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Oxford University – Visiting the colleges and
Bodleian Library at Oxford University is a "must do," but the
colleges seem uneasy about kids in the quadrangle. The wardens invariably
said, "Lads, don't run on the grass and remember, people are working, so
silence please." |
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Bodleian Library appears in the Harry Potter movie as Hogwarts
dining room and library. The Great Hall of Christ Church College “is” Hogwarts School, a pleasure that sure to make young eyes
sparkle. There’s a double literary thrill to coming here: Lewis Carroll
was inspired to write Alice's Adventures in Wonderland while looking
out these windows. |
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Climb up the tower at St. Mary's Church for a glorious
view of the dreaming spires of Oxford. And, the café at St. Mary's has luscious
desserts to go with a cup of tea. |
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The Oxford Story – The Oxford Story exhibition is a good
introduction to the 800 year old history of Oxford University and tailored
to kids. You ride on school desks (similar to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at
Disneyland at a slower pace) through a series of scenes from medieval
Oxford to modern day. |
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Boating on the Cherwell and Thames – Punting is
a favorite pastime of undergraduates at Oxford and quite relaxing. Rent
a punt, or better yet, a pedal boat that looks like a punt at the Magdalen
Bridge and glide down the River Cherwell to the Thames. |
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Blackwell's Bookstores – Browse one of Oxford's
oldest and most famous bookstores, Blackwell's. There's not only Blackwell's
flagship store, but a separate shop, Children's Blackwell's, also
on Broad Street. |
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Alice's Shop (St. Aldate's) – Walk
into this shop and you're stepping into The Old Sheep Shop in Through
the Looking-Glass. A shop since the 1830's, Alice Liddell, the inspiration
for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, came in to buy her sweets here.
Today, you can pick up Alice souvenirs, and afterwards, have your own tea
party in the tea room. |
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Museums – If it starts to rain, duck
into any of the fascinating museums in Oxford. |
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 The Ashmolean Museum has an excellent collection of ancient gold coins
and old jewels such The Alfred Jewel, inscribed with the words, "Alfred
ordered me to be made." |
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The Museum of the History of Science has Einstein's blackboard and other
scientific apparatus. |
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See
the stuffed Dodo bird at the University Museum of Natural History.
The adjacent Pitt Rivers Museum of native art and culture has South
Pacific treasures brought back by Captain Cook. |
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Christ Church Meadow and Magdalen Grove Deer
Park – Out beyond the colleges are the green open spaces of Christ
Church Meadow and Deer Park. |
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If you haven't
discovered the author Philip Pullman, start here in Oxford. This
small book is the perfect introduction to the His Dark Materials trilogy. Follow Lyra through Oxford streets as she searches
for the alchemist scholar, followed by flocks of birds. Already
read the trilogy? On the fold-out map, you'll know where you are.
(Chapter book, fold-out map)
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When we visited
Oxford, we stopped into a children's bookstore. When I asked about
books written by Oxford authors, this is what they suggested. A
humorous, up-side-down fairy tale and a delightful read. (Chapter
book)
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Delightful
collection of Lewis Carroll's poems, full of nonsense and silliness,
fantastic creatures, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, the Mock Turtle,
the Snark, monsters with grimmliest green faces, "Twinkle,
Twinkle, little bat" and more. Imaginative, colorful illustrations.
(Picture book)
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Editor's note:
What is it about Oxford? Is it something in the air – whatever
it is, Oxford has been home to some of our best-loved authors –
Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson), C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Philip
Pullman. |
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(More children's
books on other England pages) |
