Balliol College

Each summer some Oxford colleges open to paying visitors. This summer I visited Balliol. The college was founded in 1263 and is one of the oldest Oxford colleges. Its undergraduates are politically active and Balliol  has produced several Prime Ministers.

The front of the college

Nice gardens

The tastefully furnished Junior [student] Common Room

Some elegant new buildings which blend effortlessly with the rest of the college

A formal dinner

The table for staff and their guests is at the far end

All in the best possible taste.  I was surprised not to see a coke vending machine and an ATM by High Table

Obviously the college's architectural heritage is in safe hands.

In addition to the money they get from the government Oxford college have their own funds, built up from legacies. According to Wikipedia Balliol had £64 million in 2009.