Have you been to Oxford in England? After nearly 20 years of living in the UK, I decided to finally visit Oxford. And I loved every corner of this town of Colleges and magical stories.
Have a look what I’ve seen while walking around the town.
Oxford the town of colleges and history
In case you haven’t heard of Oxford, it’s a town whose history dates back to 700AD. However, this is not when the first Colleges started appearing there.
In the 12th century, English students were ordered to return from studying in France back to England.
In the following century, the 13th, the first College was founded.
There are now so many colleges in Oxford it’s easy to get dizzy. You can read a brief history of Oxford University here.
What I loved was the feeling that history and academia are present everywhere. Walking around the town I really felt like applying for the University myself 🙂
I took a town walking tour and it was the best way to learn about the town, the Colleges and some history nuggets that only the locals know.
The Colleges buildings are truly impressive.
I learned that students usually live within the College they study at, and always are fed – 3 times a day – and have access to the College’s library. The library is often open from early in the morning till deep into the night.
I also liked hearing that the idea that only rich students, or with ‘certain connections’ can study at Oxford. While it’s not cheap – studying in England is not cheap anyway – it’s students’ grades and academic achievements that open the door to Oxford Colleges and University.
Oxford – the town of magical stories
There is at least one specific reason people flock to Oxford, and that’s Harry Potter. However, Harry Potter is not the only magical story that has connections to Oxford.
Ages ago, a guy called Lewis Carroll came up with stories for his friend’s daughter – Alice. She would often go to a particular shop for sweets and groceries.
You can visit this shop when you visit Oxford! It’s one of the most unique places in the town, and is just opposite Christ Church in St Aldate’s Street. And Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is one of the most famous books on earth 🙂
Going back to Harry Potter, Christ Church College was famously used as an inspiration and the actual filming location of the films. The staircase and the cloisters are in the films. And the great hall of Christ Church was the inspiration for the Great Hall at Hogwarts. I asked if the producers wanted to film in the actual hall, and the tour guide said the College categorically refused to let that happen.
This is because the great hall is used for students meals 3 times a day. There are also lots of artifacts that would need to be removed from walls for the sake of the filming. The College did not like that and never allowed the filming to take place there.
If you’re lucky, you may be able to visit New College whose cloisters were also in Harry Potter film – “the Goblet of Fire” one.
But frankly just walking around the town makes you feel like you are in a magical story yourself 🙂
Head over to the Covered Market – a unique set of shops where only local Oxford merchandisers can sell their products.
Another place that is worth your time during your visit to Oxford is Oxford Castle and Prison. It is a fascinating place whose history dates back to 1066 and William the Conqueror. You will be able to climb 101 stairs of a tower that gives you great views of the whole town. And check out the prison cells and crypts all sorts of convicts – as young as 7 years old! – would be locked up in.
The only annoying thing was the weather when I was in Oxford. It rained solidly for the two days I was there. Luckily, there are so many coffee shops, restaurants and other places where you can hide and get a bit dry.
Lastly, I can’t recommend enough one particular restaurant – Gee’s Restaurant and Bar. It’s a little off the centre and close to Jericho (part of the town), and absolutely worth a visit.
Have you been to Oxford? What would your visit contain? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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