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Both great
universities deserve a look on an extended visit, but
Oxford’s but an hour away from London via a train from
Paddington Station, and it’s got the wonderful Ashmolean
Museum, with some of the better paintings in England and the
Bodleian Library with a copy of every book published in
England to fill the morning.
Sign on for a library guided tours, browse the
Ashmolean, or check out the wonderful local book and antique
shops until it’s time for an early lunch.
Afternoons,
when the 36 colleges scattered across the city generally open
for visitors from 2pm until 5pm , consider the “quads.”
Christ Church, with the biggest quadrangle and a bell
that bongs 101 times every evening at 9:05 deserves a look –
each bong represents one of the 1525 era students.
Magdalen
College has the best view of the Chartwell River and its own
park, but there are far too many colleges, college museums,
churches and others to cover in a day visit. So stroll or pole
along the river and check the action. You may find crews
stroking down the river, rugby or cricket players and all
sorts of other activities. If you overnight, and lodgings here are less expensive than
London, check on concerts and such with the Tourist
Information Center that’s across from the buss station
(01865/726-871).
Feel
adventurous? Pick
up a picnic in local shops and rent a punt at the Cherwell
Boathouse to pole along past colleges great and small – on a
nice sunny day you may need to call ahead to reserve
(01865/243-235).
TIP:
The river is not that fast, but it’s wise to pole upstream
so the trip back is eased.
Nothing beats a picnic under the willows. Just about anything beats falling into the river if you plant
your pole, it sticks and you don’t hold on.
So watch the local techniques – that’s poling
technique, not the under the willows necking.
TIP: The
Boathouse Restaurant runs to French cooking and half-price
kids means if it’s wet out. Local pubs are, as usual in
college towns, lively!
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