Tom Test Tours
Christ Church, Oxford, OX1 1DP, GB
Rating: 4.7 ★ (109 ratings)
Details
The majestic Tom Tower, a late Gothic masterpiece designed by the famed Sir Christopher Wren, serves as the iconic main entrance to Christ Church, Oxford. Completed between 1681 and 1682, this square tower with its distinctive octagonal lantern and ogee dome was a precursor to the Gothic Revival style. Housed within is the impressive Great Tom, a seven-tonne bell that chimes 101 times every evening at 9:05 PM, a tradition dating back to the college's original 101 students and signalling the historic curfew. This nightly ritual, adhering to "Oxford time" (five minutes behind Greenwich Mean Time), has been a constant in Oxford life for over three centuries. A statue of Queen Anne, gifted in 1706 by Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford, graces a niche on the tower's quad-facing side, adding another layer of history to this remarkable structure.
Beyond the imposing presence of Tom Tower and its famous bell, Christ Church unfolds as one of Oxford's largest and most prestigious colleges, founded by Cardinal Wolsey in 1525 and re-founded by King Henry VIII in 1546. Visitors can step into Tom Quad, the largest quadrangular courtyard in Oxford, and admire the surrounding architecture, including the entrances to the Christ Church Cathedral – unique in being both a college chapel and the city's cathedral – and the magnificent Great Hall. This historic hall, with its impressive hammerbeam ceiling and portraits of famous alumni, famously served as inspiration for the Hogwarts dining hall in the Harry Potter films. The college also boasts connections to Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" and houses a notable picture gallery.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Tuesday: Closed; Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Thursday: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Friday: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Saturday: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Sunday: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Comments
I discovered that Tom Tower was designed by the renowned architect Christopher Wren and completed in 1682. It features the Great Tom bell, which tolls every evening at 9:05 PM, historically marking the end of the day for the students at Christ Church. I also found out that the tower has gained fame for its appearance in the Harry Potter films, where it served as a backdrop for scenes at Hogwarts. Despite my disappointment in not being able to enter, I appreciated the tower’s historical and cinematic significance from the outside, making it a memorable part of my trip to Oxford.