“I wonder anybody does anything at Oxford but dream and remember, the place is so beautiful.”

On the way to Stratford-upon-Avon, I had a brief opportunity to visit Oxford and the rather famous campuses there. I say “campuses” because Oxford University is actually made up of 38 constituent colleges. Each college is its own self-governing institution that owns its own buildings and decides who joins. The university as a whole is the oldest English-speaking university and the second oldest university in the world. It dates from 1167 or so. Twenty-seven Nobel laureates and 26 British Prime Ministers have darkened these halls.

Radcliffe Camera, one of the library buildings part of the Bodleian Library.
Radcliffe Camera, one of the library buildings part of the Bodleian Library.
Balliol College, one of the oldest at Oxford
Balliol College, one of the oldest at Oxford
Trinity College and Balliol College
Trinity College and Balliol College
The Tower of the Five Orders is an architectural history at a glance - each set of columns represents a different era.
The Tower of the Five Orders is an architectural history at a glance – each set of columns represents a different era.
Hertford Bridge, also known as the Bridge of Sighs based on the original in Venice.
Hertford Bridge, also known as the Bridge of Sighs based on the original in Venice.
There were a series of statues like this that mark the border boundary for the Sheldonian Theater
There were a series of statues like this that mark the border boundary for the Sheldonian Theatre
Tower from Christ Church College
Tower from Christ Church College. Part of this college was used for Harry Potter filming on a couple of the movies.

Title quote: William Butler Yeats, 1888

Sheldonian Theatre, designed by Christopher Wren, is where degrees are awarded at Oxford
Sheldonian Theatre, designed by Christopher Wren, is where degrees are awarded at Oxford
The Saxon Tower of St. Michael is the oldest building in Oxford - over 1,000 years old.
The Saxon Tower of St. Michael is the oldest building in Oxford – over 1,000 years old.

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