Города Великобритании. Оксфорд

Cities and Sights

It is less than 100 kilometers from London to Oxford, one of England’s most beautiful cities and home of its oldest university.

The University of Oxford was established in the 13th century. The female students were not allowed to study in the university until 1878. In 1920s, the female students were awarded with degrees.

Some parts of the Harry Potter films were shot in Oxford, along with other British destinations like London, nearby Blenheim and Alnwick.

The first Christ Church Harry Potter location is certainly the most famous – Christ Church Great Hall, which provided the inspiration for Hogwarts’ dining hall.

I should be clear – contrary to popular belief, you won’t find the actual Harry Potter dining hall in Oxford.

The Bodley staircase, leading up to Christ Church hall.

The top of the staircase is used in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone when the new first years (including our favourite trio Harry, Ron and Hermione) walk up to Hogwarts for the first time and are welcomed by Professor McGonagall.

We also see them return to this spot at the end of the film after they’ve defeated Quirrell and Voldemort and are about to head home.

The bottom of the stairs are used in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – both as the spot where Harry and Ron are collared by Argus Filch after their escapade with the flying car and also where Harry meets Tom Riddle.

The Divinity School is another spot where Oxford University and Harry Potter meet. It was used as a filming location in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and in subsequent films as the Hogwarts Hospital.

Remember that scene in the Philosopher’s Stone when Harry is recovering after his first encounter with Voldemort and Dumbledore comes to visit him. Or when Harry and Hermione use the time turner leaving poor Ron in the hospital bed in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

No doubt you recognise it, the combination of the beautiful ceiling and those windows isn’t easily mistaken.

Duke Humfrey’s Library also makes an appearance in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

You know the scene where Harry is wearing the invisibility cloak and looking for information in the restricted section of Hogwarts Library? Yep, you guessed it – that’s the Duke Humphrey’s Library.