Site Visit: Hertford College
24th March 2026, 3.30pm onwards
Hosted by Beard and Hertford College
Location: Catte Street, Oxford, OX1 3BW
Join us for a limited numbers, members only, guided tour of this project which is providing additional library space under the quad and chapel, together with renovation to the existing buildings.
Hertford College is situated in the heart of Oxford’s historic core, amongst some of the city’s most iconic buildings. It traces its origins back nearly 750 years, as successor to two medieval halls of the University. All buildings within the Old Quad are ether Grade 2 or Grade 2* and is located within the Central Oxford Conservation Area.
The current library has collections that span centuries, comprising of archival records, manuscripts, early printed books, and a modern student library. It was formed within the former Georgian chapel and extended in the 1960’s, but was no longer fit for purpose as it lacked adequate study spaces, staff areas, and sufficient storage. It also had numerous accessibility challenges which the College wanted to resolve.
The new library designed by MICA and being constructed by Beard encompasses new basements within the quad and under the former chapel, extensive renovation work to the existing 18th and 19th C buildings, along with new build elements to enhance college facilities. These include improved reader spaces, new archive stores, additional meeting, and study rooms together with a new lift and access into the existing dining hall.
Following the extremely successful archaeological excavation public open day last September, Hertford College and Beard offer the opportunity to view the current progress of works to Oxford CE members.
There will be 3 tours running, 3.30pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm. If you register for this event you will be allocated a timeslot, please ensure you are available for all of them.
Important Information:
To ensure that you get the most out of this event please contact jenny.beilby@atkinsrealis.com in advance with requirements (e.g. access) for our consideration. We will ensure that we do our best to accommodate any request for reasonable adjustments.
Meeting Point: Porters Lodge, Catte Street, Oxford
Parking: This is a city centre location and parking will be limited to the nearby on street parking. No parking is available on site.
Mandatory PPE: Please bring 4 point PPE if you can (gloves, hi vis, safety footwear and hard hat). There are some visitors PPE supplies but not enough for all.
