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Historic building · Oxford, Inglaterra
Christ Church
The largest college in Oxford, founded in 1546 by Henry VIII, with the Tom Quad, Christopher Wren’s Tom Tower, the Great Hall that inspired Hogwarts’ dining hall and the Catedral de Oxford, which also serves as the college chapel.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Christ Church
Christ Church is one of the colleges of the University of Oxford and the only one to have a cathedral within it. It was founded in 1525 by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey as Cardinal College and refounded by Henry VIII in 1546 under its current name. It educated 13 British prime ministers, and it was there that mathematics lecturer Charles Dodgson, known as Lewis Carroll, met Alice Liddell, the dean’s daughter who inspired Alice in Wonderland.
The visitors’ entrance leads into the Tom Quad, the largest quadrangle in Oxford, with the Tom Tower, designed by Christopher Wren in 1681, above the main gate. The bell Great Tom, high up in the tower, rings 101 times every night, one for each scholar of the original foundation. The fan staircase leads to the Great Hall, the 16th‑century dining hall with portraits of former students and windows with references to Alice, which served as the model for Hogwarts’ dining hall in the Harry Potter films.
The Catedral de Oxford, the smallest Anglican cathedral in England, mixes Norman and Gothic architecture, with a fan‑vaulted choir roof and stained glass by Edward Burne‑Jones. South of the college, Christ Church Meadow is a riverside field by the Tâmisa and the Cherwell, with cows grazing, open to anyone who wants to walk there.
The Great Hall is closed during student mealtimes and for events, and the visit follows a route with set times; tickets are bought on the college’s website.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Allow 1 to 1h30 for the tour route, including the Great Hall and the cathedral. The walk through Christ Church Meadow adds about 30 minutes.
Best time
In the morning, because the Great Hall usually closes for student lunchtime. At 21:05 Great Tom rings the 101 bells. Buy a timed ticket on the official site and check there are no closures for events.
How to get there
The visitors’ entrance is at the Meadow Building on St Aldate's, about a 15‑minute walk from Oxford railway station and 5 minutes from Carfax, the central crossroads.
Tip
After the visit, exit via Christ Church Meadow and walk to the Cherwell; in summer you can hire punts near Magdalen Bridge. To hear the cathedral choir, attend Evensong in the late afternoon.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Christ Church
Is the Harry Potter dining hall in Oxford?
The Great Hall at Christ Church served as the model for Hogwarts' dining hall in the films, and the fan-shaped staircase appears in scenes from the first film.
Is the cathedral part of the college?
Yes, the Catedral de Oxford is also Christ Church's chapel. The college visit includes the cathedral.
Is the Great Hall always open?
No. It closes during student mealtimes, usually at lunch, and for events. Check the website before you go.
What is the Christ Church Meadow?
A meadow beside the rivers Tâmisa and Cherwell, south of the college, with paths open to the public.