Oxford: Colleges
At Oxford, probably the most logical place to begin is with its colleges. There are 36 of them; all were founded between the 13th and 16th centuries, and all have splendidly preserved period architecture. Every undergraduate student enrolls in one of them; the University subsequently conducts examinations and confers degrees. Walking around the old city of Oxford it is hard to believe that so many colleges can be contained within such a relatively small area. Most of the colleges' buildings surround one or more interior courts, and most of them allow visitors' access, at least at certain hours, sometimes with a small fee.
Christ Church College
I didn't visit Christ Church College, but while exploring the city before our program began I passed by this "Meadow Building" of the college, which is certainly massive, and looks like it is fit enough to withstand the approaching storm (below).
Keeble College
A former police chief of Oxford offers our group a walking tour of the old city (while it rains, of course). We pass by St. Giles Church (left) and start with Keeble College (right).
Keeble College courtyard, above, and dining hall, below.
Details: stained glass windows of dining hall, and exterior facade.
Trinity and Wadham Colleges
We pass by Trinity College, but it is closed to visitors.
Wadham College is officially closed too, but our guide gets us in.
We pass by this monument of Sir John Portman, Baronet, who died in 1624 at age 19 while an undergraduate at Wadham. Our guide then addresses us in the college chapel.
Some of the stained glass windows of the chapel.
Oriel College
On a subsequent evening a pair of undergraduates offer to show us some of Oriel College. It is raining again, of course.
Three courtyards of Oriel College: northenmost (top left), middle (below) and southernmost (above).
Chapel and stained glass (above); our hosts pose at the door (below) before we adjourn to a nearby pub.
Oriel, Brasenose, All Souls and Lincoln Colleges Seen from Church Tower of St. Mary the Virgin
Directly south, we see Oriel College again, this time from above.
To the northwest we see Brasenose College.
All Souls College is seen close by to the northeast.
To the southwest is Lincoln College, with red roofs. Beyond is the spire of All Saints Church, which now serves as the Lincoln College library.
St. John's College
We pass by St. John's College (above) frequently in walking between Rewley House (where our classes are) and the center of Oxford.