Sunday, August 29, 2010

Another "hidden gem"

I've written posts before about "hidden gems" in Oxford's city centre and today I've got another for you: the cloisters at New College. Maybe I don't give them enough credit by calling them "hidden" but I hadn't been there before and I was quite surprised with what I saw. I didn't expect them to be so peaceful and mystical. While I was walking there, more and more questions about this place crossed my mind. The statues without any description at all, the smell, the huge tree the branches of which cover half of the courtyard, the wooden roof structure, and so on. Did this post make you curious? Then I suggest you go and see for yourself.

4 comments:

Pmatwiy said...

The cloister is a special part of New College and one any visitor is unlikely to forget. The roof tiles visible through the ceiling lattice are original medieval tiles. There is some speculation that the statues once belonged on St. Mary's church and were removed to this location when they were replaced. I'd also recommend peeking inside St. Edmund Hall and the area around St. Peter's in the East just next door for another gem. Beautiful picture. Thanks for sharing.

TheChieftess said...

beautiful!!!

Tracy McQueen said...

Thanks for your blog -- I might move to Oxford and need to learn as much as I can about the place! Your blog is helpful!

lipstick and porcelain said...

A Harry Potter film was done in the garden right next to the cloisters as well, if that at all interests you...! I agree though, it is beautiful.