Oxford and Cambridge University are amongst the best known in the world. There may be many Americans who don’t accept this, but history is something their universities don’t have.
Traveling to Oxford, the older of the two universities, and Cambridge is easy, and they are both about the same distance from London. It is the university that brings in the visitors today, and it dates back to the 12th century.
Most Americans are surprised to discover there is no university campus. Oxford University consists of over thirty colleges, and all of them were founded before the sixteenth century. These colleges are what makes the skyline of Oxford, and are an incredible collection of architectural styles.
If architecture and beauty is high on your list of priorities then you will just love Oxford. What you need to do is to see Oxford on foot, and there are many walking tours often led by senior members of the university staff. It is quite amazing the things you will learn about Oxford just by listening to them.
As an example did you know there are over 20 British Prime Ministers who were students here. To this you can add one USA President Bill Clinton, then names like Graham Greene, and Lewis Carroll. You can visit where the student’s have been drinking since the 13th century.
You must visit the Ashmolean Museum which is the oldest public museum in the UK. Simple things like a walk down by the great River Thames, and take in the views and the atmosphere that is pure Oxford.
You will find the beautiful city of Cambridge not far from Oxford with a university that was founded only 40 years after its rival. It is very definitely one of the most prestigious universities in Europe and of course one of the oldest. Exploring on foot Cambridge is a warren of narrow lanes, tiny crammed bookshops and is just a joy to walk around.
There are 31 colleges making up Cambridge University, and sixteen of them date back to medieval times. Steven Hawkings and Milton number amongst the famous alumni of Cambridge University. You can add to that men like Cromwell, and Isaac Newton.
In terms of beauty you will go a long way to better King’s College Chapel, and the views of this wonderful building begun by the teenage King Henry V111 from the River Cam are just second to none. You must also visit the Fitzwilliam Museum, one of Europe’s oldest public museums. One other important thing to do is to hire a punt on the River Cam for some of the best views of Cambridge.