Our trip to Royal Holloway College, University of London

The Royal Holloway College was founded over 170 years ago by two Victorian social pioneers who wanted to make a difference and is formed from two colleges, Bedford College and Royal Holloway College, founded by Thomas and Jane Holloway.

The colleges were among the first place  in Britain where women could access higher education.

"Bedford College in central London opened its doors in 1849. It was the first higher education college in the UK for women and counts the novelist George Eliot and the first female doctor, Dr Elizabeth Blackwell, among its early students. 

In 1886, Royal Holloway College in Surrey was opened by Queen Victoria. By 1900, the colleges became part of the University of London, later merging in 1985 to form what is now Royal Holloway". 

Read more about the Flag trip below.

"Our trip to Royal Holloway College yesterday was a very interesting and enjoyable day. We had a guided tour of the founder's building and ornate Victorian chapel and the picture gallery where we had a lovely lunch followed by a talk on the paintings and finished up with tea and cake"!  (text and photos by Cherry)

 "Astonished"!

 

An amazing building!

A very enjoyable trip yesterday to Royal Holloway College, University of London.  Having been astonished by the building that greeted us on arrival the start of our tour, the Chapel, was even more stunning.  The excellent tour including the quads, Dining Room and Reading Room was full of information about the history of the college and buildings.

Finishing in the Picture Gallery with lunch and a talk about this unique collection of Victorian pictures collected for the college by its Founder, Thomas Holloway and his wife Jane.  The one picture we'll all remember is the one that is still covered, to this day, with a Union Jack flag during exams in the Picture Gallery! (Text by Flag Secretary)

 

Founder, Thomas Holloway and his wife Jane

 

More images of the day from Cherry.

 

Did someone mention tea and cake? 

 

 A better look at some of the paintings (image with permission)

 

The beautiful Chapel

 

 

Bit of a fabulous ceiling!