Oxford

Friday,  15th November 2024

Ah, Oxford! The city where history oozes from every cobblestone and the air smells faintly of academia and... perhaps ale from a pub or two. Following a "narrated walking tour" video was supposed to be our guide for the day, but as we wandered past landmarks there was again a detour or two...

Weather forecast for the day wasn't quite positive and because it usually requires one to be quite fit even the video says it's gonna take and hour or so we used the bus to the city centre to start our last private guided tour.

Video tour: Oxford

Spoiler: it was again more than 15km. 

First stop: Christ Church—the college that doubles as a Harry Potter film set and a political powerhouse. It’s said that Lewis Carroll dreamed up Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland while hanging around here, though I suspect the food in the dining hall had something to do with his hallucinations. Across the street is Alice’s Shop, a quirky little place where Carroll’s real-life Alice bought sweets. 

And yet another bookshop 🫣

Of course, no trip to Oxford is complete without a stop at Oxford Castle and Prison, a site with a history as colorful as it is creepy. Originally built in the 11th century, the castle served as a stronghold, a courthouse, and later, a rather grim prison. Legend has it that the crypt beneath St. George’s Tower is haunted—because, of course, it is. Nothing says "Oxford experience" like wandering through ancient stone corridors and imagining the screams of medieval prisoners. If ghosts aren’t your thing, the views from the top of the tower are breathtaking and far less likely to send chills down your spine. Just don’t look too closely at the cells—you might think twice about complaining about your cramped Airbnb.

Another house with character 

Our tour wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the Ashmolean Museum, the world’s first university museum and a treasure trove of wonders. From ancient artifacts to modern masterpieces, it’s a place where you can admire everything from Egyptian mummies to Van Gogh’s brushstrokes. But here’s the kicker: the Comper Wall Panels, originally part of the Randolph Gallery, were so massive they had to be disassembled and transported into the building in pieces. Imagine trying to explain that delivery to the movers! Once reconstructed, they became a stunning backdrop for the museum’s collections—proof that in Oxford, even the walls are too fancy to be ordinary.

And Xmas markets 

The Bridge of Sighs is not as tragic as its Venetian counterpart—it’s a walkway for students who are probably just sighing because their exams didn’t go so well. Speaking of exams, the Examination Schools nearby reminded us that Oxford students have been suffering academic stress since the 15th century.

Next, we stumbled upon the Radcliffe Camera, a majestic round building that looks like the ideal place to store secret wizarding archives but is, in fact, a library reading room. You can’t go inside unless you’re a student, but trust me, a good photo from the outside makes it look like you know things.

Ah, Teddy Ball—Oxford’s quirkiest tradition that proves even the most serious scholars know how to have fun! Officially hosted by St. Edmund Hall (fondly known as Teddy Hall), this annual event is a delightful mix of gowns, glitter, and a good dose of British eccentricity. Imagine black-tie elegance paired with a distinctly Oxford twist, where centuries-old architecture meets live music, questionable dance moves, and, if you’re lucky, some midnight snacks. It’s a night that balances the highbrow with the downright playful—because even at Oxford, everyone needs a break from being brilliant!

Oxford isn’t just the city of dreaming spires—it’s also the stomping ground of some of Britain’s most iconic fictional detectives: Inspector Morse and his loyal sidekick, Sergeant Lewis. Created by Colin Dexter, the duo solved crimes against the backdrop of the city’s cobblestone streets, historic colleges, and atmospheric pubs. It’s said that Dexter, a longtime Oxford resident, drew much of his inspiration from the city’s real-life charm and mystery.

From the White Horse Pub (a Morse favorite) to the Randolph Hotel (which appeared in several episodes), Oxford becomes almost a character in its own right, with its gothic architecture and shadowy corners adding to the intrigue. Even the Bodleian Library and Bridge of Sighs make cameo appearances. If you’re a fan, walking through Oxford feels like stepping into a crime novel—minus the murders, hopefully. For modern-day sleuths, it’s a thrill to spot filming locations and imagine Morse grumbling about his pint while unraveling the city’s secrets.

Paving 

A wall with a character on one of our detours. I just loved the plants which found their way to grow there even they greatly help the erosion and further damage of the wall.