Christ Church
Oxford
Contents
10 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation1:47
As you stand before the imposing facade of Christ Church on St Aldate's, you are looking at arguably the most famous and prestigious college of the University of Oxford. Christ Church is unique in its dual role as both a…
Listen in the app2Tom Tower — The Sentinel of the College1:35
The iconic centerpiece of the college's main entrance is Tom Tower, a stunning architectural landmark that dominates the St Aldate's skyline. Although the lower portions of the gatehouse were begun by Cardinal Wolsey in the…
Listen in the app3Tom Quad — The Heart of the Institution1:36
Stepping into Tom Quad, you are met with a sense of scale and openness that is rare within the dense urban fabric of Oxford. As the largest quadrangle in the city, it was intended by Cardinal Wolsey to be a grand cloistered…
Listen in the app4The Bodley Tower and the Hall Staircase1:37
We now approach the Bodley Tower staircase, a location that will be immediately recognizable to millions of fans of the Harry Potter films. This elegant space, with its magnificent fan-vaulted ceiling and central supporting…
Listen in the app5The Great Hall — The Inspiration for Hogwarts1:41
Entering the Great Hall of Christ Church is a truly jaw-dropping experience, as the scale and history of the room are immediately overwhelming. While no actual filming for the Harry Potter movies took place here, this hall was…
Listen in the app6Christ Church Cathedral — A Blend of Styles1:46
Adjacent to the main quads lies Christ Church Cathedral, a building that is older than the college itself and serves as one of the smallest cathedrals in England. The current structure dates primarily from the 12th century and is…
Listen in the app7The Cloisters and Harry Potter Film Sites1:39
Leaving the cathedral, we enter the lovely cloisters, which provide a quiet and shaded walkway around a central garden. These cloisters were also used as a filming location for several Harry Potter movies, most notably as the…
Listen in the app8Peckwater Quad and the Library1:39
Hidden away at the back of the site is another impressive outside space known as Peckwater Quad. In stark contrast to the Tudor and Gothic styles we have seen elsewhere, Peckwater is built in the grand Neoclassical style of the…
Listen in the app9Christ Church Meadow — A Walk in Nature1:32
Our final stop is Christ Church Meadow, a vast and tranquil green space that provides a stunning natural backdrop to the college's spires. This meadow has been a popular spot for leisurely walks for centuries, offering views of…
Listen in the app10Closing1:23
As we conclude our journey through Christ Church, we hope you have felt the weight of the history and the magic of the imagination that define this extraordinary place. From the royal ambitions of Henry VIII to the cinematic…
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What is Christ Church?
Christ Church is a place in Oxford with 10 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Oxford |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 10 |
| Total length | 16 min 15 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 51.7502, -1.2558 |
| Last updated |
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