Wolfson College, Oxford

Located beside the River Cherwell, Wolfson College has a relaxed, stress-free pace of life. Just five minutes by bus from Oxford City Centre, and within easy walking distance of Summertown's shops, restaurants, pubs, and sports centre, the riverside landscape and meadowland give a sense of being in rustic English countryside. The architecture is contemporary and award-winning, and Wolfson's multi-national post-graduate membership is in residence year-round, giving a vibrant communal ambiance. All bedrooms are single ensuite, with pine desk, bookshelves, bedside cabinet and built-in wardrobe. Each "set" of 4 - 9 bedrooms shares a dining area and kitchen, making the accommodation highly suitable for groups. Basic equipment is provided for self-catering, along with fridge/freezer, cooker, microwave, kettle and replenished tea tray. Buildings are modern, clean and well-maintained, with 24 hour access.

Founded in 1965 as “Iffley College”, benefactions from the Wolfson Foundation enabled the renamed College to admit postgraduate students from 1968. The College's buildings, designed by Powell and Moya, were completed in 1974 and are in part Grade II listed. Recent years have seen ambitious expansion, with the Academic Wing opened in 2013 to architectural acclaim, and the concluding extension now in place and providing new frontage to the College, with an enclosed Granite Quadrangle. The College's democratic structure and egalitarian ethos originate from the inspirational leadership of its first President, Sir Isaiah Berlin. Most unusually, all College members share a single "Common Room" and there is no "High Table". Breakfast in Hall is included in the B&B overnight rate (except in specifically discounted "room only" bookings). The usual breakfast time is 8am - 9am, but please check the electronic noticeboard in the Lodge for updates. A range of cooked items are supplemented with cereals, croissants, toast, yogurts, fruits, juice, and hot drinks. Please advise at time of booking if you have any special dietary requirements, the college will then do their best to accommodate. All bedrooms have an associated kitchen/lounge, shared with the other 4 - 9 bedrooms in that "set". These are fully equipped with all appliances and basic cookware and kitchenware. Guests are welcome to use the College Cafe for barista-service coffees and light snacks, and to join College members for lunch and supper served weekdays only. These meals are "canteen style", with a selection of hot dishes, self-service salad bar, cold drinks, wine, desserts and other supplementary items. Payment is in cash (only) at the till, and no prior booking is required. The Lodge Reception can direct to local restaurants, pubs and bars both in the immediate vicinity and going south toward Oxford city centre, and north in Summertown. Wolfson is positioned within 13 acres of riverside landscape, and the College's gardens and grounds received attention on BBC Radio 4 programme "Gardener's Question Time". The main lawn slopes down to the College's own harbour, separated by a narrow "island" from the flowing River Cherwell. A rainbow arch bridge crosses the river to two flood meadows. As designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the gardens are not treated with fertilisers or pesticides, and host a wide variety of native flora and fauna. On the far side of the river, guests can walk along the towpath, all the way to Oxford city centre. There is WIFI internet in all bedrooms, accessed through the site password. Please note that there is NO telephone nor television, and staff are not permitted to supply adaptors. The College has a limited quantity of car parking on-site, subject to other demands. Guests are asked to request parking at the time of their booking, and will be contacted to confirm whether or not this can be provided. Please note that only cars can be accommodated; no vans, campers, caravans, etc. There are two parking spaces for disabled use. Irons and hairdryers can be borrowed from the Lodge. Guests have use of the College laundrette, with detergent on sale at the Lodge. Also provided are a letterbox for Royal Mail, pigeonhole for guests' post and sale of stamps. Luggage store is available before check-in/after check-out.

Facilities

• 20th century buildings
• 21st century buildings
• Breakfast Included
• Parking (free)
• No smoking
• Child Friendly
• B&B
• Self Catering
• No Official Rating
• Free broadband access (wifi)
• Shared gardens
• Games pitches
• Tennis court
• Self-catering facilities
• Luggage storage
• 24 hour security
• Linen included
• Towels included
• Sitting room
• Iron/ironing board
• Clothes dryer
• Washing machine
• Self-catering facilities
• Cooked breakfast (included)
• Lunch available (at additional cost)
• Dinner available (at additional cost)
• Picnic area
• Electric oven
• Electric hob
• Microwave
• Fridge
• Freezer
• Recommended walks
• Pub (walking distance)
• Museums (walking distance)
• Gardens
• Tennis courts (walking distance)
• Recommended restaurants (walking distance)
• Theatre (walking distance)

Arrival information

Please enquire on booking for early check-in or late departure; we endeavour to accommodate requests where possible. Luggage store is available (at guests' own risk). There is 24 hour access and Lodge staffing, although guests are asked to advise if arriving after 11pm, so that the Night Porter can arrange his rounds accordingly. The College is approximately 2 miles from Oxford Rail Station and the coach station at Gloucester Green. Taxi fare from either will cost around £10. Both of the local bus companies (numbers 2 and 14 buses) run a service from the rail station, and from outside Debenhams near the coach station, where you can also catch the Water Eaton Park and Ride (number 500) bus. Not all buses run on Sundays. The single adult fare is approximately £2; ask the driver for the St Margaret's Road stop. From there, it takes 5 minutes to walk to the College at the bottom of Linton Road.