WALK 2 (MEDIUM - 2.0 miles)
LEADING TO WALK 3
Directions
You should now be standing at the start of the medium walk (also leading to the longer walk). position yourself so that you see this building in the photo below.
You are standing at the junction of Parks Road and Keble Road and looking at Keble Chapel.
Walk south along Parks Road with Keeble College on the opposite side of the road, which will give the best views of the striking "red and white" brickwork of the Victorian design.
Continue along Parks Street with University buildings on both sides of the street, until you arrive at Wadham College on the left.
Turn right into Broad Street, at the roundabout.
Opposite you will see the Clarendon Building (below).
Walk along Broad Street, adjacent to the Clarendon Building you will see the Sheldonian Theatre (below).
The Plaza in Broad Street
Continue along Broad Street into the open plaza and turn left into Turl Street. On the left you will find Exeter College (below).
Turn first left into Brasenose Lane. On your left is Exeter College and on your right is the rear of Brasenose College.
On rounding the corner, at the end of Brasenose Lane, you will see the beautiful and iconic Radcliffe Camera
Turn right at the Radcliffe Camera and walk along St Mary's Passage.
Note the carved door on the right, towards the end of the passage. The head is not tht of a lion but of "The Green Man", with branches and leaves growing from his head, he is an ancient symbol of the circle of life and fertility.
Cross High Street and note the small lane to the right. This is Magpie Lane, an ancient thoroughfare. Step into the lane and feel how narrow it is. You might also see the date over the window of one of the old buildings, 1588 when Queen Elizabeth I reigned.
Magpie Lane has a sordid history which you can read about here though it may not be suitable for children to read.
Walk to the end of the passage and turn left along High Street.
On the opposite side of the road you will see Oriel College.
Continue along the right side of High Street and past St Mary's Church and you will see University College on the right and All Souls College on the left.
Continue along High Street and you will pass on your right, "The Oxford University Examination Schools" and the "Ruskin School of Art".
The Oxford University Examination Schools
Continue in the same direction, admiring the arhitecture of the old shops on the left of the street. Soon you will come to a small lane on the right "Rose Lane".
Time to decide on doing the slightly longer walk along the river. It really isn't far but has magnificent views over the meadows. You might even see some very inexperienced "punters" on the river. If you decide to go to the river you will go down Rose Lane.
Before you go though, look across the road, diagonally left where you will see Magdalen College.
If you are opting out of Walk 3 , retrace your steps until you come to the clock Tower, known as the Carfax Tower, that stands on the junction between High Street and St Aldate's.
Here you will join Walk 1.
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.