A couple of years back we finally made it to England.  What had kept me away was the predisposed knowledge that once I went to England, I would want to go back again and again.  My prediction did come true.  We did go back multiple times, not just to England, but to Scotland as well.   I would love to share our journey with you. 

My first time in England had to include the City of Oxford and its architecture.  I wanted to see the city which introduced me to so many of my favourite writers.  We only had a couple of days there, so instead of rushing through a lot of the city, we decided to take our time and savour just a few places.

First morning there, we walked up to Christ Church.

We were greeted by this beautiful Venetian Gothic Meadow Building, designed by T. N. Deane.

The pointed shape of the windows and the lancet arches reflect the style.  

I always enjoy a walk along a cloister.  These cloisters were build around 1499. 

Details of the cloister ceiling.  It reminds me of the green man motif.

The cathedral spire is the oldest surviving stone spire in England and has been part of the Oxford skyline since 1230.

We entered the Bodley Tower, named after the architect G. F. Bodley. It houses the staircase that leads to the dining hall.

The staircase was built in the 19th century.

The stunning medieval style ceiling, however, was built in 1638.

Entry to the beautiful Christ Church dining hall.

The Hall is part of the college’s original foundation built in Renaissance style.  The walls are adorned with portraits and there is a large fireplace on each side.

The beautiful hammerbeam ceiling was built by Humphrey Coke, Henry VIII’s chief carpenter. 

After descending the staircase we walked in to the Tom Quad taking in the view of the Bodley Tower from there.  We will continue on to the Tom Quad on the next Wandering Camera.

I have started keeping a travel sketch journal.  Here’s a quick sketch of a window of the Christ Church Meadow Building.

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