"Manners Makyth Man"
New College, Oxford
Harry Potter fans rejoice! New College was used as a location in The Goblet of Fire. When we decided to visit I had completely forgotten that New was another 'Potter College', but the minute you see the Cloisters you'll recognise it immediately from the film. Under the tree in the centre of the Cloisters is where a certain character gets turned into a ferret! New has a lot to offer for visitors, and is very distinct from other colleges. It has a 'lived-in' feel about it, when you walk through the Cloisters it feels centuries old, unlike a lot of the other colleges.There is something very atmospheric about New, like behind the stairwells, the creaky corridors and deserted Cloisters are hundreds of years of secrets and stories, all very impressive! New was founded in 1379 by William of Wykeham, and was referred to as New due to the fact that Oriel was also a college dedicated to the Virgin Mary. New College has one of the most prestigious and impressive choirs in the world. The chapel is beautifully ornate, with a wall of statues of saint's, beautiful stained glass windows (some by Joshua Reynolds) , and a huge organ. Another great feature of New was the garden. The garden quad is rumoured to be based on Versailles and there are parts of the old city walls surrounding it. The first thing you will notice is a huge cluster of trees in a circular shape right in front of you. This is the mysterious 'Mound'. The second thing you will notice is the sign saying the mound is off limits! A stone stairs leads up into the Mound, looking like an ascent to heaven with the surrounding trees blurring half the stairs. One day I plan on seeing what is on top of that Mound! The gardens are very well kept and we visited at the perfect time, with splashes of vibrant greens, pinks and reds blooming, pink blossoms glittering on the paths, and luscious greenery at every corner.
http://www.new.ox.ac.uk/
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