaps the most stunning college chapel in Oxford. It was built as a place of worship in the late 12th century. Though one of England’s smallest
Oldest Oxford Buildings: 4. 24-26 Cornmarket Street (1386-1396)
24-26 Cornmarket Street, in Oxford, is a timber-framed building built in the late 14th century. Apart from being one of the oldest buildings in Oxford, it’s also -without a doubt- one of the prettiest. This medieval jewel belonged to a wine merchant who ran it as an inn, the “New Inn”. What remains is about half of it, as the “complete” one would have had a central courtyard.
The building is mostly original, although parts of it were from a restoration funded by Jesus College in the 1980s. The good news is: Because some of it is now a Pre-a-Manger, you can grab a bit and enjoy it inside one of the oldest buildings in the whole osf Oxford!
Read more about this old place:
24-26 Cornmarket Street, Oxford
24-26 Cornmarket Street, in Oxford, is a timber-framed building built in the late 14th century. It belonged to a wine merchant who ran it as an inn, the “New Inn”.
Oldest Oxford Buildings: 3. Mob Quad in Merton College (1274)
Mob Quad in Merton College is probably the oldest quadrangle in Oxford. The quad is so old it actually doesn’t have any chimneys! (they weren’t in widespread use in England then).
Merton Quad was built in three phases. The oldest is the Treasury or Muniment Room (a legal term for title deeds). To protect important documents from fire, this room was built of stone and has a steep roof. The range to the south, completed between 1310 and 1320, was designed and is still used to house college students and members. All the walls here are thick nd faced with Cotswold stone.
Mob Quad in Merton College
Mob Quad in Merton College is probably the oldest quadrangle in Oxford. The quad is so old, it actually doesn’t have any chimneys! (they weren’t in widespread use in England
Oldest Oxford Buildings: 2. Saxon Tower of St Michael at the North Gate (1040)
The Saxon Tower of St Michael at the North Gate was once by the North Gate in the walls of Oxford city. The tower was built in 1040 using rubble and coral rag. It still stands strong today as Oxford’s oldest building.
This is where the Oxford martyrs were imprisoned before they were burnt at the stake in what is today’s Broad Street, which was then just outside the city wall. You can still see the door if you visit St Michael at the North Gate (the tower is accessible to the public).
British textile designer William Morris and Jane Burden were married here in 1859. Since 1971, St Michael has served as the ceremonial Cty Church of Oxford.
Saxon Tower of St Michael at the North Gate
The Saxon Tower of St Michael at the North Gate was once by the North Gate in the walls of Oxford city. Today, you can visit this cultural landmark every
Oldest Oxford Buildings: 1. St George’s Tower in Oxford Castle (1020)
St George’s Tower in Oxford Castle is one of two surviving towers in Oxford. It was built around 1020 AD; but we’re not sure when, exactly. Nearly 25 meters high (it might have been higher when first built), the tower is the oldest building in Oxford.
According to the Abingdon Chronicle Historia Ecclesie Abbendonensis, Oxford Castle was built by the Norman baron Robert D’Oyly the elder. He had arrived in England with William the Conqueror. During the invasion, Oxford was stormed, too, so William directed D’Oyly to build a castle so they could dominate the down.
The castle and its tower are not recorded in the Domesday book of 1086, but this is not entirely unexpected, as many buildings were not registered in the survey. D’Oyly’s Oxford holdings are instead mentioned as “Meadow 30 acres. 1 mill, value 0.5 [pounds]” – where the mill is presumably Castle Mill.
St George’s Tower in Oxford Castle
St George’s Tower in Oxford Castle is one of two surviving towers in Oxford. It was built around 1020 (we’re not sure when, exactly) AD. Nearly 25 meters high (it
