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Oxford, Oxfordshire
England

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oxford university, christ church college, England

Christ Church college, Oxford University.

Oxford's grand, tranquil colleges in the centre of this large city are, in a similar way to Cambridge but more so, surrounded by the unfortunate trappings of modern life - traffic, hideous concrete office structures, monotonous suburban housing and light industry.
Still, once you battle through the encircling modern mess the ancient university core is delightful, easily walkable and rewarding with open green spaces offered by Christ Church Meadow, adjacent to Christ Church and Merton colleges and providing very pleasant walks along the Cherwell or Thames [known as the Isis in Oxford] rivers.

oxford university, a royal sponsor

Delicate though decrepit carvings of Oxford University's early royal sponsors, England.

Stratford-upon-Avon photos

Oxford's main sightseeing attractions:
- Carfax crossroads and its tower on the High Street is a common starting point for a walking tour.
- just south of High Street Christ Church college [pictured above] is the university's biggest college, built in 16th century and partly designed by Christopher Wren [architect of London's St Paul's Cathedral], with several spectacular buildings including a Norman cathedral.
- Merton college, separated from Christ Church Meadow by the hardly tragic Dead Man's Walk, is one of the University's most attractive.
- up Rose Lane to Magdalene College and punt rental is available on the River Cherwell.
- north of High Street is Oxford's best known sight, the circular Radcliffe Camera building.
- the renowned Bodleian Library [guide tours only].
- another Christopher Wren contribution, the Sheldonian Theatre.
- last but definitely not least, the magnificent Ashmolean Museum is home to some terrific ethnic antiquities such as Egyptian, Chinese and Islamic, as well as fine European paintings.

The main train station is about ten minutes walk from the city centre. Bicycles are an excellent way to travel around the university and easily rentable.

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