Christ Church College

Christ Church College, in Oxford

Christ Church is the most prestigious and the largest of the colleges of Oxford, famous for its cathedral and its dining hall that inspired Harry Potter. The Oxford audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this major monument, founded in the sixteenth century, which formed numerous Prime Ministers.

The college with the cathedral and the great dining hall

Christ Church is undoubtedly the most prestigious and one of the largest colleges of Oxford. Founded in the sixteenth century, originally by Cardinal Wolsey then by King Henry VIII, it stands out by a unique particularity: its chapel is none other than the cathedral of Oxford, which serves at once as the church of the college and the cathedral of the diocese, a case unique in the world. The college impresses by the majesty of its buildings, around the vast courtyard of Tom Quad, dominated by the Tom Tower, designed by Christopher Wren. Its magnificent dining hall, the Great Hall, adorned with portraits and woodwork, is world-famous for having inspired the great hall of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Christ Church counted among its members thirteen British Prime Ministers, as well as the writer Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland, who taught mathematics there. A jewel of the university and a major monument, Christ Church College is a must-see stop of Oxford.

What to see

You admire the most prestigious college of Oxford, founded in the sixteenth century by Cardinal Wolsey then Henry VIII, whose chapel is the cathedral of Oxford, a case unique in the world, with its vast courtyard of Tom Quad dominated by the Tom Tower of Wren, and its magnificent dining hall, the Great Hall, that inspired the great hall of Hogwarts. Christ Church College is a major monument of Oxford. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

Christ Church College lies on St Aldate's, in the heart of Oxford, reachable on foot. The visit of the college, the Great Hall and the cathedral follows its own hours and conditions, which vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the character of the place of worship.

Why is Christ Church College of Oxford famous?

For being the most prestigious college of Oxford, whose chapel is the cathedral of the town, a case unique in the world; its Great Hall inspired the great hall of Hogwarts in Harry Potter, and it counted thirteen Prime Ministers and the writer Lewis Carroll among its members.

Where is Christ Church College of Oxford?

On St Aldate's, in the heart of Oxford, in England.