Host Site: Christ Church College

 

Our Oxford Leadership Programme was hosted at Christ Church College in 2022. This is one of the 39 colleges and 6 Permanent Private Halls that are a part of the University of Oxford. 

Christ Church College was established by Henry VIII in 1546 and is one of Oxford’s largest colleges. It is located in the heart of the city, so it’s conveniently close to museums, shops and restaurants. Oxford’s system is unique with 38 colleges and 6 Permanent Private Halls. In previous years, the Programme has taken place at Wycliffe Hall, but this year the host site will be Christ Church College, Oxford.

Not only is it a college, but Christ Church is the only academic institution in the world which is also a cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of Oxford. The Cathedral is the College Chapel as well as the cathedral church for the Diocese of Oxford. The beautiful building is home to a vibrant worshipping community and hosts a wide range of events, music, art and drama. For almost 900 years this church has stood here as a place of worship and prayer. Christ Church Cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in Oxford and one of the smallest cathedrals in the Church of England. The Chancel has a remarkable stone vaulted ceiling, created in 1500 and considered to be one of the finest examples of its type in any English cathedral.

The Christ Church College buildings have inspired replicas throughout the world in addition to being featured in films such as Harry Potter and The Golden Compass. This has helped Christ Church College become the most popular Oxford college for tourists with almost half a million visitors annually.

 

The Masters' Garden is a lovely place to walk or sit and enjoy the view. Christ Church College is unique amongst the Oxford colleges for its wonderful meadow which is full of wildlife and is home to Christ Church's own long-horn cattle. There is also a beautiful tree-lined walk down to the river Isis.

Christ Church College has had many inspiring members throughout its history, including poets W.H. Auden and Vahni Capildeo, BBC presenter David Dimbleby, Nobel Prize-winning biologist Sir John Gurdon, the inventor of the World Wide Web Sir Tim Berners-Lee, author Charles Dodgson (a.k.a. Lewis Carroll), and 13 previous British Prime Ministers.

 

Christ Church College holds an impressive private collection of artworks from Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo that can be seen in its Picture Gallery.

Learning sessions took place on site in the Mckenna room, an attractive and spacious room with oil paintings and a fireplace.

 

A helpful map of the Christ Church College campus can be found HERE