Oxford

It was a wonderful few days exploring and learning about historic Oxford, so much to discover. 

We stayed at the famous Christ Church College enjoying meals in The Great Hall where King Charles I held court during the English Civil War.  Our accommodation was at No 117, St Aldate’s, very comfortable, a central location and an easy walk to many landmarks and local walks.  

Such an easy city to walk around the historic streets with majestic sights in every direction, the 15th-century Bodleian Library and the iconic 18th-century Radcliffe Camera were amazing.  It was like being in another world especially walking though the secret tunnels beneath the Bodleian Library.  

After spending time walking around the streets, lanes, colleges, gardens, meadows and enjoying several exhibitions I had found there was so much more to Oxford.  I enjoyed an afternoon boat trip on the River Thames and a walk along the Thames Path where the lock master was operating the gates of the river lock.

Below is some information I’ve collaged from my time in Oxford. 

Oxford, England was first occupied in Saxon times, known as the ‘City of Spires’ or ‘City of Dreaming Spires’.   This historic city is the home of the prestigious, 800-year-old University of Oxford, the world’s second oldest university.  Located about an hour from London on the upper river Thames with its stunning Gothic architecture it is a hub for history and literature and film locations like Harry Potter.

St Aldate’s Street has been a central thoroughfare in Oxford for centuries, named after Saint Aldate, but formerly known as Fish Street and the atmosphere is a blend of historic charm and modern vibrancy.

Tom Tower designed by Sir Christopher Wren sits over Tom Gate and leads to Tom Quad. The first college to be built here was the work of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey founding Cardinal’s College in 1525. Tom Quad is the largest quadrangle in the University of Oxford.

Christ Church College is one of the most famous of Oxford University’s 38 colleges. Cardinal Wolsey began planning what is now Christ Church College on the site of the St. Frideswide Monastery almost 500 years ago. The College’s purpose was (and still is) to promote the pursuit of learning and the worship of God. After Wolsey failed to get the Pope’s agreement on an annulment for Henry VIII, he and the King fell out.  In 1546, after Wolsey’s death, Henry VIII refounded the college.

Christ Church War Memorial Garden was created in 1926 to remember the people who served in the First World War. 

The Meadow Building, is a Venetian Gothic style building built for undergraduates in the 19th century.

Cloister (from Latin claustrum ‘enclosure’) is a covered walk, open gallery, or open arcade running along the walls of buildings and forming a quadrangle or garth.  They were a common feature of monastic establishments providing a sheltered space for monks to move about the priory undisturbed by the outside world.

Cloister Garden fell into some decay, and in 2008 it was redesigned in a simpler style with new stone paving, the lawn edged with lavender, and a lead planter inscribed with the words from Psalm 150: ‘The Leaves of the Tree are for the Healing of the Nations’, containing an olive tree, and a fountain representing peace.

Hall Staircase, Bodley Tower has dramatic fanned vaulting of the ceiling that was installed just before the civil war, in 1638; the style is medieval but it was made possible by the new techniques of the 17th century. 

The Great Hall has been in near continuous use since the college’s foundation by Cardinal Wolsey in 1525. The walls are adorned with a number of portraits, each celebrating famous members of the college from WH Auden to Professor Judith Pallot.  At the far end, the founder of Christ Church, Henry VIII, is portrayed. The table at the far end of the Hall is known as High Table and it is here that senior members of the college dine. 

The Buttery was part of the foundation construction of Cardinal College in 1525. It was originally the place where beer and bread were dispensed to the students and is now a college bar.

Christ Church College Chapel dating from the twelfth century, was originally the monastic church for the Augustine followers of St. Frideswide.  In 1525, Cardinal Wolsey founded Cardinal College and the church became the college chapel. On Wolsey’s demise, Henry VIII took over the buildings which were re-founded as Christ Church in 1546, serving both as Cathedral to the newly created diocese of Oxford and as chapel to the College, part of the University of Oxford. This unique arrangement continues to this day.  There are several cloisters are attached to the Cathedral.

Cathedral Garden was originally part of the St Frideswide’s Priory precinct and became a canonry garden. On the north wall is the door to the Deanery garden, featured in Alice in Wonderland, Alice being the Dean’s daughter at the time and the Cathedral Garden being the garden into which she was not allowed.  It is said to have been the door through which the white rabbit disappeared in the opening chapter of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. 

Pococke Garden is a part of the former Priory House garden of which the most notable is the Pococke tree, named after Edward Pococke (1604-91), seventeenth century Regius Professor of Hebrew.  The tree although not particularly tall, has a girth of around nine metres.

Christ Church Meadow has something to see in all seasons where longhorn cattle graze and is the perfect spot to go for a wander at any time of year.  In the summer it’s a perfect spot for a picnic, later in the year there are the autumnal colours of the tree, in winter frost patterns cover the ground with the bare trees silhouetted against the sky  and in springtime the plants begin to grow again.

Merton College is one of the oldest and most academically prestigious constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, founded in 1264 by Walter de Merton. It is renowned for its historic 14th-century Mob Quad, high academic standing in the Norrington Table, and notable alumni including T.S. Eliot, J.R.R. Tolkien, and multiple Nobel laureates.

Deadman’s Walk is a footpath in central Oxford.  The walkway itself appears to be the route of medieval Jewish funeral processions.  A procession would begin at the synagogue (near to where Tome Tower now stands) and proceed towards the Jewish burial ground (now the site of the University of Oxford Botanic Garden).  

Meadow Cottages are in the grounds of Merton College on the corner of Deadman’s walk and Rose Lane.

River Cherwell flows into the River Thames starting near Hellidon, Northamptonshire then flows south for about 40 miles (64 km) where it joins the Thames in Oxford, Oxfordshire.

Magdalen Bridge, earliest records of a bridge date back to around the year 1002, the present-day bridge was designed by John Gwynn and constructed between 1772 and 1790 by John Randall.  Comprising of 11 arches, with the central one spanning the island and containing water only during periods of island flooding.

Oxford Botanic Garden with over 5,000 different plant species, the oldest botanic garden in Great Britain and one of the oldest scientific gardens in the world. The garden was founded in 1621 growing plants for medicinal research.

The plaque shown below is in the Rose Garden at the front of the Botanic Garden remembering  the medieval Jewish Cemetery that was on this site. The slab was laid in July 2012, becoming  faded it has since been propped up and the lettering recoloured.

Magdalen Tower is an iconic 144-foot (44m) perpendicular Gothic bell tower at Magdalen College, completed between 1492 and 1509 and contains a peal of ten bells hung for English change ringing.  As the tallest building in the city, standing next to the River Cherwell, it is a landmark of Oxford’s skyline and is famous for the annual May Morning tradition where choristers sing from its top.

Examination Schools are representative of fine Jacobean architecture with beautiful architectural features from sweeping Italian marble staircases to ornate wooden carvings and original Victorian fireplaces.  Designed by Sir Thomas Jackson and constructed in the late 1880s to house the University of Oxford’s examinations is known as Oxford’s largest conference venue. The space is also ideal for festivals, talks, awards dinners, exhibitions and celebrations and were used as a military hospital during the two world wars.

High Street, often called “The High,” is a main thoroughfare in the city, historically significant and known for its architecture and proximity to many of Oxford’s iconic landmarks. It runs between Carfax and Magdalen Bridge connecting various parts of the city. The street is a vibrant area with shops, restaurants, and is a central part of the University of Oxford. 

Queen’s Lane is an historic street which runs alongside and is named after Queen’s College.  St Edmund Hall, on the right, a constituent college of the University of Oxford, is one of the smallest of all the Oxford colleges and the only one to be called a hall.  The Covered Bridge is where Queen’s lane becomes New College Lane. 

New College Lane is an historic street named after New College, one of the University of Oxford’s oldest and most prestigious colleges, founded in 1379 by William of Wykeham.  It is one of Oxford’s most enchanting and historically rich passages, offering a blend of architectural beauty, academic history, and a uniquely serene atmosphere. This narrow lane connects Catte Street, near the Radcliffe Camera and the Bodleian Library, with Queen’s Lane, which runs behind several of the university’s oldest colleges.

Hertford Bridge or the Bridge of Sighs is one of the most iconic landmarks on New College Lane connecting the Old and New Quadrangles of Hertford College over New College Lane.

Treasured Exhibition, Western Library, Bodleian invited to explore the meaning of value itself through some of the world’s most remarkable books and manuscripts, several of which were acquired with the help of the Friends of the Bodleian, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025.

‘Buried Treasure’  One person’s junk is another’s treasure.  A Jewish scribe in Cairo in the 800s CE scraped off the existing text to reuse a valuable piece of parchment.  Little did he care that the words he was trying to erase were part of what is now one of the earliest known Georgian manuscripts of the Bible, written around a century earlier by Christian monks in the Holy Land. 

‘In the beginning’  was Europe’s first printed bestseller.  The Gutenberg Bible is not the world’s first printed object, but it was the first major book made with movable type in Europe.  It looks like a medieval manuscript – because printing didn’t change what books were, only how many copies could be made Artists still decorated each one by hand.

‘Aurora Australis’ the binding of the first book ever printed in Antarctica began life as a packing case, Ernest Shackleton’s crew wrote, illustrated, printed and bound Aurora Australis during the harsh winter of 1907-8.  They used whatever they had to hand, including boards from supply crates.  This one still bears its original label for red kidney beans. 

‘Nothing Sacred’  This exquisitely decorated Mongolian and Sanskrit prayer book was clearly much loved by the Manchu elites who commissioned it, as evidenced by the wear and tear on its delicate concertina binding. 

‘Liberty throughout all the land’  Stuffed into a book and nibbled by mice, this forgotten Magna Carta lay silent for centuries.  Today, it speaks to a global idea: that no one – not even a king – is above the law.  The charter became an icon of justice and freedom, but the value of surviving copies went unnoticed.  Once sold for £7 in 1946.  In 2007, another fetched £16 million: one of the world’s most valuable documents. 

‘Require assistance. Struck Icebert’  At 11.40pm on 14 April 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink.  This distress message was picked up by the nearby French ocean liner, SS La Provence. 

Listen In Exhibition, Western Library, Boolean celebrating a 100 years of Britons ‘listening in’ to radio with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) radio looking at BBC Radio’s role in shaping Britain over the past century and exploring the impact of radio on family life from 1922 to 1939, a period when radio listenership grew from 150,000 to 34 million.

Covered Market since its opening in 1774, with its initial 20 butchers’ shops, the Covered Market has been an architectural and cultural landmark.  An historic market with permanent stalls of around 60 independent specialists, showcasing the best in local crafts, food and drink.

117 St Aldate’s is an annexe of Christ Church College and is centrally located close to amenities at the top of the road from the main site. Located on what is probably the oldest street in Oxford it was built in 1938 as a glamorous Art Deco showroom, called Therm House, for the Oxford and District Gas Company.

Celebration: Our Oxford: 50 Years, 50 Stories Exhibition, Oxford Town Hall, Museum of Oxford (MOX) is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of Oxford and its people. Located inside the Oxford Town Hall.  It explores the city’s rich history beyond the university, focusing on the lives, industries and communities that have shaped Oxford over time.  Fifty years after opening MOX is celebrating local communities and activities discovering how different communities have and continue to shape the rich local heritage.

Carafx Tower also known as St Martin’s Tower standing at the historic heart of Oxford, is the last remaining part of the 12th-century St Martin’s Church, which served as Oxford’s official city church from 1122.  The tower is 74 feet tall and no building in central Oxford may be constructed higher than it.  Visitors can climb its 99 steps to enjoy panoramic views of Oxford’s iconic skyline. At the intersection of St Aldate’s, High Street, Queen Street and Cornmarket Street.  In 1896, most of the church was demolished to improve traffic flow in the area.

Cornmarket Street commonly referred to as Cornmarket or simply The Corn is a significant pedestrian pathway in Oxford.  

New Inn is a notable historical structure on Cornmarket, located at 26–28 Cornmarket on the corner of Ship Street. This timber-framed building dates back to the 14th century and is a remnant of the New Inn which was completed in 1386. This building is now owned by Jesus College and underwent an investigative and restorative process in 1983.

Tower of Saint Michael at the Northgate holds the distinction of being the oldest structure in Oxford.  It originates from the Saxon era and can be traced back to around the years 1000–1050. The church derives its name from the medieval gate that once existed at the northern terminus of Cornmarket, known as Oxford’s city walls.

Balliol College founded in 1263, is one of the oldest and most prestigious constituent colleges of the University of Oxford.  The college boasts a high-quality academic environment and top-tier researchers.

Sheldonian Theatre, in the centre of Oxford, built from 1664 to 1669 was designed by Christopher Wren for the University of Oxford.  There are 114 steps for the best 360 panoramic views over Oxford’s ‘dreaming spires’ and old town.

Exeter College one of the oldest colleges was founded in 1314 by two brothers from Devon, Bishop Walter Stapledon and Sir Richard Stapledon.  During its first century, Exeter College was known as Stapeldon Hall and had just twelve to fourteen students and was initially a school to educate clergy.

Exeter College Turl Street Entrance started in 1314 by two brothers from Devon, Bishop Walter Stapledon and Sir Richard Stapledon. They wanted to create a school to train people for the church.

Jesus College has had Welsh connections since its founding in 1571 by Hugh Price, a Welsh lawyer, politician and clergyman with quadrangles from the 16th to the 21st century.  Most of the College’s early Principals, Fellows and students came from Wales, leading to Jesus becoming known as the ‘Welsh college’ at Oxford.  In 1974, Jesus became one of the first five Oxford colleges to admit women students and a flagstone at the Turl Street entrance celebrates this moment.

Turl Street is an historic street in central Oxford linking High St to Broad St having a number of premier Colleges along it, namely Exeter, Lincoln and Jesus.

Market Street comes from the Covered Market, which opened in 1774.  In the seventeenth century it was known as Jennings Lane, after Richard Jennings.  By 1762 it was known as Jesus College Lane and this name was still used as an alternative to Market Lane as late as 1837.

Brasenose Lane is steeped in history and offers a picturesque walk through some of the oldest parts of the city, named after Brasenose College.  The narrow lane dates back to medieval times, changing little over the centuries and retaining much of its original character.

The University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Radcliffe Square from the early 13th century the University began to develop with their classes of scholars, moved into small halls of residence here. Needing a central meeting place, they came to this church using it for academic lectures as well as for Christian services. Indeed, even the University’s court, treasury and library were housed here for a time: and that is how a parish church of St Mary became University Church and is an inclusive church in the liberal catholic tradition.

All Souls College is primarily an academic research institution with particular strengths in the humanities and social and theoretical sciences and an outstanding library.  Although its Fellows are involved in teaching and supervision of research, there are no undergraduate members.

Radcliffe Camera is one of Oxford’s most iconic building and a beautiful piece of classical architecture, built between 1737–49 it was Britain’s first circular library.  The library is named after its benefactor, the royal physician John Radcliffe and in1861 the ‘Radcliffe Library’ became part of the Bodleian Library being renamed the ‘Radcliffe Camera’ (in Latin, camera means ‘room’).

Old Schools Quadrangle (commonly known as the ‘Old Library’) was built between 1613 and 1624 once housing lecture and examination rooms (‘schools’) and the original library founded by Sir Thomas Bodley was part of this complex.  By 1859 the entire Schools Quadrangle had become part of the Bodleian Library complex.  Connected to the Divinity School, built from 1424 – 1488, it is a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture featuring a beautiful stone carved ceiling and furnishings dating back to 1669.  It is the University’s oldest teaching room and first examination school.

Duke Humfrey’s Library is the oldest reading room in the Bodleian Library featuring a ceiling of beautifully painted panels with the arms of the University and a special reading booth built for King Charles I.  Historically the books in this library were chained to the shelves. To this day, they can only be consulted in the Bodleian’s reading rooms.

Duke Humfrey’s Library is split into three parts; the original medieval section, which was reconfigured in 1602, the Arts End which was created in 1612 and the Selden End which dates from 1637. It is named after Humfrey of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Gloucester, a son of King Henry IV who donated his important manuscript collection to the University.

See the Secret Tunnels beneath the famous Bodleian Library of Oxford University.

Peckwater Quadrangle commonly known as “Peck” among students, is a Grade I listed courtyard within Christ Church, University of Oxford, built between 1706 and 1711 to provide undergraduate accommodation on the site of the medieval Peckwater Inn.

Christ Church Library, Upper Library The Cardinal’s College: A 500th Anniversary’ Exhibition.  Celebrating 500 years since the foundation of Cardinal College this was a unique opportunity to see some of Christ Church’s oldest and rarest items along with items generously lent by other institutions including a beautiful manuscript Book of Hours which is said to have belonged to Wolsey himself.  The upper library is comprised of two parts: the student (lower) library and the Upper Library, which is home to our special collections of manuscripts, music, rare and early printed books and pamphlets, all of which are freely available for research.

The Head of the River built in 1827 as a bustling riverside warehouse and wharf was the heart of Oxford’s river trade for over a century.  It wasn’t until 1977 that the warehouse was transformed into the iconic pub and hotel we see today. Located right at Folly Bridge—the site of the original ‘Oxen-ford’ that gave the city its name.

Folly Bridge Oxford’s first stone bridge, known as South Bridge, was built over the Thames by Robert d’Oilly (who also built Oxford Castle) in the 11th century. The bridge has three rusticated stone arches and was built of Headington stone.

River Thames known alternatively in parts as the River Isis.  Rising in the Cotswold Hills, its basin covers an area of approximately 5,500 square miles (14,250 square km) and is some 205 miles (330 km) long, running 140 miles (226 km) from the source to the tidal waters limit.  The Thames at Oxford is 150 feet (46 metres) wide and Oxford grew up at the conjunction of two rivers, the Thames and the Cherwell.

River Cherwell a tributary of the River Thames, flows through Oxford, offering public access to beautiful university and college grounds.

Iffley Lock first built in 1631 and later replaced in 1793, is a lock on the River Thames near the village of Iffley on the southern outskirts of Oxford.   Iffley marks the starting point of organised rowing races – there are around 10 regattas every year.

Osney Lock originally built as a manual beam pound lock and following a number of renovations, refits and changes was converted to hydraulic operation in 1970.  Accessible to the public making it easy to visit by walking or cycling along the Thames Path.  Osney Lock stands as a significant piece of Oxford’s waterway heritage, blending historical buildings and quaint streets with natural beauty.  Between Osney Lock and a point just downstream of Iffley Lock, the Thames also goes by its Roman name, the Isis.