Savoring the City: Oxford Edition
A NYC boudoir photographer explores Oxford
Oxford Unveiled: A Boudoir Photographer's English Escapade
Bonjour, everyone! Come take a stroll with me through the picturesque streets of Oxford!
After our recent whirlwind adventure that took us from the canals of Amsterdam to the hustle and bustle of London, we wrapped up our journey with a day in this enchanting city. And let me tell you, it was like stepping into a storybook!
We traveled by train from Paddington Station in London. It was a comfortable ride that took about an hour. I long to see train culture come to America the way it has in Europe and the UK. A girl can dream, can’t she?
As a boudoir photographer, new to NYC, lapping up the vibrant energy there, Oxford offered a rather sweet change of pace. The air here was thick with history and academia, which felt incredibly sexy to me. I was reminded of cozy nights watching movies like "Saltburn" and "The Theory of Everything" (I made sure to watch both again on the long flight back home).
These two were busted for smoking right after I took this photo of them lounging at Radcliffe Camera.
Oxford’s beauty made quite an impression on me! But so did little moments that unfolded before me, like while wandering along the river, we suddenly spotted a group of lady rowers gliding gracefully across the water until they were atempting to turn around with kayakers on either side coming toward them. It seemed like a bit of a stressful situation until one of the rowers shouted out to a passing kayaker, complimenting her on her top, and then we hear her sharing where she bought it. It was a scene straight out of a feel-good movie!
Of course, no visit to Oxford would be complete without diving into its rich academic and literary history. We made sure to visit the doorways to the Schools of Philosophy, Logic and Music.
We walked by the pubs where J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis used to hang out (the Eagle and the Child as well as Lamb and Flag), soaking in the atmosphere and imagining the conversations that must have taken place within those walls. Apparently Tolkien drew inspiration for characters at The Eagle and Child, if not wrote some of it there.
We also stumbled upon St. Sepulchre, a beautiful cemetery that was used during a cholera epidemic.
But the real standout? Our stop at "Worton Kitchen Garden," our friend's brother's farm-to-table restaurant just outside Oxford. The food there was truly exceptional. I ordered French-style radishes with butter and sea salt to start. They were perfect in their simplicity.And the root vegetable curry was incredible — so flavorful!
Not only was the food top-notch, but the atmosphere was also something special. We dined in a greenhouse, surrounded by lush greenery and the soothing sounds of nature. Just outside of the restaurant were gardens and livestock, including adorable chickens and a rather handsome turkey. Dining at Worton Kitchen Garden felt like a retreat I would want to return to time and time again with loved ones. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect setting to enjoy a delicious meal with our friends and to soak in the beauty of the countryside.
As we reluctantly boarded the train back to London, I couldn't help but feel grateful for our time in Oxford. It's a city where history and modernity collide in the most magical way. Until next time, Oxford – you've stolen a piece of my heart!
