One of the oldest libraries in Europe, the Bodleian first opened to scholars in 1602, and incorporates an earlier library built in the 15th-century to house books donated by Humfrey, Duke of Gloucester. Since 1602 it has expanded, slowly at first but with increasing momentum over the last 150 years, to keep pace with the ever-growing accumulation of books, papers and other materials, but the core of the old buildings has remained intact. Known to many Oxford scholars simply as ‘the Bod’, The Bodleian Libraries are a actually collection of 28 libraries that serve the University of Oxford, and are still used by students and scholars from all over the world, as well as open for special guided tours a few hours a week.
Christ Church was founded initially by Thomas Wolsey in 1525 as Cardinal College, but after Wolsey’s fall from grace in 1529, but was refounded by King Henry VIII in 1546, as both a college of the University and the cathedral for the diocese of Oxford. The largest of the Oxford colleges, it's celebrated for its magnificent architecture, rich history, and academic excellence, and famous alumni include 13 Prime Ministers, Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), John Locke, and WH Auden.
The Great Quadrangle, also known as Tom Quad, is the largest quadrangle in Oxford and features beautiful stone buildings adorned with elaborate carvings and decorative details. The Tom Tower, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, stands at the entrance to the quad and houses the Great Tom bell, which rings 101 times each night. The Christ Church Dining Hall, famous for its grandeur and historical significance, it has also served as the inspiration for the Great Hall in the Harry Potter films, with its impressive wooden ceiling, long oak tables, and rows of portraits depicting notable alumni and figures associated with the college. The college has also inspired filmmakers, making many of its buildings and interiors famous around the world, being used in The Golden Compass, X-Men the TV detective series Inspector Morse, Lewis and Endeavour.
Original wooden door to the Bodleian Library
First opened to scholars in 1602, The Bod incorporates an earlier library built by the University in the 15th-century to house books donated by Humfrey, Duke of Gloucester
The atmospheric heart and the oldest library room of the Bodleian Library is the Duke Humfrey's Library which features a ceiling of beautifully painted panels with the arms of the University
The Duke Humfrey’s Library within the Bodleian houses early printed books and manuscripts
and the structure dates back to the 15th century
Some age old books in the Bodelian book shelves
Blue and red ceiling motif with stars conceals hidden lighting
Closeup of of the ceiling details
The private wing of the Library for students and professors
View from the Bodelian Library into the Old Schools Quadrangle
The Radcliffe Camera is a neo-classical building inside Oxford University,
and was built from 1737 to 1749 for the Radcliffe Science Library by James Gibbs
Considered one of the finest examples of the architectural style in England
With its circular shape, its central location, and its separation from other buildings,
the Radcliffe Camera is one of the most iconic buildings of Oxford University
View over the gardens to Christ Church College and Christ Church Cathedral
Lush gardens and flowers beautifully frame Christ Church Cathedral
The Meadow Quad of Christ Church, through which visitors enter and exit,
was built in the 19th century in the Venetian Gothic style
The elegant Bodely Hall Staircase may be familiar having been used in a number of film
and television projects including Lewis and Harry Potter
The dramatic fanned vaulting ceiling was installed in 1638 but the style is medieval
The Great Tudor Dining Hall is famous for its stained glass, 16th-century hammer-beam roof
and portrait collection
An inspiration for Hogwarts Dining Hall for all of the Harry Potter films
The Great Dining Hall is one of Oxford's most famous rooms
for Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, and it is said that Carroll's inspiration for Alice in Wonderland came from the daughter of the Dean of Christ Church College, Alice Lidell
According to Oxford legend, the fireplace andirons inspired a scene in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, as Lewis Carroll was a lecturer of mathematics at Christ Church, and this is where he would have dined
The walls are adorned with a number of portraits, each celebrating famous members of the college from WH Auden and Lewis Carol to Henry VIII at the far end who was the founder of Christ Church
One of the Dining Hall stewards
The Bodely Staircase was used to as the grand staircase of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft
and Wizardry in the Harry Potter films
The Great Quadrangle with the clock tower (Great Tom) designed by Sir Christoper Wren,
gives the quad it's nickname of Tom Quad
A groundskeeper mowing the lawn of Tom Quad by the ornamental pond with a statue of Mercury
Christ Church Cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in Oxford
c. 1400 and considered to be one of the finest examples of its type in any English Cathedral
A small cobbled lane leading up to Oxford High Street
The Carfax Tower, also known as St Martin's Tower, is all that remains of the 13th century church
The Ivy Oxford Brasserie is located in an old 1920's NatWest building on the High Street
No. 1 Ship Street Restaurant in Oxford with chef João da Silva
The colourful and comfy interior of No. 1 Ship Street,
Hugh Bonneville's favourite restaurant
A lovely glass of Champagne after a glorious day in Oxford
Whole Brixham Plaice with lemon and chive beurre blanc
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