Ordnance Survey – Great Britain's national mapping agency

Oxford – the ‘city of dreaming spires’

02 October 2007

Oxford offers a slice of English culture and history dating back to the eighth century. It is best known as home of the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Scholars have been writing and researching at Oxford University since the 1100s.

Poet Mathew Arnold deemed Oxford ‘the city of dreaming spires’ in reference to the architecture of the college buildings that make up Oxford University. Standing at the foot of Carfax Towers, at the very centre of the city, you are surrounded by walls that have stood for 800 years. Extending up from the hidden buildings beyond the walls are the spires that top the college cathedrals and make up the city’s skyline.
 
Long before Oxford served as a classic example of the English heritage, the city actually grew up at the union of two rivers, the Thames and the Cherwell. The very reason for Oxford’s existence was the presence of a ford on the Thames for oxen to cross the river. The Thames is also known as the Isis within the Oxford boundaries.

Walking along the Thames path is refreshing as you get a glimpse of the beautiful nature and wildlife. A walk along Oxford’s rowing river and the rural reaches to Abingdon is a thrilling event in itself. You can also join the Thames at Osney Bridge, walk past the Waterman’s Arms and Iffley Lock to Folly Bridge. It is home to the famous Salter Brothers boat hire company and two popular riverside pubs.

The Thames bids farewell to Oxford at Sandford Lock. The old world King’s Arms is the last riverside pub until Abingdon. The walk is an exhilarating experience as it captures the beauty of nature at its best and invites us all to enjoy life at its own pace.

Punting and rowing are very popular activities. Take a trip down the Cherwell or the Isis, where boating and punting provides tantalising views of the dreaming spires. Magdalen Bridge Boathouse, on the High Street, offers punts, chauffeured punts, rowing boats and pedalos for hire on the River Cherwell. The most popular circular route, past the Botanic Garden and Christ Church Meadow, takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour. The other direction offers a magnificent rural landscape and a challenging route towards the University Parks.

Cherwell Boathouse at Bardwell Road offers punts, rowing boats and Canadian canoes for hire on the River Cherwell, in a secluded part of the city. Salter Steamers Ltd at Folly Bridge offers punts, day and rowing boat hire on the Thames. Boat Trips are available on the Thames as well as daily trips from Folly Bridge to Iffley Lock (20 minutes each way), Sandford and Abingdon (2 hours each way).

For those who want to relax and enjoy the beautiful river and its surroundings, hop aboard Oxford River Cruises. They offer a range of luxurious lunch, tea and dinner cruises in a 12 seater Edwardian boat, from Christ Church to the Trout Inn at Wolvercote. They follow the same stretch of the River Thames taken by Lewis Carroll and Alice Liddell in a small rowing boat almost 150 years ago. The cruises, which include Wind in the Willows and Narnia trips, run from the beginning of March to the end of October and leave from the landing stage in the centre of the city opposite Christ Church College. Also, College Cruisers, Combe Road Wharf, has residential narrow boats for hire on the Oxford Canal.

A visit to old beautiful college and university buildings; idyllic river trips on the Thames and Cherwell; a visit to the university museums, bringing history into perspective; following the literary trials, discovering the secret gardens or shopping; wining and dining, from student’s pubs to the city’s chic venues; Oxford city captures and displays its characteristics in style.

Oxford never fails to impress, if you are a first time visitor or an avid traveller to the region. There is a surprise around every corner. Along with the beautiful historic architecture, which is one of a kind, the city is youthful, full of buzz and vibrant.

For more information on events and news on River Thames go to www.visitthames.co.uk

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