When I moved to Oxford from Wales I wanted to be near greenery that connected me to a childhood past. The budget did not stretch to a chic property overlooking one of the prominent parks however I did notice that there were some neighbourhood conservation areas in progress that held some promise (although even […]
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On a muggy day the history of the architecture in a University town can feel at odds with what is going on the world. The Palladian architecture in the shot below can seem detached from our fast paced disposable living. In the background is the Radcliffe Camera, a building of Oxford University designed by James Gibbs […]
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Britain seems to be facing a long goodbye with the EU and the European group itself seems to be changing. Obviously Britain is still ‘in’ Europe geographically.. No one can change that but everything else seems to be in flux. A hearty (British?) Breakfast seems to be in order. As I type with the news rapidly firing off […]
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A major exhibition to mark the 400th year since Shakespeare’s death (May 3, 1616) opens in the Weston Library, Oxford and is proving popular with the city’s tourists and locals alike. The Shakespeare exhibition at the Weston gets to the beating heart of the author with important texts displayed chronologically. Arguably the most important is the […]
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Oxford’s Literary Festival began 20 years ago and has been housed in many different locations. Inspired by the poetry that is soon to dance upon the stage of the Festival (April 2nd) I stand with a coffee and watch as the tents are put up in the Old Schools Quadrangle. The workmen look to be making the most of a break in the […]
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It was a blissful and rare sunny day after one long grey Winter as I walked past Oxford Castle and the brick work popped. The old castle was built by the Saxons with a simple mound and tower to protect boundaries of a new settlement called “Oxenaford” 1000 years ago. We are now a booming student city but just […]
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Walking past Christ Church with the sun bouncing off the stone made me become an instant tourist and find out more about the stories inside the building. The architecture maybe familiar from the Harry Potter films and TV show ‘Morse’. The college is where many medieval stories are staged and a review of ‘Murder in […]
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In bleak midwinter, evergreen plants come into their own this month and I had a great time visiting a nearby garden to get their full beauty. New year is a perfect to catch these stars at a nearby Botanic Garden and look out for the succulent plants. Here are some of my highlights that put a glimmer […]
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Winter Solstice in the UK today has arrived along with lots of blue sky. The Christmas Markets nearby are more fun with the milder weather so it is great to spend time gazing at the craft stalls and carousels. I spent the night in a medieval Estate house, now a hotel, and got […]
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When the Danes invaded England around 800 AD the Saxon King Edmund fought to maintain the fort at Bury (in the East of England) and alas he ended up slashed by a Viking sword. His head was said to be found in a nearby woodland and was fiercely guarded by a wolf. Saxon soldiers battled the […]
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