myOxfordtravel, Oxford (2025)

17/04/2025

Red telephone boxes, an iconic part of British culture, began to fall out of widespread use in the 1980s and 1990s due to the rise of mobile phones and changing telecommunications technology. While they were still around in some areas into the early 2000s, many were removed or decommissioned.

The classic K6 model, designed in 1935 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, was the most common version seen across the UK. BT (British Telecom), which managed the boxes, began replacing or removing them in the late 20th century, especially after privatisation in 1984.

That said, some red phone boxes are still in use today, often repurposed as libraries, art installations, or even defibrillator stations, thanks to heritage and community interest. Maybe one day, someone will decide to make better use of this one!

14/04/2025

New & old architecture in harmony! The ‘new’ Blavatnik School of Government is the school of public policy of the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. The School was founded in 2010 following a £75 million donation from business magnate Len Blavatnik, supported by £26 million from the University of Oxford.

08/04/2025

Are you a runner looking for a holiday with a difference? Imagine waking up in a Tuscan villa, starting the day with a Pilates session, going for a run through stunning scenery, spending the afternoon savouring exquisite wines at a local vineyard, or learning how to cook an Italian meal or sightseeing around Sienna & then eating local Italian cuisine at dinner with a group of like minded women? Well you can! Kelly (our daughter), a keen Triathlete from Oxford has set up an exciting retreat for women near the beautiful City of Sienna & is taking bookings for this May & September. Find out more here:

https://tri2discover.com/tuscany-run-retreat/

08/04/2025

Broad Street in Oxford, England, is a historic and vibrant thoroughfare near the city center. It has long been associated with the University of Oxford, home to several colleges including Balliol, Trinity, and Exeter. In the 16th century, it was the site of the Oxford Martyrs’ execution—bishops Latimer, Ridley, and Cranmer—burned at the stake for their Protestant beliefs (you can see the commemorative cross on the road). Today, Broad Street is known for its bookshops, cafés, and historic buildings like the Sheldonian Theatre and the Clarendon Building. Its wide layout, unusual for Oxford, once served as a marketplace and remains a cultural and academic hub.

01/04/2025

The Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford is flanked by 17 striking stone heads, often called the “Emperors’ Heads.” Originally sculpted by William Byrd in 1669, these enigmatic figures were replaced in the 19th century and again in the 1970s. Their true identity remains uncertain—some believe they depict Roman emperors, while others suggest philosophers or mythical figures. Some say they are miserable because their creator, Christopher Wren wasn’t happy with the budget he was given to build the Theatre! Their stern expressions and weathered faces add to Oxford’s historic charm, watching over Broad Street for centuries.

😂

27/03/2025

Have you ever noticed the brick cross in Broad Street Oxford and why it’s there? It’s to commemorate the three Oxford Martyrs. They were three Protestant bishops—Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer—executed for heresy in 1555–1556 under Queen Mary I’s Catholic reign. Latimer and Ridley were burned at the stake on October 16, 1555, and Cranmer followed on March 21, 1556. Their deaths at Oxford’s Broad Street marked a pivotal moment in the English Reformation. Ridley and Latimer famously encouraged each other, with Latimer declaring, “We shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England as I trust shall never be put out.”

15/03/2025

The Radcliffe Camera, seen from inside the grounds of All Souls College is an iconic Oxford landmark, built between 1737 and 1749 to house the Radcliffe Science Library, funded by a bequest from physician John Radcliffe. Designed by James Gibbs in Palladian style, it became part of the Bodleian Library in 1860. Today, it serves as a reading room for Oxford University students, primarily in the humanities. Connected to the Bodleian’s underground book storage, it offers access to thousands of volumes. The building’s striking circular design and rich history make it one of Oxford’s most photographed sites, symbolizing the city’s academic heritage and architectural elegance.

05/03/2025

Blackwell’s Bookshop, located on Broad Street in Oxford, is one of the most famous and historic bookstores in the UK. Founded in 1879 by Benjamin Henry Blackwell, it has grown into an iconic literary institution, known for its vast collection of books, deep academic roots, and connections to some of the world’s most influential writers and scholars.

A Brief History
1879: Benjamin Henry Blackwell, the son of a local bookbinder, opened a small shop at 48 Broad Street with just £25 worth of stock.
Expanding Influence: It quickly became a hub for Oxford University students and professors, selling academic texts and rare books.
The Norrington Room: Opened in 1966, this underground space holds over 3 miles of bookshelves, making it one of the world’s largest single-room book collections.
Publishing Legacy: Blackwell’s expanded beyond bookselling into publishing, producing academic works under Blackwell Publishing.

25/02/2025

Oxford’s Bridge of Sighs, officially known as Hertford Bridge, is a skyway connecting two parts of Hertford College over New College Lane. Built in 1913–1914, it resembles the famous Venetian bridge but was not modeled after it. The bridge is a well-known Oxford landmark, often mistaken as a romantic symbol, though its purpose was practical—facilitating student movement. The bridge’s distinctive design and location make it a popular spot for tourists and photographers. A long-standing myth suggests students who pass beneath it fail their exams, though there is no basis for this superstition.

22/02/2025

Trinity College Oxford through its impressive wrought iron gates. Founded in 1555 – Trinity College was established by Sir Thomas Pope, a wealthy statesman and devout Catholic, who intended it to train clergy.

14/02/2025

The ornate gates of All Souls College, Oxford, are an iconic feature of this prestigious institution. These wrought-iron gates, located at Radcliffe Square, are a stunning example of Baroque craftsmanship, decorated with intricate scrollwork and crowned with elaborate finials. They provide a grand entrance to the college, which is known for its exclusivity—admitting only a small number of exceptional postgraduate fellows each year.

02/02/2025

The Sheldonian Theatre has hosted many famous performers and speakers since its opening in 1669. Some notable figures include:

Musicians & Composers: George Frideric Handel, Edward Elgar, Benjamin Britten, Leonard Bernstein.
Speakers & Writers: Oscar Wilde, J.R.R. Tolkien, Sir Christopher Wren, Bill Clinton.

13/01/2025

The Clarendon Building, an iconic structure in Oxford, England, was designed by Sir Nicholas Hawksmoor and completed in 1715. It was built to house Oxford University Press, funded by profits from Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon’s History of the Rebellion. The building features a striking neoclassical design, reflecting Hawksmoor’s architectural ingenuity. It served the press until 1830 and later became part of the Bodleian Library. Today, it remains a significant landmark in Oxford’s historic cityscape.

11/01/2025

Christchurch’s Meadow Building looking glorious in the winter sun. Lewis Carroll worked here teaching mathematics & wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland published in 1865.

07/12/2024

Festive High Street outside the Old Bank Hotel. The building has been occupied by several businesses, the last being Barclays Bank.

30/11/2024

Corpus Christi College, Oxford, founded in 1517 by Richard Foxe, Bishop of Wi******er, is one of the university’s smaller colleges. Originally established to promote classical learning and theology, it played a key role in the Renaissance and Reformation periods. Its notable alumni include John Keble and Isaiah Berlin.

04/11/2024

Christchurch looking glorious in the winter sun. The Meadow building was constructed in 1862–66

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Oxford City Walking Tours with a local
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01/11/2024

Oxford’s Radcliffe Camera, with its iconic dome and neoclassical architecture, has been a popular filming location in Oxford, featured in several films and TV series, especially when directors want to capture a scholarly or historic atmosphere. Here are some notable appearances:

1. The Golden Compass (2007) – Based on Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series, this film used the Radcliffe Camera to represent parts of Jordan College, the fictional university that Lyra attends.
2. The Red Violin (1998) – This film, which follows the journey of a mysterious violin through several centuries, uses Oxford as one of its locations, including scenes near the Radcliffe Camera.
3. The Saint (1997) – Starring Val Kilmer, this movie has a scene set in Oxford, and the Radcliffe Camera is featured in the backdrop.
4. X-Men: First Class (2011) – Although not directly in front of the Radcliffe Camera, several Oxford scenes feature iconic university landmarks, giving the sense of an academic setting, with shots capturing the area near the Radcliffe Camera.
5. Young Sherlock Holmes (1985) – Some scenes were filmed in Oxford, including locations near the Radcliffe Camera, to depict Holmes’s early years in an academic environment.

The Radcliffe Camera has also appeared in various TV series, including episodes of Inspector Morse, Lewis, and Endeavour, which often feature Oxford landmarks. Its unique look often serves to immediately convey an aura of tradition, academia, or mystery.
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