Somerville College, Oxford

Customer rating:
Average: 4.0 (140 ratings)
View comments
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
  • Historic Property

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)
  • Historic houses
  • Gardens
  • Golf course (a short drive)
  • 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 all of our ensuite rooms overlook the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter Construction site which is currently being redeveloped 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

Wi-Fi Internet access is available college-wide, for further information please go to http://www.some.ox.ac.uk/wi-fi

 

All bedrooms have tea and coffee making facilitities.

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.

, April 2013: Everyone in the group enjoyed their stay and would be happy to come again. Thank you. 5/5

, April 2013: Daniel, the porter, was absolutely brilliant. Funny, helpful, really chatty and lovely. Thank you! The three fire alarms and the dodgy, rocking, wall socket were minor blips! 5/5

, March 2013: Very satisfactory overall - the room was excellent. I had a moment of panic when an information sheet I was given said breakfast would not be provided. Fortunately this turned out to be untrue! 4/5

, December 2012: Dave the porter was excellent in his manner and he went out of his way to make us comfortable. Please pass on our thanks. 4/5

, October 2012: Thanks! It was super easy and very efficient. Was impressed. 5/5

, October 2012: What luxury to stay in college and have an ensuite! 4/5

, September 2012: Loved staying in Somerville, it was quiet and very central. We were able to see almost everything on foot and felt it provided us with a real Oxford experience. 5/5

, August 2012: Although the breakfast was good and well cooked, by the time we had eaten our cereal, the egg, bacon etc was cold. It would be advantageous to be able to help oneself to cereal and then to return for the cooked items. Otherwise our stay was very enjoyable and the porters were all cheerful and helpful. 4/5

, August 2012: Lodge staff were particularly helpful, in helping me master some of the technology, including wireless connection. Room was very clean, with daily sheet and towel changes, and the cleaning staff were friendly and unobtrusive. Despite the construction noise, I'd return very happily. 5/5

, August 2012: Overall pleasant -- room was very small -- location was perfect. 4/5

, August 2012: Brilliant Porters. Really friendly and helpful. Shame we couldn't park in the college. 5/5

, August 2012: Porters were outstanding---friendly, welcoming, reassuring. The guys there on Friday night and Sunday morning should get a raise! I loved it. My only issue was that the time for breakfast was too short---I missed both mornings. 5/5

, July 2012: The room is very clean and modern, it's much much better than my expectation, the staff there is very helpful, I did enjoy staying in East building of Somerville. It would be better if Hairdryer is provided. 4/5

, July 2012: Really helpful reception - very positive impression of the college. After a sticky start with the Wifi link, IT came to the rescue in magnificent fashion so very many thanks for all the help and support on that front as well 5/5

, July 2012: Somerville College is located very nicely just north of the bustling city center and is very convenient to the main bus station. It is an ideal location, whether you are in Oxford for work or pleasure. The porters, cleaning and breakfast staff were all very friendly and helpful. The room was kept very clean, the wifi worked very well, and breakfast was more than ample. My stay at Somerville College was a great experience. I would stay there again. 5/5

, July 2012: It was nice to stay in my old college again after almost 30 years. Even the crokery hadn't changed and my room was certainly better than the one I had as an undergraduate! It was a pity about the buiding site next door but these things do happen. I would go back again. 4/5

, July 2012: It was a nice experience to stay at Sommerville College as a guest. Very friendly staff and a wonderful atmosphere. Thank you! 5/5

, June 2012: Good value for money. the staff was very friendly and helpful! 5/5

, June 2012: I have given an excellent mark for the breakfast because there was such variety and plenty of fresh fruit but the cooked breakfast could be hotter. The room was delightful with no noise from adjacent rooms because the building is old and substantial but there should be somewhere to hang a wet towel as I shared a bathroom and had to bring it back to my room after a shower. The shower was fantastic - like being under a warm Niagara. 5/5

, June 2012: Lovely university residency, the people was nice, the room was clean and well located. Perfect for a few days and to enjoy the Oxford experience by sleeping in a college. 5/5

, June 2012: I found it very difficult to connect to the internet. However, having Wifi included is a great benefit. Generally a very positive experience - all staff were very friendly. 4/5

, June 2012: Very pleasant room in a lovely setting 4/5

, June 2012: there is no breakfast and so my rating as no n/a is available. very convenient location and nicer than i expected. a good experience. 4/5

, June 2012: Excellent. Room was of standard of student accommodations, so no luxury nor ensuite, but SPARKLING clean, a rarity in affordable UK accommodation. College grounds were beautiful, as was Oxford location. VERY safe, multiple security passpoints/safeguards. Staff was helpful and friendly. Best value for UK accommodations you will find. 4/5

, June 2012: I found the room comfortable and clean, the service friendly and efficient, and the buildings and quad delightful. Logging on to the wi-fi was more complicated than in most places, but in general I had a very pleasant stay. Thank you very much. NB: I have not marked the breakfast, as none was served (which was made clear when I booked, and is fine at the price). 4/5

Dr Andrew Moore, June 2012: The facilities are basic but perfectly comfortable and extremely convenient for the centre. The IT support was excellent. Breakfast is not provided. 4/5

Ms Cynthia Chang, June 2012: Great location. Room and bathroom were clean. Service was ok in terms of cleaning the room but the tea and coffee tray was not always replenished. Shared bathroom was ok. Excellent value for money all in all. 3/5

Dr Deborah Jones, 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. 4/5

Mrs Bonnie Rozorio, 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. 4/5

Ms Anke Maria Mueller, March 2012: very friendly staff and excellent service!! A cosy, comfortable place! 5/5

Mr Christopher Warren, March 2012: Breakfast was not included so not applicable above. Lodge staff were very friendly and helpful 4/5

Dr Eilon Poem, 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. 4/5

Dr Eilon Poem, 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. 4/5

Miss Zoe Roberts, 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! 5/5

Mr Prashant Jain, February 2012: Good experience, will try again. 4/5

Ms Lucia Waldnerova, February 2012: The college staff were extremely friendly. The room was very neat and clean. I was very happy with my stay. 5/5

Miss Chantelle Murtagh, 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. 4/5

Mr Fraser Dallachy, February 2012: Very nice room, in a very convenient location for visiting the city/university. 5/5

Dr Alfonso Galderisi, 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. 5/5

Dr Alfonso Galderisi, 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. 5/5

Dr Ingrid Erickson, January 2012: Can't wait to return! 5/5

Dr Ingrid Erickson, January 2012: Would love a reading or desk lamp of some kind. Otherwise, fabulous! 4/5

Ms Elizabeth MacGarvey, 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. 5/5

Dr Miguel Correia, 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 5/5

Show more...