Oxford University is the oldest in England and contains some wonderful buildings in its colleges. The city's cathedral duplicates that role with being the chapel of Christchurch, or the House as it's commonly known. Another particularly noted college with its lovely tower above a bridge is Magdalen [pronounced maudlin]. where a pagan hymn is sung from the tower on May 1 morning to greet the dawn and any number of people, mostly students, hire a punt for the night to be present for it. Hertford College has a bridge across New College Lane copied from the Bridge of Sighs in Venice.
The Old Bodleian Library, owned by the University, is like a film set and the Ashmolean Museum is a veritable treasure trove.
There are extremely pleasant outdoor areas like Magdalen Deer Park, the University Parks, Christchurch Meadows and Port Meadow.
The city has a substantial life apart from the University, the area of Cowley having owed far more to the motor industry. [edit text][editors]
