University Church Of St. Mary The Virgin
University Church Of St. Mary The Virgin
St Mary's is a lively church in the liberal catholic tradition of the Church of England. We are an inclusive church that will give a warm welcome to everyone.
St Mary's is situated at the historic heart of the City and University of Oxford, with entrances both from the High Street and from Radcliffe Square. Wheelchair users should enter from the High Street.
School Visits
We are in the process of developing resources for schools to use in preparation for visits to St Mary's. More information may be found on the schools page of our heritage website. If you are planning to bring your class to St Mary's and would like more information on what we can offer, please contact our education officer, Lea Kloeppinger
Guided Tours
Drop-in Tours
St Mary’s has a fascinating history both as the University Church and as a meeting place for some of the most prolific thinkers of the past. Join one of our trained guides who will lead you on a captivating journey through the centuries from the birth of the University to the present day. Drop in tours are available free of charge to individuals and family visitors at designated times throughout the week. These times are subject to the availability of volunteer guides. If you are interested in attending one of these tours, you are advised to call ahead to confirm details.
Tours typically last 30-40mins. Register for a tour with a volunteer on arrival. Please note that spaces are limited; drop in tours cannot be pre-booked and operate subject to the availability of volunteer guides.
Pre-booked guided tours for groups
If you are bringing a group to Oxford and would like a guided tour of St Mary's, please complete theGroup Bookings Form and return it to the church office. Our guided tour coordinator will then contact you to confirm availability and finalise the details of your tour.
The Tower
The tower commands some of the finest views of Oxford's famous skyline. It is worth the climb of 127 steps to make it to the top to enjoy fine uninterrupted views in all directions across Oxford and the surrounding countryside. A panorama picture in the ringing chamber (about one third of the way up) indicates the major buildings to be seen. The tower opens at 9.30am except on Sunday, when it opens at 11.45 am, after the morning service. Last entry to the tower is 30 minutes before closing.
Please note that the tower may be closed at short notice if church staff deem that the weather conditions that day make climbing the tower too hazardous. Access to the tower is via a medieval spiral staircase and therefore persons with heart conditions or other medical conditions which may be affected by the effort of climbing these stairs are advised to refrain from making the attempt. For the same reason, we regret that there is no disabled access to the tower.
Ticket Prices:
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Adults: £4
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Concessions: £3 (Children aged 5-15, seniors, University of Oxford students
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Family ticket (2 adults and up to 2 children), £12.
Tickets may be purchased from the gift shop at the base of the tower.