If you haven’t yet seen Day 1, then you might like to follow this link and come back here later. The morning of my second day in Oxford was mainly spent walking from the Four Pillars Hotel in Sandford-on-Thames along the Thames path into Oxford. I’ve already written a detailed blog with photos about the journey in this post, so I’ll begin here where I left off, entering the city by Christchurch College. I sort-of meandered my way through cobbled streets and past various ancient University buildings until I came out at a place I remembered….
Along the way I was quite excited to recognise an alley where Lewis chased the jogger who killed someone by injecting them in the neck as they ran by! It’s weird how fascinated I get by telly and film locations! I also went back to the Vaults and Garden Cafe by the Radcliffe Camera for a hot chocolate and a bit of a sit-down before continuing my day sightseeing. (This is another Morse and Lewis location and talked about a bit more in my Day 1 post.)
I’d taken the Bodleian Library tour when I visited Oxford with the family a while ago. We want to do the extended tour together, so I just had a little browse in the shop, bought a little sign with the workers’ mantra about not defacing or stealing any books, and then made my way to the History of Science Museum.
I have to admit, I’m not particularly interested in science, but I am interested in history, and I love this museum. I wrote more about it in this post.
I had a quick look round the exhibition of Bodleian Treasures. If you love old books like I do, then this is a must. Then I made my way to the Ashmolean Museum. Again, I wrote about it after my last visit. You could spend absolutely hours in this museum, so allow for that if you’re planning your trip to Oxford. I was disappointed that the one room I was looking forward to the most was closed. My family aren’t much into art, so I didn’t get long in the Impressionist galleries last time we were there; so I’d hoped for some quality time to enjoy the paintings, so that was a shame. There’s plenty of other art to see though, not to mention all the of rooms full of International historic exhibits. I only had time to read a handful of the plaques that gave information for everything – I mainly just walked around as much of the museum as I could.
After that I was feeling quite peckish, so had a late lunch / early dinner at the Mitre (full review coming soon!) and caught a bus back to the hotel. I had another swim and a bit of relaxation before bed-time. An exhausting, but lovely day. I should mention, that when I went in April all the museums were free to enter with suggested donations. I’m not sure, but I think there is a charge in summer, so that might be something to consider if you’re thinking of visiting Oxford. I can wait to go back, so if know the city well, when is the best time of year to visit?
Camera equipment:
Melissa Jane Lee
October 12, 2016I’m from Oxford, and so glad you like the city! These are some beautiful photographs. There is so much to see and do here. I think you’ve visited at the perfect time of year. The summer is extremely busy and it’s very difficult to do anything as it is so crowded in the centre. I don’t think the museums charge in the summer (at least I have not paid so I hope they don’t!). I’m looking forward to reading your Day 3. It’s always nice to read accounts of people’s visits to Oxford as it gives me new ideas of things to do. It always seems hard to think of somewhere new to eat etc when we have visitors as it’s all too familiar and I find it hard to be creative! Thank you for the lovely post.
Helen
October 13, 2016Thank you for your lovely comment. Oxford is a beautiful city, so it makes it easier to take nice photos! Yes I tried to fit in as much as I could in the three days I had, but I can’t wait to come back and do the rest. I expect the buildings look lovely in this autumn sunshine, but I think my return visit will be next spring again. 🙂