Hi Everyone! Welcome back to Wandering Camera, a monthly photo and art link-up. I am looking forward to sharing my travel and wandering photos with you, as well as seeing a bit of your world too. When I was hosting it before, I started sharing photos and an account of my visit to England in 2016. I love old architecture. Naturally, my travel started with exploring Oxford University and some of its architecture.
After visiting the Christ Church and Magdalen colleges, my husband and I walked up to Catte Street. At the very beginning of the street is the university church of St. Mary. The 90ft thirteenth century tower is the oldest part of the church, topped with a 101ft spire which was added in the early fourteenth century.
It was the end of the day, and we had just enough time to climb the 127 steps to the top of the tower, where you see the clock in the photo above. We were rewarded with a magnificent bird’s eye view of the city and the nearby colleges.
High Street down below, with the countryside in the distance
All Souls College along Catte Street
The Radcliffe Camera is in front of the church of St. Mary, with Catte Street on the right. It was designed by James Gibbs as a circular library, the very first of its kind in Britain. Now it is used as reading rooms of the Bodleian library.
Please click on the image thumbnails to see the photos.
I had to use my long lens to get a few close-up photos of the beautiful dome.
From my travel sketchbook – The Radcliffe Camera dome and the Sheldonian dome in the distance.
After enjoying the wonderful view, tea and cakes were in order at the cafe downstairs, with the beautiful Radcliffe Camera as our view. Afterwards, we walked up Catte Street toward the Sheldonian theatre. Once we reached there, I walked past Hertford Bridge on New College Lane to take a picture of the theatre dome framed by the curvature of the bridge.
The Sheldonian theatre was built between 1664 and 1669. It is not a theatre in the conventional sense but the principal assembly room of the university.
The reason it is called a theatre is because Christopher Wren was inspired by Roman theatres, and designed this D-shaped building so. However, load bearing columns in the centre space to support the ceiling would not be aesthetically pleasing. He avoided adding the columns by designing a roof truss that spanned the required 70ft, a great technical achievement in roof construction.
I have long been fascinated by Sir Christopher Wren’s work. A visit to the theatre was therefore a must for me and I had the most amazing time walking around and taking it all in in person.
I hope you enjoyed this very concise walk along the historic Catte Street in Oxford.
Here are my previous posts and photos from England, 2016 –
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49 thoughts on “Wandering Camera – Catte Street, Oxford”
dee September 18, 2021 at 18:55
Such charming buildings. <3
Will try to participate in Wandering Camera this month. :)
dee September 18, 2021 at 18:58
Oh! And I also wanted to tell you to check out the hike to ‘Wilbur’s Watch’ when you go towards Pigeon Point Lighthouse. It’s just a stone’s throw away and the view from the end of the trail is just awesome! It’s going to make you want to paint it. ;)
Karen Reekie September 12, 2021 at 12:53
I haven’t been to Oxford for a long time. It’s such a lovely place to visit. Must make a plan to go again. #mysundayphoto
handmade by amalia September 10, 2021 at 21:38
Love your sketch!
Amalia
xo
Heidrun September 10, 2021 at 07:34
Wonderful!
It’s always a pleasure meeting other blogsits at THE CORNER OF THE WORLD. I enjoyed reading, thank you for sharing.
Have a good week.
Darren Coleshill September 10, 2021 at 05:42
Oh Oxford looks beautiful, I’ve never visited there
Thank you for linking up to #MySundayPhoto
Lydia C. Lee September 6, 2021 at 13:15
I love those domes. Great water colour of it! Well done!
Sam September 6, 2021 at 11:40
What a beaitful city with so much history x #mysundayphoto
Sallie (FullTime-Life) September 5, 2021 at 18:20
I love coming back …this is such a great post with layers of fascination …today I concentrated on looking at how you interpreted your photos to create the painting. Lovely. Thanks for hosting and for your sweet comments .
Kim Carberry September 5, 2021 at 06:26
The architecture really is beautiful and the view from the top of the tower is amazing. x
Eileen September 5, 2021 at 03:16
Hello, Soma
Oxford is a beautiful city, I love your tour showing the architecture. The round library is a favorite. Lovely sketch and photos.
Take care, have a happy new week!
Carol September 5, 2021 at 02:56
Striking photos of historic buildings and I always love your sketches #MySundayPhoto
John Adams September 4, 2021 at 23:10
Ah, Oxford, the very area I grew up. The Radcliffe camera is amazing, but the inside is even more impressive. It even has a rubber floor so you do not disturb other readers. I didn’t know about the design of the Sheldonian Theatre. You’ve educated me! In fact, I’m slightly homesick!! Headed over from #MySundayPhoto
RachelSwirl September 4, 2021 at 11:47
I love your travel sketch book – you are such a talented photographer and artist! Wow thanks so much for sharing and for linking up with #MySundaySnapshot.
Lovely September 2, 2021 at 00:11
These pictures are beautiful, and I love that painting from your sketchbook!
xoxo
Lovely
Mascha August 31, 2021 at 09:18
Oxford is a truly great city, thankls for sharing your lovely photos
Glad, that Wandering Camera is back :)
Fun60 August 30, 2021 at 23:55
One of my favourite cities. Great photos.
Lady Fi August 30, 2021 at 23:14
Gorgeous shots.
Angie August 30, 2021 at 19:50
Soma – and thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!
Valerie August 30, 2021 at 17:39
Thank you for these charming reminders of Oxford. I lived there for 2 years in my early 20s (some 50 years ago!) and it was a fascinating “step back in time” experience. Like you, I so admire the beautiful architecture. Nice artwork too.
NatureFootstep August 30, 2021 at 13:28
I have never been to Oxford so I have not seem the Dome in person. Your scetch of the dome is gorgeous :)
Gillena Cox August 30, 2021 at 03:00
Awsesome photos Soms.
Good Monday and have a happy week.
Much❤love
betty - NZ August 29, 2021 at 14:54
I so love the architecture you found, the Camera is really awesome! Maybe I’ll get to see it for myself some day :)
Anne Sweet August 29, 2021 at 00:53
It’s a beautiful place and your photos are stunning, you did really well. I love your water colour too, so pretty.
Sarah MumofThree World August 28, 2021 at 23:00
Oxford is only about an hour from me, so we’ve visited and wandered around a few times. The buildings really are stunning! You’ve done well to get photos without crowds in them. It is always so busy there.
Angie August 28, 2021 at 21:24
Soma – I have been to all of these places, and your photos/description brought back so many memories! I especially remember climbing the steps of the tower – I have a scrapbook photo with a bunch of friends all squeezed onto the circular stairs!
Connie Griffin August 28, 2021 at 13:23
I so love the architecture of all buildings and these are wonderful, you have captured them so well. I love your drawing/painting of the domes, so great you were able to see it all in person, nothing better :)
Wendy K August 28, 2021 at 12:44
Great painting, I love Oxford, actually going there tomorrow for the food fair.
A ShutterBug Explores August 28, 2021 at 07:23
Marvelous sketch and great photos of Oxford ~ always fascinating architecture ~ Xo
Living in the moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Dixie August 28, 2021 at 06:53
Your photos are so lovely, Soma. What gorgeous architecture.
I love your painting too.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos.
Amy Johnson August 28, 2021 at 06:42
Wow! That architecture is amazing. We just don’t have anything like that here in America. Stunning!
Tammy A August 28, 2021 at 06:31
WOW gorgeous photos Soma, I love how you captured the fabulous architecture of Oxford! I love your painting too, it’s beautiful! Enjoy your weekend.
Tammy x
Veronica Lee August 27, 2021 at 20:22
Fabulous photos, Soma.
Love your beautiful painting.
Michelle Keltner August 27, 2021 at 15:35
Your photos are so beautiful. I cannot wait to travel again. I miss it so! Thank you for linking up and have a great week ahead.
Linda Calverley August 27, 2021 at 12:35
Lovely photos and art.
Christine August 27, 2021 at 11:57
Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos of Oxford, in case I never get there! Beautiful inspired sketch too.
Alison Hall August 27, 2021 at 08:39
Wonderful photos Soma, your painting has really captured the beauty of those beautiful domes.
Even though I’m only a few hours from Oxford, I’m ashamed to say that I’ve only visited once, and that was many years ago in my teens!
Wishing you a happy weekend,
Alison
Susan August 27, 2021 at 07:58
I always enjoy the pictures and descriptions of your trips. The very first picture above of the Radcliff Camera looks like a face to me. The later pictures are from a different angle and so I don’t see it as a face then. I love old architecture too.
Mary August 27, 2021 at 07:36
I always enjoy your travel photos, especially you British ones. You capture the history, beauty and life of the cities. Your attention to the details is spectacular. Gorgeous photos! I’m glad to see the revival of the Wandering Camera.
Tammie August 27, 2021 at 07:35
wonderful photos, love that architecture.
And a sweet painting in your sketchbook. Such a great way to remember being somewhere….. painting it.
riitta k August 26, 2021 at 23:05
Wonderful views of Oxford, a city I have never visited. You have so much history there! Nice that the Wandering Camera is back.
Valerie-Jael August 26, 2021 at 22:51
Beautiful art and photos, Oxford is such a lovely town. Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie
BLOGitse August 26, 2021 at 21:59
Beautiful – your photos and the painting. Thanks for sharing! Happy PPF!
Shasta August 26, 2021 at 19:26
Gorgeous photos! Looks like a wonderful place to visit. I was in Oxford once, and have a sweatshirt to prove it but I don’t remember much. I know I was cold (hence the sweatshirt) but I may not have been feeling well that day. I tend to put my photographs on my blog almost as soon as I take them so it is hard to find one post to link.
Sue August 26, 2021 at 16:03
Beautiful photos, bring back wonderful memories.
The Joyful Quilter August 26, 2021 at 12:59
Lovely photos, Soma, but I really like your little painting!
sallie rainville August 26, 2021 at 11:31
So wonderful. We need to go back to England!! Soma, I hope my link is OK.
Lavender Dreams August 26, 2021 at 10:41
I love the third photo best! But they are all beautiful and sure make me wish I could travel again. Maybe someday soon! At least we have lots to see here in Florida with our day trips. Enjoy your day my friend!
Michele Morin August 26, 2021 at 04:38
So wonderful! I visited Oxford back in 1989, and the timelessness of the city is part of the beauty!