Facilities
Libraries
Merton is unique in having not one college library, but three: Upper Mob, Lower Mob and OWL.
What is now known as Upper Mob was built in the 1370s, making it the oldest academic library in continuous use in the world. To this day, it houses some of the College’s impressive collection of medieval manuscripts. Due to the rarity of this Grade I listed building (and the lack of modern resources ie heating, stable seating, outlets, lighting, etc.), it only accessible under supervision for specific research purposes. However, our fantastic Fellow-Librarian Julia Walworth and the lovely library team organise special tours of the Upper Mob Library throughout the year. Look out for one during Freshers’ Week!
The Lower Mob and OWL (Old Warden’s Lodgings) are Merton’s two working libraries, meaning they are open to all students every day of the week from 07:30 to 02:00. Both are equipped with free WiFi and printing, photocopying and scanning services.
Fellows’ Garden
On the main College site, all members have access to the expansive Fellows’ Garden and its unmatched views of Christ Church Meadows. Tended year-round by the College’s excellent team of gardeners, the Garden is always a lovely alternate study space or picnic venue (and it has WiFi too!)
Chapel
Home of our welcoming Chaplain Simon Jones and our world-class choir lead by Director of Music Benjamin Nicholas, the Chapel is friendly community with regular services and hosts the College’s most special ceremonies such as the installation of our current Warden Irene Tracey in 2019 and the induction of all new Mertonians in Michaelmas. The stunning new Dobson organ (pictured here) was installed in 2014 for the College’s 750th Anniversary.
Music Practice Rooms
In St Alban’s Quad, there are five acoustically-designed music practice rooms each equipped with its own piano. The music rooms are available from 08:00 to 23:00 and can be booked at the Porters’ Lodge.
College Bar
Perhaps College’s most popular social hub, the College Bar is located only a stone’s throw away from the MCR. The Bar offers a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and plays hosts to the (sometimes) fiendishly-difficult weekly Merton Bar Quiz hosted by members of the MCR and JCR.
Games Room
Across from the College Bar is the Games Room, complete with billiards table, table football, darts and game machine all free-to-play.
Gym
Just off of the Fellows’ Garden in Rose Lane on the main site is the College gym, which is free for all members. It contains free weights, treadmills, mats and a number of additional machines. You must attend an induction session before you may use the gym, and these will be advertised at the start of Michaelmas Term.
View from OWL of Merton Street
Inside the fourteenth-century Upper Mob Library
The Restricted Section...
Working in Lower Mob
One of OWL's many rooms
Upper and Lower Mob seen from Chestnut Lawn, where you can play croquet in Trinity Term
A view of Fellows' Garden from the Sundial Lawn
The hedges of lavender coming in during early Summer in the Fellows' Garden
A secluded spot behind the Grove Building
The Grove just beside the Chapel
Looking eastward in Fellows' Garden with Magdalen Tower just visible through the trees
The College Chapel seen from the Grove
Inside the Chapel