Magdalen College

Before branching off into Rose Lane, I’d like to draw your attention to Magdalen College. First of all, although it’s spelt Magdalen, it’s actually Maudlyn. That’s how the name was pronounced centuries ago when it was founded. It is also, and above all, to differentiate it from Magdalene College, Cambridge, Oxford’s great rival university. Oxford students never call Cambridge by its name, but refere to it as “The Other place”. This rivalry, which is perhaps a little overplayed today, is not new! The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209, following a conflict between local rulers and academics who decided to leave Oxford and found their own university. Still, the two schools have so much in common that they’re even called Oxbridge. In short, the rivalry I’m talking about is a sporting one, which began in 1829 when a Cambridge student challenged his Oxford friend to a rowing race. The boat race, as it’s known, has taken place every year since, with a few exceptions such as the two World Wars and Covid-19. It’s a very popular event, whether with students, rowing enthusiasts or the general public. It attracts over 500,000 people to the shores of the River Thames and millions of television viewers. But back to Magdalen College. It’s one of Oxford’s most prestigious colleges, and its tower is one of the city’s most representative landmarks. It is the gathering place for May 1st celebrations. Every year, for over 500 years, a crowd of thousands has gathered to wait for the bells to ring at 6am. Many students spend this wait in pubs, choosing to stay up all night. From 5am onwards, the kitchens open and offer partygoers hearty English breakfasts to sober them up. Then, once the bells have rung, the crowd suddenly falls silent as the college choir sings the traditional Hymnus Eucharisticus in the early morning breeze from the top of the Great Tower. Then the bells ring again, and the crowd disperses across the city to continue the celebrations. A must-see if you’re lucky enough to be there on May 1st. Magdalen College was founded in 1458 by the Bishop of Winchester. It is one of the richest of all 38 colleges, and its land covers 120 acres of parkland leading to the shores of the River Cherwell. It even has its own deer park where you can watch the fallow deer roam freely. Among its most illustrious students was the brilliant Irish writer Oscar Wilde. It’s a very interesting college to visit. Less well-known than Christchurch, it’s more affordable and much less crowded.Ideal for wandering around its flower-filled cloister and beautifully manicured green spaces without a horde of tourists. So don’t hesitate to enter and discover its fantastic medieval architecture, including the church with its surprising black-and-white stained-glass windows.