Oxford, The Isis & Iffley
30th September 2014
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Our coach set off early on a beautiful autumn morning for the long drive to Oxford. Coffee was taken on arrival at the famous Kings Arms in the centre, built in 1607, the oldest pub in Oxford. We then began our guided walk through the courtyard of the nearby Bodleian Library, past the Sheldonian Theatre and into Radcliffe Square. Our tour took us along New College Lane under the Bridge of Sighs, past Edmund Halley's house and into the Front Quadrangle of New College, founded in 1379 by William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England. We walked through the Cloisters, completed in 1400 and looked in the Chapel before continuing through the Garden Quadrangle where buildings were added in the 15th, 17th and 18th centuries; thence through the 18th century wrought-iron screen and into the Gardens, said to boast the longest herbaceous border in the country! After returning for an excellent lunch at the Kings Arms, we drove down to Folly Bridge on the river and took a cruise past the University boat houses to Iffley Lock and the pretty village of Iffley. A short walk up Rose Hill took us to Iffley Church, one of the most beautiful in England and a fine example of Romanesque architecture, often known as late Norman, with spectacular carvings and beautiful stained glass windows, ranging from 15th century through to 1995 with an even more recent addition in 2012. Our boat returned after an hour to take us back to Folly Bridge for refreshments at the Head of the River pub, before starting the journey back to St Ives after a memorable day out. |
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Our Probus group arriving at the Bodleian Library.
City and Village Tour Guide, Marian, with our group outside the Sheldonian Theatre.
Radcliffe Square and circular Radcliffe Camera (part of the Bodleian Library) which was built from 1737-48
with a legacy left to the University by John Radcliffe.
The Bridge of Sighs at the entrance to New College Lane.
Edmund Halley's house in New College Lane from where he observed the comet in 1705
and first calculated its orbital periodicity.
'Dreaming spires' and autumn colours along Queens Lane seen from New College Lane.
Our Probus group gathering in the Front Quadrangle at New College.
New College Cloisters dating from 1400, intended as an area of peace and quiet meditation.
The nineteenth-century evergreen oak (Ilex) recently featured in a scene from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
The Cloisters Walks at New College with numerous memorial tablets on the walls and graves beneath the flagstones.
Detail of the Garden Quadrangle buildings and Muniment Tower sundial.
New College Gardens looking towards the old City Wall, dating from the 12th century, said to have the longest herbaceous border in the Country.
Passing Oxford University boat houses on the river heading to Iffley Lock.
Approaching Iffley Lock.
Iffley Lock.
Our group gathering outside Iffley Church.
The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Iffley, Oxford.
Detail of the great West Doorway in High Romanesque style.
The Nativity Window installed in 1995 designed by John Piper with Stained Glass by David Wasley.
View along the Nave towards the Choir and Chancel.
Returning from Iffley to Oxford.
Refreshments were taken at the 'Head of the River' before leaving for home.