Destination: BRITAIN | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Sights*
Ashmolean Museum
* Christ Church * Museum of Oxford * The Oxford Story * Pitt Rivers Museum * St. Mary the Virgin * University Museum of Natural History * University of Oxford Botanic Garden |
Christ Church
Oxford's largest college, Christ Church, is the most visited of all the university's colleges. Entry is gained through a turnstile
by the War Memorial Gardens in the street known as St. Aldates, where college “bulldogs,” immaculately dressed custodians
in bowler hats, cheerfully order you around.
The present cathedral dates from the 12th century. Among its many fine features are exquisite stained-glass windows. Tom Quad
is Christ Church's glorious central quadrangle; Mercury Pond, with Mercury Fountain at its center, adds an elegant accent.
The figure of Mercury sports tiny patches of well-watered moss and often sprouts neckties and other “dress” donated by students.
The entrance to Tom Quad and to Christ Church is the mighty gate tower, Tom Tower, that holds a massive seven-ton bell, Great
Tom. Visit Christ Church's vaulted Great Hall, the Picture Gallery of Old Master paintings and drawings, and Canterbury and
Peckwater quadrangles.
Address:
St. Aldates
Phone: College and cathedral: 01865 276942; Picture Gallery: 01865 276172 Open: College and cathedral: Mon.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. 1-5. Picture Gallery: Mon.-Sat. 10:30-5, Sun. 2-5, Apr.-Sep.; Mon.-Sat. 10:30-4:30, Sun. 2-4:30, rest of year Bus: 2, 4, 13, 15, 22 Admission: College and cathedral £2-£6; Picture Gallery Inexpensive Info: May close unexpectedly at any time and for several weeks at a time |
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