Oxford

Home to one of the world’s most prestigious universities, Oxford is a city of secluded college quads, a wealth of medieval architecture, ‘Oxford Dons’ and its famous ‘dreaming spires’.

Bustling with tourists and bicycle riding students, Oxford has a lot to offer for such a small city. Its position beside the Rivers Thames and Cherwell and its manicured lawns create a scenic ambiance, while it’s rich 600 year history is outlined in its architecture and monuments which have provided inspirational locations for the likes of Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter and its famous university has attracted eminent scholars and prominent figures in the history of the country. Former students and Dons at Oxford include Shelley, John Wesley, Lewis Carroll and Tolkien.

Oxford was an important Saxon town as far back as the 8^th Century, but it wasn’t until the 12^th Century, when religious scholars from the Sorbonne in Paris established colleges here, that Oxford grew in importance and prestige. Throughout medieval times Oxford was the scene of sporadic religious and cultural frictions, most notably the St Scholastica’s Day Massacre that led to the establishment of rival university Cambridge. During the Civil War of the 1640s, Oxford was the de facto capital of Britain when Charles I removed from London and set up Royalist Headquarters in the City.

Of the 36 Colleges, Christ Church is the most renowned, founded in 1525 by Cardinal Wolsey, on the site of St Frideswide’s, England’s smallest cathedral. Christ Church is home to the largest of Oxford’s quads, Tom Quad, overlooked by the gothic Tom Tower and the oak panelled Tudor Hall is recognisable to Harry Potter fans as the dining hall at Hogwarts. Merton College boasts the oldest and most eye catching college buildings and Magdalen, pronounced ‘maudlen’ is arguably in the most beautiful setting, its decorative gargoyles guarding the cloistered Great Quadrangle, while beyond are the gentle meadows of Deer Park beside the Cherwell, an idyllic setting for a punt down the river. Though its important to note that access to college buildings is often restricted to the public.

Other fascinating buildings not to be missed are the Radcliffe Camera, the reading room of Bodleian College and Oxford’s most distinctive rotunda building, Balliol College with medieval mullioned windows, the Sheldonian Theatre, architect Christopher Wren’s first building and venue for the Universities traditional graduation ceremonies and the Ashmolean Museum with one of Britain’s foremost collections of fine art and antiques. For the best views and photo opportunities of Oxford climb up Carfax Tower.