After our thrilling and gory end to London, we weren't sure what we would do on our last day. After we got home and realized James was back to 100%, we had a quiet meal before getting ready for our last day out. We decided not to go to Bath (our original plan) because it was a 2 hour drive from our house and just seemed like too much to pack in to our last day. After realizing there were still a few things we wanted to see in Oxford, we decided to spend the first part of the day in Oxford and then drive to Stratford-Upon-Avon for dinner.
We went straight to Christ Church College, a visitor's favorite and home to many scenes from Harry Potter. It was founded in 1524. Some of its famous students include John Locke, John Wesley, William Penn, W. H. Auden, Lewis Carroll, and (for a short time) Albert Einstein taught there.
Joey had really looked forward to punting in Oxford but we had a hard time fitting it in our schedule. With another morning in Oxford, we headed to the boats and a little time rowing on the River Isis.
We walked down Merton Street (seen in the picture above), where J.R.R. Tolkien lived towards the end of his life in the 1970s. We also made a last trip to Blackwell's, walking past University College (see below), where Lewis was an undergraduate.
We wandered through town before heading to dinner at Pen & Parchment, which seemed like a fitting place to eat in the home of the Bard.
Finally, we drove back to Clifton for a final night in our wee vacation home, the Stables. All in all, a wonderful trip down to England!
We went straight to Christ Church College, a visitor's favorite and home to many scenes from Harry Potter. It was founded in 1524. Some of its famous students include John Locke, John Wesley, William Penn, W. H. Auden, Lewis Carroll, and (for a short time) Albert Einstein taught there.
Part of the stairs from Hogwarts
The Dining Hall, which also inspired the Harry Potter movies
Christ Church Chapel, an active Anglican parish
back at the oars!
a view of Oxford from the boat
Our route on the Isis took us under the High Street Bridge. The tower belongs to Magdalen College.
Having crossed punting off of our list, we did a last bit of wandering around Oxford.
lovely Oxford
After Oxford, we hit the road for Stratford-Upon-Avon. We drove through this quaint town on our first day and decided it would make the perfect, restful end to our trip. Our first stop was to see Shakespeare's birthplace. We figured the boys wouldn't be interested in the tour and settled for a picture of the outside and the gift shop.
a view of the city center
Obligatory Phone Booth Photo
1 comment:
I'm amazed you found a red phone booth. They're vanishing from the UK landscape what with the market penetration of cell phones. Also the one sin the country are better for kids. None of the "ahem" business cards you would find in the London ones.
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