Christ Church Cathedral

It was a rainy day in Oxford but we forged ahead even though we had to walk 1/2 mile to the the mental hospital to catch our taxi because
aforementioned hotel blockade. Wow doing the media headset tour was a great addition to the tour. Seeing the Tom Quad and the famous dining
hall that's in the Harry Potter movie was amazing. The cathedral was breathtaking; you could just feel and smell the history of this religious place.

Takes up a whole city block! They try to charge you £15 to enter which is way to steep. Tell them that you are not a tourist and you are there for a purpose and you can enter without having to pay. Of course leave a nice donation while inside. The courtyard reminds me of some I have seen in Spain and Portugal. The opening hours are limited, so plan ahead.

If you visit Christ Church, the Cathedral is one of the first buildings you come across after crossing the quad. Entry is included in the Christ Church price and it's well worth looking around. It's incredible that this is 'just' a college chapel, as its architecture rivals that of other cathedrals that are famous in their own right.


There are often a couple of people at the door giving out information leaflets. These are well worth having (you should be able to find some near the entrance) as they explain what you can see.


Keep an eye out for:


- Stained glass windows from the 14th and 19th centuries, including a rare surviving portrayal of Thomas Becket, which only survived Henry VIII's order of destruction because the face was removed.


- The shrine: the oldest thing in the cathedral and visited by pilgrims for hundreds of years.


- The statues and memorials all around; including dedications to famous past students at Christchurch (John Locke, Wesley, Pusey and Ruskin amongst them).


- The Chancel Vault - look up at the suspended stars, which represent heaven.

If history and beautiful architecture intrigue you then this is a must see visit. It is very very old (built in 1546) and commands a lot of respect. The only reason i did not give it 5 stars is because unfortunately i often find that it is closed. It is included on the Christ Church Tour and they will tell you beforehand if the cathedral is open or not, but it is such a shame it is not open to the public more often - especially in the summer season when the excuse of students is not so available!


You will be given a printed guide on entrance to the cathedral which will inform you on nearly everything you should know. There is a lot to see so i suggest you have a brief flick through the pamphlet before you begin and mark what you want to see the most!

One of the larger chapels in Oxford, the cathedral is a major attraction to both tourist and worshippers. Located within Christ Church college, the cathedral is a beautiful display of architecture and religious imagery. Be sure to include it on your visit to Oxford. Entry to Christ Church is via a side entrance which opens onto Christ Church Meadows, if you are on St Aldates, continue walking past the main entrance to Christ Church, then turn left at the entrance to the Meadows, whereupon you will see the college entrance on your left. Entry is charged at £3 a head.

One of the fancier larger chapels in Oxford. Regular services by the Christ Church choirs and by other visiting choirs such as Corpus Christi (the next door neighbours). Well visited tourist attraction, although you will have to pay to visit, unless going for a service.
Technically it should be called Christ Church Chapel or Oxford Cathedral.