OXFORD, the people, places and lots of the buildings are all part of what makes the Oxford Open Doors festival so special each year.
The weekend-long event sees buildings usually closed to the public opening their doors to the curious – providing a rare glimpse of places historic and cutting-edge. And this is the best yet.
From the old (like the 18th century Radcliffe Observatory – to the new or even future (like the site of the nearby Stephen A Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities) the full breadth of Oxford’s history is included in this year’s programme.
Lots of Oxford University colleges are taking part this weekend, so head to the High Street to All Souls (with resident brass band), Corpus Christi, Merton, Teddy Hall and Magdalen. Then there are the university buildings, examination schools and the Bodleian and Weston Libraries.
The Oxford Preservation Trust's Open Doors. Exeter College. Picture by Ed Nix
While we all know that Oxford is a global brand and you can find out what this means at the medical sciences department on the Old Road Campus in Headington.
There you’ll get more of an insight by meeting with some of the clever experts and researchers who will be sharing something of their work, along with interactive science games and experiments to enjoy.
Down in the town, there are vintage buses and classic cars at Oxford Castle, and the ever-popular Rewley Road Fire station is open, from where a short walk leads to the Oxford Preservation Trust-restored Railway Swing Bridge – newly revamped and with a great story to tell.
Walk back along the canal to the castle, which opens for free on Sunday with a children’s trail. There is also a trail at the Covered Market – a jewel in the city’s heritage.
Music will play its part with the Oxford International Song Festival at the Holywell Music Room, the first ever purpose built concert hall in Europe. The Pavlova Quintet will also perform at the Sheldonian tomorrow afternoon.
As the weather promises to be good, head to the University Parks for a close up look at the tractors and machinery they use every day and where you can plant some seeds, enjoy an art workshop and have a guided tour.
If you think you’re too cool for all this, then think again.
Leave the sofa and box sets behind and head to the Castle Tower Gallery where you can do something good for the planet by upcycling your old T-shirts and tote bags with an iconic Oxford symbol designed by Mani, Oxford’s own graffiti artist.
Oxford Open Doors. Picture by Ed Nix
While you wait for the dye to dry you can take a specially created Oxford graffiti tour to hidden places, where masons’ marks and students’ political statements that have survived through the ages, are guaranteed to intrigue.
Each year we have a theme to make it just a little bit different and this year’s is ‘Everyday Oxford’ which means town, the universities and the colleges in our great city.
Discover all the wonders of everyday life in Oxford throughout the ages, like the hidden gem the Painted Room, which used to be a 14th-century tavern, or visit Somerville College’s special exhibition celebrating college staff. Or why not add your own family memories to the Iffley Families Archive at St Mary’s Church at Iffley?
Debbie Dance of OPT in the Painted Room, Oxford - reputed to have been used by William Shakespeare. Picture by Ed Nix
Tour the famous Randolph Hotel and don’t miss the chance to visit Osney Power Station and hear more about the latest development plans by the Said Business School.
This year sustainability is included with a range of more than 15 energy-saving homes inviting you in to share their success at reducing their carbon – solar panels, air source heat pumps, insulation and other low-cost measures will all be on show with the chance to speak to homeowners to get tips and make connections.
We are grateful to the University of Oxford for its particular support and to all the many places and people, and all the volunteers who make the weekend happen.
Each year we put together a mix of the old favourites and lots of new places and ideas, and this year is stronger than ever with lots to entice families and young people and so much to share in the generous opening up of our international award-winning science labs and local energy-saving homes.
Don’t forget to look out for the prize draw which includes a tour of the Radcliffe Camera with Bodley’s Librarian, a tour of Oxford with Twitter supremo and architectural historian Prof William Whyte, and another of the town with me.
This will be the last Oxford Open Doors that I will create as I stand down at the end of the year so I especially look forward to seeing you this weekend. It is going to be fun.
The Oxford Open Doors weekend is full of fun and interest so join us and celebrate all things Oxford, its people and its places, heritage, community, culture, science and research.
With over 110 doors opening, there will be something for everyone across all ages young and young at heart with lots of special family activities free to all.
l Oxford Preservation Trust’s Oxford Open Doors today and tomorrow. Details from oxfordpreservation.org.uk and on social media at @OxPresTrusthe Holywell Music Room, the first ever purpose built concert hall in Europe. The Pavlova Quintet will also perform at the Sheldonian on Sunday afternoon.
As the weather promises to be good, head to the University Parks for a close up look at the tractors and machinery they use every day and where you can plant some seeds, enjoy an art workshop and have a guided tour.
If you think you’re too cool for all this, then think again.
Leave the sofa and box sets behind and head to the Castle Tower Gallery where you can do something good for the planet by upcycling your old T-shirts and tote bags with an iconic Oxford symbol designed by Mani, Oxford’s own graffiti artist.
While you wait for the dye to dry you can take a specially created Oxford graffiti tour to hidden places, where masons’ marks and students’ political statements that have survived through the ages, are guaranteed to intrigue.
Each year we have a theme to make it just a little bit different and this year’s is ‘Everyday Oxford’ which means town, the universities and the colleges in our great city.
Discover all the wonders of everyday life in Oxford throughout the ages, like the hidden gem the Painted Room, which used to be a 14th-century tavern, or visit Somerville College’s special exhibition celebrating college staff. Or why not add your own family memories to the Iffley Families Archive at St Mary’s Church at Iffley?
Tour the famous Randolph Hotel and don’t miss the chance to visit Osney Power Station and hear more about the latest development plans by the Said Business School.
This year sustainability is included with a range of more than 15 energy-saving homes inviting you in to share their success at reducing their carbon – solar panels, air source heat pumps, insulation and other low-cost measures will all be on show with the chance to speak to homeowners to get tips and make connections.
We are grateful to the University of Oxford for its particular support and to all the many places and people, and all the volunteers who make the weekend happen.
Each year we put together a mix of the old favourites and lots of new places and ideas, and this year is stronger than ever with lots to entice families and young people and so much to share in the generous opening up of our international award-winning science labs and local energy-saving homes.
Don’t forget to look out for the prize draw which includes a tour of the Radcliffe Camera with Bodley’s Librarian, a tour of Oxford with Twitter supremo and architectural historian Prof William Whyte, and another of the town with me.
This will be the last Oxford Open Doors that I will create as I stand down at the end of the year so I especially look forward to seeing you this weekend. It is going to be fun.
The Oxford Open Doors weekend is full of fun and interest so join us and celebrate all things Oxford, its people and its places, heritage, community, culture, science and research.
With over 110 doors opening, there will be something for everyone across all ages young and young at heart with lots of special family activities free to all.
- Oxford Open Doors Weekend takes place this weekend (September 9-10). See oxfordpreservation.org.uk
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