Wellington Square, Oxford facts for kids
Wellington Square is a special kind of park area in the middle of Oxford, England. It's like a big, open space with gardens, and it's a northern extension of St John Street. In the very center of this square, you'll find a small park called Wellington Square Gardens. The University of Oxford owns and looks after this peaceful green space. A path for bicycles also goes through the square, leading towards Little Clarendon Street.
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What is Wellington Square?
Wellington Square is more than just a park. Its name is often used to talk about the main offices of the University of Oxford. This is because the university's central team, which handles all the important decisions and paperwork, moved here in 1975. Their new buildings are located right on the square, even though they also stretch along the nearby Little Clarendon Street. These buildings also include homes for students who are studying for advanced degrees.
Student Protests at the Square
Sometimes, students gather at Wellington Square to make their voices heard. For example, in May 2024, some students held a peaceful protest inside the university's main offices. They were part of a larger group called Oxford Action For Palestine. These students wanted to share their views on important world issues.
University Buildings in the Square
Many important parts of the University of Oxford are located around Wellington Square:
Rewley House
The university's Department for Continuing Education is found in a building called Rewley House. This building was designed in 1872 by a local Oxford architect named E. G. Bruton. He also helped plan the layout of the square itself. Rewley House was once the first home for Kellogg College, which is another part of the university.
Language and Social Policy Offices
- Number 47: This building is home to the main offices for the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages. This faculty teaches many different languages, both old and new. It also holds the university's collections of books and materials about Slavic languages and Modern Greek.
- Barnett House: This building is named after a social reformer, Canon Samuel Barnett, and his wife Henrietta. It houses the Department of Social Policy and Intervention. This department studies how society works and how to help people.
Radio Oxford Studio
The Oxford University Broadcasting Society used to have a studio in the square. This studio was part of Radio Oxford, where students could learn about broadcasting and create their own radio shows.
