Merton Street

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Merton Street is an historic and picturesque cobbled lane in central Oxford, England. It joins the High Street at its north-eastern end, between the Ruskin School of Drawing & Fine Art (together with the Examination Schools) and the Eastgate Hotel at the historic east gate of the city. It then runs east-west, parallel and to the south of the High Street for most of its length.

Merton College, one of Oxford's oldest colleges, is situated to the south of the street. To the east, Corpus Christi College, one of Oxford's smallest colleges, also fronts onto the street. At the western end, actually in Oriel Square, is Christ Church, Oxford's largest college.

Logic Lane (through University College, which backs onto the street) and Magpie Lane, both narrow lanes, lead off the street to the north. Also located here is the Merton Street tennis court, a rare example of an extant real tennis court. To the south is Merton Grove (opposite Magie Lane), providing pedestrian access between Merton College and Corpus Christi College to Christ Church Meadow to the south.

The street is designated the A420 due to the blockage of the High Street to normal traffic. To the west it continues through Oriel Square, where Oriel College is located.

[edit] History

The part of modern-day Merton Street adjoining the High Street used to be known as Coach & Horses Lane, named after a public house on the west side of the lane. From the early 18th to the late 19th century, it became known as King Street.

The rest of the street (the part running east-west) was originally known as St John Baptist's Street, named after the church which is now Merton College's chapel. In 1751, the whole street had become King Street, but by 1772 just the east-west part was called Merton Street. The entire street became known as Merton Street only in the 20th century.

The academic and author J. R. R. Tolkien had rooms in Merton Street towards the end of his life in the early 1970s.