If you are looking for a side trip from London or Southampton, Oxford is a mere 57 miles northwest of London. In fact – bag the side trip and plan to spend about a week or more exploring Oxford and venture from there to the Cotswolds and Cambridge. This is another addition to the wish list along with the NC 500 in Northern Scotland!

 Unfortunately, this trip only allowed for that quick day trip from Southampton to Oxford but did a great job of whetting the appetite. The city of Oxford dates back to the 12th century but it is the university that has given the city its identity since it first opened its doors in 1263. And the university is actually a collection of 38 colleges, all acting on their own with their own support/financial arrangements and contributing to many shared university properties. Many of the colleges do NOT open to the public or only do so on a limited basis. A walking tour of the city is a fantastic way to get the lay of the land and to learn about the composition of the University. It may also provide a glimpse into one or more of the colleges as the “Oxford Walking Tours” adventure did on this particular day. Come on in to the Trinity College grounds – –

Every college has its own chapel, as it is the center of the college and showiest for all the world to see;-) It also has dorms, a library and eating facility. There really aren’t classrooms as students receive syllabi and it is up to them to complete the studies reporting to their advisor as required. Significantly different from US universities.

Not far from Trinity is The Bodleian Library, one of the oldest libraries in Europe and a member of the Bodleian Libraries group. This group of libraries hold over 13 million printed items and includes major research libraries, and libraries attached to faculties, departments and other institutions of the University. The Bodleian Library is known by Oxford scholars simply as ‘the Bod’ and is used by students and scholars from all over the world.

Walking from ‘the Bod’ to the true center of the University – the Radcliffe Camera – one passes under Oxford’s ‘Bridge of Sighs’. The Radcliffe Camera is a working library and part of the central Bodleian Library complex.

Across from the Radcliffe Camera is the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin, the official church of the University of Oxford since the 1200’s. Of course, the interior is exquisite!

On another side of the quad around Radcliffe Camera resides All Souls College. Founded in the 1430’s, this college is dedicated to advanced study and research bringing together Fellows engaged in world-leading research and supports them with an outstanding library and archive.

Wandering the streets of a town provides wonderful sights and Oxford is no exception. Its streets are quite lively. There is a bustling Oxford Market and a delightful restaurant called The Ivy for a lovely, quiet lunch retreat;-)

And then there is Blackwell’s – Oxford’s oldest, largest and best bookshop. It is spread over four floors and has FIVE miles of shelving!! You can get lost in here – –

Time to head back to the ship and end the day here in Oxford. But, one last call before heading out;-)

A fascinating day in Oxford but only a tiny glimpse of what is there to investigate. Have to come back on that ‘wish list’ trip sometime in the future.

E & G – In awe of a fantastic city and institution!