A day in Oxford

We didn't 'plan' this trip. Although, I purposely left the website pages about places to visit in Oxford on the computer hoping Babah would 'read' when he came back from work on Friday. He asked, "Nak buat apa this weekend? Nak gi Oxford ke?"

Heh heh, my hint worked. My only concerned was the weather. It was cloudy, not so good for photography. At least, not with our camera. But still, we came back with 400 plus photos in our camera.

It was a 50-60 minutes journey from our house. The journey was pretty smooth and we headed straight to the first "P" sign we saw once we reached Oxford city centre. There were so many interesting places to visit. Every corner that we looked at has its own attraction. We didn't know where to start. So we just followed 'our feet'.

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The first few buildings that we saw

One of the many colleges in Oxford. (I'm guessing St Peter's College)

A tower still standing in the middle of the city centre.

A timber framed building that reminded us of the Shakespeare's birthplace.

Another tower that still exist.

An unknown building. We were just snapping photos along the way.

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CHRIST CHURCH

Tom Tower, Christ Church

Both Sarah and Amar behaved very well so we continued walking until we reached a huge wall (above photo) that hid something interesting behind it.

It was a huge grand place. We passed the huge door where a gentleman in black suit and black bowler hat was standing. We should have gone in through the huge door where we would see a beautiful fountains, Tom Quad and Peckwater Quad. But we didn't know and walked straight ahead. The place and many other spots in Oxford were not clearly signed unless you have with you a map of Oxford.

We thought that we have reached the botanic garden when we saw a huge iron gate with lots of people entering the place. Actually we were still in the Christ Church grounds and have just arrived at the proper entrance of the main building.

Christ Church: Great Hall

Christ Church is the only college in the world which is also a cathedral. (Source: Wikipedia) It has been seen as the most elite college traditionally and has produced thirteen British prime ministers(!).

There was a long queue at the entrance so we didn't even attempt to join the queue. We were busy posing for photos when I heard a Dad telling his son that this was the place where they filmed Harry Potter. I can so relate the building to the film.

Lewis Carroll author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland also attended this prestigious college. And the city of Christchurch, New Zealand was also named after this place.

Near the meadow

Opposite the building is the meadow, a huge open field with a view of River Cherwell and River Thames running near it.

For those who are interested to view a professional virtual tour of Christ Church may click here.

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BALLIOL COLLEGE

The Front Quadrangle of Balliol College

This college claims to be the oldest college in the University. The interesting history stated that the college is thought to date back as far as 1263 when John Balliol, a wealthy English Lord, and his wife Princess Dervorguilla of Galloway bought and maintained a house for poor students in the suburbs of Oxford as an act of charity.

The Hall and Senior Common Room

We found this place by accident. It was right opposite of "The Oxford Story" and the Tourist Information Centre, where we bought a couple of fridge magnets for our own personal collections. The entrance fee was only £1 per adult.

The Garden Quadrangle

The weather became quite chilly that we had to wear extra layer of clothing.

Amar remained a good boy in the push chair,

while Sarah had the liberty to run around the garden.

Babah and Sarah also went up the steep steps into the Hall. And I couldn't help but to imagine and hope that Sarah and Amar would study hard and be an Oxford University student one day.

Overlooking Trinity College

For virtual tour of Balliol College, click here.

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BODLEIAN LIBRARY

The Clarendon Building

Suddenly at 4 pm, the clouds cleared away and there was the blue sky again. Even Sarah noticed it and said, "Ada sun dah." And there were still loads more to see! Like before, we blindly walked to the end of Broad Street where we saw the above Clarendon Building. It changed possessions a few times but currently, it is part of the Bodleian Library.

The Old Library

This must have been my favourite place. I didn't know what it was until I heard a tour guide explained to a group of tourist that this place used to be the main lecture halls. Each department or faculty was clearly signed on every door in Latin. They do not use the rooms as lecture halls anymore, but if it is used as a library is also not certain as the tour guide was explaining in a rush as the place was going to be shut at 4.30pm.

This photo shows the spires more clearly. The Old Library is a 3 storey building, and believe me, it is very, very high.

The Radcliffe Camera

Below is a funny writing by an Oxford University student about Radcliffe Camera, also a part of the Bodleain Library.

The Radcliffe Camera is located in Radcliffe Square, further on down Catte Street . It's surrounded by Brasenose and All Soul's Colleges. Peek through the gates at their quads. Pretty, huh? Radcliffe Square is really pretty and quiet. Surrounded by the Libraries and Colleges, it feels intelligent. It's cobbled with bricks and really hard round stones that really can hurt your feet. Watch out for those cobbles; they get slippery when it rains. You don't look so intelligent if you slip and fall on the cobbles. Trust me. I know. unknown author.

Camera simply means Chamber. It was built to house a library of science and funded by John Radcliffe. Many think this is the finest building in Oxford including the interior. Unfortunately it is not open to public.

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THE RADCLIFFE SQUARE

Background: All Soul's College

Still within the proximity of Radcliffe Camera, there were a few more nice buildings housing various colleges. One of them was a gothic style building, All Soul's College, the only college which does not admit undergraduates.

St Mary's Church

There was little time left to explore this place which is rich in architectural and historical interest. It is also said that the view from the rooftop offers the finest views of Oxford.

We will revisit Oxford if we get to see Summer again next year. Otherwise, we have had an enjoyable and stress free trip to one of the most prestigious and prominent part of the UK.