Holywell Manor, Oxford, Manor house and Grade II listed building in central Oxford, England
Holywell Manor is a manor house and Grade II listed building in central Oxford, located at the intersection of Manor Road and St Cross Road. The property combines a 16th-century farmhouse with extensive grounds containing various garden artworks and sculptures.
The property was originally held by St Peter-in-the-East Church in the 11th century and transferred to Merton College in 1294. The building later underwent changes that shaped its role within Oxford's academic community.
The manor displays murals by Gilbert Spencer depicting the founding of Balliol College, alongside garden artworks including a Peter Lyon fountain. These pieces reflect the building's ties to Oxford's academic life.
The manor now serves as a graduate residence for Balliol College, featuring common spaces and exercise facilities. The grounds are easily accessible on foot from the city center and the gardens are worth exploring.
Between 1857 and 1929 the property served as Oxford's Female Penitentiary, managed by sisters from a religious community. This surprising past reveals how completely the site has been transformed over time.
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