Travel Eye on Oxford (England)

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Overview:

Oxford's golden-stone university buildings include some of England's most impressive architecture, notably the Bodleian Library, a masterpiece of English Gothic, Sir Christopher Wren's Sheldonian Theatre, and colleges like Christ Church. Many of the buildings in Oxford have gargoyles that are well known throughout the county.

Oxford is one of those English anomalies, a small town that has become a popular tourist destination, giving it a bustling feel in the crowded central core, and pockets of calm just a few feet away. Duck into a college "quad", or square, and the din of Oxford's streets suddenly disappears, to be replaced by a sense of timeless calm.

The history of Oxford is twined around the growth of Oxford University, though Oxford citizens had what could charitably be described as a love/hate relationship (little of the former and a heaping helping of the latter) with the students who have flocked to the Oxford University colleges since at least the 12th century.

Having spawned the legendary Alice in Wonderland, Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Harry Potter's Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Oxford is not only England's oldest centre for learning, but the home and inspiration of such famous authors as Lewis Carroll, C S Lewis, J R R Tolkien, and recently one of the key locations in the Harry Potter films.

The city's dreaming spires house the famous Ashmolean Museum and the Museum of Modern Art, and whether lazing on one of the college quadrangles, punting down the river or exploring the city's ancient heritage, Oxford promises something for visitors of all ages.

Locality:

Oxford is situated in central Oxfordshire just South of the Midlands through an area known as the Cotswolds.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

There is a massive choice of pubs / bars and restaurants (offering a varied range of cuisines and cooking styles) plus lunchtime cafes / french-style brasseries and takeaways, all in and around Oxford.

Hop On Hop Off bus tour around the city and university colleges.

Popular sights and attractions in Oxford include:

The Oxford Story in Broad Street - The longest indoor ride in Europe and brings 900 years of history to life.

The Bodleian Library - Britains most famous library and founded 400 years ago by Sir Thomas Bodley.

The Ashmolean Museum - Britains oldest museum and houses the university's world famous collection of art and archaeology.

Other Museums - University Museum of Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museum both in Parks Road. Museum of the History of Science in Broad Street houses Isaac Newtons blackboard. The Museum of Oxford in St Aldate's tells the city's own story.The Bate collection of Musical Instruments (one of the finest collections in the world) and the Museum of Modern Art in Pembroke Street.

Christ Church whose College Chapel is Oxford's Cathedral (the smallest cathedral in England) and the stunning old masters and medieval Italian art at Christ Church Picture Gallery.

Botanic Garden - The oldest and one of the loveliest riverside botanic gardens in Britain on the banks of the River Cherwell a stroll away from Corpus Christie and Merton Colleges. Opposite is Magdalen College and a little further on in Longwall Street is the garage where in 1913 William Morris produced the first 'Bullnose' Morris Oxford motor car.

Alice in Wonderland - Oxford is the 'birthplace' of Alice, written by a shy mathematics don whilst teaching at Christ Church. For more informarion see www.aliceinoxford.net .