St. Anne’s College

St Anne’s College is often neglected by tour groups because it’s a bit out of the way and, let’s be honest, a tad ugly. However, it’s got lots of pretty bits, and apparently some people really like the 60s architecture — those big buildings you can see off Banbury Road have won awards you know!
Anyway, take a look inside: the library looks wonderfully like a castle, with the college crest and associated beavers (no idea why, but they’re very cute) and even a giant flag on some days. The dining hall has big glass walls, so you can look inside from outside, which is good as it’s not open to visitors. The Ruth Deech building, which has the lodge in, is one of the greenest buildings in Oxford, with solar panels and other environmentally friendly gizmos to make conferences guests and students feel ethical while enjoying their en-​suite accommodation.
If you get the chance, take a walk in the gardens by the Principal’s house — there’s a very romantic little bench/​hut thing surrounded by flowers, a couple of ponds, and even a garden where the college grows some of its own food.