Holywell Manor, Oxford facts for kids
Holywell Manor is a very old building in the center of Oxford, England. It's located in an area called Holywell. Today, it's home to many of the postgraduate students from Balliol College. You can find it at the corner of Manor Road and St Cross Road, right next to St Cross Church. This church is now used by Balliol College for its old collections.
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A Look Back: The History of Holywell Manor
This manor was first owned by church leaders from the Church of St Peter-in-the-East way back in the 1000s and 1100s. Later, in 1294, it became the property of Merton College. They rebuilt it in 1516.
In 1531, Merton College leased the manor to a man named Edward Napper. His family lived there for a long time. During their stay, the house became a safe place for Roman Catholic priests. The building was made bigger between 1555 and 1572. The Napper family stayed until the 1600s. Later, in 1761, part of the building was taken down. By 1828, it was split into three separate parts.
Balliol College started to have a presence in this area in the 1870s. This was when Benjamin Jowett, who was the head of the college (called the Master), bought a large open area. This area is now Balliol's sports ground, known as 'The Master's Field'. Over time, houses for college Fellows (teachers) were built around this field. One famous house, 'The King's Mound', was built in 1894.
The oldest part of Holywell Manor that still stands today is a farmhouse from the 1500s. This part now houses the 'Praefectus', who is a Fellow living there to supervise. Balliol College bought this old farmhouse in 1929. Before that, it had been a convent and then a home for people needing support. It was empty by 1929 when Balliol bought it.
The purchase was planned by Kenneth Norman Bell. He wanted to create more living spaces for undergraduate students. Money for this was raised through donations to the Balliol Society, which he had started just for this purpose.
Big additions were made to the original manor. These were designed by an architect named George Kennedy, who had studied at Balliol College. These new parts include the front of the building that faces the road, the entrance courtyard, and grand wings built in the Queen Anne style. These wings surround two special rows of Ginkgo trees that were planted by C. S. Orwin.
Holywell Manor first opened its doors in 1932. It was a place for Balliol's undergraduate students to live until the 1960s. During World War II, it was lent to St Hugh's College. After the war, it became a mixed community for graduate students, shared with female graduates from St Anne's College.
Finally, in 1984, Balliol College started accepting women students. At that point, Holywell Manor became a home just for Balliol's graduate students. More student housing was built nearby. In 1966, a building called the 'Martin Building' opened. It's sometimes jokingly called 'Holywell Minor'. In 1986, another building, the 'Dellal Building', opened next to it. Between 2000 and 2008, more undergraduate living spaces were developed along Jowett Walk. In 2019, the Dellal and Martin buildings were taken down to make way for even newer Balliol accommodation.
The manor was made even bigger in 1993 with the addition of the James Fairfax Yard block. This was built off the north wing of the manor. Later, in 2008, the kitchens and dining room at Holywell Manor were closed. Students living there now use the dining facilities at the main College Hall. This change helped to make Holywell Manor feel more connected to the main Balliol College. Balliol is actually one of the largest colleges for graduate students at the University of Oxford. The changes also allowed for new spaces inside the manor. These include a common area called the 'cockpit' or 'lounge', and a gym. All members of Balliol College can use these new facilities.
Art at Holywell Manor
Kenneth Norman Bell helped start a connection between Holywell Manor and the arts. This connection continues even today. One of the computer rooms in the Manor has special paintings on its walls. These murals show the story of how Balliol College was founded. They were painted by Gilbert Spencer, who was the brother of a famous artist named Stanley Spencer.
Outside in the garden, you can find more art. There's a fountain by Peter Lyon. You can also see a sculpture called Icarus by Raymond Petit. And there's a unique wind sculpture created by George Rickey.
Famous People Who Lived Here
Many interesting people have lived at Holywell Manor, including:
- Pauline Gregg
- Empress Masako of Japan
- Russell Meiggs
- George Napper
- Denis Noble
What's Inside: Facilities at Holywell Manor
Holywell Manor has several useful facilities for its students:
- The "Megaron" Bar — This bar is special because it's run by the students themselves. It also works on an "honesty basis," meaning students serve themselves and pay later.
- The MCR — This is the common room. It has comfortable seating and is a place where students can relax. It's stocked with newspapers and magazines, and it has Wi-Fi so students can connect to the internet.
- The laundry room — A place for students to wash their clothes.
- TV Room — A room where students can watch television.
- Gym — A place for students to exercise.
- Music practice rooms — These rooms were once the "Cockpit" dining hall. Now, they are used by students who want to practice musical instruments.
