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

Sunflowers

A field of Sunflowers, probably in Northern France

Tips for Growing Sunflowers at Gardeners Tips

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

Fountain

Tulips Botanic Garden

Magdalen Tower and Apple Blossom

Christ Church is one of the architectural highlights of Oxford university. Christ Church literally means the temple, house or Church of Jesus Christ. Originally Christ Church was part of the Abbey of St Frideswide but was taken over by Cardinal Wolsey at the height of his power. After Wolsey’s fall from grace it was rename the Henry VII college. After the establishment of the Church of England, in 1546, it was refounded as Christ Church Cathedral (formally titled The Dean, Chapter and Students of the Cathedral Church of Christ in Oxford of the Foundation of King Henry the Eighth) more popularly known as Christ Church College.

Christ Church in the winter afternoon sunset

Main Quad at Christ Church

Christ church cathedral and quad

Flooded Cricket pitch by Magdalen Bridge

Flooded botanic gardens

Rain stopped play. Flooding onto cricket pitch.

I took this after a rare snowfall in Oxford. It is towards the end of the afternoon with the sun setting. The photo has the impression of being in black and white (even though it is actually in colour). The dark branches point earily towards the centre of town, with just a few spots of blue sky appearing in top right hand corner.

This shot could hardly be different. Taken in the height of summer it radiates colour, light and lushness. It is a classic view of Oxford.

The Radcliffe Camera was designed by James Gibb in the English Palladin style. It was built between 1737-1749 initially to house the Radcliffe Science Library. It was paid for from the will of John Radcliffe.

Radcliffe Camera

Radcliffe Camera with the Bodleian in the background.

St Marys Church from Radcliffe Camera

Radcliffe Camera behind Magnolia Bush

Radcliffe Camera and All Soul’s College

Magnlia bush in full bloom

Radcliffe Camera with a light dusting of snow

Radcliffe Camera is a makeshift bike park for all the many bikes who come into the centre of Oxford

The imposing circular library and Brasenose college behind.

Radcliffe Camera and the University Church at night.

A moonlit All Souls and Radcliffe Camera.

Sunlight illumines Radcliffe Camera.

Shadows at Radcliffe Camera
The Radcliffe Camera is now used as an extension of the main Bodleian library, it houses many books in English, history and philosophy.

An estimated 20,000 people cycle into Oxford every day. It is the second most popular city for cycling after Cambridge. Despite the heavy number of buses, some parts of Oxford are conducive to cycling. For example, in the historic heart of Oxford many roads have been closed to cars creating more space for cyclists. Another feature of Oxford is the lack of car parking facilities, this makes cycling into town more convenient. Though if you look around, there also appears to be a shortage of cycle parking facilities.

A traditional style Oxford bike, parked underneath the bridge of sighs opposite the Sheldonian theatre.

What Use: Gain the world but lose your soul?

The Westgate Car park reminds me of the Communist architecture. Built (presumably) using utilitarian principles of cost savings and efficiency, it completely neglected any aesthetic qualities. The pathetic paint on the outside is a token gesture at trying to brighten up the most drab of all places. It stands as a monument to 1960s planning and a disdain for beauty.

Make Tea Not war.

Oxford is renowned for its beautiful buildings, but, in the post war period Oxford wanted to have some ugly buildings as well. We really transcended ourselves in creating some ugly buildings. These are some ugly buildings – it is even more painful when contrasted against some of the older more beautiful buildings of Oxford

This is the Westgate centre and carpark. Notice the beautiful, colourful old houses in the background. They only serve to highlight how ugly the Westgage centre is. What this picture can’t convey though is the foul smell that always seems to eminate from this dark place.

Buses provide a little colour to the grey buildings

Since Oxford had so many beautiful buildings, in the 1960s they thought – Why don’t we try to also have the most ugly buildings as well? The Westgate library is a really good example of how to ruin your city centre with the most ugly possible building.

Merton College Flats. In most surroundings these flats would be OK. Nothing special but not offensive. The problem is this corner of Oxford is stunning in its architecture and beautiful buildings. These flats are unsympathetic to the surrounding buildings and architecture.

A great example of the contrast between old and modern. The old fashioned pub is architecturally a delight. The new ‘Cult’ Building sticks out like an unpleasant eyesore. The contrast is shocking.

» Continue reading “Ugly Buildings of Oxford”

The Sheldonian theatre and a full moon.

At night the buildings of Oxford look very atmospheric and beautiful. These shots were taken with a full moon on a cold March evening. There is often an atmosphere of revelry at night as students unwind after a long day in the library. On broad street, traffic volumes fall significantly leaving the road dominated by pedestrians and cyclists. In the heart of Oxford, cars are noticeable by their absence at night.

Broad Street fairly empty at night

~

Radcliffe Camera on left, University Church ahead. Brasenose college on Right

~

The full moon creeps up behind the Radcliffe Camera.

~

Radcliffe Camera Library, with Brasenose College beyond.

~

Queens Lane, with All Soul’s College beyond the old wall.