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Oxford
Oxfordshire, England

 

Click bottom image to go to Stratford-upon-Avon or see Cambridge | England Tourist Map

Oxford University, Christ Church College, England

Oxford University, Christ Church College.

Oxford's grand, tranquil colleges in the centre of this large city are, in a similar way to Cambridge but more so, surrounded by the unfortunate trappings of modern life - traffic, hideous concrete office structures, monotonous suburban housing and light industry.

Still, once you battle through the encircling modern mess the ancient university core is delightful, easily walkable and rewarding with open green spaces offered by Christ Church Meadow, adjacent to Christ Church and Merton colleges and providing very pleasant walks along the Cherwell or Thames (known as the Isis in Oxford) rivers.

 

Radcliffe Camera, Bodleian Library, Oxford University, England

The Radcliffe Camera, a reading room annexe of the Bodleian Library, Oxford.
© Paul Cowan

 

Main attractions

• Carfax crossroads and its tower on the High Street is a common starting point for a walking tour.
• just south of High Street Christ Church college (pictured above) is the university's biggest college, built in 16th century and partly designed by Christopher Wren (architect of London's St Paul's Cathedral), with several spectacular buildings including a Norman cathedral.
• Merton college, separated from Christ Church Meadow by the hardly tragic Dead Man's Walk, is one of the University's most attractive.
• up Rose Lane to Magdalene College and punt rental is available on the River Cherwell.
• north of High Street is Oxford's best known sight, the circular Radcliffe Camera building.
• the renowned Bodleian Library (guide tours only).
• another Christopher Wren contribution, the Sheldonian Theatre.
• last but definitely not least, the magnificent Ashmolean Museum is home to some terrific ethnic antiquities such as Egyptian, Chinese and Islamic, as well as fine European paintings.

 

 

An ancient clock, Oxford University, England

An ancient clock in Oxford University grounds.
© Maurie Hill

The main train station is about ten minutes walk from the city centre. Bicycles are an excellent way to travel around the university and easily rentable.

Bit of a hike?

A fine, long but not too strenuous walk runs beside Oxford's rivers and fields before returning past some of the city's finest buildings. At 9 miles (15km) long, this can take up to 5 hours:

Start from Oxford Railway Station and walk north beside the River Isis (otherwise known as the Thames) until you leave the city. Cross Port Meadow and return via the Oxford Canal, Wolfson Nature Reserve, Magdalen College, Christ Church and the Bodleian Library.

 

Oxford University, a royal sponsor, England

Delicate though decrepit carvings of the university's early royal sponsors and other quirky artefacts are in abundance.

 

 

Oxford Town view, linking to Stratford-upon-Avon Guide, England

Oxford town centre is partially commercial, partially academic and mostly medieval though its outer suburbs are not attractive. Next, Stratford-upon-Avon.
© Sampete

 

 

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Information: England Guide | London Guide | UK Walks | England Tourist Map | England Counties

 

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