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OXFORD IN LITERATURE AND FILM

It’s no secret that Oxford is the scholarly capital of Britain, and probably the world. Endless famous faces have graced the university’s halls over the years including some of Britain’s most influential writers such as Oscar Wilde, T.S Eliot, J. R. R. Tolkien and even Dr Seuss! Oxford’s rich literary history has also branched out onto the big (and small) screen, inspiring some iconic productions. Our boutique hotel in Oxford has come up with some of Oxford’s literary and film history you can discover during your stay.

Rediscover the Magic at Harry Potter’s Great Hall

Hogwart’s Great Hall in the Harry Potter franchise was famously inspired by the Tudor dining hall at Oxford’s Christ Church. Visitors can now retrace the steps of Harry Potter and discover some real life magic in this magnificent building. Its staircase was also used several times during the films.

The clositers at New College were also used as a location in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth book and film. The infamous scene where Mad-Eye Moody turns Malfoy into a ferret was filmed here and the Bodleian Library’s Divinity School was used as Hogwart’s infirmary.

Explore Alice in Wonderland

Although Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland wasn’t filmed in Oxford, the author attended Oxford University and it was here that he was inspired to write the classic tales. In fact, he met the ‘real life’ Alice here and thus the story began. We are such a big fan of his we’ve even named one of our rooms after him!

You can take a Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland tour to see where the real Alice lived and the Harry Potter film locations.

Find out more here.

Blenheim Palace on the Big Screen

Nearby to our boutique Oxford hotel, Blenheim Palace has been used in many films. This list includes Spectre, Cinderella, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Gulliver’s Travellers and the recent The BFG and Transformers 5. Take a stroll around its stunning gardens and experience some cinematic magic.

Downton Abbey Fan? Visit Bampton

If you fancy taking a day trip while staying at our Oxford Hotel then visit the Cotswold village of Bampton, which is where some filming of the extremely popular Downton Abbey took place.

Fall in Love at Broughton Castle

Broughton Castle in Banbury is a hidden gem of Oxfordshire and definitely worth a visit when you stay at our Oxford hotel. It has played a backdrop for many productions including Shakespeare in Love and the BBC series Wolf Hall.

Vanbrugh House Hotel, a boutique hotel in Oxford, is ideally located in the centre of Oxford, near to the area’s top Oxford museums, Oxford theatres and Oxford bars. To check availability, email us or call us on 01865 244 622.

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