Oxford Christ Church College - Image courtesy ofArnaud Malon

Visiting Oxford > Oxford University > Oxford Colleges

Christ Church College

Christ Church is college of the University of Oxford. It was founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII and is one of the larger colleges.

What's the History of Oxford's Christ Church College?

The College was re-founded in 1532 by King Henry VIII as “King Henry VIII’s College” and renamed as “Christ Church” in 1546. The original College, however, dates back to 1525 when Thomas Wolsey, then  Lord Chancellor of England and Cardinal Archbishop of York, suppressed the Priory of St Frideswide (a priory of Augustinian canons regular created in 1122) and founded Cardinal College on its lands. By 1546, and after the King had acquired great wealth through the dissolution of monasteries across England, converted the partially demolished priory church into a cathedral. Since then, the College has seen major additions through the centuries. 

Wolsey's Great Quadrangle and the 101 Bells

To this day, the famous gate-tower designed by Sir Christopher Wren that stands in the Great Quadrangle rings its bell 101 times at 9 pm in the former Oxford time (9:05 pm GMT/BST) every night. This commemorates the 100 original scholars of the college (plus one added in 1664).

The bells used to ring at midnight, when the school gates were supposed to close. However, the bells took 20 minutes! So the ringing was moved back. Curiously, the gates still close at 20 past midnight today.

The Great Quadrangle or “Tom Quad” is the heart of Christ Church. Its scale and grandeur are a fitting tribute to its creator, Thomas Wolsey, and his vision of Gothic splendour.

Christ Church Graded Buildings and Grounds

Christ Church sits in a land of about 175 acres (71 hectares). This includes the Christ Church Meadow, which is open to the public, Aston’s Eyot (an island on the east bank of the River Thames), Christ Church recreation ground, and and School Field.

Christ Church has a number of Grade I and II, or architecturally significant buildings. These include the Christ Church Library, the Cathedral, the Peckwater Quadrangle, the Great Quadrangle or Tom Quad, the Canterbury Quadrangle, and the Chapter House, as well as the Blue Boar Quadrangle and Christ Church Picture Gallery.

Christ Church's Distinctive Architecture

The college buildings and grounds have been featured in numerous films, such as Harry Potter and Northern Lights. Several other institutions have also copied its features, including the University of Chicago, Cornell University, and Kneuterdijk Palace – all of which have reproductions of Christ Church’s dining hall.

Famous Alumni of Christ Church

Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson)

Lewis Carroll was an English author, mathematician, and poet, well-known for his notable work “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”. He attended Westminster School and then the University of Oxford’s Christ Church, his father’s old college. He went into residence in January 1851. 

See more Famous Oxford Alumni >

Where is Christ Church College?

Christ Church College is located in St Aldate’s (OX1 1DP).

Christ Church Coat of Arms
Arms: Sable, on a cross engrailed argent, a lion passant gules, between four leopards' faces azure, on a chief or, a rose gules barbed and seeded proper, between two Cornish choughs sable, beaked and membered gules.

Can you Visit Christ Church College?

Yes, Christ Church College is open to the public. 

  • Open: Mon-Sun. Please book a timed ticket online via the Christ Church website
  • Charge: Self-guided ‘multimedia guide’ tours: £16 adults, £15 concessions.
  • Groups: For 12 people or more please email tourism@chch.ox.ac.uk

Old Photos of Oxford's Christ Church

Related to Christ Church College

Oxford Botanic Gardens - Image courtesy of Tejvan Pettinger

Oxford Botanic Gardens & Arboretum

The University of Oxford Botanic Garden is Great Britain’s oldest botanic garden and one of the oldest scientific gardens in the world. The Oxford Botanic Garden was founded in 1621

Oxford Christ Church Meadow - Image courtesy of Matthias Rosenkranz

Christ Church Meadow

Christ Church Meadow, in Oxford, is open to the public all year round. This open space in the heart of the city is an ideal choice for wandering, picnicking, or

Oxford University - Magdalen College. Image courtesy of Tejvan Pettinger.

Magdalen College

Established in 1458 by William of Waynflete, Magdalen College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford. It is the fourth richest college and one of the strongest academically,

Oxford Worcester College. Image courtesy of Dave_S.

Worcester College

A constituent college of the University of Oxford in England, Worcester College was founded in 1714 by Sir Thomas Cookes, whose coat of arms the college adopted. Gloucester College existed on the same site from

Read More »
Oxford University: Wolfson College. Image courtesy of Iqbal Aalam.

Wolfson College

Wolfson College is an all-graduate college affiliated with the University of Oxford in England, located near the River Cherwell in north Oxford. Wolfson has over sixty governing body fellows. It

Read More »
Oxford University: Wadham College. Image courtesy of Andrew Gray.

Wadham College

Wadham College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford. It is located in the center of Oxford, at the intersection of Broad Street and Parks Road.

Read More »
Oxford University College

University College

University College (colloquially known as “Univ”) is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. It claims to be the university’s oldest college, founded in 1249 by William

Read More »
Oxford University Trinity College. Image courtesy of Dave_S.

Trinity College

Trinity College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Founded in 1555 by Sir Thomas Pope, the college once housed Benedictine monks from Durham

Read More »
Barefoot Jericho - Cakes in Oxford

Barefoot Jericho

Barefoot offers homemade cakes, pastries and bread, delicious coffee for eat-in or takeaway in the neighbourhood of Jericho, in Oxford.

Read More »
Shops to See in Oxford: The Cake Shop - Cakes for Any Occasion

The Cake Shop

The Cake Shop offers ready-made designs and bespoke masterpieces and has been trading since 1986 in Oxford’s Covered Market.

Read More »

Oxford Museums & Art Galleries

Antiques on High - Oxford Museums, Art Galleries and Antiques Shops

Antiques on High

Antiques on High is an antiques and art shop from Oxford founded in 1997 and open seven days a week. It has won several awards.

Aidan Meller Gallery - Oxford Museums and Art Galleries

Aidan Meller Gallery

Aidan Meller Gallery is one of Oxford’s longest-established specialist art galleries. They showcase modern, contemporary and old masters.

Oxford Christ Church College, Canterbury Quadrangle. Image courtesy of Billy Wilson

Christ Church Picture Gallery

Christ Church Picture Gallery is an art museum holding an important collection of about 300 Old Master paintings and almost 2,000 drawings and is one of the most important private

Oxford Parks & Meadows

Oxford Parks and Meadows: Oxford Canal - A Breath-taking Walk

Oxford Canal

Oxford Canal is a breath-taking option if you’re looking for an enjoyable walk close to the city. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

Brasenose Woods in Oxford

Brasenose Wood

Brasenose Wood is a woodland park featuring quiet walking paths and diverse flora. It’s also part of a larger nature reserve in Oxford.

Oxford University Parks. Image courtesy of Piers Nye via Flickr Commons.

Oxford University Parks

Oxford University Parks (or University Parks) is a large park area northeast of the city. The park is open to the public during the day.