On summer of 2025, I studied abroad in Oxford. As an art student, I decided to capture my memory in Oxford as watercolor paintings. This is my picture diaries and your handbook of Oxford.
Don’t Sink in the River, but in Oxford’s Nature
Oxford is rich in nature. The best way to feel Oxford’s nature is walking to St. Margaret of Antioch Binsey.
”The Church of St Margaret of Antioch at Binsey (dating from the twelfth century) stands on the site of one of the original monasteries of St Frideswide (the patron saint of Oxford). In the seventh century she escaped to Binsey to avoid marrying the Mercian prince Algar, and when he was blinded by lightning while looking for her, her prayers brought forth a healing spring here, and she cured his blindness with its water.” (Oxford Inscriptions: St Margaret’s Well, Binsey)
If you are going to walk in Oxford, I recommend you to bring an umbrella. Even it was a nice sunny weather when you get out from your hotel, it can be rainy in an hour. However, it is good to feel the rain in nature as well because, then, you will be able to feel and smell of greens and sky.
I painted the adorable house with colorful flowers and the UK flags which I found on the way to the church. Oxford is filled with the colorful flowers, and those always made me happy.
If you need time to be healed by flowers, I recommend you to go to Oxford Botanic Garden. The Oxford Botanic Garden was founded in 1621, and this is the oldest botanic garden in UK (University of Oxford).
The pretty flower gate the I painted is a good photo spot at the garden, and do not forget to find a Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland on one of the trees there.
As a Japanese, I need to share this beautiful word Komorebi. Komorebi is one of the Japanese words which cannot be translated in English, and it means “sunlight leaking through a tree.” This word was born because of Japanese culture which treasures nature. Culture and places have strong connection to language, and the language makes a literature. That is why we studied British literature in Oxford!
On a nice sunny day, I recommend you to experience Oxford River Cruises. A nice and funny boatman will give you interesting stories of Oxford, and you do not have to be worried about sinking if he is there.
Get a cup of beer, bring it on the boat, and enjoy nature. The family of swans is heart-warming. The reflection on the water is brilliant. I personally liked to wave at other cruises or kids on the riversides. (My boatman said do not wave at fishermen because they might not like us.)
Visit, Feel, and Imagine the History of UK
Stonehenge must be one of the best-known place in the UK. Personally, this was the place I was looking forward to visit the most.
Visiting a place which you have studied in textbooks is always the most wonderful experience. I have studied about the Stonehenge in my art history class, and I was very excited to see it directly by my eyes. It was much bigger than I thought, and I could not believe that it was built by people 4,000 years ago. (English Heritage)
There are so many things that you will never know if you do not visit the place, and that is why you need to go out your classroom and see the real one.
Although there are many churches in Oxford, Christ Church is my most favorite one. Christ Church is the biggest college in University of Oxford.
Many graduates from the college made an achievement in the country’s art inspired by its outstanding buildings. Lewis Carroll, an author of Alice in Wonderland, is one of them, and Alice Liddell, who is said to be the model of Alice, was a daughter of the college’s dean. In addition, this college is famous for the place which the movie Harry Potter was filmed. (Christ Church)
If you have chance I recommend you to go to see Orchestra concert at their cathedral. I went to the student’s concert, and it was such an amazing experience to engage with music and the beautiful place.
Blenheim Palace is the one I recommend you to go to the most. This is where Churchill was born and where he lived in. (Blenheim Palace)
It was funny that when I was in garden, the big American football guy in our group suddenly talked to me and said, “Imagine, if you live here…” (and he sighed.) He was literally moved by the beauty of the palace. This place is that much amazing.
In addition, as an artist, I was surprised at Churchill’s talent of painting. His painting was fantastic and special. I enjoyed to see how he observed the Blenheim Palace and Oxford’s landscape though his paintings.
As same as Roman people, Japanese people love baths. I would say the moment we step into the bath is the most peaceful and relaxing moment of the day.
When I was a kid, I took a bath either with my mom or dad every day. During the 15 minutes we are taking a bath, we talked about bunch of different topics. I talked everything which happen in my day, my mom sang songs for me and my dad taught me physics of water. So, I know how meaningful the roman baths were for the people at the time.
Besides the Roman Baths, there are also many places that you should visit in Bath. Especially, I recommend you to experience the British great female writer, Jane Austen’s world. If you have read a book form her, you will appreciate this beautiful town more.
Experience Local Life
If you are in Oxford you will see many cafes. GAIL’s in Summertown is one of the places which I like to get breakfast. There are many local people, and it is a good experience to have breakfast by hearing British accent.
My favorite menu is their baked eggs with bacon, which fulfill my appetite and make me ready to go to the morning class.
If you are staying in Oxford for more than a week, it will be a nice explore to find your favorite cafe.
If you are looking for a good place to have drinks in Oxford, I recommend Turf Tavern.
The Turf Tavern is loved by many people from both in and out of Oxford. This place is also famous as a pub which future American president Bill Clinton smoked “but did not inhale” marijuana when he was studying abroad at University of Oxford.
Because a day in Oxford in summer is very long (it is light outside until 9:30), it is nice to have drinks under the sunlight and chat with friends. What a lovely moment!
Overall, I had really good time in Oxford, and it gave me my new dream to live here one day. I hope I can share this beautiful memory with many people through my picture diary. AND if you are an artist, or even if you are not an artist, I highly recommend to paint your memory in your artistic style when you visit Oxford. I am looking forward to seeing you painting.
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