St Edmund Hall

"Teddy Hall," as everyone calls it, claims to be the oldest surviving academic society for undergraduates in any university — a lineage stretching back to around 1226, when it was a medieval hall (not a college) named after St Edmund of Abingdon. It was the last surviving medieval hall at Oxford, only becoming a full college in 1957. That history matters because it explains the feel of the place: where the colleges are grand and institutional, Teddy Hall is intimate, slightly rough around the edges, and compact in a way that makes it easy to like. The front quad is one of the smallest in Oxford and one of the most charming.

The college is squeezed into a site just off Queen's Lane, behind the High Street, and the approach through the narrow lane is a memorable entrance. The medieval church of St Peter-in-the-East, now deconsecrated and converted into the college library, sits in the college grounds — a fine space with Norman architecture and a crypt. The graveyard surrounding it is now a garden where students study among the headstones, which is about as Oxford as it gets.

What makes it special

The church-turned-library is the highlight. St Peter-in-the-East is one of the oldest churches in Oxford, with Norman and possibly Saxon elements, and its conversion into a working library preserves the original character. The crypt is atmospheric. The tiny front quad, the Queen's Lane approach, and the general air of a place that has been educating people for 800 years without ever getting too grand. All of this makes Teddy Hall worth seeking out for anyone who wants a quieter, less touristy side of Oxford.

Visitor info

St Edmund Hall is on Queen's Lane, just off the High Street. The college opens to visitors at various times; check the college website for current hours. The entrance through Queen's Lane is the most atmospheric approach. The church/library is sometimes accessible; ask at the lodge. No admission charge. This is a short visit (15-20 minutes) but well worth it.