A few hours in Oxford

 Today's excursion involved a bus trip to Oxford to visit Christ Church and have a few hours to explore the city. Tour guide Gary again accompanied us, discussing some of what we were seeing, answering questions, and leading us around locations. Unfortunately, the unending heat and large crowds made it difficult for many people in our group to make the most of their trip today. Even so, we were able to view quite a bit of history and some local flair as well. 

The city of Oxford is an important location for a variety of fan bases and scholarly groups. This is the site of the Bodleian Library and the History of Science Museum, which helped to set the standards for libraries and museums respectively. For fans of classic literature, this area produced J. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and Lewis Carroll, all of whom developed their famous tales while residing in Oxford. Fans of Harry Potter can find sections of Christ Church and the Bodleian Library that served as inspiration or actual filming locations. The city is rife with significance for so very many people, all within a walkable distance.

Our official tour began at Christ Church, with audio headsets allowing us to listen and wander at our own pace. We were unable to see every bit of the normally public area as exams are happening. It had not occurred to me beforehand that this was still very much a working University, with people living, studying, and simply existing in an historic building open to tourists. I was glad that the tour prioritized student needs over tourist desires and kept some areas closed off as needed. 

After our tour of Christ Church, we took a walking tour around the streets of Oxford. The main goal of this tour was the Bodleian Library, which we could not enter as a tour. Our guide did lead us around and tell us the significance of places we were seeing, which was very helpful. Even walking past old buildings and graves was enough to place this area as historic and important!

After the official walking tour, we were free to discover Oxford for ourselves for a few hours. All of us had made plans earlier on what we would do with our time, in a place with so much to see. Ultimately though, the day was hot and we were tired. The historic covered market drew most of us in for shopping, snacks, or lunch. Some classmates headed to museums, but a large number of us found our way to Blackwell's, home of the largest book basement in the UK. This shop also contained many rare and famous books, including a first edition Lord of the Rings for 20,000 pounds. 

Our scattered group made their way back together again by 3pm for the ride back to London. This trip was certainly more touristy than academic, but that is needed sometimes and I enjoyed myself. I would love to take another, longer trip to Oxford, perhaps in a cooler month, to explore the city at my leisure. For now, this taste of Oxford was enough. 

It was sunny....

It was hot

We had a goal. Christ Church. 

Our tour guide, who got to try to lead us while also trying to secure our entry.

The ante-hall at Christ Church. These steps were one of many filming locations for Harry Potter, as well as other shows and movies. 

The Great Hall, which inspired the Hall in Harry Potter. It still serves as a meal room today, after 500 years of use.

The Cathedral was covered in stained glass. 

The oldest stone spire in the UK.

This particular duck was posing for us. 

This particular crow was also posing for us. 

People were burned here after refusing to renounce their faith.

Bridge of Sighs. 

The Radcliffe Camera, an historic location hosting a modern protest aimed at ending the Palestinian genocide. 

A teapot as inspired by the Alice stories, in the covered market.

First edition Lord of the Rings.