Visitor information

For visitors and University members

• Due to concerns regarding the spread of Covid-19, the College is closed to all public access until further notice - this includes organised tours of college and the Upper Library.
• Monday to Friday 2:00pm - 5:00pm (or dusk if earlier) - last entry 4:30pm.
• Saturday and Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm (or dusk if earlier) - last entry 4:30pm.
• The College will be closed to visitors on the following dates:
  • Wednesday 23 December 2020 to Friday 1 January 2021 inclusive
  • Saturday 6 March 2021
  • Friday 2 to Monday 5 April 2021 inclusive
• The College reserves the right to close at short notice if necessary. Visitors are advised to contact us in advance for up-to-date information relating to tours on specific dates.

For detailed access information, please see our entry in the University Access Guide. However, please note that not all areas covered by the Guide are open to visitors.

Wifi is available to visitors to the College via The Cloud, a public access WiFi service run by Sky UK.

• instructions on accessing The Cloud at Merton College

The eduroam network is available for use by those with existing access to this system, such as visitors from other universities which also use this network. The connection method will be the same as at your home institution; please follow their connection instructions, if available.

From July to September, historical tours of the College and Old Library take place, starting at 2:00pm and 3:00pm daily (except for those days when the College is closed to visitors). Spaces are limited, so those wishing to come on the tour are advised to book with the Tour Coordinator (up to 24 hours in advance) or with the College Lodge on the day. Any remaining spaces will be made available on the door. There is a modest charge of £5.00 (£3.00 for University members) for the tour, which lasts for approximately 50 minutes. The charge includes regular admission to the College site.

Merton is located in central Oxford on Merton Street, which is just off the High Street. Oxford is less than sixty miles from London off the M40, with excellent transport links via train and coach. Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted are also served regularly by train and/or coach.

Read more about:

• Trains to and from London, Heathrow, and other destinations, including the London Marylebone To Oxford Train
• Oxford Tube bus to and from London
• Coaches to and from Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick

The Oxford Tube and X90 services from London stop on the High Street opposite Queen's Lane, which is only two to three minutes' walk from the College. Here is a Google map showing Merton College in relation to the city centre and the train station.

Oxford is an ancient, pedestrian-friendly city, with many one-way streets and limited parking. If you're travelling to Merton by car, it is best to enter the High Street from the east, turning left into Merton Street at the Eastgate Hotel. Alternatively, there are five Park and Ride services in Oxford which all serve the city centre.

See Merton in 360 degrees in this interactive Virtual Tour. It's the next best thing to strolling through College in person.

There is a folder of information on many of the Mertonians commemorated on the College War Memorial - visitors can borrow this at the Lodge.

A flag will be flown from the pole atop the Lodge, and bells will be rung, on the following dates during 2020:

Additions to this list may be made, subject to the approval of the College's Governing Body. Except on the death of a Fellow, Gaudy Weekends, and Eights Week, flags are not flown for longer than a day.