I had to miss last year’s Worldwide PhotoWalk as we were away. This annual worldwide event is organised by Scott Kelby. This year Brian Worley organised the walk around Oxford on Saturday 4th October.
Before the walk
The walk was scheduled to start at 2 pm close to the Ratcliffe Camera. We came by car and parked at the Redbridge Park and Ride and arrived in Oxford a few hours early. This gave us time to explore from the Westgate Shopping Centre to the Covered Market.
Then it was lunchtime and I ate in the market at the Pieminister. With time to spare we walked some more but after it started to rain we bought coffees in “The Coffee Shop.”
The walk around Oxford
We met at the starting point just after 1:30 pm with our fingers crossed that the promised rain would not last all afternoon.
[]
Here is the route:
Leave from the starting point and go to the right side of the Radcliffe Camera which is Catte Street. Follow along Catte Street, diverting in to the Bodleian Library if you choose, but certainly stop to see the “Bridge of Sighs” on the right side.
After the Bridge of Sighs go to the end of Catte Street pass the Clarendon Building on your left and turn left in to Broad Street. Follow along Broad Street about half way, before turning left in to Turl Street.
Walk along Turl Street and take the second right in the Market Street. Walk along to the entrance to the Covered Market, and then wander on in to the market.
You may want to take a few laps of the different sections of the market, but after 10 to 15 minutes head out to the High Street, which is the other side to where you entered the market.
Cross over High Street – minding cars, buses and bikes. Head down the narrow Wheatsheaf Yard to the end and the Bear pub on Blue Boar Street. Bear left and follow in to Bear Lane and on to Oriel Square.
There are three colleges bordering this square; Christ Church, Oriel and Corpus Christi. Leave Oriel Square in to the cobbled Merton Street.
Proceed along Merton Street to the furthest end, turning left at the corner by the pink painted building. Merton Street reaches High Street, where you turn right. In front of you is Magdalen College which even has a Deer Park in its grounds.
Keep going towards the Oxford Botanic Gardens where your turn right in to Rose Lane. This leads though a narrow gate. You may need to hand carry any back packs to fit through this gate.
Keeping Merton Field on your right, walk down the gravel path to the Watcher Tree and the River Cherwell. You may spot people out in punts on this section of the river.
Turn right along the tree lined and appropriately named Broad Walk to arrive in front of Christ Church College. Keep on along the Broad Walk until you reach the road, St Aldates, before turning right and crossing over the road.
Walk up to Pembroke Square on your left, go in to the square and round the back of St Aldates Church. Look for the narrow gap between the buildings that returns you to Pembroke Street and the Story Museum.
Turn right back to St Aldate’s where you turn left to continue up to cross roads that is the junction of High Street, Queens Street, Cornmarket Street and St. Aldate’s.
Carry on straight ahead in to the pedestrianised Cornmarket Street. There are often street performers along here. Head to the other end of Cornmarket Street before turning left in to St. Michael’s Street. The Plough Inn is on the corner of St. Michael’s Street.
Head all the way along St. Michael’s Street to the junction with New Inn Hall Street. Turn left into Bew Inn Hall Street and walk along towards the end point of the walk, Bonn Square right in front of the Westgate Shopping Centre.
Graffitti?
Walking back down towards the Westgate Shopping Centre and the finish.
The attendees from my camera club then went to the nearby M&S Cafe for a coffee before we caught the bus back to the car park.
My five chosen images
Attendees are asked to submit five images to Brian. From the submitted Oxford walk images Brian picks one and forwards it to Scott to be considered in the worldwide competitions.
These were my five picks from the day.