There has been an institution of learning on the college site since the late thirteenth century. The buildings of the old 13th century Gloucester College for Benedictine monks, which was dissolved with the Dissolution of Monasteries in about 1539, were used in the foundation of Gloucester Hall in around 1560. Worcester College was founded in 1714, thanks to a benefaction from Worcestershire baronet Sir Thomas Cookes. The College has gardens extending to 26 acres, including a beautiful lake. One important advantage of these gardens is that Worcester, unlike any other college, has playing fields within its own grounds.
Work began in 1720 on the central range of buildings consisting of the Hall, Chapel and Library. These extend forward to the street, enclosing a small entrance courtyard.