Once you get over the zillions of tourists and the shopping areas, which boringly look much the same in every city in the UK, there are some real treasures to enjoy in both cities. If you keep well clear of the shops then you can find deserted streets and it does help to have a wonderful nephew at Oxford. Three years of local knowledge enabled us, that's Nick, myself, Liz and Jeremy, to thoroughly enjoy Jack's walking tour of this great city. We ate at The Old Bank then wandered from college to college, through little lanes and along quiet streets getting to know a little more about each college on the way.
Here is the first stop on Jack's tour.. Jack's college, St John's.
Is there some strange sign language going on here..? Or is it one of those rub your stomach and touch your nose moments..?
Funny little faces
Woo hoo, an embroiderer in Oxford!
Look what I found propping up a wall in Oxford! And the sign they were covering up said..
There has been a long history of rivalry between these two world famous cities. They are the two oldest Universities in Britain and have educated some notable figures. As Jack pointed out, Oxford came first. I didn't know but Cambridge was founded after Oxford scholars following a dispute, back in 1209. I learnt a lot yesterday!
Oxford has educated some of the best know Prime Ministers including David Cameron, Tony Blair, Margaret Thatcher, Edward Heath, Harold Wilson and more. Think of a world famous author, artist, scientist, sportsman, politician and it's highly likely that they were an Oxbridge student. The list is huge with names like Sir Christopher Wren, Samuel Pepys, Lewis Carroll, John Wesley, Albert Einstein, William Wordsworth, Lord Mountbatton, Tolkien, Roger Bannister, Richard Burton, John Betjeman, Oscar Wilde, TS Elliot, Sir Walter Raleigh, Oliver Cromwell, David Sheppard, Jethro Tull (at St John's no less.. that's one for Greg!), Bill Clinton and his daughter, Chelsea, Lord Sainsbury and Rupert Murdoch... the list goes on and on.
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