New College to build swimming pool in Garden Quad

*Published 1st April 2022

We are excited to announce our latest plans to add facilities to New College. 

In 2024, we will open our new, open-air swimming pool in Garden Quad, replacing the largely unused lawn in front of the Mound. Currently, students wishing to swim have to go to the pool at the University's sports facilities off Iffley Road, whereas the new pool will give them a place to exercise and relax right on their doorstep. 

It will also allow the College to appeal to a wider variety of conference guests and visitors, as well as providing a point of difference for prospective students on tours and University Open Days. 

An artist's rendering of the new swimming pool in Garden Quad

Gez Wells, Home Bursar, said: 

'We are very happy to finally announce that we will be opening our fantastic open-air swimming pool in 2024. This will be a great resource for our students and guests and demonstrates, once again, our continuing commitment to improving the New College facilities in every way possible. 

This is something that the JCR community has been very passionate about for a number of years, and we are delighted to be able to execute their proposal after years of planning, logistics and fundraising.'

The feasibility of adding a high diving board to the top of the Mound is still being looked into. 

New College's buildings have evolved over the years, as design fashions and College requirements have changed.

Garden Quad alone was first an ornamental garden, much like the ones seen in many stately homes (as the below illustration from 1675 shows). 

This manicured garden was later replaced by an open lawn. Now, we will utilise the space in another new way, providing an additional facility and making the most of our limited space in the centre of Oxford. 

Published 1 April 2022