One Friday in April I decided to venture out of the city to explore more of English history. The city of Oxford is known for the country's oldest University and still stands as the center of thought and development.
In the morning, we took a tour of the Bodlelian Library above the Divinity school. The building was originally built in 1427 as the oral examination hall for students. This ornate hall was featured in numerous Harry Potter movies. Duke Humprey's library was built about the exam hall but it fell into disrepair and was left unfinished. Sir Thomas Bodley restored the library from 1545 to 1613. Today visitors can walk one end of the library, with it's leather bound manuscripts and texts.
After lunch we toured the ground of various colleges. The first stop was Trinity College, established in 1559. Notable alumni inlcude George and Cecil Calvert, the founders of the state of Maryland!
Next we moved on to Magdalen College. This is often cited as the most beautiful college in Oxford. It's great tower served as a lookout and retreat for the King during the Napoleonic Wars. It's large meadows and wooded paths along the River Cherwell are perfect for nature lovers. 
Our last stop was Christ Church College, founded by King Henry VIII (1532-1546). While Magdalen may be the most beautiful, Christ Church is certainly the most notable. Alumni include John Locke, Lewis Carroll and a long list of politicians including 13 prime ministers. Christ Church was also a favorite filming spot for the makers of Harry Potter. The dining hall was the inspiration for the set designed for the movie series.
We only scratched the surface of Oxford. Though the city itself is rather concentrated, there are so many colleges and historical sites to visit. If you want to do a day trip you must start early! There are also a few bed and breakfast spots and hostels in the area for those who want to take their time exploring this beautiful city.
No comments:
Post a Comment