Boat trip to Abingdon and other Oxford, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

When you have seen all the colleges and got tired of the hustle and bustle of Oxford, it might be relaxing to go on a boat trip on the Isis, which is the local name for this part of the Thames. The meadows offer lovely views, the wildfowl carefully avoid your boat but keep nearby in case you feed them any crumbs and you can see some interesting locks on the way.
People from the often beautifully decorated narrowboats wave to you as they pass. On the way back it may be interesting to get off at Iffley Lock and see the mediaeval church at Iffley. (see the off-the-beaten-path tip).

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Phone: for the boats: Oxford 243421
Address: The boats depart from Folly Bridge, Oxford
Directions: Right beside Folly Bridge

Merton Street is well worth the short walk from the High Street via Oriel Street or Magpie Lane. It has been saved from modern development, keeping the old cobbled road surface, traditional streetlights, and no poles, wires or TV aerials, and very restricted traffic. That is why it has often been used for film sets in period films, such as 'American Friends' (1991), 'Black Beauty' (1994), 'Oscar and Lucinda' (1996), 'Iris' (2001).
The west end of the street is closed by a classical gatehouse, the exit from the college of Christ Church. There are two other colleges facing the street: Corpus Christi (founded 1517) and Merton College and its chapel (1264), which looks like a fortress with its high walls, battlements and gatehouse. There is a beautiful carving above the entrance showing a woodland scene with animals. The colleges are generally open to visitors in the afternoons. Apart from the colleges, you can see several medieval houses there and round the corner at the far end of Merton Street the imposing 'examination schools' where students take their university exams.
You can leave Merton Street area through the wrought-iron gateway leading to Christ Church Meadow.

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Directions: From the High Street via Oriel Street or Magpie Lane

Founded in 1379, so not new at all as the name would suggest, this is my favourite of all the Oxford colleges. The peace of its Cloisters with the Bell Tower and its lovely Garden dominated by the Mound make it a lovely place to rest in on a hot summer day. In summer there are theatre performances staged in the Garden and watching a Shakespeare's play staged in these unusual surroundings, can be an unforgettable experience.

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Directions: The Front Gate is in New College Lane but it is rarely opened - the usual entrance is from Holywell Street
Website: http://www.ox.ac.uk

In the midst of a busy city, New College Lane is a secluded alley leading to one of the two entrances to New College. It runs between the outer wall of the Cloisters on one side and the Warden's Barn on the other. It's hard to believe this is the front gate of the college and hard to find as well in the labyrinth of Oxford streets. Above the Front Gate is the statue of the Virgin, as the true name of the college is 'the St Mary College of Winchester in Oxford'. To the right of the Virgin is the statue of William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England, who founded New College in 1379. The gate leads to the Front Quadrangle, where, on paying the entrance fee, a very nice warden will give you directions where to go next. I have heard this gate is closed most of the time but on my three visits to the College it was always open.

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Address: New College Lane
Website: http://www.ox.ac.uk

The Garden of New College, Oxford is enclosed on two sides by the 12th century City Wall of Oxford. The founder of the college, William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England, formally agreed to maintain the City Wall when he acquired the land on which to build the College. Every three years the Lord Mayor and Corporation of the City of Oxford take a walk along the Wall to make sure that the obligation is being fulfilled. The Wall provides a lovely background for the beautiful New College gardens.

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Address: The Garden of New College, Oxford
Website: http://www.ox.ac.uk

New College Gardens are worth the walk along the Old Town Wall. In the middle of the gardens there is the Mound, which, unfortunately, you are not allowed to climb. But, as in most colleges, you can walk or even lie down on the lawn. There are also seats in the nooks of the wall, ideal places for study or for enamoured couples seeking privacy. On summer evenings, Shakespeare's plays are sometimes staged on the lawn.

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Website: http://www.ox.ac.uk

This grandest of all the Oxford colleges was founded on the site of the Priory of St.Frideswide, the patron saint of Oxford. Founded as Cardinal's College by Thomas Wolsey in 1525, four years later it was taken over by king Henry VIII, who gave it the name of Christ Church in 1546. It is probably the only college in the world that comprises a cathedral. Christ Church is famous for its interesting architecture, some of which dates back to the twelfth century. Its members include Gladstone, Lewis Carroll, the author of 'Alice in Wonderland' and John Locke. The founders of Christchurch in New Zealand were former members of the college too.
The Great Quadrangle that you can see in the picture, popularly Tom Quad, was originally designed as cloistered - the outlines of the planned cloisters still remain there. In the middle there is a fountain with the statue of Mercury. In the background you can see Fell Tower with the statue of Dean John Fell, who greatly added to the college construction. He cannot have been loved by his contemporaries though. As the popular poem goes:
I do not like you, Dr Fell,
The reason why I cannot tell,
But this I know full well,
I do not like you, Dr Fell.

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Directions: Enter through the Meadow Building, the guard at Tom Tower will show you the way.
Website: http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/

Tom Tower is probably the best-known part of Christ Church, facing St Aldate's on one side and being part of the Great Quadrangle, popularly called Tom Quad, on the other. It looks like the main, and very imposing, gateway to the college. Not for tourists, though. If you don't have a pass issued to local residents only, walk on and then turn left into the Memorial Gardens gate, where you will find signposts for the college.
The Tower itself is worth a second look from the inside though. Designed in 1681 by Sir Christopher Wren, whom you will know as responsible for the design of St. Paul's Cathedral, the Greenwich Observatory and many London churches, it is a real masterpiece, imposing and exquisite at the same time.
If you happen to be near it at 9.05 pm any day of the week, you will hear the seven ton bell it houses, Great Tom, strike 101 times, once for each of the original members of the college. Why at 9.05? Because Christ Church observes its own real time, five minutes behind GMT, as Oxford lies five minutes west of Greenwich. So, if you are a little late for Mass or a concert at the Cathedral, as I was once, you are bound to get a surprise - you will still be on time.

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Address: St Aldate's
Website: http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/

Wadham College was founded in 1612 within four years of the death of its founder, Nicholas Wadham, a Somerset landowner. His 75 year-old widow, Dorothy, carried out this provision in his will against all odds. The statues of both the founders can now be seen above the main doors together with that of the then reigning monarch James I. Designed by William Arnold, the college is built in Gothic style but with some decorative Renaissance elements. The windows were, however, altered in the 17th century.

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Phone: 01865277900
Address: Parks Road, Oxford OX13PN
Website: http://www.ox.ac.uk

The quadrangle of Wadham College was gravelled at first and the lawn dates only from 1809. In summer it becomes a stage for theatrical performances, often of Shakespeare's plays. You can't take pictures during the performance so I took one afterwards. The college can boast one of the most beautiful gardens, with some very old trees and pleasantly cool on a hot day. On some days the gardens are open to the public free of charge.

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Phone: 01865277900
Address: Parks Road, Oxford OX13PN
Website: http://www.ox.ac.uk