Visitor information

• Monday to Friday 2:00pm - 5:00pm - last entry 4:30pm.
• Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm - last entry 4:30pm.
• Sunday 12:00 noon - 5:00pm - last entry 4:30pm.
• 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.
• The College is closed to members of the public on the following dates:
  • Saturday 13 May 2023
  • Saturday 24 June 2023
  • Wednesday 28 June
  • Thursday 29 June
  • Friday 14 July
  • Saturday 15 July 2023
  • Friday 28 July 2023
  • Saturday 5 August 2023
  • Saturday 15 September 2023
  • Saturday 23 September 2023
• The College is open only until midday on the following dates: 
  • Saturday 1 July 2023
  • Saturday 8 July 2023
  • Saturday 29 July 2023
  • Saturday 12 August 2023
  • Saturday 19 August 2023
• Sunday 23 July: Open for national garden scheme, includes garden from 9:00-17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
• Merton College alumni should consult our Coming back to College page for additional information on visiting Merton (including extended visiting hours).

A maximum of three groups will be allowed in college at any one time. Large groups of over 15 may be split to allow sufficient space to view the grounds.  Each group must have at least 1 designated adult leader responsible for their group at all times.

Self-guided groups can visit the four quads & the chapel only.

Group sizes of 15 or less:  Do not need to pre book unless they want to secure a specific arrival time or pay via invoice.

Group sizes of 15-30: Can book vis mclodge@merton.222ket.com

Group sizes of 30+: Can book via events@merton.222ket.com

All groups wanting to pay via invoice must email events@merton.222ket.com

From mid-July to late September, guided tours of the College are offered at 2:00pm (except for those days when the College is closed to visitors). Tours are led by trained Merton guides and/or library staff, normally last around 45 minutes and include the main quadrangles, the historic Upper Library, the Chapel and/or the gardens. The exact coverage of each tour may vary from day to day.

Places are limited to no more than 8 and must be booked at least 24 hours in advance via the booking website. Please mention any special interests, as the chapel or historic library may not be available on all days. There is a charge for guided tours of £10 per person (£7 for University members, over-65s and children aged 13 - 17). The charge includes regular admission to the College site. Payment must be made by card at the lodge; we do not accept cash.

Access: please note that access to the historic library is via a flight of 17^th century stairs. There is no lift access to the library.

Guided visits for Groups

Groups wishing to enquire about a guided visit to the college should make a request via the group tour request form. Tours can be customised if your group has a special interest. Enquiries about special group tours should be made at least 14 days in advance of your intended tour date. We are normally unable to provide special group tours before 11:00am or on Sundays.

Prospective applicants are welcome to visit the College free of charge, 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 information about Open Days and school visits, please see our Open Days page which is designed for prospective applicants.

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 (also available in PDF format)

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.

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 six 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 2022:

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