College, Contemplation, and Cows: Oxford’s Christ Church

Christ Church might be the most famous college at Oxford University. Scenes in the Harry Potter movies were filmed there, so it’s common to encounter sightseers snapping photos while adorned in Gryffindor robes and witch hats. The historic college inspired mathematics lecturer Lewis Carroll when writing Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland; students and visitors can marvel at the figures of the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Red Queen that were added to the stained-glass windows in the 20th century as a tribute. Those who have never stepped onto the Christ Church grounds are familiar (perhaps unknowingly so) with the college because of its frequent depiction in literature, movies, and other media.

Christ Church is more than a film set; it hosts many acclaimed and aspiring scholars. But it is also the beloved home of less intellectual residents, including a tortoise for the annual tortoise race (which also features a lettuce-eating competition for “human tortoises”), little ducks named Tom and Peck, and most noticeably, majestic longhorn cows.

About the Author

Abigail Anthony

Abigail Anthony is a staff writer at National Review.

Featured Tags

Manage following

Higher Education

Oxford

Christ Church might be the most famous college at Oxford University. Scenes in the Harry Potter movies were filmed there, so it’s common to encounter sightseers snapping photos while adorned in Gryffindor robes and witch hats. The historic college inspired mathematics lecturer Lewis Carroll when writing Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland; students and visitors can marvel at the figures of the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Red Queen that were added to the stained-glass windows in the 20th century as a tribute. Those who have never stepped onto the Christ Church grounds are familiar (perhaps unknowingly so) with the college because of its frequent depiction in literature, movies, and other media.

Christ Church is more than a film set; it hosts many acclaimed and aspiring scholars. But it is also the beloved home of less intellectual residents, including a tortoise for the annual tortoise race (which also features a lettuce-eating competition for “human tortoises”), little ducks named Tom and Peck, and most noticeably, majestic longhorn cows.