Oriel, Oxford, UK, Guide du visiteur et quoi faire à proximité

Oriel College is one of the oldest colleges of the University of Oxford, founded in 1326 and tucked between High Street and Oriel Square in the centre of Oxford. It is known for its long history, its place among the city's medieval colleges and the debate over the statue of Cecil Rhodes on its facade.

The story behind it

Oriel was founded in 1326 and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which is why its early name referred to the Blessed Virgin. The name we use today comes from an earlier building on the site called La Oriole, which had an oriel window, a projecting window built out from the wall. Most Oxford colleges take their names from saints or royal patrons, so a name taken from a window is a pleasing oddity.

The college is also tied to a modern argument about how a city treats its past. Cecil Rhodes, whose fortune came from southern African mining and who left money to Oriel, is commemorated by a statue high on the college front. Calls to remove it have been loud for years. It still stands, and a plaque now gives passers-by context about his history. It is a good reminder that Oxford's stone is not as fixed as it looks.

What to look for

• Look up at the High Street front to find the statue of Cecil Rhodes, and read the plaque that now sets out the context around him.
• Notice the carved and weathered stonework along Oriel Street, where centuries of repairs and additions sit side by side.
• Think about the name as you pass, and look for oriel windows on the surrounding buildings, the feature that gave the college its name.
• Compare Oriel's facade with its neighbours on the lane to see how different colleges present themselves to the street.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 10 to 15 minutes if you are viewing it from the street, and longer if you combine it with the surrounding lanes.
• Access inside a college can be limited or change with the season, so check current opening hours and visitor arrangements before you plan to go in.
• Morning light is kinder for photographing the facade, and early or late in the day the lanes are much quieter.
• You are close to Christ Church, Merton Street, the Radcliffe Camera and several historic pubs, so it fits easily into a wider walk.

See it on a quest

Oriel is best seen as one stop on a longer walk through the centre of Oxford. Oxford and the Thief of Time is a self-guided quest that takes you there on foot. The app tells you about each place as you arrive and sets a puzzle based on what is in front of you, so you look closely at the stonework and streets instead of just walking past. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group. You can start whenever you like, with no guide and no group to join.