Photographic Journey

I have lived in various places and have always kind of taking those places for granted, thinking there would be plenty of time to really explore them.

I have lived in Oxford for nearly 5 years and I feel really at home here. It is also the first place where I have taken time to explore the place as opposed to just “living” here and the reason why I decided to create this little journey.

Let’s start the journey with a short walk to the bottom of my street where I found what I now call my “Secret Garden”, which is a lovely secluded spot by the river.

Next stop is St Hilda’s College, which was the last remaining all girls college unil last year when they allowed the boys in! (Did they make a mistake? I will let you be the judge of that!)

A little further on we arrive at Magdalen Bridge, which becomes the gathering point of large crowds of people each may day morning.

As we cross the bridge we get to Magdalen College, which is regarded by some as one of the most beautiful of the Oxford and Cambridge colleges, Magdalen is also one of the most visited. It stands next to the River Cherwell and has within its grounds a deer park and Addison’s Walk. Magdalen College School also lies nearby. The large, square Magdalen Tower is a famous Oxford landmark, and it is a tradition that the college choir sings from the top of it early on May Morning.

Further up the High Street we get to Oxford Examination Schools.

The main purpose of the Schools is for the organisation and administration of the university examinations. Many of the final and other examinations for the University’s students take place in the building, especially during Trinity Term. There is access to the building from both the High Street and Merton Street. Traditionally there have been parties in the street by students who have finished their exams, although the University tries to take measures to prevent this. At their height, traffic has been disrupted in the High Street.

The building also provides the main lecturing facility for the University and is also used as a meeting and conference venue outside term time. It is one of the largest buildings owned by the University. The Exam Schools are headed by an Assistant Registrar, known as the Clerk of the Schools.

Next up is Merton College

and Christchurch College.

The college is the setting for parts of Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited, as well as Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. More recently it has been used in the filming of the movies of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series and also the film adaptation of Philip Pullman’s novel Northern Lights (the film bearing the title of the US edition of the book, The Golden Compass).

Ok! Enough of colleges and history for a moment! I think it’s time for a refreshing drink and rest our legs for a little while.

The Head of the River is one of my favourite pubs, the only problem is that when the weather is nice it gets very crowded!

In the centre of Oxford you will find the Covered Market,where amongst other shops you will find the most amazing cake shop. I have never tasted any of them but I love walking past as their cakes are very creative and decorative.

Back out in the sun for some free entertainment! Oxford gets a lot of buskers especially durin spring and summer. Some of them are better than others. Christopher (below) were one of my favourites. See Introducing a Couple of Friends to have a listen.

If we walk down the road to the left of Christopher we’ll get to Radcliffe Square where you will find Radcliffe Camera and the Bodleian Library.

Then we come to The Bridge of Sighs. I walk under this quite often on my way to work.

Now we are going to venture to Blenheim Palace, which is approximately 15 minute drive from Oxford.

I have been there a few times, usually when friends or family visit. I enjoy walking around the gardens and the palace itself is worth a visit. You can even have your wedding reception there!

That pretty much conludes the journey except for one last stop at The Trout Inn for a farewell drink.

Should you decide to pay Oxford a visit and need someone to show you around, feel free to drop me an email.