Question for Oxfordians

[intertext]

Is that correct? Or should it be Oxfordites, or Oxforthians, or some such?

Anyway, the question is for tree_and_leaf or anyone who knows a little about Oxford, the University, as a place to visit, rather than to study. A friend of mine is going there in a few days, and while she's been able to find out the obvious things, she's discovered very little about the tourist possibilities of the colleges. Apparently the town site says "look at the University site" and the University site ain't saying much. She likes gardens, and is a quiet, bookish and knowledgeable person who designs museum exhibits for a living. So basically what are the hidden treasures for someone like that? College gardens that are open to the public? Other-than-famous college buildings that are worth a look?

Any responses within the next day or so can be passed on usefully!

Comments

[ladyofastolat.livejournal.com]

It's 15 years since I was at Oxford, so I don't know anything about the current state of letting tourists in, charging etc. However... St Johns' has a particularly good garden. New College cloisters was one of my favourite places in Oxford - very much a hidden gem, and very atmospheric.

I was at Merton, so am of course totally biased about the perfection of its architecture, setting and gardens. It does possess the oldest quad in Oxford, though, containing an old and interesting library, some of the books still chained.

If she likes Pre-Raphaelites, the Oxford Union library contains Arthurian murals painted by William Morris, Rosetti and Burne-Jones.