Main block to Oscott College

The main block of Oscott College, built between 1835 and 1838, was originally planned as a Roman Catholic college following the Emancipation. The design was conceived by Dr Mirk, the missioner at Lichfield, with Joseph Potter of Lichfield acting as builder and architect, but with significant decorative and finishing work provided by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, particularly within the chapel.

The building is constructed of red brick with stone dressings, adopted in a simple Tudor style, featuring a main front facing south-east with gables and crenellated parapets. The windows are mullioned and transomed. The central block of the south-east range comprises four bays over three storeys and is characterized by gables flanking a central tower which incorporates a tiered oriel window and an octagonal staircase turret. A cloister runs behind this block, bordered on one side by the chapel and museum, and on the other by an infirmary added in the 1920s. Further buildings include the original coach house and a plain service wing, both of red brick with slate roofs.

In 1837, Lord Shrewsbury introduced Pugin to the college. Pugin subsequently contributed to the decoration and furnishings of the chapel, and his firm produced much of the furniture still in use. Potter's initially simple, largely Georgian-influenced chapel (although with a Tudor roof) was extensively decorated by Pugin using rich polychrome patterns. This, alongside furnishings acquired in the Low Countries by Pugin and Shrewsbury in 1841, creates a unique blend of medieval and Revival Gothic aesthetics, in line with Pugin's principles as expressed in his 'Contrasts' of 1836. Pugin’s sole structural alteration was the addition of a shallow apse in 1861. Edward Welby Pugin added the Weedall Chantry, comprising four side chapels to the south-west. Stained glass by Hardman and Warrington is present, with Warrington executing the especially fine east window to Pugin’s design inspired by a 14th-century model.

Northcote Hall, dating to 1859, was designed by Edward Welby Pugin and completed in 1881 by Peter Paul Pugin, and is constructed of red brick with stone dressings in a demonstrative Gothic style. The library and students' common room were added later, in 1927-8 and 1950-72 respectively, by G.B Cox.