Holywell Manor, Oxford facts for kids
Holywell Manor is a historic building in central Oxford, England, in the parish of Holywell. It currently houses some of Balliol College's postgraduate student population. It is on the corner of Manor Road and St Cross Road, next to St Cross Church, which has become the Balliol College Historic Collections Centre.
History
The manor was held by the rectors of the Church of St Peter-in-the-East in the 11th and 12th centuries. It passed to Merton College in 1294 and was rebuilt by the College in 1516. It was leased to Edward Napper by the College in 1531. When occupied by Napper's family, the house became a rufuge for Roman Catholic priests. The building was enlarged during 1555–72 and Napper's family remained in residence until the 17th Century. The building was partially demolished in 1761 and divided into three parts in 1828.
Balliol College has had a presence in the area since the purchase by Benjamin Jowett, the Master, in the 1870s of the open area which is the Balliol sports ground 'The Master's Field'. On the edges of this, along Mansfield Road and St Cross Road, have been built Fellows houses, notably the 'The King's Mound' in 1894.
The oldest surviving part of the site is the 16th century farmhouse which now houses the 'Praefectus', i.e., the resident supervising Fellow. It was acquired by Balliol College in 1929, prior to which it had been a convent and home for unmarried mothers (though it was deserted by 1929). The purchase was planned by Kenneth Norman Bell in order to provide accommodation for undergraduates and was funded by donations to the Balliol Society which he had founded expressly for this purpose.
The extensive extensions to the original manor were designed by the architect George Kennedy an Old Boy of the College. These include the road facing façade, the entrance courtyard and the grand Queen Anne style wings surrounding the distinctive two rows of Ginkgo trees planted by C. S. Orwin.
The Manor opened in 1932 and remained a hostel for Balliol's undergraduates until the 1960s, except for during World War II, when it was lent to St Hugh's College.
The building was significantly extended in 1993 with the construction of the James Fairfax Yard block off the manor's north wing.
Art
Kenneth Norman Bell was always closely involved with the British art world, and began an association between Holywell and the arts which still continues.
The MCR community
The graduate community now housed by Holywell Manor is known as being one of the most vibrant in Oxford, with a strong international feel.
Facilities
Holywell Manor has the following facilities:
- The "Megaron" Bar — This is unusual amongst college bars both for being student run and for operating on an honesty basis.
- The MCR — The common room is furnished with seating, is stocked with newspapers and magazines, and has Wi-Fi access.
- The laundry room
- Computer rooms
- TV Room
- Gym
- Music practice rooms — previously the "Cockpit" dining hall.
Famous residents
- Crown Princess Masako of Japan stayed in Holywell Manor.
