Oxford
Travel Guide > Europe > United Kingdom > England > South East England > Oxford
Introduction
To most, the city of Oxford is synonymous with the university it is home to: the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world, and one of the best. A university of some sort already existed by around 1100, but in 1167 King Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris, and attendance at Oxford took off. It was nicknamed the "city of dreaming spires" by Matthew Arnold, referring to the university buildings' harmonious architecture. Many of the older buildings are built of limestone from the nearby Cotswolds: as a result, much of the city has a pleasantly creamy-yellow tint.
Aside from the university, Oxford is a real city. Indeed, King Charles I based himself here during the Civil War.
Sights and Activities
The University
Almost everything of interest to the tourist is either part of the university itself, or related to it. The university, which has expanded in recent years to about 20,000 students, is split into 39 colleges (as well as departments). Students are all members of one of the colleges, which are the basis of social life and undergraduate teaching. However, lectures are given and degrees are awarded by the university. Many of Oxford's colleges are well worth a visit, including:
- All Souls - a college which has no students, only Fellows.
- Balliol - from which several Prime Ministers have emanated.
- Christ Church - which has its own cathedral church!
- Magdalen College - with a beautiful tower, and a deer park. This college is not pronounced as it is written, but you can find out how to pronounce it when you get to Oxford.
- Merton College - possibly the oldest.
- New College - which is (like the Pont Neuf in Paris) very very old. It has a beautiful chapel and cloisters.
- Queen's College - notable for its 18th century architecture.
If you do visit, do bear in mind that they are not museums: people actually live and work in them and will not appreciate you peering into their bedrooms.
Interesting locations that are not part of a college include:
- The Bodleian Library - both a beautiful set of buildings, and one of the best English-language libraries in the world.
- The Radcliffe Camera - a library building designed by James Gibbs in the 18th century.
- The Sheldonian Theatre.
- Christ Church Meadows, and the River Isis.
- The Martyrs' Memorial - while England did not suffer religious wars as much as continental Europe, Protestants and Catholics did kill each other a bit in the 16th century. Three protestant clerics were burnt at St Giles in 1555-6.
Museums
Not surprisingly for a university town, Oxford also has some excellent museums. Chief among these is the Ashmolean Museum, founded in 1683 and one of the oldest in the world. The Pitt Rivers Museum of archaeology and anthropology is popular, as is the Museum of Natural History. On the edge of the town centre, opposite Magdalen College and on the banks of the Cherwell, is the Botanic Garden, the oldest in Britain.
Punting
One popular pastime in the summer, for students and tourists alike, is punting on the river. It isn't as easy as it looks, and a proportion of the tourists fall in. Being punted is very agreeable, particularly if you have a bottle of something cool and bubbly.
Morris' car factory
For decades cars have been manufactured at the Morris's factory in Cowley, just outside the city. The site is now owned by BMW.
Events and Festivals
Eat
Drink
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