Oxford is renowned for hosting some of the most influential minds and greatest thinkers in history. But where are the best places to host events in Oxford from the perspective of the photographers document the important events and meetings!
From old to new, cosy to grandiose our list will cover the best of what the city of Oxford has to offer.
Blavatnik School of Government
Completed in 2016, the Blavatnik School of Government is one of the most striking venues in Oxford. Located on Walton Street, the school features several large event spaces and lecture theatres, including a rooftop terrace.
23 rooms with capacity for 350+ attendees
Brasenose College
Founded in 1509 it doesn’t get much more central than Brasenose – featuring iconic oxford architecture and small meeting spaces.
12 rooms with capacity for 120 attendees
Cosy Club
Opened in 2023, Cosy Club features modern and chic decor with great dining and drinks options.
Exclusive use, with two private rooms also available
Divinity School
Oxford’s oldest teaching space, the Divinity School offers a beautiful atmosphere for events and dinners.
Exclusive use for up to 200 guests
Examination Schools
Built in the late 1800’s, one of Oxford’s largest event venues with multiple spacious rooms, suitable for bigger gatherings.
16 rooms with capacity for 440 attendees
Harris Manchester College
Founded in 1786, Harris Manchester is a beautiful college featuring several smaller meeting spaces as well as a college dinner style catering option.
7 rooms with capacity for 140 attendees
Hollywell Music Room
A part of Wadham College and the oldest dedicated concert hall in Europe. Hollywell music room provides a unique setting in central Oxford.
Exclusive use with capacity for 200 attendees
Jesus College
Located on Turl Street, Jesus college features the best of the old and the new, from the classic dining hall to the modern Cheng Yu Tung building.
12 rooms with capacity for 200 attendees
Keble College
Infamous for its red brick, Keble College features spacious grounds, beautiful chapel, 300 seater dining hall as well as modern lecture theatre and common room.
10 rooms with capacity for 300 attendees
Kellogg College
Located on Banbury Road, Kellogg College features modern rooms blended with green outdoor spaces.
7 rooms with capacity for 350 attendees
Mansfield College
Founded in 1838, but relocated to Oxford in 1886, Mansfield College is located on Mansfield Road. With original building constructed between 1887 and 1889 and more modern additions including a 160 seater auditorium.
10 rooms with capacity for 160 attendees
New College
Founded in 1379 and located on Hollywell Street, New College boasts impressive buildings and grounds including sections of the ancient city wall. The recently added Gradel Quadrangles on Mansfield Road also feature accomodation and an additional conferencing space.
18 rooms with capacity for 204 attendees
Oxford Martin School
Opened in 1884, previously home of the Oxford Indian Institute, the Oxford Martin School is located on the corner of Cattle Street and Hollywell Street. It has several small meeting rooms over multiple floors, and a larger lecture theatre with views overlooking Broad Street.
8 rooms with capacity for 160 attendees
Oxford Town Hall
Opened in 1897 the Oxford Town Hall features a large main hall, assembly room as well as several other spaces. The main hall houses a Father Willis Organ and decorative vaulted ceiling.
10 rooms with capacity for 700 attendees
Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museum
Completed in 1860 the Grade 1 Listed Natural History Museum and adjoining Pitt Rivers Museum house the University collections of natural history, anthropological and archaeological specimens. Available for conferences and evening events, the spaces include small convening spaces, a lecture theatre all within a spectacular museum setting.
Combined total of 11 rooms with capacity for 476 attendees
Pembroke College
Founded in 1624, Pembroke College is located just west of St Aldates. It features a large classic style hall as well as a new quadrangle featuring a large lecture theatre and function rooms.
13 rooms with capacity for 200 attendees
Rhodes House
Home of the Rhodes Scholarship, Rhodes House was opened in 1928, with recent redevelopment works completed in 2023. With a large modern conferencing suite located across the lower levels, a large dining hall, onsite accomodation and a bespoke glass events space, Rhodes House has a lot to offer for events and functions.
6 rooms with capacity for 250 attendees
Saïd Business School
Saïd Business School opened it’s Park End Street site in 2001. With the 300 seater Nelson Mandela Lecture Theatre and dozens of smaller lecture theatres and meeting rooms, the business school can cater to events of all sizes.
17 rooms with capacity for 317 attendees
Somerville College
Founded in 1879 and located on Woodstock Road, Somerville College was one of the first Women’s Colleges at Oxford. It offers a spacious outdoor area, lecture spaces and a college dining hall.
7 rooms with capacity for 250 attendees
St Hilda's College
St Hilda’s college, located on the banks of the Cherwell and founded in 1893 offers a mixture of new and bespoke event venues, combined with classic victorian features.
The newer developments include the Pavillion, the Anniversary Building and the Jacqueline du Pré Music Building.
14 rooms with capacity for 190 attendees
Oxford New Theatre
The New Theatre, located on George Street is Oxfords largest entertainment venue, seating over 1700 people when required. Ideal for large presentations or performances.
Exclusive use available with capacity for 1700 attendees
The Oxford Union
The Oxford Union is one of the most famous debating societies in the world, with the purpose built debating chamber, onsite bar and smaller meeting and function rooms.
7 rooms with capacity for 540 attendees
The Queen's College
Built largely in the 1700s but with several modern additions, The Queen’s College is situated on High Street and features several green spaces, dining halls and conference facilities.
13 rooms with capacity for 150 attendees
The Randolph Hotel
The Randolph Hotel is a five star hotel located on the corner of Beaumont St and Magdalen St. It offers smaller meeting rooms, private dining, larger seminar and boardrooms as well as a large ballroom.
7 rooms with capacity for 400 attendees
Sheldonian Theatre
Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and opened in 1669, The Sheldonian Theatre is the ceremonial Hall of the University of Oxford. With capacity for over 700 the theatre is a special place to host an event or concert.
3 rooms with capacity for 717 attendees
Trinity College
Founded in 1555 and located on Broad Street, Trinity College offers a mix of large outdoor spaces and both classic and modern event spaces.
16 rooms with capacity for 155 attendees
Worcester College
Founded in 1714 Worcester College is located at the intersection of Worcester Street, Walton Street and Beaumont Street. It has large grounds including a lakeside walk and two conference and event spaces; the Sultan Nazrin Shah Centre and Linbury Room.
15 rooms with capacity for 160 attendees