|
|
Oxford, England Luxury Vacations, Tours and Travel Packages Guide |
|
 Oxford, England travel arrangements, romantic England honeymoons, Oxford travel packages--
Oxford is proud of having Britain's oldest university. Merton College was founded back in 1266. The oldest colleges are grouped along the south side of High Street (Merton, University College, Corpus Christi) and between "High" and Broad Streets (New College, Jesus, Brasenose, Lincoln, Exeter). But the two largest and most impressive colleges are Magdalen (pronounced "Mawdlin") on the right as you cross Magdalen Bridge into the city, built in 1458, and Christ Church ("the House") on St. Aldate's Street, on the south side of the city.
The Norman-Early Gothic chapel of Christ Church College, which dates from the first half of the 12th century, was elevated to cathedral status in 1546. Its south transept includes a Becket window (c. 1320) as well as five windows by the Pre-Raphaelites Burne-Jones and William Morris. The choir was given fan vaulting around 1500. The whole college concept was based on the architecture of a monastery, linking a cloister, chapel, and community and living spaces. New College, built between 1380 and 1386, is a classic example of such a building. The colleges are open to the public most of the time and it is worth taking a guided tour.
It is notable that 24 of Britain's 57 prime ministers were educated at Oxford, and this includes every single prime minister since World War II. Other famous Oxford alumni include Sir Walter Raleigh, Samuel Johnson, Pope Alexander V, Cecil Rhodes, and legion writers and poets, including Shelley, Evelyn Waugh, J.R.R. Tolkien, Dorothy Sayers, and C.S.Lewis.
The name Oxford probably does mean the ford of the oxen. Today, one is saved the difficulty of fording the river by a number of bridges; but certainly the river, here known as the Isis, continues central to the life of the town. A marked contrast to the bustle of the city is a stroll along the idyllic river banks, or even a traditional punting excursion.
In town, the liveliest street is Cornmarket with the old defensive tower of St. Michael's. Carfax is the name of the crossroads right at the center of Oxford, and it is around Carfax that the townspeople and the university people (the "town and gown") mingle in the stores and covered market. Oxford is a paradise for book lovers, and you'll find some of the largest second-hand bookstores on and around Broad Street.
Broad Street also boasts the greatest concentration of fine buildings of mellow golden stone. At the street's south end are the circular 18th-century Sheldonian Theatre (designed by Sir Christopher Wren); the medieval Divinity School, with fan vaulting from the 15th century; the first public university library, the Old Bodleian Library; and the circular Radcliffe Camera, an 18th-century reading room in an English-Italian style.
East from Broad Street runs Holywell Street, lined with historic students' lodgings and the Holywell Music Room, Europe's oldest concert hall. On the right is an alley leading to the Turf, a popular old pub and beer-garden nestled against the high walls of New College.
At the other end of Broad Street, running north, is the wide tree-lined St. Giles Street. At the beginning of this street is the Martyr's Memorial, which marks the spot where the Protestant bishops Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley were burned in 1556. On the left, facing Beaumont Street, is the oldest museum in England, the Ashmolean Museum, with collections of art and antiquities, Greek and Roman pottery, jewelry, and Far Eastern art.
Northwest of Oxford, the A44 towards Stratford-on-Avon brings you to the charming old town of Woodstock, which clusters round the gates of magnificent Blenheim Palace. Set in extensive parkland, this palace was built in 1701-24 by John Vanburgh for the first Duke of Marlborough. Sir Winston Churchill, a descendant of the Duke, was born at Blenheim and is buried at the nearby village church of Bladon.
The palace stands in the midst of an extensive park which was laid out in French rococo style and is planted with old trees. This green expanse surrounds a building with more than 200 rooms in the palace, ranging from the Churchill memorial rooms to Baroque staterooms with priceless 18th-century tapestries and valuable portraits by such luminaries as van Dyck, Reynolds and Knetter. |
|
|
|
|
| Full Service Oxford, England Vacations and Cruises Planner |
| Click here to start planning a great British Isles vacation, tour or cruise with our Virtuoso Travel Advisors. You may call us too, but we'd really appreciate it if you complete a vacation planner first so we can determine which destination specialist to introduce you to. Thank you very much! 1 800 330 8820 or 415 446 5252 to book your Oxford, England vacation. | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
   
We accept credit cards:   
|
|
During this time of price volatility in the Oxford, England vacations, travel, tour and cruise industry, please be advised the pricing can fluctuate within the same day. All of our promotions are subject to change without notice. As a result, prices will not be guaranteed until booked.
Disclaimer: We've worked hard to make all the Oxford, England vacations, cruise and travel packages information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.
Travel Agent Career Opportunities
State of California seller of travel License No: 2061139-40
We are on the Better Business Bureau Honor Roll.
© 1998 TravelWizard.Com, Oxford, England Vacations, Cruises and Custom Travel Packages Dept. All rights reserved. | |
|
|
