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 | Oxford Christ Church Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 30 |  |
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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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| | | | Christ Church: Tom Tower, Christ Church | Tip Rating: | | | | |
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 Address: St Aldate'sWebsite: http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/
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