Balliol College
Balliol College
4.5
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Part of the University of Oxford, Balliol College was founded in 1263 by John Balliol and was one of the first colleges to create academic opportunities for women.
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4.5
393 reviews
Excellent
209
Very good
146
Average
30
Poor
4
Terrible
4
BackinBracknell
Bracknell, UK1,590 contributions
Jan 2020
We were still charged £3 entry even though the Great Hall was closed and no access to any other buildings apart from the Chapel. Grounds and gardens nice but not much to see at this time of the year. We were in and out in 15 minutes.
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
permia
Ireland65,905 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Founded in 1263 it has claims to be not only the oldest college in Oxford but in the English-speaking world. Indeed impressive.
For almost two hours we savoured strolling around the great institution, visiting some of its fabulous buildings.
None more so than the grand Dining Hall. This is an 1877 replacement for an older one that is now part of the Library. Numerous portraits halo the walls. Also noteworthy is the presence of a Willis organ.
Another exceptional part is the Chapel. Also a rebuilding for previous iterations it dates from the late 1850s and is beautiful.
For almost two hours we savoured strolling around the great institution, visiting some of its fabulous buildings.
None more so than the grand Dining Hall. This is an 1877 replacement for an older one that is now part of the Library. Numerous portraits halo the walls. Also noteworthy is the presence of a Willis organ.
Another exceptional part is the Chapel. Also a rebuilding for previous iterations it dates from the late 1850s and is beautiful.
Written 28 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
geo3
Calgary, Canada2,142 contributions
Oct 2022
I have to admit I only visited this because it is home college of Dorothy Sayer's fictional detective Peter Wimsey, but it turned out to be a worthwhile visit.
It is a nice counterpoint to the much larger and more elaborate Magdalen College, but with the same architectural and historical interest, just in a smaller package. The highlight was the Great Hall, which looked like something lifted straight out of the 17th century (except for the cashier's computer), and the small but elaborate chapel was certainly also worth a visit.
Even in October it was also worth spending a bit of time in the Fellow's garden and then searching for the entrance to the tiny Master's garden.
Enjoyable.
It is a nice counterpoint to the much larger and more elaborate Magdalen College, but with the same architectural and historical interest, just in a smaller package. The highlight was the Great Hall, which looked like something lifted straight out of the 17th century (except for the cashier's computer), and the small but elaborate chapel was certainly also worth a visit.
Even in October it was also worth spending a bit of time in the Fellow's garden and then searching for the entrance to the tiny Master's garden.
Enjoyable.
Written 4 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isle-o-Wighty
Isle of Wight, UK237 contributions
Oct 2021
We were just walking by and noticed that Balliol College was open to visitors including the chapel and the great hall. It was only 3.00 per person as well which is incredible value.
The grounds were amazing, It was so peaceful which was a real surprise considering that the hustle and bustle was only a stone's throw away.
The real highlight was the architecture which was truly stunning!! Both the chapel and the hall were awe inspiring, my son is hoping to study in Oxford next year and this trip made him realise that all his hard work will be worth it if he gets accepted.
I just want to mention the staff in the porter's office who were so friendly, they looked like they enjoyed their work and they couldn't have been more helpful
The grounds were amazing, It was so peaceful which was a real surprise considering that the hustle and bustle was only a stone's throw away.
The real highlight was the architecture which was truly stunning!! Both the chapel and the hall were awe inspiring, my son is hoping to study in Oxford next year and this trip made him realise that all his hard work will be worth it if he gets accepted.
I just want to mention the staff in the porter's office who were so friendly, they looked like they enjoyed their work and they couldn't have been more helpful
Written 1 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lisajallenatty
East Amherst, NY8 contributions
Apr 2023
What a wonderful and beautiful College!! Enjoyed the tour and the gardens, which were in full spring blossom and couldn't have been more picturesque!! Great for photo shoots and the history of the College and its alumni was fascinating!! Look for the artwork by Grayson Perry outside the dining hall!!
Written 28 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nazrul
Kuching, Malaysia761 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
Beautiful college, cheap entrance fee. The dining hall is open at 2 pm. Very pretty. Not exactly like one in Harry Potter but close
Written 21 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John Broadbent
Cambridgeshire, UK2 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
Upon entering Balliol College, I was impressed by the architecture and the friendliness of the porters. I immediately headed towards the dulcet tones of Mariah Carey in their JCR, excited for an opportunity to sample their Bop. Immediately, I knew my error. I was shocked and appalled to discover their extortionate Bop Juice pricing (£2 for 1 cup £5 for 3, the House can provide 20 for £5). Despite the Christmas theme, there was a distinct lack of cheer or even merriment; I'm sure I was not the only attendee grief stricken by the costing of the bop. I soon found myself in debt but not inebriated. This is more than Bop juice, this is social mobility, elitism. But yeah it was fairly lit, I guess.
Written 2 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitrios Sofianopoulos
Majorca, Spain22 contributions
Sept 2016 • Friends
I visited the Balliol College on the 11/09/2016 roughly between 4-5 pm. I was with another 3 friends of mine and we came all the way from London so that my friend could attend the open days as she's looking forward to join the Oxford uni for her masters. The door was half open and as we realized later on that there was a sign halfway hidden behind the door which stated that the college was closed for visitors. We walked in and I personally looked on the right where I saw a receptionist. He rudely asked me if I was a student there whilst I was starting giving an answer my friends passed by me and walked literally 6 feet further. The receptionist started knocking hardly on the window and started yelling at them to come back. They turned around right away but he kept shouting to GET OUT! I asked him if there was an open day at the college and he kept yelling my friends. I told him that he was a little rude and he stood up and got out of his office shouting GET OUT. I got afraid that he was going to physically hurts us and we took backsteps and ran out of the college entrance. I find this behavior unacceptable. Especially in an educational institution of the caliber of Oxford and I would highly recommend people who express a rasist and hostile behavior should not be employed by an institution that involves people who are stepping away from their parents looking forward to a peaceful and safe place to accommodate themselves whilst being away from their homes. If I was a parent of a student I would demand this member of staff to be removed from the premises immediately. This person was 40 plus years old, male.
Written 12 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeamWard
Nottingham, UK5,688 contributions
Feb 2020
This is yet another of the many college buildings around the city each of them worth a wander around to admire the architecture and if possible the internal gardens, some offer more detailed viewing at cost.
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alisdair t
Workington, UK6,396 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
we only had time to look around 1 college whilst here, came upon this one, know nothing about it. A couple of quid to get in, looked around lovely gardens, in full bloom, the peaceful chapel, main hall, which was set out for evening dinner. Got a leaflet, about the history, founded in 1263, so one of the oldest,and talked at length to the attendant on the gate. some very "famous" people studied here. 3 prime ministers, 5 noble prize winners, many littery figures, and Boris Johnson
Written 12 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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