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| Kings College, Cambridge, from 'The Backs' |
I have visited both the towns of Oxford and Cambridge while in living in England. I would personally have to say I liked the town of Cambridge so much more than Oxford. I would go for the day to just wander around in Cambridge, to walk around like a tourist with my eyes up in the air, taking in all of the architecture, and being fascinated by the town.
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| Our first trip in Cambridge we wandered down a small, random alley, and saw this on the wall! How cool is that?!? |
My personal bias stems from the 'feel' of the two different places. Cambridge, with its Market Square, winding streets, and the River Cam just felt more comfortable. I loved going to The Eagle that was across the street from King's College for a pint and ambiance.
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| Radcliffe Camera, Oxford |
Oxford had a neat section with Blackwell's bookshop, Radcliffe Camera (building) and, of course, Christ Church Dining Hall (the inspiration of Hogwart's Dining Hall). But Oxford felt more commercial - it had a broader high street that was always very crowded. Both towns had a Bridge of Sighs, but in Cambridge it was over the river, in Oxford - merely over the street.
Quick facts about the two 'college towns'
Oxford University has 38 colleges and 184 libraries. It is also the oldest university in the English speaking world.
Cambridge University has 29 colleges and 114 libraries. Cambridge is the second oldest university in the English speaking world. Graduates of the university have won a total of 65 Nobel Prizes, the most of any university in the world.
And then there is the rivalry between the two... Here are a couple of links I happened upon. I honestly did not think I would have any google hits when I typed in "Oxford versus Cambridge," but I did. College Confidential & Wikipedia
Our daughter took a few pics and wanted to share them! Cambridge & Oxford
Here's another entry in my A to Z Challenge!
