Oxford

I took a day trip to Oxford on Saturday.  Its about 60 miles northwest of London.  I got to the city around 12:30pm.  The city center is a 10 minute walk from the train station.  It was easy to find by following both the signs and the people traffic.  Broad street is a very wide streat with pedestrians, bikers and cars sharing the same space, as well as outdoor seating for diners of the resturants.

Broad Street                         

I first came upon Shelodnian theater. 

Sheldonian Theater

Situated behind the theater lies the Bodleian library, one of the oldest libraries in Europe. 

Bodleian library

Just behind the library lies Radcliffe Camera.  The word camera is taken from a latin word which means a circular room.  The dome of Radcliffe Camera is probably most distinct for its blue hue that stands out in the city's skyline.

.Radcliffe Camera

I walked down along Cattle Street and got to the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin.  You are able to climb up to dome to get an aerial view of the city but I couldn't find where. 

University Church of St. Mary the Virgin

I then went to Christ Church.College on Algate street.  This college has several claims to fame.  Lewis Carrol was a student of mathematics at this college.  Also the Great Hall is where scenes from Harry Potter were filmed.  Unfortunately, it was closed to visitors when I was there due to an event.  The college is unique in that it functioned as both a college (center for student education and living) as well as a cathedral.  It was founded by Henry VIII.

Christ Church Cathedral

Library of Christ College

Outside the college lies a large meadow that stretches to the Thames river which cuts through Oxford.

After visiting the college, I got lunch at Tescos and headed back up to Broad street to see the Ashmoleum museum.  Entrance is free.  The museum houses work from the Egyptian period, through 17th century European Art.

I wandered into a bookstore and got my old PI a postcard since she did her PhD at Oxford and I thought it would bring some nice memories.  Then it was time for my tour.

Seeing the Boldeian library was a real treat.  Everyone had to put their bags in a chest.  We weren't allowed to carry anything inside.  Our guide was an American, who apologized for not having an authentic british accent.  He's doing a PhD in history at Oxford.  The library is a deposit for all the books published in the UK.  This includes childrens books in case one day someone wants to study childs literatures.  Of course because there is a limited amount of space, the library across of it is being expanded and another one is being built somewhere in England.  Back in the day, the library had no book shelves.  Instead, books were displayed on a sort of table and students had to read the books standing up.  The books would be chained to the table.  He showed us an example of a book with a huge chain attached to its cover which was then chained to the shelf.  Students still use the books to this day.  Most of the books though are in Latin so these are very smart students!  It was really magical to be in the middle of this library with thousands of voulmes of huge books several hundred of years old.