“The buildings and gardens of Magdalen College are among the finest of any College in Oxford”
Magdalen College Old Library – Oxford, UK
Magdalen College (pronounced “mawd-lin” as opposed to “mag-da-lin”) was founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete, the Bishop of Winchester. The college is Oxfords wealthiest, and possibly most beautiful college, and is home to the Old Library, which is equally as beautiful.
The buildings and gardens of the College are among the finest of any College in Oxford. Supposedly, the gargoyles at the College inspired CS Lewis’ stone statues in The Chronicles of Narnia. There is also a pretty riverside path at the right of the grounds, known as ‘Addison’s Walk’ which is accessed via a bright blue iron gate.
The Old Library is medieval, and is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. It is one of four specialist libraries at Magdalen College, containing a early printed and manuscript book collection. Included in the collection are manuscripts of works by Thomas Hardy, Rudyard Kipling, T.S. Eliot and I.A. Richards. There are also 38 medieval manuscripts, including a thirteenth-century Apocalypse. Visitors to the library will have the opportunity to see the current exhibition, whatever that may be.
Magdalen College has also been featured in our ‘World’s Most Beautiful Libraries’ feature, and there is no doubt as to why!
Address: Magdalen College, High St, Oxford, OX1 4AU
Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm
Telephone: 01865 276045
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MagdLibAndArch