13-602: Broad Walk is a wide walkway running east–west on the north side of Christ Church Meadow and south of Merton Field in central Oxford , England. The walkway runs between St Aldate's though the Christ Church War Memorial Garden at the western end and the River Cherwell to the east at the southern end of the University of Oxford Botanic Garden . To the north at the western end is Christ Church , one of
26-515: Is a flood-meadow and popular walking and picnic spot in Oxford , England. Roughly triangular in shape, it is bounded by the River Thames (the stretch through Oxford being known as " The Isis "), the River Cherwell , and Christ Church . The meadow provides access to many of the college boathouses , which are on an island at the confluence of the two rivers. The lower sections of the meadow, close to
39-537: Is a street in central Oxford , England , named after Saint Aldate , but formerly known as Fish Street. The street runs south from the generally acknowledged centre of Oxford at Carfax . The Town Hall , which includes the Museum of Oxford , is on the east side of the street. Christ Church , with its imposing Tom Tower , faces the east end of St Aldate's, while Pembroke College (on Pembroke Square) faces its west end. Other adjoining streets include Blue Boar Street to
52-635: Is an entrance to Christ Church Meadow and, still on the east side, the University of Oxford 's Faculty of Music, containing the Bate Collection of Musical Instruments ; the building was opened in 1936 for St Catherine's Society . Oxford's police station (designed by H. F. Hurcombe, the City Estates Surveyor, and completed in 1936) and the Oxford Combined Court Centre (designed by Henry Smith and completed in 1932) opposite precede
65-469: Is immediately to the north of Broad Walk. Opposite to the south, the tree-lined Poplar Walk , laid out in 1872 by Henry Liddell , Dean of Christ Church, leads down to the River Thames . Views of some of the spires and towers of Oxford include (west to east) Tom Tower , the spire of Christ Church Cathedral , Merton College Chapel Tower , and Magdalen Tower . The first hot air balloon ascent in Britain
78-743: The Christ Church War Memorial Garden , from the north in Merton Street via Grove Walk and Merton Walk , and from the eastern end of the High Street via Rose Lane near the Oxford Botanic Garden to the northeast. There is also less-used access from near the Head of the River public house by Folly Bridge on the River Thames to the southwest, connecting to Poplar Walk (created by Henry Liddell in 1872) and
91-430: The Oxford colleges. The tower of Merton College Chapel dominates the view north from Broad Walk across Merton Field, beyond Dead Man's Walk and the old city wall which run parallel to Broad Walk, connected via Merton Walk . Broad Walk used to be lined with large elm trees, but has been denuded due to Dutch elm disease . The Meadow Building of Christ Church, in an imposing stone-faced Venetian Gothic style,
104-508: The Thames, are grazed by cattle (including Longhorn cows ) while the upper sections have sports fields. Broad Walk is at the northern edge with Merton Field to the north and Merton College , dominated by the tower of Merton College Chapel , beyond that. Christ Church Meadow is owned by Christ Church , and is thus the private property of the college; however, access is allowed during the day. Access starts very early to allow rowers to go to
117-401: The boathouses. Eights Week and Torpids , Oxford University 's two main rowing events, and Christ Church Regatta are held on the Thames here. In past times, ornamental wooden barges were moored on the river here to store boats and house spectators. However, these have all now been replaced by boathouses. The meadow can be accessed from St Aldate's to the northwest via Broad Walk through
130-618: The east side and Pembroke Street , Pembroke Square , Brewer Street , Rose Place, and Speedwell Street to the west. St Aldate's Church is on the west side of the street, in Pembroke Square. Opposite Christ Church is Alice's Shop , formerly frequented by Alice Liddell , and the model for the Sheep Shop in the "Wool and Water" chapter in Through the Looking-Glass . South of Christ Church
143-539: The medieval royal pretender John Deydras claimed to have been persuaded by the devil to impersonate Edward II in 1318. Postwar development planned for central Oxford included a relief road passing through the meadow and joining the district of St Ebbe's . The proposal was finally defeated in 1971 after vigorous opposition. 51°44′53″N 1°15′07″W / 51.748°N 1.252°W / 51.748; -1.252 St Aldate%27s, Oxford St Aldate's ( / ˈ ɔː l d eɪ t s / , like "all dates")
SECTION 10
#1732851279820156-455: The path by the river. All entrances are via railinged gates that are locked at night. James Sadler made the first ascent in a balloon by an Englishman from the Meadow on 4 October 1784. The balloon rose to a height of around 3,600 feet and landed six miles away near the village of Wood Eaton near Islip to the northeast of Oxford. A plaque notes the event. The Meadow was also the location where
169-573: Was made by James Sadler (1753–1828) from Merton Field on 4 October 1783, to the north of Broad Walk. Postwar development planned for central Oxford included a relief road passing through the Christ Church Meadow along the route of Broad Walk and joining the district of St Ebbe's . The proposal was defeated after strong opposition. 51°44′57″N 1°15′08″W / 51.7492°N 1.2522°W / 51.7492; -1.2522 Christ Church Meadow, Oxford Christ Church Meadow
#819180