Balliol College has two main sites which are separated by a five minute walk. The Broad street site contains the College Library, Hall & College Office, as well as undergraduate accommodation. The second site, Holywell Manor & Master’s Field, contains graduate accommodation and social spaces for graduates. This page contains a brief overview of the facilities at Holywell Manor and Master’s Field. 

Directions to Holywell Manor can be found on Google Maps here. Maps of Master’s Field can be downloaded here.

Holywell Manor

The Porter’s Lodge

You will probably have many reasons to pop into the Lodge, which is located right by the entrance to Holywell Manor. The Lodge is an important source of information of all kinds about Balliol, and should be your first stop when you come to the Manor for the first time.

It has many useful things that can usually be borrowed in exchange for a Bod Card, such as keys for college rooms. Additionally, most bookings for rooms, sporting grounds, or other resources at Balliol are made through the Lodge.

The Lodge is also the central point of contact in any emergency situation! The telephone number of the Holywell Manor Lodge is (0)1865 271501 (x71501 from a University phone). They can also be contacted via email if the problem is less urgant.

Postroom and Pidgeon Holes
All graduates are allocated pigeonholes at the Manor. At Holywell Manor, there are also larger alphabetical bins for post that cannot be matched to a current resident.

Arkwright's (The Lodge Shop)
The Holywell Manor Lodge has a small shop where you can purchase a number of common food and household items.

There is a selection of confectionery, crisps, savoury snacks, breakfast and health food bars, canned drinks, fruit juices, milk, iced teas, flavoured milk and bottled water. There is also a stock of stamps and envelopes. The Shop is open from 6.00 am to midnight every day of the week and accepts cash only.

The MCR

In addition to being the collective body of Balliol Graduate Students, the ‘Middle Common Room’ is also a physical space that serves as a living room and social hub for the graduate community. A piano is available that can be played until 10 pm. Any comments regarding the MCR or its facilities should be directed to the MCR Vice President.

The Painted Room

The Painted Room is a space between the MCR and the Entrance Foyer of the Manor. It is currently used as a general lounge and study space. The beautifully painted walls of the room have been recently restored and tell the founding story of Balliol College.

The TV Room

Located next to the bar, the TV Room is another social space for graduates. During the day it is often used as an informal workspace.

The Megaron Bar

The Megaron Bar is a bar run by the MCR Bar Managers. It works by an honesty system where any drinks/snacks taken will be billed to the appropriate MCR members via their battles at the end of the term. MCR members must fill in the sheets honestly when they take anything from the Megaron Bar. Although the Megaron Bar can be opened by any members of the MCR from 10 am to midnight, members are expected to be considerate to those that live in Holywell Manor (especially those living directly above the Megaron Bar) by not making too much noise 

The Cockpit

The Cockpit is in the basement of Holywell Manor. It is designed as a multifunctional space and is a common venue for larger MCR events. The room contains many moveable leather sofas and small tables. They are usually arranged in small groups so that more than one group can use the room at once. There is a pool table in one corner.

There is an alcove at one end of the room with a dining table and chairs. In combination with the attached kitchen, the Cockpit can be useful for hosting dinner parties. The cockpit can be booked online and the key withdrawn from the lodge.

Garden and Barbecue Pits

The Holywell Manor garden is behind Holywell Manor and is maintained by Shane, the Holywell Manor Gardener. The garden is for the use and enjoyment of all Balliol MCR members.

The rear of the garden contains a barbecue. MCR members are free to use the barbecue and it can be booked online.

Music Room

There is a music room next to the Cockpit that all are welcome to use between 9am and 11pm. It contains a piano, an electric keyboard and other assorted pieces of musical equipment./p>

It is not necessary to book the room, but those who want to be assured a spot can do so online at Balliol Bookings (single sign-on required). The key can be acquired from the lodge in exchange for your Bod card.

Additionally, there is also a music room at Main Site (in staircase 23, under the Hall) which is larger, more soundproof, and contains three pianos. The key is available from the Main Site Lodge to members of the Balliol Musical Society. Users must first book the room here. To join the Musical Society, either sign up at the Balliol Freshers' Fair or email the General Secretary; please see their website for current contact information.

The Gym

There is a multi-gym in the Manor, located in the downstairs area directly off the Cockpit. It contains a cardio and weights area that is reasonably well equipped. If there is anything you think should be acquired for the gym please contact the MCR sport officer.  

The key can be collected from the porter’s lodge.

The Master’s Field

The Balliol Sports Field (a.k.a. the Master's Field) is a large field for various sports. It is located across St. Cross Road from Holywell Manor. There are tennis (hard surface, as well as an extra grass court generally available for use in the spring/summer) and squash courts built in the pavilion. You can book online, and pick up keys from the Manor Lodge.

Depending on the season, the main grassy area serves as a cricket and a football pitch on which the Balliol teams play their home matches: please feel free to come out and support them when they play! Officially, the use of the Master's Field for sports (excluding the squash and hard tennis courts) has to receive the Head Groundsman's prior approval.

The Pavilion

Recently built as part of the Master’s Field development, it contains changing rooms for teams using the sports pitches as well as a squash court which can be booked here.

Sports Pitches & Tennis court

The Master’s Field is built around a central grassed area that works as both a football & cricket pitch depending on the time of year. Please treat the area with care, as lots of work goes into the maintenance of the pitches. 

There is also a hard tennis court that is available to all provided that it is booked beforehand. The key for the courts (and for the MCR sports cupboard from which you can borrow rackets, balls, etc.) can be obtained from the Holywell Manors porter’s lodge. 

Disabled Access

The Balliol MCR welcomes all students with a disability and undertakes to do everything possible to support them to make the most of their time at the College. The Disability Officer at Balliol College is the Senior Tutor, Nicola Trott. You can also contact the MCR Disabilities Officer with any concerns relating to disability.

More up to date information about disabled access, for Holywell Manor, Master’s Field and Broad Street can be found here.

Accessibility and accommodation
Access is limited. It can be accessed from Manor Place (what3words link), linking through the Garden and into the South Wing corridor for access to the specially designed toilet and shower. A ramp enables access to the Cockpit and Music Room. Here is a map of wheelchair access to the public rooms at Holywell Manor.