Overview

Magdalen College is one of about forty small colleges which are part of the University of Oxford. This review is as a day visit to the gardens, dining hall and chapel only, I found it extremely accessible, however, I am unable to comment on what disabled access is like as a student of the college. Visitors as well as seeing the main buildings have access to the Water Meadows, river walks and views of the deer park.

Transport & Parking

Magdalen College is on the High Street, directly opposite Oxford Botanic Garden. The nearest train station is Oxford, which is about a 25 minute walk away. There are buses that you can take from the train station that stop close by.

Access

The entrance is directly off the High Street. The door was open when I visited. It is down a couple of steps with the edge of the step painted white. There was a handrail but I can't remember if it was on both sides. This leads into a small room with the ticket desk. When I purchased my ticket I was given a coloured visitor guide which had lots of interesting information plus two maps, one of the main buildings and one of the water meadows. The accessible toilet and lift was clearly marked on the map. There is one step up to exit to enter the courtyard. From this point the rest of the route apart from the Old Kitchen Bar was step free. The first area you come into is St John's Quad. There are some cobblestones here but there is also paved areas so most of the cobbles can be avoided. There is a little archway with a passageway leading to the Chapel, Dining Hall, Cloister, Old Kitchen Bar and Gardens. The Chapel has step free access. When I visited the nave door was locked but you could view it. The outer area of the chapel had some free standing chairs with back support. Continuing along the passageway you come to the Cloister, which has some benches without back support or arm rests. The Dining Hall, referred to as the Hall, has two entrances. There is a flight of steps with a handrail, see photo. Alternatively there is a lift, just passed the stairs, which is also used as a service lift. From the lift you enter into the self service cafeteria area for those using the dining hall and then go through to the dining hall. When I visited the dining hall was roped off, I don't know if it was because they were having an event or if it is always closed off. After the hall is the old Kitchen Bar. There is step free entrance into the bar/ lounge area. Then there were some steps with rails to the self service cafe and then a few more steps, see photo which lead down to the river terrace. There is picnic table type seating and some have individual chairs attached to the table as well as some with benches. None of the seating has back support. From here you can watch people getting into their punts which was good fun. If you continue walking on you then come to the accessible toilet and then this leads into the garden area. There are hard gravel paths. There is a gate, which was open which leads across the bridge to the Water Meadow. I walked over the bridge and sat on a bench with back support but i decided not to do a walk as my spoons were getting quite low (as I had been to the Botanic Garden earlier, but from what I observed there were firm, riverside paths.

Toilets

The toilet was large and had grab rails. there was no emergency cord.

Staff

Staff were very helpful. When I purchased my ticket and asked about step free access, I was given a clear description of the layout, including where the cobbles, lift and accessible toilet were, which made me feel confident about my visit. In the Old Kitchen Bar were I purchased a drink and a cake, a member of staff carried my tray down the steps into the riverside terrace area.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Magdalen College is a very beautiful and historic college with good step free access. I would certainly recommend a visit if you are looking to visit a traditional Oxford college with a few extra treats, as you also have the opportunity to explore it's riverside water meadow and the riverside terrace watching the punts is charming and fun. I loved my visit and would happily return.

Photos