Balliol College
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BJ
Despite its entrance on Broad Street itself, it’s easy to miss this college with its unobtrusive small door almost directly opposite the tourist office. Nonetheless, it’s the most popular Oxford college (in that it receives more applications each year than any other) and one of the largest in the city. Continuing with superlatives, it’s also one of the oldest, founded in 1263 as a penance after the Scots Balliol family insulted the Bishop of Durham. The first quad is nothing to write home about; make sure you make it through into the architecturally more interesting second one. And if you’re here in term-time listen out for the traditional abuse Balliol students might be hurling across the walls to their arch rival, Trinity. Famous alumni include literary figures Aldous Huxley and Graham Greene. And, of course, a certain famous London mayor… Boris Johnson.
