Address:
St Catherine’s College
Manor Rd
Oxford OX1 3UJ
St Catherine’s College: the unexpected architectural gem in Oxford
St Catherine’s College, set in parkland running down to the River Cherwell, is composed of iconic 1960s architecture and design and an abundance of garden areas punctuating the buildings, offering a fascinating environment in which to be inspired.
The beautiful gardens, purpose-designed by Arne Jacobsen, are open to all guests. They are registered with Historic England, and include many secluded seating areas plus sculptures by world-renowned artists such as Dame Barbara Hepworth. Download the Gardens & Grounds Tour here.
Officially opened in 1962 (although with heritage dating back to the 19th Century), St Catherine’s, or ‘Catz’ as it is fondly known, is the youngest mixed College in Oxford. Designed by Danish architect Arne Jacobsen, the original buildings and gardens showcase his unique modernist take on college design. A revelation at the time of its construction, St Catherine’s has now become an icon of the wave of Modernist design which swept the country in the 1960s and continues to be a dynamic presence within the Collegiate of Colleges which help to form the University of Oxford. A College both steeped in and extremely proud of our distinctive style and design heritage, Catz remains a vibrant and fascinating place to visit to this day. For those interested, further information on the College’s design history and architecture can be found here.
