Thank you for sharing so many personal anecdotes about Oxford on the previous Wandering Camera. Those stories give extra dimension to the places I visit and connects me a little more to the photos I take. Today I will continue with our visit to Chirst Church. Last time, I ended with exiting Bodley Tower and entering the Great Quadrangle.
The quad was started in the 16th century and left unfinished for a century. This would have been a cloistered area but that was left unfinished. The base structures for the cloisters are still visible. You can get an idea of how big the quad is, both from the previous photo and this one.
I specially wanted to see Christopher Wren’s work in person, hence my wish to visit Christ Church. He designed the clock tower over the St. Aldate’s gatehouse. The bell, Great Tom, gives the quad its informal name: Tom Quad.
Although this was supposed to be cloistered, I rather like the openness of the quad with the arches all around.
Inspired by all the gothic architecture there, I started working on a detailed painting. Here is a peek at the initial planning sketch.
Before exiting Tom Quad, we entered the Christ Church cathedral.
Following the arches, I love looking up to see the intricacy of cathedral ceilings.
This is the doorway of the chapter house – one of the oldest parts of the college – built in the 1200s. Sadly, the inside has been turned into a gift shop.
In contrast to the gothic Tom Quad, the Peckwater was built in the classical style of the Greek and Roman temple architecture. The Peck Quad houses the library.
From Christ Church, we perambulated toward Magdalen College.
We walked through some of the back paths. I smiled when I noticed how nature took it upon herself to soften the abundance of stonework in Oxford.
This is Dead Man’s Walk. The green plaque on the wall mentions James Sadler, who was the first English Aeronaut to successfully ascend in what is described as a “fire balloon” near this area. I love finding these little “notes” in old cities and colleges.
Purchase Red Telephone Box pattern
Inspired by the Oxford visit, I created this red telephone booth block to make a bag with it. This month I am joining Patty at Elm Street for One Monthly Goal. I hope to share more on that with you in the next couple of weeks.
Since I love to rummage through photos, I am linking up with monthly April Furtle @ Archie The Wonder Dog.
Posts On England Travel – 2016
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them.
41 thoughts on “Wandering Camera – Christ Church, Oxford, UK Part II”
Kim May 15, 2019 at 16:57
I loved wandering through your photos, Soma, catching a glimpse of this glorious architecture. For me, whose architecture in this country is relatively young, it is a delight to cast my eyes on ancient buildings. It is always a joy to look at a cathedral and it’s glorious stained glass windows. How sad there is a gift shop in the Chapter House. I must say I did smile where I saw those little flowers thriving in the crannies of those ancient stones. Indeed Nature reigns supreme.
Lydia C. Lee May 13, 2019 at 16:15
You appear to be a talented artist – can we see the finished work?
Tanza Erlambang May 12, 2019 at 18:50
great shots and lovely drawings
Have a wonderful day
Devon Dad May 10, 2019 at 08:11
Fantastic photos, especially love the stained glass window. Stained glass windows are amazing, can’t help but stare at them and enjoy the sunlight shining through.
Susan Mann May 10, 2019 at 05:06
Those photos are so lovely and I love the drawings too x
Sheryl May 7, 2019 at 21:32
Wow Soma what beautiful buildings ,great pics,thankyou for sharing with us xx
Beth May 4, 2019 at 14:31
What wonderful photos–one could imagine movies being shot in that beautiful place. Your artwork is spectacular, too.
gillena May 4, 2019 at 08:59
Stunning architecture. Your pencil sketch is lovely. Thanks for sharing
Muchlove
Patty May 4, 2019 at 05:35
Your pictures are gorgeous and I love your block! Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and good luck with your project.
Nicole/DVAtist May 3, 2019 at 11:46
Just lovely
Katie May 3, 2019 at 11:01
Beautiful photos you’ve captured!
Mary @ Over 40 and a Mum to One May 3, 2019 at 09:18
I really need to explore Oxford more seeing as we live so close #SundaySnap
Linda Kunsman May 3, 2019 at 08:34
the architecture is just stunning! I’ve always especially loved the gothic style. Love the pic of the flowers growing between the stones on the wall:) And what a great looking fabric piece with the red phone box! Happy PPF!
Christine May 3, 2019 at 07:34
Lovely photos!
Hazel May 3, 2019 at 04:09
How fascinating! I’ve had a wander around Cambridge and Ely, but never Oxford. The architecture is incredible, and I too, smile when I see Nature taking roothold in walls like this. I enjoyed this virtual tour and thank you for linking up to the Furtle with your wonderful photos.
Hazel
Tracey May 2, 2019 at 23:51
A beautiful place to sit amongst that magnificent architecture and absorb those finer details. Love your red phone box block!
Happy PPF Tracey.
Alex May 2, 2019 at 07:04
Really lovely photos
Tammie May 1, 2019 at 11:20
Wonderful photographs. I do enjoy old architecture! The flowers on the wall are beautiful.
And your art promises to be quite attractive!
My Corner of the World May 1, 2019 at 00:11
Each and every photo that you have share from Christchurch has been spectacular! And the red telephone box is so cute. :) Thanks for joining and making My Corner of the World a success!
BillieBee April 30, 2019 at 21:27
Lovely structures. You take the best photos. I have your pattern. It’s one of my favorites.
Bonnie in Va April 30, 2019 at 18:54
Your photos make me want to go to Oxford. We’ve played tourists in London and Scotland a bit but really haven’t gotten far off the beaten track so to speak. Thanks for sharing these gorgeous pictures. Do you sometimes paint the cathedrals and buildings?
Photo Cache April 30, 2019 at 10:19
Incredible photos. I would love to see this someday with my own eyes, fingers crossed.
Little Wandering Wren April 30, 2019 at 01:14
What wonderful pictures, Oxford is a very special place for me and you have captured its essence really well – thank you.
Thanks for the link up too
Michelle April 29, 2019 at 13:59
The intricate architecture of these old buildings is amazing! I also find the arches particularly striking. The stained glass is always lovely. I had no idea that there were European builders in Christ Church as early as the 1200s. So fascinating!
Denise April 29, 2019 at 12:37
Wonderful photos.
Lynette April 29, 2019 at 11:12
Wow!! What an amazing ceiling – It seems impossible that it holds all of itself up century after century!~
Lydia C. Lee April 28, 2019 at 13:59
Such granduer. Lovely
nessjibberjabberuk April 28, 2019 at 13:47
That is a huge quad! I always a bit sad when I see these of buildings now as I know nothing like it will ever be built again. I love your telephone box pattern. I have quite a thing for street furniture and red is my favourite colour so I have prints and photos of telephone and post boxes all over the house!
riitta k April 26, 2019 at 21:52
Beautiful photos of Oxford – thank you for linking at Friday Bliss. Wishing sunny weekend.
Sandra Walker April 26, 2019 at 16:36
Soma, I am so glad Lara of Buzzin’ Bumble introduced me to you! (I miss her). I am again excited to read this as I’d love to get to Oxford this summer when we’re in England. Anyhow, gorgeous photos; I, too, love following the lines of the gothic cathedrals up to the jaw-dropping ceilings. I marvel at the intricacies, the precision, the creativity. 1200s…just watched a programme on TVOntario (similar PBS) on excavations at a castle in Wales where they determined the age of the chapel to be early 1200, like first decade, fascinating, and awe-inspiring. Love the flowers helping to soften all the stonework.
A ShutterBug Explores April 26, 2019 at 15:28
All very lovely ~ my favorite is the delicate flowers on the wall ~
Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
christine April 26, 2019 at 13:22
Amazing photos, hope I can get there one day.
Frédérique April 26, 2019 at 10:37
Magnificient building! Ilove your Red Telephone block!
Angie April 26, 2019 at 09:12
More wonderful memories of Oxford – thank you. My favorite picture is “nature softening the rock walls.” So glad you are hosting Wandering Camera!
Carol April 26, 2019 at 08:10
Beautiful architecture – thanks for the tour!
Lady Fi April 25, 2019 at 22:47
Gorgeous shots!
Masha April 25, 2019 at 21:43
Wow, that is truly spectacular (wish, I could visit it)! Ads a very pretty patchwork you’ve done.
Enjoy springtime, geetings from Germany :)
Andrée G Faubert April 25, 2019 at 20:32
Thanks for the rest of the Oxford visit Soma. It’s so beautiful. And good luck with your One Monthly Goal!
Dixie April 25, 2019 at 14:20
A wonderful tour, Soma. I love all the stone work. The ceilings in the cathedral are amazing.
Nature’s a wonder. Such tenacity of those wee flowers. So pretty.
Your block will look great on a bag.
Barbara April 25, 2019 at 12:40
Beautiful photos. I’ll probably never get to that part of the world, and so I enjoyed seeing them.
Mary April 25, 2019 at 08:52
You should be a tour guide to some of these places you visit. You always point out the detail so easily missed by the untrained eye. Beautiful pictures, Soma.