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Somerville College, Oxford: Darbishire Quad

Somerville College, Oxford

Affordable Bed and Breakfast accommodation in a central Oxford College.

Summary

  • 19th century buildings
  • 20th century buildings
  • 21st century buildings
  • Breakfast included
  • No car parking
  • No smoking
  • Minimum age 21

Facilities

  • Free broadband access
  • No luggage storage
  • 24 hour security
  • Linen included
  • Towels included

Food and Drinks

  • Continental breakfast (included)
  • English breakfast (included)

Nearby recreations

  • Recommended walks
  • Pub (walking distance)
  • Museums (walking distance)
  • Gardens
  • Recommended restaurants (walking distance)
  • Theatre (walking distance)

Somerville College offers an oasis of tranquillity on the edge of the bustling city centre. Situated on the north side of Oxford, Somerville is only a 10 minute stroll from the city centre and is an ideal base from which to explore.

Somerville offers well appointed double & single ensuite accommodation housed in two newly built (September 2011) accomodation blocks. Also on offer is standard accommodation with shared facilities to suit most budgets. All bedrooms are provided with bed linen, towels, toiletries and hospitality trays and provide a clean and comfortable place to stay. Your Scout (Housekeeping) will service your room on a daily basis for you.

Please note we cannot accept Hen or Stag Parties out of respect for our other guests.

Please be aware that our ensuite rooms overlook the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter site which is currently under construction by Oxford University.

History to the present day

Somerville College was founded in 1879, in response to a growing demand to provide an Oxford education for women. Its founders named the College in honour of the Scottish mathematician and scientist Mary Somerville (1780-1872), and the Somerville family arms and motto (the notoriously untranslatable "Donec rursus impleat orbem") were adopted.  

The choice of name was significant. The College’s founders admired Mary Somerville both as a remarkable scholar, and for her religious and political views. She was a self-taught science writer, wife, mother of 5 children, and polymath. In 1868, was the first person to sign John Stuart Mill’s petition to Parliament in support of women’s suffrage. Having been denied formal educational opportunities herself, she was a fervent advocate of access to education for other women.

Somerville alumnae have achieved an impressive number of “firsts”  - the first, and only, British woman to win a Nobel prize in science(Dorothy Hodgkin); the highest ranking female officer of her time in the British intelligence services (the Queen of Spies, Daphne Park);  the first woman to lead the world’s largest democracy (Indira Gandhi); the first Indian woman barrister (Cornelia Sorabji) and the first woman Prime Minister of this country(Margaret Thatcher).

Countless others have forged path-breaking careers in academic life, politics, literature, science, law, business, education and the media.

Food and Drinks

A full English breakfast is included in the room rate where applicable

(Breakfast is not included in Room Only Bookings).

Breakfast when included is self-service, with a wide range of hot and cold food, available from 08.00 to 08.45 in our grand first floor Dining Hall which has views across the main quad. Being one of former women's colleges, our dining hall, which comfortably seats 200, has chairs rather than benches on which to sit.

Grounds and gardens

Our magnificent gardens are available for guests to enjoy and garden benches are provided for you to relax when the weather's suitable, and you are allowed to walk on the lawns.

Other facilities

All bedrooms have tea and coffee making facilities and Wi-Fi Internet access is available college-wide.

The Porters' Lodge is staffed 24 hours a day.

 

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Catering & Conference Manager., Somerville College, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HD, United Kingdom

Address: Somerville College, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6HD.

The College is a 15-20 minute walk from the railway station (taxis are available outside) and 10 minutes' walk from the  bus and coach station. 

Check in: From 2pm. Check Out: By 10am.

On arrival please report to the Lodge which is situated at the main entrance to the College which is on the Woodstock Road, where you will be given a key and access card before being directed to your room(s). 

Unfortunately there is no parking available at the College, however the Pear Tree, Water Eaton and Redbridge park and rides are very convenient, and the buses stop very close to college entance.

More photos of Somerville College, Oxford

ROQ exterior

ROQ exterior

ROQ bathroom

ROQ Hallway

ROQ Stairway

View through the roses

ROQ bedroom

Main quad

Customer feedback

We guarantee that all our feedback is genuine and can only be submitted by people who have booked through our websites.

, May 2012: No complaints - knew there was no breakfast and no parking, so in the circumstances I found it all fine. The porter was friendly and helpful, which made the whole experience pleasant.

, March 2012: We absolutely loved our stay at Somerville College. Full of atmosphere, it also had all the modern conveniences you appreciate when travelling. It would have been nice if they'd served breakfast, but there are cafes nearby so it wasn't too inconvenient.

, March 2012: very friendly staff and excellent service!! A cosy, comfortable place!

, March 2012: Breakfast was not included so not applicable above. Lodge staff were very friendly and helpful

, March 2012: Small but very tidy room. Clean bathroom just outside the room. No breakfast for guests in Sommerville college, but you can buy it in a variety of shops adjacent to the college. The doormen were very kind. Overall, a very good experience.

, March 2012: Small but very tidy room. Clean bathroom just outside the room. No breakfast for guests in Sommerville college, but you can buy it in a variety of shops adjacent to the college. The doormen were very kind. Overall, a very good experience.

, March 2012: It was a fantastic room at a really good price. The Porters were especially helpful and friendly, they are a credit to the university. Would highly recommend!

, February 2012: Good experience, will try again.

, February 2012: The college staff were extremely friendly. The room was very neat and clean. I was very happy with my stay.

, February 2012: The room was room-only so I cannot comment on the standard of breakfast. But I had a lovely stay and thought that the place was very beautiful. Thank you.

, February 2012: Very nice room, in a very convenient location for visiting the city/university.

, February 2012: Great location at a few minutes from the city's center, the shared bathroom is clean and comfortable, never occupied. The College represents a worth experience for everyone who has to spend a few days in Oxford in a real academic residency. The reception personnel is friendly and will provide you with any help or information. Good wi fi service in room. The rooms are very comfortable and warm, with an enjoyable view on the internal court of the college. I strongly recommend this accommodation for your holiday or work-travel.

, February 2012: Great location at a few minutes from the city's center, the shared bathroom is clean and comfortable, never occupied. The College represents a worth experience for everyone who has to spend a few days in Oxford in a real academic residency. The reception personnel is friendly and will provide you with any help or information. Good wi fi service in room. The rooms are very comfortable and warm, with an enjoyable view on the internal court of the college. I strong recommend this accommodation for your holiday or work-travel.

, January 2012: Can't wait to return!

, January 2012: Would love a reading or desk lamp of some kind. Otherwise, fabulous!

, January 2012: The room was delightful . I had not realised it was not en suite but that might have been an oversight on my part-it was a bit of a trek to the bathroom. A shower would have felt easier in shared facilities but that is a personal preference. The College had provided excellence in terms of what was possible.I would happily stay there again.

, December 2011: Excellent service and Accomodation. Everyone is very friendly. Very near to the center of oxford and most of the colleges. Ideal for someone attending a conference or seminar at Oxford

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