St Hilda's College

St Hilda's was the last single-sex college at Oxford, holding out as women-only until 2008 — fourteen years after Somerville went mixed. Named after the formidable Anglo-Saxon abbess Hilda of Whitby, the college was founded in 1893 and sits on the east bank of the Cherwell, just across Magdalen Bridge from the city centre. The location is the main draw: the gardens run right down to the river, with views back towards Magdalen College and the Botanic Garden that are worth the walk.

The buildings are less distinguished — a mix of Victorian, Edwardian, and mid-20th-century structures that don't have the architectural coherence of the grander colleges. A new building, the Anniversary Building, was added as part of a major development. But St Hilda's has never been about grandeur. Its appeal is the riverside setting, the relatively peaceful atmosphere compared to the central colleges, and a sense of being slightly apart from the main Oxford tourist circuit while still being within walking distance of everything.

What makes it special

The Cherwell gardens are the draw. On a summer afternoon, the view across the river to Magdalen's tower is distinctive, and the punts glide past right below you. The college's history as the last women-only foundation gives it a particular significance in the story of women's education at Oxford. If you're interested in that history, or just want a pretty riverside walk, it's worth the short detour across Magdalen Bridge.

Visitor info

St Hilda's is on Cowley Place, just east of Magdalen Bridge — a 5-minute walk from the city centre. The gardens are sometimes accessible, but check the college website for visitor information. No admission charge. The approach across Magdalen Bridge, with Magdalen's tower behind you and the Botanic Garden on your left, is a pleasant walk. Combine with a visit to the Botanic Garden and a walk along the Cherwell.