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This grandest of all the Oxford colleges was founded on the site of the Priory of St.Frideswide, the patron saint of Oxford. Founded as Cardinal's College by Thomas Wolsey in 1525, four years later it was taken over by king Henry VIII, who gave it the name of Christ Church in 1546. It is probably the only college in the world that comprises a cathedral. Christ Church is famous for its interesting architecture, some of which dates back to the twelfth century. Its members include Gladstone, Lewis Carroll, the author of 'Alice in Wonderland' and John Locke. The founders of Christchurch in New Zealand were former members of the college too.
The Great Quadrangle that you can see in the picture, popularly Tom Quad, was originally designed as cloistered - the outlines of the planned cloisters still remain there. In the middle there is a fountain with the statue of Mercury. In the background you can see Fell Tower with the statue of Dean John Fell, who greatly added to the college construction. He cannot have been loved by his contemporaries though. As the popular poem goes:
I do not like you, Dr Fell,
The reason why I cannot tell,
But this I know full well,
I do not like you, Dr Fell. Leave a Comment Directions: Enter through the Meadow Building, the guard at Tom Tower will show you the way.Website: http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/
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Tom Tower is probably the best-known part of Christ Church, facing St Aldate's on one side and being part of the Great Quadrangle, popularly called Tom Quad, on the other. It looks like the main, and very imposing, gateway to the college. Not for tourists, though. If you don't have a pass issued to local residents only, walk on and then turn left into the Memorial Gardens gate, where you will find signposts for the college.
The Tower itself is worth a second look from the inside though. Designed in 1681 by Sir Christopher Wren, whom you will know as responsible for the design of St. Paul's Cathedral, the Greenwich Observatory and many London churches, it is a real masterpiece, imposing and exquisite at the same time.
If you happen to be near it at 9.05 pm any day of the week, you will hear the seven ton bell it houses, Great Tom, strike 101 times, once for each of the original members of the college. Why at 9.05? Because Christ Church observes its own real time, five minutes behind GMT, as Oxford lies five minutes west of Greenwich. So, if you are a little late for Mass or a concert at the Cathedral, as I was once, you are bound to get a surprise - you will still be on time. Leave a Comment
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Christ Church College is the best known college in Oxford. There is a lot of history here and also recently the college has been in the news. Christ Church College is built around Tom Quad, a quadrangle courtyard. The main entrance (not for visitors) is through Tom Tower. This will bring you right on Tom Quad.
Around the quadrangle you will find the Cathedral, the Dining Hall and the Cloister. Other interesting things to see are the Peckwater Quadrangle with the Library and the Picture Gallery, and the Meadow Building through which you as a visitor will enter the premises (after paying some 4 pounds entrance that is!!)
If you want to take a picture tour through the college, take a look at my travelogue and follow the links. Leave a Comment Address: St. AldgatesDirections: From Carfax Tower follow St. Aldgate's. CH CH is on your left, turn left into Broad Walk and you'll find the entrance on your left in the Meadow Building.Website: http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/
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Besides the Dining Hall another highlight is the Cathedral. The church used to extend all the way into the space that is now occupied by Tom Quad. Wolsey who re-founded the College, knocked down most of the cathedral to make way for his grand college. Thankfully the rest of the ancient 12th century was spared! There is a world famous choir here that sings daily, and they've been doing so ever since the college was founded!
If you want to take a picture tour through the college, take a look at my travelogue and follow the links. Leave a Comment Directions: Just follow your guide brochure. You will get this upon payment of the entrance.Website: http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/
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On your (self guided) tour you will come through the Dining Hall. This is a very interesting and beautiful Hall. It has even been used as the Dining Hall in the Harry Potter films!
Christ Church was also an inspiration for Lewis Carol. He created Alice In Wonderland. In one of the stained glass windows in the Dining Hall you are able to see some figures from the book/ film.
If you want to take a picture tour through the college, take a look at my travelogue and follow the links. Leave a Comment Directions: Just follow your guide brochure. You will get this upon payment of the entrance.Website: http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/
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At the entrance to Christ Church stands the imposing Tom Tower, yet another of Christopher Wren's designs (this guy was busy!).
The famous bell, Great Tom, rings 101 times every evening at 9.05, and not surprisingly these numbers have a significance. The time is thus chosen as Oxford is five minutes from Greenwich (plus it signals the hour at which students in Oxford were supposed to be in bed), while 101 is number of students in Christ Church when the college was original founded.
More recently, Tom Tower has featured a few times on the website ihaveshaggedhere.com. One interesting entry on this site had as an afterword - "Melissa, do you want your knickers back?" Leave a Comment
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The dining hall at Christ Church is really beautiful. The dark room is full of long tables, the walls are full of old pictures. A room like this makes it hard to imagine that students actually have dinner here. It helps to know that everybody who has dinner here has to dress up to fit the surroundings I guess.
Apparently the Harry Potter film was shot here. Probably that's why this was the only place that was full of tourists when I was in Oxford. Leave a Comment
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This is the college most tourists visit. It has some nice buildings and greens, England's smallest cathedral and the beautitful dining hall which was made famous by the Harry Potter film that was made here (see next tip).
Admission is £3 if you're not coming with a local student with an expired student ID ;) Leave a Comment
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Like Magdalen, Christchurch College is one of the largest of the university. It is also Magdalen's biggest rival and whenever Christchurch is mentioned to Magdalen students it is not taken in good spirit!!! (Watch University Challenge!!!)
It is another architectural gem and is probably the best known college in Oxford.It's beautiful parklands were created on the Thames flood plain.
The college was founded by Cardinal Wolsey in 1524 and was built on the site of a monastery. In 1529 Wolsey fell from power and Henry 8th re-founded the college in 1546. The college combined the cathedral and the university and was called Aedas Christi - Christchurch, in English.
The principal of Christchurch is always a clergyman.
Daily visiting, excepy Christmas day. Charge of £4 for adults unless you know a student!! Leave a Comment Address: Oxford
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Charles I lived at Christ Church during the English Civil War (1642-1646), and held his Parliament in the Great Hall. After the war and the restoration of the monarchy, the College benefited from Royal patronage, raising enough money to have Tom Quad completed. The College was also able to commission a former student, Sir Christopher Wren, to design a new bell tower in 1682, which housed Tom Bell from which the tower and the quad get their names.
Christ Church has recently been used as a film set, & visitors may recognise it when watching Harry Potter! Leave a Comment Address: St AldatesDirections: City Centre
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