This popped into our inbox and I just had to share it. Britain got a bit of snow this past weekend, which has been relatively rare in recent years (at least in southern England - Scotland gets snow a lot more often!). The PR team as Blenheim Palace sent us these pictures and said we could share them with Anglotopia readers. They show off the house and the surrounding estate … [Read more...] about Winter Wonderland: Rare Photos of Blenheim Palace Covered in Fresh Snow
Oxfordshire
Anglophile Vignettes: Scriptum – The Finest Little Stationery Store on the Planet
I have many favorite places in Oxford. It’s not hard to have many, it’s such a beautiful and historic city with much to see and do. Even whittling down my top 10 things was difficult for a past article. By far, though, one of my favorite places is Scriptum. Located on Turl Street, this tiny little TARDIS of a shop is hard to classify but I guess you would call it a stationery … [Read more...] about Anglophile Vignettes: Scriptum – The Finest Little Stationery Store on the Planet
Blenheim Palace Restoration Project Reveals Hidden Rooms in Iconic Bridge – Cool Pictures
The Palladian Bridge at Blenheim Palace has been described as one of the best views in England. But I learned something new recently - the bridge is actually a building and has over 30 rooms, which have recently been uncovered during restoration work. The lake at Blenheim has been drained and there is an ongoing dredging project to restore the lake. While doing this, the … [Read more...] about Blenheim Palace Restoration Project Reveals Hidden Rooms in Iconic Bridge – Cool Pictures
Laura’s Britain: Exploring the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford – An Inside Tour – Tons of Pictures Inside!
The Bodleian Library in Oxford – the library of the prestigious University of Oxford – is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. In Britain, it is second in size only to the British Library in London. The Bodleian first opened to scholars in 1602. Its incomparable collections of books, papers and manuscripts are housed in buildings in the city center, and you can book a … [Read more...] about Laura’s Britain: Exploring the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford – An Inside Tour – Tons of Pictures Inside!
Royal Wedding Trip Diaries – Day 4 – A Day Trip to Oxford from Windsor – Bodleian Library and Morse Tours
I had two extra days on my trip to England to cover the Royal Wedding (thanks must go to Mrs. Anglotopia for being wonderful). When I was in the planning stages, I sat down and pondered the question: if I could go anywhere in southern England, where would I go? I decided to go to Oxford. I have a long relationship with the city - I spent over a week there last summer for … [Read more...] about Royal Wedding Trip Diaries – Day 4 – A Day Trip to Oxford from Windsor – Bodleian Library and Morse Tours
Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth – Exploring the New Exhibition at Oxford University’s Bodleian Libraries
Oxford University's Bodleian Library recently launched a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition dedicated to J.R.R. Tolkien and his connection to Oxford. Many authors have strong connections to Oxford: Lewis Carroll who wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, C.S. Lewis who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia and, of course, J.R.R. Tolkien who brought us The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. … [Read more...] about Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth – Exploring the New Exhibition at Oxford University’s Bodleian Libraries
Through the Archives: The Spell of Oxford – Beautiful Pictures of Oxford from 1940
As I finish the first round of 'Through the Archives' posts, I finish where we began, in Oxford. I discovered this book on a shelf in a bookshop in Michigan. It's not in great condition, you can see in the cover image that it possibly has book mold. The cover is torn and spine is coming apart. But on the inside - the pages are pristine and it features 33 black and white plates … [Read more...] about Through the Archives: The Spell of Oxford – Beautiful Pictures of Oxford from 1940
Great British Telly: Thoughts on Binge Watching Endeavour – The Prequel Series to Inspector Morse
Last year I binge watched Inspector Morse, one of the shows that was on BritBox as launch. I fell in love with the show immediately and became a big Morse fan. I wrote about that experience here. I finally had a chance to sit down and watch the prequel series, Endeavour. I was uneasy about doing it - thinking that a prequel couldn’t possibly be as good. But I regret waiting so … [Read more...] about Great British Telly: Thoughts on Binge Watching Endeavour – The Prequel Series to Inspector Morse
Through the Lens: Oxford Nights – Check Out These Beautiful Pictures of Oxford at Night
I love looking at famous places in a different light. Oxford is one of my most favorite places and after recently binge watching Endeavour, I love seeing it in all colors. I recently came across these beautiful images of Oxford at night - providing a different portrait of the city of dreaming spires. The photographer has kindly consented to me sharing them with Anglotopia … [Read more...] about Through the Lens: Oxford Nights – Check Out These Beautiful Pictures of Oxford at Night
The Boat Race: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about the Oxford Cambridge Boat Race
Every spring on the Thames, a rivalry going back almost 800 years is played out. It can be high drama as the weather is battled, each other and sometimes public interlopers. I’m talking about, of course, the Oxford Cambridge Boat Races. This major event pits the men’s and women’s rowing teams against each other on a grueling 4.2 mile long trip up the Thames. The race is a … [Read more...] about The Boat Race: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about the Oxford Cambridge Boat Race
Through the Archives: Ackermann’s Oxford – A Unique Look at Oxford in 1814
I spend a lot of time in second-hand bookstores. Too much time, perhaps. But I love them. Sure you can buy any book you want on Amazon, but the joy of used bookstores is that you have the spirit of discovery, you never quite know what you're going to find. Recently on a visit to my favorite secondhand store in Chesterton, Indiana - O'Gara and Wilson Booksellers, I found this … [Read more...] about Through the Archives: Ackermann’s Oxford – A Unique Look at Oxford in 1814
Exhibition Alert: Major JRR Tolkien Exhibition Coming to Oxford’s Bodleian Library This Summer
The Bodleian Library in Oxford has announced a new JRR Tolkien Exhibition that will arrive in the iconic library this summer. The exhibition will focus on Tolkien's characters Beren and Luthien (which was recently the feature of a recent new book by his son Christopher Tolkien). From the Bodleian: The Bodleian Libraries have compiled an unprecedented selection of materials … [Read more...] about Exhibition Alert: Major JRR Tolkien Exhibition Coming to Oxford’s Bodleian Library This Summer
Travel Alert: Major Events at Blenheim Palace in 2018
One of our new goals for 2018 is to give you more UK travel news, events, and tips. We get tons of press releases in our inbox but we ignore most of them, we're going to start featuring the most interesting ones. Blenheim Palace is one of my personal favorite places in Britain. It's the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and it's a magnificent building worth a visit at any … [Read more...] about Travel Alert: Major Events at Blenheim Palace in 2018
An Oxford Walk: Tolkien’s Grave, Wolvercote, Trout Inn and Godstow Abbey
Come along with me on a lovely walk I took last July While I was staying in Oxford. I was determined to go for at least one walk near Oxford while I was there. I really wanted to pay a visit to JRR Tolkien's grave in Wolvercote and then when I discovered that not far from there, there was a ruined abbey along with a pub featured in Inspector Morse, the plan was sealed. So, … [Read more...] about An Oxford Walk: Tolkien’s Grave, Wolvercote, Trout Inn and Godstow Abbey
Amongst the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day Seven – Leaving Oxford, Blenheim Palace and the Battle Proms
I awoke around 7 am, and I didn’t want to get out of bed. Not because I wanted more sleep but arising was an acknowledgment that my time in Oxford was over and I had to leave. I had gotten everything out of the previous week I’d hope to. My brain was full. Books were bought. Tours were taken. Photos and video were shot. Friends we made. Dreams were fulfilled. And now it was … [Read more...] about Amongst the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day Seven – Leaving Oxford, Blenheim Palace and the Battle Proms
Amongst the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day Six – War-Time Writing, New Words, Dunkirk and Closing Reception
My final full day in Oxford proved to be a very eventual day - I had lots on the agenda. I was very sad to see my time in Oxford coming to an end. The week flew by! But my final day would have some delights including some amazing museums and seeing the hit film Dunkirk with a British audience (more on that later). But first, we had a morning of final lectures. First up was … [Read more...] about Amongst the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day Six – War-Time Writing, New Words, Dunkirk and Closing Reception
Amongst the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day Five – Jane Austen, The Future of English, Bodleian Library and a Tolkien Excursion
This was probably my favorite complete day of the entire Oxford experience. It started off as the previous days did, with the morning lectures but the day expanded into a lovely tour of the Bodleian Library followed up an excursion to Wolvercote to pay my respects at Tolkien’s grave and to visit an abbey ruin. By this point in the trip, my body had finally caught up with the … [Read more...] about Amongst the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day Five – Jane Austen, The Future of English, Bodleian Library and a Tolkien Excursion
Amongst the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day Four – Rain on the Roof, Shakespeare, The OED, Ashmolean Museum and Missing a Concert
There were the experiences I was prepared for, and then there were the ones I wasn’t prepared for. I was lying in bed, trying to fall asleep despite the jet lag and it started raining. As my room was on the top floor, the only thing between the rain and me, were the few pieces of wood that made up the roof. It was the most sublime sound as the rain pounded down on the … [Read more...] about Amongst the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day Four – Rain on the Roof, Shakespeare, The OED, Ashmolean Museum and Missing a Concert
Amongst the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day Three – Old and Middle English, Pilgrimage to Blackwell’s
I did not sleep well overnight. I was hot. The heat was a problem since I’d arrived in Oxford (in a day or two, the heat would go away, thankfully). While the building I was staying in was relatively new, it did not have air conditioning, and I was on the top floor. Even with the windows open, I was hot all night. My jet lag also follows a pattern. The first night, I sleep like … [Read more...] about Amongst the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day Three – Old and Middle English, Pilgrimage to Blackwell’s
Amongst the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day Two – Old Norse, Brit-American English Differences, Oxford Tour and More!
My eyes did not open until the morning. I slept peacefully; jet lagged exhaustion will do that! I awoke around 6 am, which is actually about when I normally wake up (hey, I’ve got young kids). I was bubbling with excitement for my first morning of lectures followed up a guided walking tour of Oxford. But first, it was still early, and I need to make a run to a drug or … [Read more...] about Amongst the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day Two – Old Norse, Brit-American English Differences, Oxford Tour and More!
Amongst the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day One – Arriving at Worcester College
And now the writing begins. Last month I had the pleasure of being a guest of the English-Speaking Union TLab as part of their “Story of English” Program at Oxford. Part of the agreement I made with them is that I would do a write-up of every day I was there. Overall the experience was fantastic, and if you’re looking for an enriching experience, I can highly recommend doing … [Read more...] about Amongst the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day One – Arriving at Worcester College
Toasting Tolkien & Lewis: Spending A Day in Oxford – Exploring Oxford’s Literary History
Editor's Note:I leave for my studies in Oxford with the English-Speaking Union's TLab program 30 days from today and I'm so very excited. So, I thought it would be a good time to share the long article I wrote last year about our visit to Oxford where we took a tour and explored Oxford's scholarly history and made a few fascinating discoveries along the way. This … [Read more...] about Toasting Tolkien & Lewis: Spending A Day in Oxford – Exploring Oxford’s Literary History
Dreaming Spires: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Oxford England
Editor's Note: We have a very long feature (and tons of beautiful pictures) about our visit to Oxford going out in the next issue of the Anglotopia Magazine, be sure to subscribe or pre-order the next issue so you don't miss it. Oxford is one of our most favorite places to visit in England. It makes a great day trip from London and you can easily see all the … [Read more...] about Dreaming Spires: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Oxford England
Desktop Wallpaper: Radcliffe Camera View in Oxford England For Your Desktop Wallpaper
We've just started going through all the pictures we took on our recent trip to England - there are over 1,600! But one thing I found rather quickly was my new desktop wallpaper. Since I liked it so much, I thought we'd share it with everyone who might want it as their desktop wallpaper as well. This is a view of the beautiful Radcliffe Camera through the windows in the … [Read more...] about Desktop Wallpaper: Radcliffe Camera View in Oxford England For Your Desktop Wallpaper
City of Spires: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Oxford You Might Now Know
Beginning as a fording point for oxen across the River Thames in Saxon times, it was heavily damaged during the Norman invasion of 1066 and reconstructed under Norman governor Robert D’Oyly. It earned its city charter in 1191. Now it is known as one of the preeminent places of learning in the United Kingdom and the world. It has been the seat of court twice under Charles I and … [Read more...] about City of Spires: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Oxford You Might Now Know
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas in 2007 in a closet in Chicago. Anglotopia is for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Join us as we explore Britain and everything it has to offer!
