Stonehenge
Unique in the world and 3000 years old – but it was all over for Stonehenge by around 1600 BC
and no one is sure why. The Saxons called them the ‘hanging stones’ and Thomas Hardy used it
for a dramatic scene in Tess of the d’Urbervilles. BACK
Scroll down the page to find the stories behind the pictures.
Oxford Martyrs' Memorial
In the time of time of ‘Bloody Mary’ (1550s), being burned at the stake was an occupational hazard
for bishops. The Oxford Martyrs Memorial is in memory of Bishops Latimer and Ridley and Archbishop Cranmer, who met their ends in a ditch in nearby Broad Street. Drink a toast to them at the Eagle and
Child pub nearby, where Tolkein (Lord of the Rings) and CS Lewis (The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe)
met to discuss their stories. BACK
Blenheim Palace
One of the loveliest palaces – and near Oxford. This view of the water terraces shows Vanbrugh’s
grand design – the terraces were built in the 1920s. 2nd World War leader Winston Churchill was
a descendant of the first Duke and proposed to his wife Clementine in the idyllic grounds. BACK
The Mad Hatter
The Mad Hatter is one of the most famous characters from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. At the
time of its writing hat makers used mercury in the process of felting to make top hats. The mercury
breathed in led to brain and kidney damage. BACK
Jesus College
One of the smaller Oxford colleges, Jesus College is tucked away in Turl Street. The Hall contains
a portrait of good Queen Bess (Elizabeth I) – the college was founded during her reign – look out for
the dragons on the magnificent Jacobean screen, showing the strong links with Wales. TE Lawrence
(Lawrence of Arabia) studied here. BACK
A penny
This is the obverse of the old English penny (240 pennies to the £1) which ceased to be legal tender in
1971 when the UK switched to decimal currency. When you hear an English person say " I’m off to
spend a penny”, they mean that they are going to use the toilet (it used to be the cost of using a
cubicle in a public lavatory - dating back to the toilets installed for the famous Great Exhibition of 1851).
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