Christ Church College

One the oldest and most famous university colleges has over 800 years of history.

TravelCurious Tip

Try and get a look at the college gardens, too — this is where Lewis Carroll was inspired to write Alice in Wonderland

The University of Oxford is among the oldest universities in the English-speaking world. Some evidence suggests it was founded as long ago as 1096. The university is made up of 38 distinct colleges, among them Christchurch College, known colloquially as “the house”. Don’t be fooled, though: that makes it sound plain and ordinary, when it is nothing of the sort.


Christ Church actually encompasses Oxford’s cathedral. This stunning building is visited by thousands every year, whether for worship or simply to enjoy the profound calm and sense of history within its walls. The Cathedral is also home to a world famous, 500 year old choir. They sing daily services in the Cathedral, so it’s certainly worth trying to hear them while you are there.


The Great Hall
Christchurch has been propelled into the public eye by its starring role in the Harry Potter films. In particular the the Renaissance magnificence of its Great Hall was what inspired the makers of the films. The sight of the hall, with its long, lamplit banquet tables, stern portraits and the elevated dons’ ‘high table’ at the end, is sure to bring back some fond memories.


Alumni, illuminati

Christchurch is one of the largest colleges of the university, with approximately 110 professors and 650 students. The students are all bright young things, but some of the alumni certainly stand out. John Locke, Robert Hooke, John Wesley, William Gladstone, W.H. Auden, Lewis Carroll and Rowan Williams are among them. And you may have heard of someone called Albert Einstein, who studied there in the 1930s.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Oxford
The Radcliffe Camera
One of the iconic buildings in the city, 'camera' in this case refers to the Latin word for 'room'. Only students with a valid, active student ID are permitted to enter.
Oxford Castle
Now a hotel, the main part of the original Oxford Castle was a prison - and guests staying in the hotel will find themselves in converted prison cells.
The Divinity School
Used throughout the Harry Potter film as the Room of Requirement and as the infirmary, Oxford's Divinity School is largely locked to the public and is where Oxonians change gowns during their graduation ceremony.
Christ Church Meadow
A famous mathematician at Christ Church College was befriended by the college gardener's daughter, Alice. The gardens and college are central to his works: Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass.
Tolkien's Middle Earth
A student of Exeter College a fellow of Pembroke College, a tutor to female students at Lady Margret Hall and St Hugh's College, Tolkien's life was shaped by his lifetime in Oxford and his time as an officer in World War I.
Christ Church College Dining Hall
Though made famous by the Harry Potter films and visited by tourists year round, the college's dining hall remains the location where all the college's students eat.

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