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May 14th - Oxford


This was my first trip out of London since moving here, and it could not have gone better! The history and the architecture in Oxford is so rich and I just knew that at one point this summer, I would need to get out there. So why not make it the first day trip? I thought. While it is home to some stunning churches, museums, and the University, it also served as a few filming locations in Harry Potter, which was very exciting. It meant that around every corner, you got to see new places, like where Harry learned to fly, or the infirmary. It was so much fun. 
I got there and immediately went to the Bodleian Library, the second largest library in Britain. It was built in 1602, and still serves as one of the most used reference and resource libraries in the country. Unfortunately, because the students at the University were in the middle of their exams, the library was not open, unless on private tour, but the Divinity room was open! If you're a HP fan, this is the infirmary, and also where Harry learned to Dance in Goblet of Fire


I then wandered around the city, listening to some music and just taking in the city. I stumbled on a few bookshops, including the Oxford University Press bookshop, which just had white spines as far as the eye could see -- a lit majors heaven. I resisted buying any books, which mum will be proud of. I made my way to the gardens around Christ's Church, which is the chapel at the University, which was stunning. As well as the inside!





This weekend trip wasn't too crazy as far as adventures went. I went into a few cute shops, had some ice cream, and was just taken in by the history of this place. It's crazy to see places and buildings that were built in the 1600 and still standing and in use today. When I think of what Canada looked like then, it's mental to me, to see the difference in culture. 

Another cool thing was the pub I went to for lunch! I forgot to take a picture, but I went to The Eagle and the Child, which was where C.S. Lewis, of Narnia fame, and J.R.R. Tolkien, of Lord of the Rings, often met up to see one another and read one another's work. I had mac and cheese. It was delicious. 

I also went to Alice's Shop, which is the only real location that can be linked back to Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It's a place where the real Alice Liddell would buy her sweets. I bought a mug, some sweets, and a chocolate coin. That little red door is the shop!



And then I went to see where Lewis Carroll was buried, which was on my way to the Coach station, and I didn't take any pictures there because I didn't think it was respectful. But that was my trip to Oxford, it was a beautiful place, and I hope I get to go back as there is so much I wasn't able to pack in!

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