The University Tour

Years ago when my first UK trip materialized the first thing I went about was not preparation for work, but planning the Oxford and Cambridge Tour!

I could not do Cambridge the first time and thus there happened a second time when the magnificent Cambridge was finally covered.

The next thing had to be Stanford tour. I have been planning it for almost 6 months now and that too living just 20mins away! How we take those obviously near places for granted......

All UK posts

Have been publishing posts in drafts, in bits and pieces; been lazy at times to process, rename and choose from the thousand plus JPEGs. An easy access to all of those here.

i] Eastleigh
ii] Winchester
iii] Hursley
iv] Stonehenge and Woodhenge
v] Avebury
vi] Bath
vii] Salisbury
viii] Beaulieu
ix] Hurst Castle
x] Portsmouth
xi] Hursley Day
xii] Buckler's Hard
xiii] Calshot Castle and Beach
xiv] Oxford I
xv] Oxford II
xvi] Stratford-upon-Avon
xvii] Warwick
xviii] NewForest
xix] London - Walk I
xx] London - Walk II
xxi] London - Walk III

Oxford II

Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street

The ceremonial hall of the University, opened in 1609 and the first major building designed by Sir Christopher Wren. There are a series of busts outside the theatre facing the Broad St, with strange expressions, hair style and facial hair. To its right is the Clarendon Building, the former home of the Oxford University Press, and the current home to University administration.

Blackwell’s book shop – opp the Sheldonian Theatre, is the largest space dedicated to book sales in Europe. Another 9 specialty branches of this dedicated to Music, Art et al dot the city.

St Cross

Ashmolean Theatre

River Thames Walk

The walk is for my next visit. But this time, it was just the Willow Trees, Bridge Street, R.Thames and a short 10min walk along.

Narrow lane, high walls, green fence, and cobbled street. Loved walking down this lane.

University Church of St Mary, High Street

The church dates back to 1280 and contains the University College too.

Oxford University Press Bookshop, High Street is the official outlet for University souvenirs and gifts, selling T-shirts, tracks, sweaters, jackets and other paraphernalias. The University shop has outlets in every street and we saw tourists flocked in ever shop. To my disappoint it was impossible to get hold of an Oxford Tee here. The young gen crowd not only shopped for themselves, but also undressed and dressed amidst the crowd, without rendering necessity for a change/dressing room.

Covered Market at High St is said to be the oldest covered market in England. Small shops, unusual stuff, chocolate, cake shop, hat, fine butchers, florists, leather, glassware, cafes, you-name-it…

Info to help plan some other jaunt - There is a YHA right at the centre of the city.

‘Dreaming Spires, Gothic splendor, picturesque architecture, inviting University Colleges, frivolous-flippant younger gen, modern lifestyle and vibrant life’ – is Oxford to my eyes.

Not far from Oxford, on the way to Stratford-up-Avon is Blenheim Palace. Huge Palace grounds, lots to see for a days visit. We drove towards Stratford skipping Blenheim Palace.

Oxford I

12 July 2008, Saturday

Oxford

The university town of Oxford and Cambridge were in wish list for years now.

A good one hour drive from Eastleigh - we were in Oxford by 9:15 AM. Spotting the multi-storied car park was easier, as the map clearly indicated the route from motorway. The parking here is costlier than Bath, and its costliest during the weekends. It was a whooping 16GBP for 5minus hours.

Oxford is the oldest University City in England, situated in its own county of Oxfordshire. Located on river Thames (Thames in Oxford is known as ‘The Isis’) and Cherwell.

Oxford is primarily a university town with numerous colleges, but there is no campus or a central university building as such. University consists of approx 30 colleges and the world-famous Bodleian Library.

Museum of Oxford

Christ Church College and Meadows

Many Colleges in Oxford is said to have featured in the Harry Potter movies, including Christ Church. Christ church meadows south of the college offers beautiful green space, and quiet corners to relax. A walk through the meadows is always a splendid idea.

The town was still quiet and serene.

Radcliffe Camera – Britain’s first circular library

Radcliffe Square is off High Street, and functions as a reading room for Oxford students and thus not accessible to tourists. But the grand exterior is well worth.

All Souls College, Radcliffe Square

Bodleian Library

Opened in 1602, this is the oldest library in Europe second only to London’s British Library. We were presented with a Bookmark here.A special exhibition celebrating 700 years of gifted library, ‘Beyond the work of one’ was set at the Bodleian Exhibition Room. This was indeed a blessing.

It goes so, ‘When colleges and college libraries were found in 13^th century the books were copied by hand were very expensive. From 15^th century, the printing increased. Former students presented the college the copies of their own works, collection of manuscripts, prints, music, drawings, memorabilia of life in college valued for their beauty, antiquity and association with poets, writers and composers’.

17^th Century Old Schools Quadrangle

The main door from the Bodleian leads into 17^th century Old Schools Quadrangle, built to extend the library’s original reading rooms, teaching and examination rooms. The doorways each bear the Latin names of their subject over them. Above the entrance to the Quad the striking ‘Tower of Five Orders’ incorporates each of the five styles of classical architecture.

Bridge of Sighs, The New College Lane

Built in 19^th century, its named after ‘Ponte di Sospiri’ in Venice. This leads to the New College Lane.

All Souls College Lane

All Souls College

We are back on the High Street heading towards Magdalean Bridge over R.Cherwell.

Magdalen Bridge presents with breathtaking views of Magdalean Grove and Punting in River Cherwell.

Magdalean College School

Punting boats

Botanical Garden

Continued in Oxford II .....