Archive for March, 2009

Bodleian Library Opening Hours

Friday, March 20th, 2009
Bodleian Library

Bodleian Library

Opening Hours for Old Bodleian Library

Term Hours: Mon-Fri 9.00-22.00, Sat 10.00-16.00
Vacation Hours: Mon-Fri 9.00-19.00, Sat 10.00-16.00

Opening hours for Radcliffe Camera:

Term Hours: Mon-Fri 9.00-22.00, Sat 10.00-16.00
Vacation Hours: Mon-Fri 9.00-19.00, Sat 10.00-16.00


Oxford University Library Services

Beautiful Oxford

Friday, March 20th, 2009

Boars Hill
Oxford from Boars Hill

Christ Church Frosty

Christ Church Meadow on frosty day

Oxford

Radcliffe Camera

Oxford Botanic Gardens

Oxford Botanic Gardens

Queens Lane Blossom

May Blossom
Christ Church

Christ Church College in the Evening sun.

oxford

Sheldonian Theatre at night

oxford

South Parks with winter snowfall.

Oxford Autumn

Oxford Spires from Christ Church Meadow.

Oxford

Radcliffe Camera from the ground

oxford

Magnolia in flower next to Radcliffe Camera

Related Photos of Oxford

Which Building is Oxford University?

Friday, March 20th, 2009

On arriving in Oxford, many tourists ask for directions to ‘Oxford University’. There is no one building that represents Oxford University. The university is composed of many independent colleges plus exam schools and libraries.

The most important buildings for Oxford University include:

  • The Exam schools on High Street. This is where students sit their final exams. In summer you can see the students arrive in sub fusc to sit their exams.
  • The Sheldonian Theatre. It is in the Sheldonian Theatre where students matriculate and graduate. The first ceremony is on arriving, the second ceremony is after passing your degree.
  • The Bodleian Library. The Bodleian Library stands at the heart of Oxford next to Radcliffe Camera Square. The old Bodleian is the main building, but their are a network of other libraries which complement the old Bodleian.

The Oxford University offices are in Wellington Square – hardly the most impressive buildings of Oxford.

Other famous colleges which make up Oxford university include:

Oxford University homepage

Queens Lane Oxford

Friday, March 20th, 2009

queens lane

queens lane

Queens Lane is a quiet road running behind Queens College, past St Edmund Hall, New College and All Soul’s College. It is closed to traffic so is generally quiet. There are several ninety degree turns and is enclosed by old stone walls. It starts from the High Street and on the corner there is the popular Queens Lane Coffee Shop. It is open from 7am to 7pm on weekdays and from 9am on Sundays. Popular with students it is within easy reach of the University Exam schools. The other end of Queens Lane brings you to the Bridge of Sighs by Hertford College. If you are walking around the centre of Oxford, it is highly recommended to walk through this ancient city lane.

Christ Church Meadow Photos

Friday, March 20th, 2009

christ-church-meadow

christ-church-meadow

christ-church-meadow

christ-church-meadow

christ-church-meadow

christ-church-meadow

christ-church-meadow

Christ Church Meadow is a delightful stretch of green space in the centre of Oxford. It includes some stunning views of the spires of Oxford from the River. The most dominating architecture is Magdalen College Tower and the Radcliffe Camera. Christ Church is on the left.

Animals are grazed on the fields between the river and the ‘broad walk’ The Oxford Botanic Gardens also look out on to Christ Church Meadow

Oxford Economics

Friday, March 20th, 2009

Oxford Economics is a leading economic forecasting bodies. Based in central Oxford, Abbey House, Carfax, Oxford economics provides detailed macro economic data and forecasts for the UK economy and other global economies.

www.oxfordeconomics.com

Department of  Economics – Oxford University

Based at Manor Road, near St Catherines College, The department of Economics boosts over 78  full time researchers who have helped to produce a range of leading economic papers.

Economics is part of undergraduate courses for PPE and Economics and Management. PPE is one of Oxford University’s most popular courses.

Magdalen College Choir

Friday, March 20th, 2009
Magdalen Tower

Magdalen Tower

Magdalen Tower surrounded by a light sprinking of snow. Magdalen Tower is an iconic presence on Oxford’s High Street. On May morning choirister sing at the top of the tower to bring in the traditional May Day Morning.

Magdalen College Choir perform 7 services a week during term. The current director of the choir is Dr Bill Ives. His proper latin title is Informator Choristarum.

The choir was formed in 1480 and it retains much of its original format in the current form. It represents a long unbroken tradition. It is composed of 16 boy choristers from Magdalen College School (situated the overside of Magdalen Roundabout.

The choir have made numerous recordings and featured on films such as Shadowlands (based on the life of C.S.Lewis)

Magdalen College Choir Services – During Term

  • Every evening at 6.00pm (except Tuesdays)
  • Every Sunday morning at 11.00am.

It is advisable to arrive early for events on Saturday and Sunday as it is often full.

Bridge of Sighs Oxford

Thursday, March 19th, 2009
Bridge of Sighs Oxford

Bridge of Sighs Oxford

The Bridge of Sighs is a covered bridge between two parts of Hertford College, Oxford.

It was called ‘Bridge of sighs’ after the famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice, but, it was not intended as a replica. It has more in common with the ‘bridge of signs in Cambridge’

Cyclist Bridge Sighs

Cyclist Bridge Sighs

Cyclist cycling past Bridge of Sighs on Catte Street.

Where to Visit in Oxford?

Thursday, March 19th, 2009
Radcliffe Camera Square

Radcliffe Camera Square

Oxford is a great town to visit. The best way to travel around is by bike. Cycling is the quickest and most convenient way of cycling. It is why so many residents and students cycle into town. Don’t be put off by the huge armada of buses. There are some roads closed to buses.

Within the historic heart of Oxford, it is also possible to walk around. In fact some of the back alleys and beautiful spots are best viewed at a leisurely walking pace.

Don’t worry about getting lost, because Oxford is relatively small, if you go wrong it is no harm.

Personally, I would start off in Radcliffe Camera Square. I always think of this as the heart of Oxford and is certainly one of the most beautiful. In Radcliffe Camera I advise climbing up the steps of St Marys Church, it costs a few pounds, but the views of the surrounding spires definitely make it worthwhile.

From Radcliffe Camera walk around Broad Street. This is a great street which is mostly closed to traffic so has a much more peaceful vibe than high Street which is dominated by buses. On Broad street you will see the famous Blackwells bookshop and the Sheldonian Theatre. There is also the ancient Bodleian library which houses every new book published.

Other great places to visit in Oxford

Oxford Spires

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

oxfordspires

Spires from South Parks looking towards centre of town.

oxfordspires

Three Spires peaking through mist.

oxfordspires

The dreaming spires of Oxford on a misty morning.

Oxford Light Evening

Watching the setting sun

Oxford spires at Sunset

oxfordspires

Oxford Spires

oxfordspires

Sheldonian and Exeter College Chapel

oxfordspires

Nuffield College and Wesley Memorial Church spire

Oxford Spires

Radcliffe Camera and St Mary’s University Church on the left. On the right Magdalen College Tower.

Picture taken autumn from the River Thames bank

The Dreaming Spires of Oxford, as the great Romantic poet Matthew Arnold said

And that sweet city with her dreaming spires,

She needs not June for beauty’s heightening,

….

Christ Church Meadow

Christ Church Meadow

Another shot of Radcliffe Camera and Magdalen College

Panorama of Oxford Spires from South Parks

Panorama of Oxford Spires from South Parks

Oxford Light Evening

Red sky at night.

oxfordspires

Oxford at sunset

Oxford Light Evening
Related

Best Sunflower Photos

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

sunflowers

Multi headed sunflowers in the Oxford Botanic gardens with Magdalen College Tower in the background

Sunflowers

Sunflowers

A field of Sunflowers, probably in Northern France

Tips for Growing Sunflowers at Gardeners Tips

Photos From Oxford Botanic Gardens

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

Set in the heart of Oxford by The High Street, the Oxford Botanic Gardens provides great views and a wonderful collection of plants. The gardeners work hard to provide season round interest and the beds are always kept in wonderful condition. The setting is great, in the background, Magdalen Tower dominates to the West, Merton College and Christ Church are visible. On the eastern side, the river Cherwell stately flows by. These are some photos from the Botanic gardens at different times of the year.

Rose Arch

Rose Arch

Fountain

Fountain

Tulips Botanic Garden

Tulips Botanic Garden

Magdalen Tower and Apple Blossom

Magdalen Tower and Apple Blossom


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