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College
Christ Church
Large college founded in 1546, with Tom Quad and Tom Tower on St Aldate's. Check the college's visit page for tickets and closures.
A mini guide to
Christ Church, St Aldate's and Folly Bridge
Christ Church and its meadow, the quiet colleges on Merton Street and the river at Folly Bridge
Photos
1 / 7Welcome to the area
Christ Church and its meadow, the quiet colleges on Merton Street and the river at Folly Bridge
St Aldate's runs south from Carfax to Christ Church, the largest college in the centre and the seat of Oxford's cathedral. Around it are Pembroke, Corpus Christi, Oriel and Merton, with the Museum of Oxford, the Story Museum and Modern Art Oxford close by.
Beyond Christ Church, the Meadow gives a green walk down to the Thames and the Cherwell. St Aldate's continues to Folly Bridge, where there are riverside pubs, boat hire and the start of the towpath. The Westgate shopping centre on Queen Street is at the north-western edge.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral
Cathedral of the Diocese of Oxford, also the chapel of Christ Church, with origins in the 12th century.
Gallery
Christ Church Picture Gallery
Gallery of the college's collection of Old Master paintings and drawings, in a building opened in 1968.
Directions Report a problem with Christ Church Picture Gallery
Park
Christ Church Meadow
Open meadow between Christ Church and the Thames and Cherwell rivers, crossed by tree-lined walks.
Landmark
Tom Tower
Bell tower over the main gate of Christ Church on St Aldate's, designed by Christopher Wren.
College
Merton College
College founded in 1264, on cobbled Merton Street. Visiting hours vary: check the college.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Christ Church, St Aldate's and Folly Bridge and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Book Christ Church ahead if you can
Christ Church's visit page says its multimedia guide is required for entry and links to a Known closures page, so check both before you go.
2
Walk the Meadow
Christ Church Meadow is a green route between the college, the Cherwell and the Thames. Paths and gates have their own opening times, so check the college's Gardens and Meadow page.
3
Try Merton Street
Merton Street is cobbled and quiet, with Merton, Corpus Christi and Oriel close together. Visiting hours vary at each college: check before you go.
4
Pair the museums
The Museum of Oxford, the Story Museum and Modern Art Oxford are within a few minutes' walk of each other. Check each website for opening times and exhibitions.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
Everything for Christ Church, St Aldate's and Folly Bridge
Oxford
More areas to explore
11 sights · 23 places to eat
Jericho, the Castle and Port Meadow
Oxford Castle, the streets of Jericho and the open common of Port Meadow
Open the mini guide →
17 sights · 21 places to eat
Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles
The Radcliffe Camera, the Bodleian and the museums and colleges of the old university centre
Open the mini guide →
13 sights · 24 places to eat
High Street, Magdalen and East Oxford
Colleges along the High Street, Magdalen Bridge and the Botanic Garden, then the shops and restaurants of Cowley Road
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Christ Church, St Aldate's and Folly Bridge (area photo): Andy Li, CC0, source
- Christ Church: Godot13, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Christ Church Cathedral: Andy Li, CC0, source
- Christ Church Meadow: Jonathan Hutchins, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Tom Tower: Dmitry Djouce, CC BY 2.0, source
- Merton College: Tom Murphy VII, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Corpus Christi College: en:User:Mike Young, Public domain, source
- Oriel College: Alf, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Pembroke College: Djr xi, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Folly Bridge: Andrew Gray, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Museum of Oxford: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Modern Art Oxford: Omassey, Public domain, source
- The Story Museum: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Jericho, the Castle and Port Meadow: AstacopsisGouldi, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles: Julian Herzog (Website), CC BY 4.0, source
- High Street, Magdalen and East Oxford: Julian Herzog (Website), CC BY 4.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits