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Gardens

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En suite bedroom

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Dining Hall

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Watergarden

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College Gardens

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Dining Hall

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En suite shower room

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Part of the Central Quad

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High Table

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The Porter's Lodge

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Dining Hall 2

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Sample breakfast 1

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Sample breakfast 2

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Central Quad 2

Availability Overview Reviews Facilities & information Arrival information & directions

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Overview

Modern study bedrooms set in tranquil College grounds amidst iconic, modernist architecture. Large windows mostly overlook lawns, trees and open countryside.

St Catherine’s is conveniently located in a peaceful setting within the City of Oxford - just a short walk (less than 1 mile) from the City centre. The original College buildings are Grade 1 Listed and showcase Danish architect Arne Jacobsen’s iconic modernist design, echoing historic Oxford values but with a uniquely modern twist.

Guests are accommodated in simple, light and airy study bedrooms (which are occupied by students during term times). All rooms on offer are for single occupancy only and are basically but comfortably furnished and serviced daily. Rooms are not equipped to a five-star standard (NB: no TVs) but are provided with bed linen, towels, toiletries and tea & coffee making facilities. All ensuite bedrooms have their own private shower and toilet. A warm welcome awaits from St Catherine's Lodge Porters (manned 24/7).

Please note: Hen or Stag Parties are not permitted out of respect for other guests. PARKING FACILITIES ARE UNFORTUNATELY NOT AVAILABLE.

Smoking: All rooms are non-smoking. The College is a no smoking site and so guests wishing to smoke must do so only in the designated exterior smoking areas only.

Booking cut-offs - please note that the College has strict booking cut-offs (usually 11am the working day before for weeknight booking and 11am on the Friday for weekend and Monday bookings). The College is unable to take any bookings after the online system has closed down.

Check in: 14:00 (2:00pm) Onwards (arrivals may be allowed outside this window if your travel plans can't be adjusted however this is subject to availability)

Check out: 00:00 (12:00am) - 10:00 (10:00am)

History

St Catherine’s is one of Oxford’s youngest, and largest, undergraduate and graduate colleges. Although founded in 1962, its roots actually date back to the nineteenth century and a 'Delegacy for Unattached Students' formed in 1868.

St Catherine's is famous for its architecture and is an example of Danish architect Arne Jacobsen's modernist and all-encompassing design. Highlights include striking buildings in glass and concrete which marry modern materials with a traditional Oxford College layout. Jacobsen's designs went further than just the fabric of the buildings and included the gardens, cutlery, lighting and furniture. The iconic dining hall is notable for its Cumberland slate floor and bespoke furnishings. Original 'Jacobsen bedrooms' are often available to B&B guests wanting the full Modernist experience (please enquire when booking).

Today, the college remains as vibrant and dynamic as it has ever been. Its connection with the saint that shares its name is highly appropriate for a college founded on an ethos of high academic standards combined with a doggedly independent streak. With some of the few post-1940s Grade 1 Listed Buildings in the country, St Catherine's is a modernist architectural gem and a surprising contrast to many of Oxford's other Colleges.

Food & beverage

For packages including breakfast, the option of either a continental-style or full English breakfast buffet is provided each morning between 8.00am and 9.00am. Breakfast is served in the unique, Jacobsen-designed Dining Hall, complete with stunning concrete structures and bespoke furniture and lighting. On the few days of the year where the kitchens and Hall are closed, a continental style packed breakfast can be provided to guests within their bedrooms.

There are many restaurants, bars and cafés nearby for your dinner arrangements.

Grounds & Gardens

At the heart of the college lies a traditional rectangular quad. Unlike most quads, St. Catherine's is not, however, closed off - instead, hedge-lined walks lead to other buildings and garden areas planted with a fascinating variety of trees, shrubs and flowers (largely all planned by Arne Jacobsen and noted as being 'of interest' by English Heritage). The whole is flanked on one side by the River Cherwell and on the other by Merton College's playing fields (which themselves border the University Parks), giving St. Catherine's a peaceful and apparently rural setting. Footpaths lead directly from the College into the University Parks.

Throughout the gardens, visitors will find benches and tranquil spaces in which to relax and unwind as well as sculptures by Barbara Hepworth and Ju Ming. Or relax, read a book in the peaceful gardens or by the river.

Other facilities

Free Wi-Fi is available across the College (please note that mobile telephone reception may be very limited in certain areas depending upon individual mobile providers). Wi-Fi is provided via 'the Cloud' which is a 3rd party service powered by Sky (and support for users is only available from the Cloud via https://www.thecloud.net/.)

A light and bright common room with comfy chairs is usually available during the evenings within University vacations. Here you can relax, read a book or watch TV.

Hair Dryers and adapters can usually be hired/purchased from the Porters Lodge.

Please note: Many rooms are located upstairs and there are no lifts in the accommodation staircases. If you have mobility difficulties and require a low floor or accessible room, please note this in the 'Additional information' section when booking. The utmost will be done to support any special access needs, bearing in mind the constraints of listed buildings. If you have a question regarding accessibility, please do not hesitate to email the College.

The Lodge staff will be happy to store small amounts of luggage for short periods of time to allow guests to make the most of their visit.

Please note that parking is, unfortunately, NOT available to B&B guests.

Reviews

4.1

Based on 125 reviews

Room
3.8

Value
3.9

Food
4.1

Service
4.5

Experience
4.1

★★★★★

★★★★

★★★

★★

★

Staff were really friendly and welcoming. Room was clean and comfortable. Breakfast was great, particularly the separate area for conference attendees such as myself. Eating in the main hall was fine but noisy. Biggest issue were loud "students" on the oxford royale summer school thing. They made lots of noise moving around the college, shouting and singing quite late in the evening, though most of the noise had stopped by 11pm and after that it was only occasional noise.
TomK

A refreshing change from the traditional colleges. Light, spacious room with decent shower and great comfy bed, in a peaceful setting overlooking fields and woods, still just a 10-min walk from Broad Street. The only noise is doors and some loudmouth echoing within the shared staircase... Courteous, efficient staff everywhere and a great selection of hot & cold breakfast in the vast, spectacular Hall. Use of JCR bar was a bonus, plenty of space inside & out to relax.
TomB

Lovely room, super clean, friendly staff, great location and the views from the room were stunning. One significant downside which spoilt it was the ill fitting blinds which left the room brightly lit and very hot from dawn (5amish) as it is east facing. Ruined an excellent nights sleep. I would stay again and ask for a west or north facing room because of this.
GregH

It would have been helppful to have a map of College somewhere - I initially struggled to find reception and also the hall for breakfast. I now know that there is a sign for reception but when I arrived it was obscured by a bike that was leaning on it. Otherwise it was perfect for my needs.
CarolineR

A real privilege to stay in this grade 1 listed college by Arne Jacobsen. People very friendly and helpful and the buildings and grounds are well looked after. Great vision to appoint Jacobsen in the 1960’s.
IANT

Friendly and helpful staff, room spacious and clean, quiet environment. Wonderful architecture, especially the dining hall. Would certainly book again.
JohnL

Team extremely helpful including dealing very quickly and efficiently with lost property
RavinderG

A really pleasant stay in a light, comfortable room, with good facilities.
Anon

Convenient for attending the meeting around the university cities.
Anon

View all

Facilities & information

Summary

20th century buildings

21st century buildings

No parking

No smoking

Room Only (no kitchen facilities)

Bed only (no kitchen facilities)

No Official Rating

Facilities

Free broadband access (wifi)

Shared gardens

Garden furniture

Squash court

Gym

Woodland walks

Luggage storage

24 hour security

Linen included

Towels included

Central heating

Bicycle storage

Recreations

Recommended walks

Pub (walking distance)

Museums (walking distance)

Gardens

Recommended restaurants (walking distance)

Theatre (walking distance)

Arrival information & directions

Address: St Catherine's College, Manor Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OxfordOX1 3UJ, United Kingdom

Please note - St Catherine's is unable to offer any late checkouts.

Guests are requested to report to the Porter's Lodge on arrival. The Lodge is situated opposite the main entrance to the College and is open 24hrs a day, 7 days a week. The College Porters are your first call in the event of problems/emergencies.

Parking is unfortunately NOT available at the College. It is recommended that those travelling to Oxford use public transport – good links to the City are available by both Coach and Train. The best park and ride service to use is Thornhill (alight at Queen's Lane).

By Coach: The Eastern High Street / Queen’s Lane stops are a 6 or 7-minute walk from the College. St Aldates and Gloucester Green are a 20-minute walk from St Catherine’s or a short taxi ride.

By Rail: Oxford Train Station is a 25-30 minute walk from St Catherine’s or a short taxi ride.

There is a frequent bus service from Oxford to Heathrow and Gatwick as well as a frequent bus service to central London. There is also a regular bus service to Stanstead Airport and a train service to Birmingham Airport.

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St Catherine's College, Oxford