Built in 1889 for Professor Sydney Howard Vines, The Vines stands proudly on Pullens Lane. This red brick house, adorned with stone dressings, has witnessed a fascinating evolution. Originally, The Vines offered Professor Vines a peaceful escape from the city center, nestled within the Morrell family’s land. The Victorian architect Harry Wilkinson Moore designed this haven, overlooking the Oxford spires. In 1923, the house was renamed The Vineyard, honoring its first owner. Later, in 1948, the United Oxford Hospitals acquired The Vineyard and renamed it Pollock House, after its last owner. For eight years, it served as the Nurses Training School for the Wingfield-Morris Orthopaedic Hospital, later becoming the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre. From 1958 to 1976, Pollock House transitioned into the hospital’s Night Nurses’ Home. Oxford Brookes University then occupied the building until 2004. Today, The Vines has returned to its original name and serves as the UK center for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, housing Scholarship & Christianity in Oxford (SCIO). Its extensive gardens, spanning one and a half acres, offer a tranquil retreat for students. They can relax, read, or even enjoy a game of croquet, a testament to the enduring legacy of The Vines.
Wolvercot Loop
A whisper of history echoes along the Wolvercot Loop. Imagine yourself standing here centuries ago. The Wolvercot Loop isn’t just