OXFORD: The city of Oxford is known for its
famous university, although it is an industrial city in a
small way also. The university dominates the town and is made
up of a number of colleges built on monastic lines. Each college
has its own dormitories, dining hall and chapel and is built
around a quadrangle or cloister. The largest college is Christchurch,
and the chapel of this great college is also the cathedral
of Oxford. Merton is the oldest college, founded in 1264.
Many of the colleges are known for specific training such
as law or medicine, and any Oxford college is considered an
elite training ground. In addition to the university colleges,
a visit should be made to the Ashmolean Museum, which has
one of the finest archeological collections in the country;
Far Eastern and European art are also important parts of the
collection. The Bodleian Library is one of the most important
libraries in the world, with over 2,500,000 printed books
and 50,000 manuscripts. See the Sheldonian Theatre, built
by Christopher Wren, where every year the graduation ceremonies
are held. The Radcliffe Camera, built by James Gibbs, is a
handsome classical rotunda with a fine dome.
BLENHEIM
PALACE: The vast palace of Blenheim, home of the
dukes of Marlborough, and was built by the first Duke of
Marlborough in 1705. Winston Churchill was born here and
lies buried without pomp or circumstance in the nearby churchyard
of Bladon. The art collection at Blenheim is one of the
finest in private hands in the country. This is considered
one of the greatest stately homes in England.
WADDESDON
MANOR: Built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in
1874, this French Renaissance house contains one of the
most important art collections in England.
NETHER
WINCHENDON HOUSE: A Tudor manor mouse, home of
Sir Francis Bernard, governor of Massachusetts just before
the American Revolution.
HUGHENDEN
MANOR: Home of Benjamin Disreali, one of Britain's great prime
ministers.
ASCOTT: Home of Anthony de Rothschild, it contains a magnificent
collection of
Oriental porcelain.
MILTON
MANOR HOUSE: Home of the Barret family for six
generations, this very lived-in house dates from the 17th
century. Inside are handsome rooms, a chapel and a library. |
