Visitor information
There is an entry fee of £3.00 per person which includes a brochure containing a map of the College. Entry is free for:
- Merton alumni;
- members of the University of Oxford (with up to 3 guests) on production of a valid University card (blue stripe) or alumni card; and
- accompanied children aged 5 years old and under.
Assistance dogs are welcome.
To make arrangements for more than 10 people, please email events@merton.ox.ac.uk at least 7 days in advance. Escorted and large groups must schedule their visit ahead of time. Large groups (45+ people) will be split into groups of no more than 15 to tour the College; no more than one large group will be allowed in College at any one time.
Please note that The Hall and residential areas are normally closed to visitors.
For information about Open Days and school visits, please see our Open Days page which is designed for prospective applicants.
Prospective applicants are welcome to visit the College, between 9:00am and 6:00pm, Monday-Sunday; please enquire at the Porter's Lodge. For further information or to arrange an appointment contact the Schools Liaison & Access Officer.
For visitors and University members
- Monday to Friday 2pm - 5pm (or dusk if earlier) - last entry 4:30pm.
- Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm (or dusk if earlier) - last entry 4:30pm.
- The College will be closed to visitors on the following dates:
- Saturday 1 to Saturday 15 December inclusive
- Saturday 22 December to Wednesday 2 January 2019 inclusive
- Saturday 2 March 2019
- Friday 19 to Monday 22 April 2019 inclusive
- Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 July 2019
- Friday 20 and Saturday 21 September 2019
- 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.
Wifi is available to visitors to the College via The Cloud, a public access WiFi service run by Sky UK.
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 2:00 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
- Oxford Tube bus to and from London
- Oxford X90 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.
- Merton's location within Oxford city centre
- Merton College on a map of the University of Oxford
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 2018:
| Date | Occasion | Flag and Bells |
|---|---|---|
| Throughout February | LGBTQ History Month | Rainbow Flag |
| 6 February | Anniversary of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Accession | Union Flag Bells rung at 13:45 |
| 13 February | Shrove Tuesday | Merton Flag Bells rung at 19:25 |
| 17-18 March | Gaudy Weekend | Merton Flag Bells rung on Saturday at 19:25 |
| 8 April | Visiting group of bellringers | Bells rung at 14:00 |
| 21 April | Birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth II | Union Flag |
| 23 April | St George's Day | Flag of St George Bells rung at 13:00 |
| 19 May | The wedding of HRH Prince Henry of Wales and Rachel Meghan Markle | Bells rung at 19:00 |
| 23-26 May | Eights Week | Merton Flag |
| 2 June | Anniversary of the Coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth II | Union Flag |
| 9 June | Ceremonial Birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth II | Union Flag Bells rung at 18:00 |
| 10 June | Birthday of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh | Union Flag |
| 20 June | Encaenia | Merton Flag |
| 23-24 June | Merton Society Weekend | Merton Flag Bells rung on Saturday at 19:25 |
| 14 September | Anniversary of the Foundation of Merton College | Merton Flag Bells rung at 19:00 |
| 15-16 September | Gaudy Weekend | Merton Flag Bells rung on Saturday at 19:25 |
| 16 September | Foundation Sunday | Bells rung at 15:00 |
| 29 September-5 October | To welcome freshers and returning students | Merton Flag |
| 21 October | Commemoration of Benefactors | Merton Flag Bells rung at 19:25 |
| 11 November | Remembrance Sunday | Union Flag Bells rung |
| 14 November | Birthday of HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales | Union Flag Bells rung at 13:45 |
| 20 November | 71st anniversary of the marriage of HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh | Union Flag |
| 24 November | Advent Carol Service I | Bells rung at 19:00 |
| 25 November | Advent Carol Service II | Bells rung at 19:00 |
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.