One of some fifteen such bike sheds listed by Historic England, it is the only one to hold the highest, Grade I, designation.

[2][3] Plans for the college were begun in the 1950s and the Danish architect Arne Jacobsen was chosen to develop the site on Holywell Great Meadow just to the north of the city centre.

[a][b][7] Jacobsen oversaw every aspect of the college's design, and the bicycle shed is an example of his close attention to all elements of student life.

The bicycle shed is circular in design, built in yellow brick laid in a stretcher bond, and roofed.

[16] Even then, he required a non-standard dimension for their manufacture, and imported Danish bricklayers to instruct the English labourers.