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Oxford Leasing

Did You Know?

Oxford University was established in or around the 11th century, making it the second-oldest known university in the world behind the University of Bologna. The town was named around AD 900, as a river crossing (or “ford”) for oxen.

Oxford is famous for its libraries, and with good reason. The University has incredible collections of books, manuscripts and other materials, many of them housed in beautiful, historic buildings. These resources draw scholars to the University from all over the world.

St George's Tower in Oxford Castle (1020) St George's Tower looks rugged even compared to the rest of the castle. One of the two surviving Saxon towers in the city of Oxford, St George's Tower was built around 1020 AD.

The oldest recorded competition in Britain, the “Great Dunmow Flitch Trials” are one of the more bizarre historic events to come out of Essex. Happening every 4 years and dating back to 1104, married couples compete to prove their devotion to each other - and the winners are awarded a flitch of bacon.

Where was Harry Potter filmed in Oxford? The city and its historic university buildings were used to film some of the most iconic and mesmerising scenes from Harry Potter, as well as serving as a source of inspiration for the filmmakers to create larger-scale sets at their Warner Bros. Studios here in the UK.

Oxford is a diverse and historic city, just a short distance to the west of London. It's a major British and European centre for the arts, science, technology and innovation, and a fantastic place to live and study.

University College owes its origins to William of Durham, who died in 1249; however a legend grew up in the 1380s that we were actually founded even earlier, by King Alfred in 872, and, understandably enough, this became widely accepted as the truth.

A hidden gem, The Bear is the oldest pub in Oxford and situated just off the hustle and bustle of the busy High Street. Popular with students, locals and tourists alike, The Bear is a beacon for anyone who enjoys a fantastic pint of real ale and good, home-cooked, traditional pub food.

Oxford was modeled on the University of Paris, with initial faculties of theology, law, medicine, and the liberal arts. In the 13th century the university gained added strength, particularly in theology, with the establishment of several religious orders, principally Dominicans and Franciscans, in the town.

The Museum of Natural History has the most complete specimens of the dodo (a flightless bird). The bird went extinct in the 17th Century, and this museum has the mummified bones on display. 

In the 13th Century a stone keep was built inside the castle walls, replacing its wooden structure to help with defence during the Barons war. The castle was besieged for a second time during the Baron’s war and its defences were strengthened once more with stone structures, a moated barbican.