Oxford

August 28, 2022

Oxford is home to Britain's oldest university. It's been educating students for 800 years, and has produced and inspired many famous writers like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Lewis Carol, Oscar Wilde and Dr. Seuss, to name a few.

Oxford didn't allow women to get degrees until 1920, so prior to that, there was a secret society of women writers, known as, the Legendary Mutual Admiration Society. It was named by Dorothy L. Sayers, who went on to became a famous mystery novelist staring Lord Peter Wimsey, the aristocratic detective. 

Oxford's Bodleian Library, opened to scholars in 1602. It has a copy of every single book ever published in England, since 1662, making it Britain's second biggest library. It's still a working library and is spread across 3 buildings. If you want to see inside you have to take a guided tour. The medieval reading room at the Bodleian Library, was used as a stand-in for the Hogwarts library in Harry Potter. You'll find several other Harry Potter filming sights scattered around Oxford. They also filmed the TV series A Discovery of Witches here. 

The bronze statue outside of the entrance to the Bodleian Library, is of William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke. If he looks familiar, he is said to be the inspiration for Nearly Headless Nick, in Harry Potter. He and William Shakespeare were good friends. When the statue was put up, apparently, students didn't like him and tried to remove his head.

William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke aka Nearly Headless Nick

The Divinity School is part of the Bodleian Library complex. The elaborately carved gothic ceiling of the Divinity School featuring over 400 crests and other images. 

The Divinity School served as the Hogwarts Infirmary. This is also where the students practice for the Yule Ball.

Bodleian Library – Divinity School

The round Radcliffe Camera, is an iconic Oxford landmark. It's a working library, part of the central Bodleian Library complex, it houses the scientific material. Camera is latin for room or chamber. 

Outside of Radcliffe Camera, there is a tall black lamp post that is thought to have inspired the lamp in the wintery woods of Narnia.

Down a narrow street, is what's believed to be the “door to Narnia” with it's wood carvings that may have inspired CS Lewis, while walking the grounds at Oxford. 

Right next to the Divinity School and Bodleian Library, is the Sheldonian Theatre, the ceremonial heart of the university. 

The Sheldonian Theater

Door to Narnia

St. Mary's Church

Bridge of Sighs, it links the central library with one of the most popular reading rooms.

Martyrs' Monument, was built to commemorate three protestants that were burnt at the stake in 1555.

Oxford has may old pubs - the King’s Arms pub, is the oldest, it opened in 1607. There's a botanical garden and a castle with a 900 year old crypt. Wander around and you'll find plenty of shops, restaurants, and bookstores.