Radcliffe Camera (camera meaning room in French), Oxford’s most distinctive building was constructed between 1737-1749 with funds bequeathed  by Dr. John Radcliffe, a physician.   The building was originally intended to house a new library and designs were called for from several leading architects.  James Gibbs’ elegant design won this competion.  He was also responsible for the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square, London. 

This domed Baroque rotunda is now used as the main reading room of the Bodleian Library (building with spires to the right).  There some 600,000 books in underground rooms beneath Radcliffe Square.  Unfortunately Radcliffe Camera is not open to the public.

Helen 

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The Sheldonian Theatre was the first building designed by Christopher Wren between 1664 and 1669. It was funded by Gilbert Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancellor of the University.

Wren was a key figure in the reconstruction of London after the Great Fire of 1666.  This impressive architect was responsible for building 52 new churches, including his masterpiece, St. Paul’s Catherdral.  Athough Wren had never been to Italy, he was very much influenced by Baroque and Renaissance architecture, as evidenced by St. Paul’s Cathedral. It is believed that Wren’s source of inspiration for the Sheldonian was taken directly from the U-shaped Theatre of Marcellus in Rome. The classical style subsequently influenced the architecture of other Oxford buildings.

The Sheldonian is the venue for Oxford University’s grand graduation ceremonies. The theatre is available for hire for public concerts and meetings, but I’d imagine strict assessments are made by its curators.

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It’s so bizzare to see a “Bridge of Sighs” in Oxford, given the history behind the original version in Venice.  Who are the prisoners here and what are their lamentations and sighs about in Oxford?

The bridge links the Old and New buildings of Hertford College  Constructed in 1913, it was never the intention to build a replica of the famous Venetian bridge.  Although called the Bridge of Signs, it looks more like the Rialto Bridge. Those who know Venice would be well acquainted with these two famous Venetian landsmarks.

If you take a walk underneath the bridge, you’ll arrive at the Turf Tavern, a popular pub with tourists and students alike.

Helen

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If museums are your scene, a visit to the Ashmolean Museum is a must. Outside of London, Ashmolean is considered to be one of the best of British museums.

Opened in 1683, the museum originally housed the collections of John Tradescants senior and junior. During their travels to the Orient and the Americas, they collected curious stuffed animals and artifacts. After their death, the collection was acquired by the antiquarian, Elias Ashmole. Ashmole donated the collection to the university and also had a purpose-built building constructed for the exhibits on Broad Street, now called the Old Ashmolean.

Well, stuffed animals and artifacts alone would not draw the crowds these days and the Ashmolean’s famous exhibits nowadays include famous paintings and drawings of the grandmasters like Bellini, Raphael, Rembrandt, Michaelangelo, etc. There are also Greek and Roman carvings, Eastern arts, musical instruments, etc.

The Ashmolean is a university museum and the exhibits are owned by a department of the university. So where does the Museum get its funding from. Interestingly, the National Lottery. The National Lottery raises money for a range of causes for the benefit of communities across the United Kingdom. From every pound spent on lottery tickets, 28p goes directly to good causes allocated between the following categories: arts, charities, health, education and the environment, heritage and sports. So when you’re next in Oxford, you may consider buying a lottery ticket and who knows you might just get lucky!

Helen

Travel Signposts Blog

Oxford is world renowned for its prestigious and exclusive university, but you needn’t been a scholar to appreciate this beautiful city.  A city of tall “dreaming spires”, Oxford is a very popular tourist destination.  Set against the Cherwell and Isis rivers, the fine architecture of its magnificent historical buildings, lovely riverside walks, lawns and meadows are some of its key attractions. The city is every bit as beautiful as you see it in postcards, books or movies.

The first scholars who founded England’s first university came from France in 1167.  Given the ongoing French-English rivalry, it’s ironic that one of England’s premier institutions was founded by the French.  Oxford University is made up of 39 colleges, most of these founded between the 13th and 16th centuries.  The city is well laid out and it’s easy to find your own way around.  Eqipped with our guide book, we set out to find the famous colleges which Tony was familiar with. 

Helen

Travel Signposts Blog