Oxfordshire
Oxford
State
Country
England
Continent
Europe
Size
46 KM2
Population
152,450
Spending Budget
$900 - $2,000
Famous For
- Oxford University
- Dreaming Spires
Best Time to Visit
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
History
Oxford was first settled by the Anglo-Saxons and was initially known as Oxnaford, meaning "ford of the oxen". During the First World War, the population of Oxford changed. The number of University members was significantly reduced as students, fellows and staff enlisted. By the early 20th century, there was rapid industrial and population growth, with the printing and publishing industries becoming well established by the 1920s. In 1929 the boundaries of the city were extended. During the Second World War, Oxford was largely ignored by the German air raids during the Blitz, primarily as Hitler had plans to make Oxford the new capital city.
Present Day
Oxford is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. The city is home to the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world, and has buildings in every style of English architecture from late Anglo-Saxon. Oxford's industries include motor manufacturing, education, publishing, information technology and science. The influx of migrant labour to the car plants and hospitals, recent immigration from south Asia, and a large student population, have given Oxford a notably cosmopolitan character. Oxford is one of the most diverse small cities in Britain.
Future
Oxford City Council and the city's Nuffield College are joint partners in OxWED, which wants to develop the 15-acre site between Oxpens Road and the River Thames. A new amphitheatre could also be built in the mixed-use neighbourhood in the "highly sustainable location". This project could bring more than 3000 more jobs to the people, reducing unemployment rates. It also adds almost 300 new homes to the market.
Oxford City Centre
Oxford City Centre is home to world-renowned Oxford University colleges, such as Christ Church and Magdalen, bordering peaceful parks and meadows. Millions of books are stored in the landmark Bodleian Library. The Ashmolean Museum displays Egyptian mummies and classical sculptures, while weapons, masks, and pottery fill the cabinets at Pitt Rivers Museum. Indie food stalls line the 18th-century Covered Market.
University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
The University Church of St Mary the Virgin is an Oxford church situated on the north side of the High Street. It is the centre from which the University of Oxford grew and its parish consists almost exclusively of university and college buildings. St Mary's possesses an eccentric baroque porch, designed by Nicholas Stone, facing High Street, and a spire which is claimed by some church historians to be one of the most beautiful in England. Radcliffe Square lies to the north and to the east is Catte Street. The 13th-century tower is open to the public for a fee and provides good views across the heart of the historic university city.
Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is the cathedral of the Anglican diocese of Oxford, which consists of the counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. It is also the chapel of Christ Church at the University of Oxford. This dual role as cathedral and college chapel is unique in the Church of England. Christ Church Cathedral is one of the smallest cathedrals in the Church of England. The nave, choir, main tower and transepts are late Norman. There are architectural features ranging from Norman to the Perpendicular style and a large rose window of the ten-part (i.e. botanical) type.
Christ Church College
Christ Church is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Christ Church is a joint foundation of the college and the cathedral of the Oxford diocese (Christ Church Cathedral and its cathedral school), which serves as the college chapel and whose dean is ex officio the college head. Founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, it is one of the larger colleges of the University of Oxford. It is also among the wealthiest colleges with an endowment of £577.6m as of 2019. Christ Church has a number of architecturally significant buildings including Tom Tower, Tom Quad, and the Great Dining Hall which was also the seat of the parliament assembled by King Charles I during the English Civil War.
Magdalen College
Magdalen Collegeis a constituent college of the University of Oxford. It was founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete. Today, it is the fourth wealthiest college. The large, square Magdalen Tower is an Oxford landmark, and it is a tradition, dating to the days of Henry VII, that the college choir sings from the top of it at 6 a.m. on May Morning. The college stands next to the River Cherwell and the University of Oxford Botanic Garden. Within its grounds are a deer park and Addison's Walk.
Radcliffe Square
Radcliffe Square is a square in central Oxford, England. It is surrounded by historic Oxford University and college buildings. The square is cobbled, laid to grass surrounded by railings in the centre, and is pedestrianised except for access. The centrepiece of the square is the circular and imposing Radcliffe Camera, a library (originally for science) paid for by John Radcliffe's legacy, built 1737–48. The square is widely regarded as the most beautiful in Oxford, and is very popular with tourists. There are no modern buildings to be seen, so it is also used as a setting for period films.
Sheldonian Theatre
The Sheldonian Theatre, located in Oxford, England, was built from 1664 to 1669 after a design by Christopher Wren for the University of Oxford. The building is named after Gilbert Sheldon, chancellor of the University at the time and the project's main financial backer. It is used for music concerts, lectures and University ceremonies, but not for drama until 2015. The building seats between 800 and 1000 people and is on the grounds of part of the Bodleian Library adjacent to Broad Street.
Ashmolean Theatre
The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology on Beaumont Street is the world's second university museum and Britain's first public museum. Its first building was erected in 1678–1683 to house the cabinet of curiosities that Elias Ashmole gave to the University of Oxford in 1677. The present building was built between 1841 and 1845. The museum reopened in 2009 after a major redevelopment. In November 2011, new galleries focusing on Egypt and Nubia were unveiled. In May 2016, the museum opened new galleries of 19th-century art.
History of Science Museum
The History of Science Museum in Broad Street, Oxford, England, holds a leading collection of scientific instruments from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The museum building is also known as the Old Ashmolean Building to distinguish it from the newer Ashmolean Museum building completed in 1894. The museum was built in 1683, and it is the world's oldest surviving purpose-built museum. The museum is open to the general public every afternoon except Mondays, with free admission.
Martyr's Memorial
The Martyrs' Memorial is a stone monument positioned at the intersection of St Giles', Magdalen Street and Beaumont Street. It commemorates the 16th-century Oxford Martyrs. The monument was built 300 years after the events of the English Reformation and commemorates the Bishop of Worcester Hugh Latimer and Bishop of London Nicholas Ridley, who were burned nearby on 16 October, 1555 after having been convicted for heresy because of their Protestant beliefs after a quick trial.