Christ Church College

You’ve finally arrived in front of Oxford’s undisputed star, its largest and most famous college, from which no fewer than 13 English Prime Ministers have graduated, the famous Christchurch College. If you have to visit only one, this is the one. That being said, you’re not the only one to know, and if you’re looking for a more discreet and quiet visit, then opt for a less famous college. But if not, be prepared to step into the wonderful world of magic, because this is where many of the Hogwarts scenes in Harry Potter were filmed. And you’ll soon understand why the film-makers were so inspired! A fabulous setting awaits you, with grand staircases, sculpted ceilings, master paintings and sumptuous scenery, all imbued with a mysterious and mesmerizing atmosphere. Visits are subject to a fee, and can be made either with an audioguide or in company of a tour guide. In both cases, you’ll need to book in advance. You can’t buy tickets on the spot. Either way, whether you’re lucky enough to discover what’s behind the walls or not, I’m going to tell you a little about the history of this prestigious college. Let’s take a step back in time. It’s hard to say exactly where the story of Christchurch begins. Perhaps it began long before it became a college. At the time of St. Brideswide Priory, a monastery founded by an 8th-century Anglo-Saxon nun who is now considered the patron saint of the city and its university. Cardinal Wolsey, who wished to found a college, obtained a papal bull authorizing him to dissolve the priory in 1524. He then demolished most of the buildings, with the exception of the church that was to become Christ Church Cathedral, and began construction of the large quadrangle known as Tom Quad. The school became known as Cardinal College. But Cardinal Wosley was to be stripped of his office and died without seeing the college completed. It was then King Henry VIII himself who took control over the college and gave it its name. The king had just separated from the Church of Rome and had acquired great wealth through the dissolution of monasteries in England, so he refounded the college under the name of Christ Church as part of the reorganization of the Church of England, elevating the priory church to the rank of cathedral of the new diocese of Oxford. This unique history meant that the college was managed in a completely different way from the others, with the leader of the Church of England at its head and governed by the canons of the cathedral. Today, the college is the only academic institution in the world that is also a cathedral. During the Civil War, much of Oxford was pro-Crown, and King Charles I sought shelter there, making it the de facto capital of the country. Christchurch was then a thriving business and the king set up his parliament here. But when the King was defeated and Cromwell came to power in the new Commonwealth, the Dean of the University was imprisoned in London and replaced by a friend of the Republic. At the Restoration of the monarchy under Charles II, Christ Church, which had lost funds in the war, surrounded itself with influential people and became the wealthy college it is today. In 1660, Dean John Fell added student residences. From then on, students literally lived in their college, as they still do today. It’s a real village, with common rooms, libraries, sports fields and even bars! The grand dining room is particularly striking, and has been in almost uninterrupted use since its creation by Cardinal Wolsey. So it was only normal for this room to be used as the Great Hall of Hogwarts’s in the Harry Potter movies. Built following the Renaissance style, it was Oxford’s largest dining room until 1870. The Bodley tower is another highlight of your visit. The vaulted ceiling of the elegant staircase is just incredible, and you’ll also see a door with ancient graffiti reading “no peel”. According to legends, this had something to do with the potato peelings that had been claimed as a cure for the plague and which people were dropping everywhere, but in reality it was a sign of protest against the Prime Minister at the time, Sir Robert Peel, a former student of the university and supporter of Britain’s Catholics. The Tom Tower overlooking the quadrangle is perhaps the college’s most recognizable feature, and its image is regularly used to represent the city. In short, there’s an enormous amount to see and discover, and I can’t recommend enough that you treat yourself to a visit and explore this century-old college in all its detail. Enjoy your visit.