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 endearingly compact. 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 notable 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.