In her latest literary-themed travels around these islands Lorna Hogg recounts the numerous books, films and TV series for which Oxford has provided a spectacular backdrop
For centuries, Oxford has attracted students, writers, historians – and most recently, film makers. Its honey coloured buildings and `dreaming spires’ have inspired centuries of authors, not to forget TV and film producers. Now, its tranquil location, with riverside vistas, rolling acres, and architecture dating back to the 1300s, is appreciated by a world wide audience – thanks to film and television.
Evelyn Waugh’s book, Brideshead Revisited will be forever linked with the privilege and lifestyles of gilded youth, the offspring of wealthy and often titled families, who attended Oxford University over previous centuries. However, the range and numbers of Oxford visitors received a new lease of life – and curiosity, after the 1981 televised version of the book. Whilst the Oxford backdrop is relevant to just a portion of the book – its attractions went worldwide. They are reflected in the numbers of tourists who flock there each year, to visit the university and its colleges, plus, of course, nearby Blenheim Palace.
The city proved an ideal and suitably theatrical backdrop – for Harry Potter, notably in The Philosopher’s Stone and Goblet of Fire. The New College Cloisters and Courtyard, and the magnificent architecture at Christ Church proved the perfect backdrops
`Brideshead’ inspired the first recent wave of global interest – but Oxford soon and somewhat surprisingly, went on to provide the unlikely backdrop for some popular detective work. The investigations of ` Inspector Morse and its spin offs Lewis and Endeavour expanded Oxford’s attractions. More recently, the dreaming spires and splendid architecture provided an atmospheric and ideal backdrop for – wizardry. Harry Potter’s spells were closely followed by what some would say was another aspect of magic, in `His Dark Matter’.
For many readers, however, the classic Oxford book still remains the haunting world of Evelyn Waugh, who admitted (like many students!) to having ‘wasted’ his time there. His characters epitomized `gilded youth’ – the wealthy, often public school educated sons of the ruling classes – for whom university was a time to meet the right people and take a stepping stone to an illustrious career. To this day, Oxford still produces British Prime Ministers and Ministers. The list includes politicians of all persuasions, from Harold Wilson and Edward Heath, to Margaret Thatcher, David Cameron, Theresa May – and Boris Johnston.
Ironically, Evelyn Waugh did not come from an upper class background, although his father was a wealthy publisher. Born in the London of 1904, he attended the prestigious Lancing College, but on his Oxford arrival, joined one of the less well known colleges – Hertford. After Oxford, Waugh taught, and later became a successful author and newspaper correspondent.
Brideshead’s Evelyn Waugh did not come from an upper class background, although his father was a wealthy publisher
It was `Brideshead Revisited ‘ however, which would bring him acclaim and a place in literary history. In 1940, the disillusioned army Captain Charles Ryder, finds himself on duty at a magnificent country mansion – which he recognises from his youthful time at Oxford University in the 1920s. The book tells the story of the innocent and inexperienced student, who becomes fascinated by a new friend – and how that influences his life.
The friend, charming and eccentric Sebastian Flyte, attended the glamorous and sought after Christ Church College. He came from an ancient and wealthy Catholic family, and the story details the complexities of Charles’s attraction to both Sebastian and his family. He became a close friend, as Sebastian descended into alcoholism – and also grew to love the opulence and glamour of the Marchmain’s lives at their palatial home, Brideshead. Charles also later fell in love with Sebastian’s sister Julia. However, by the time of his `Re-visit’, he had learned the power of the Marchmain’s unshakeable religious faith – the `twitch upon the thread’ – and later joined the Catholic faith.
Crime might seem to be one of the more unlikely aspects of Oxford. However, it proved an ideal background for three popular TV series, Inspector Morse, and its spin-offs. Lewis and the Morse prequel Endeavour, expanded on the careers of Morse and his trusted partner, Sergeant Lewis. Transported in Morse’s trusty vintage Jaguar, they represented another aspect of Oxford life. Obvious landmarks, and well known sites, e.g. Christ Church, Magdalen and St. Edmund’s Hall Colleges appeared, along with riverside pubs. Morse even received the honour of having a bar at the Randolph Hotel in nearby Woodstock named after him!
Having inspired the Brideshead’s gilded youth, and provided the background for Oxford’s crime investigation skills, Oxford’s next incarnation was – in fantasy. The city proved an ideal and suitably theatrical backdrop – for Harry Potter, notably in The Philosopher’s Stone and Goblet of Fire. The New College Cloisters and Courtyard, and the magnificent architecture at Christ Church proved the perfect backdrops. The Christ Church Staircase and Great Hall inspired Hogwarts Dining Hall scenes, while the Bodelian Library (one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and famed for its vaulted ceiling) morphed into the Duke of Humfrey’s Library. New College’s Divinity School, complete with medieval ceiling, (1400s) provided the hospital backdrop for Hogwarts. Christ Church’s beautiful Bodeley Tower staircase features in The Philosopher’s Stone.
Of course its magnificent ancient buildings are not Oxford’s only attractions – the surrounding countryside, riverside walks and punting add to the appeal for both students and visitors. The city and its surroundings are gifted with riverside pubs, within easy distance of the city and colleges. The Trout, near Godstow, is one of the most famous and picturesque – and well worth a trip
Another famous attraction linked with Oxford lies nearby – the splendid Blenheim Palace. It was designed by the famous seventeenth century architect, Hawksmoor, the architect who also designed Castle Howard, in Yorkshire. A dramatic building, which represented the style and grandeur of the aristocracy at the height of their power, Blenheim remains the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough – the Churchill family. It displays the grandeur, and gives some hints of the lifestyle which would have been lived by the fictional Marchmain family.
Oxford is within easy reach from London, and has an excellent train service. However, whilst it can be seen in a well planned day, there is plenty to see and do on a longer visit. Climb up the Carfax Tower for its views, take a walking tour, relax and enjoy river views during a punt on the river – or risk punting yourself! There is plenty of scope to explore in Oxford’s well loved pubs, and if you visit outside term time, many of the colleges are open to the public. Nearby Sudeley and Berkeley Castles are within easy reach for visits. Keen shoppers can pop up to the discount shopping centre at Bicester, or browse Oxford for the now wide variety of souvenirs – and tours.
More information
www.oxford.gov.uk/visit-oxford
