My husband Alex and I had the blessing and privilege to travel to England last week and it was an amazing trip! Alex is currently getting his PhD through Southeastern Seminary and he's going to write his dissertation on Charles Spurgeon. Charles Spurgeon was a well known Baptist preacher in the mid-to-late 1800's in London. So Alex and I took a trip to England to do a church history tour and visit famous Spurgeon and Puritan sites as well as to take a personal vacation. I actually studied abroad in London for 5 months back in 2008 so I'm pretty familiar with London, but it was a joy to experience it again with my husband who's never been there! I also got to see a lot of things (like the beautiful English countryside and Cambridge) that I didn't get to see when I studied abroad!
I'll be posting 4 parts to our trip. This is the first of four and will show pictures from the first two days of our trip in Oxford.
I had so much fun taking pictures in Oxford! This city really is a photographers in dream! Literally every building is stunning and they're all hundreds and hundreds of years old. While I was there, I learned that Oxford began in 1096 (or at least there's evidence of some form of teaching that far back) and all of the buildings you see have largely stayed intact for hundreds of years. Throughout much of London, many buildings were destroyed during the bombings of World War II. However, Hitler wanted Oxford to be his capitol. Thankfully that never happened!
Here's some of the highlights:
The Eagle and Child - where C.S. Lewis and Tolkien used to meet!
Martyrs memorial in the center of Oxford. Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley were burned at the stake at this spot. As they burned, Latimer shouted to Ridley, "Be of good comfort, Mr. Ridley, and play the man! We shall this day light such a candle by God's grace, in England, as I trust never shall be put out."
Bodleian Library- The Bodleian Library is the main research library of the University of Oxford. It is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. With over 12 million items, it is the second largest library in Britain after the British Library.
The Bridge of Sighs- supposedly a replica of the bridge in Venice
The University Church of Saint Mary the Virgin. Absolutely gorgeous!
Many men have given historic addresses in this building including C.S. Lewis who delivered his 1942 war-time message, "The Weight of Glory." Sadly, this was also the site where the Oxford martyrs, Latimer, Ridley, and Cranmer were tried and convicted. So much history.
Loved all the colorful buildings and tea rooms! Why can't we get more tea rooms in America?!
Magdalen College- Where C.S. Lewis taught!
They say this is the prettiest street view in Oxford...I think I have to agree!
We went to the top of the tower at the University Church to get a view of the city and it was totally worth it! I love this shot of the Bodleian Library!
The pulpit of the University Church (Where C.S. Lewis preached, "The Weight of Glory")
Balliol college, Oxford. Adam Smith, the father of modern economics, attended this college, much to Alex's delight. John Wycliffe was another famous alumnus.
This particular dining hall in Balliol was actually the room that inspired the Harry Potter dining hall scenes.
This door was so cool! So during WWII, C.S. Lewis had an office at the University Church. Every day he would exit the church and immediately enter this door. You'll notice in the center of the door is carved a lion. On either side you can see the gold figurines that resemble Fauns. You can't see it here, but just to the right is a lamp post. All of these objects inspired much of the imagery of the Chronicles of Narnia. So cool!
Christ Church Cathedral of Oxford where John Owen was once Dean. Owen was also Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University under Oliver Cromwell.
Christ Church College
Oxford Castle
Here's a few pictures from my phone (the only way we could get pictures together!!):
Here's a video Alex took at the top of the tower:
