Today was the day we left London for Liverpool! While many people were looking forward to this part of the trip the most, as this is the Beatles heavy portion of the trip, I absolutely love London and was sorry to leave the vibrant city behind. But more adventures await in Liverpool!
We took a bus to Liverpool, and on our way there, we made a stop at Oxford University. Oxford University is the oldest English speaking university in existence, and the second-oldest surviving university. There is so much history associated with the University, and I have always wanted to visit!
When we first arrived at Oxford, we stopped at the Eagle and Child pub, where J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis used to meet and share ideas. I, being a huge Lord of the Rings fan, may have geeked out over this way more than I should have.
Eagle and Child Pub
Anyways, Philippa’s alma mater is Oxford, so she was able to show us around the university and give us a lot of insight into the everyday life of the students there! It was very interesting to hear how different Oxford is from colleges in America. I think it would be so amazing to be able to go to school there, where so many influential people have gone before!
The buildings and grounds were so beautiful, even on such a gloomy day. It almost added to the “Oxford experience” while we were there, as we were able to experience the typical weather of Oxford. Philipa led us around the grounds of the university, showing us the Camera, the cloisters and medieval garden in New College, and even a dining hall typical of the college of Oxford. Every one of these sites were amazing to see!
The Radcliffe Camera
New College Cloisters
Medieval gardens in New College
Typical Oxford dining hall
After our tour of Oxford, it was time for us to part ways with Philippa, since she wasn’t going on with us to Liverpool. Everyone was really sad to see her go, as we really grew to love her and admire her wealth of knowledge. She really added so much value to out time in London, and I will never forget all that she did for us!
Group photo at Oxford with our tour guide, Philippa Owens
When we finally arrived in Liverpool, we checked in to the Hard Days Night Hotel, a Beatles themed hotel right around the corner from the famous Cavern Club.
My bedroom at the Hard Days Night Hotel in Liverpool – featuring John Lennon and George Harrison
Once we were all settled in at the hotel, we headed around the block to the Cavern Club. The Beatles played at the Cavern 292 times during their time in Liverpool, and even though the current Cavern is not the original, it was rebuilt using many of its original bricks, and using the exact design as the original building. So when we entered the Cavern that night, it was exactly like it would have been when the Beatles were playing there.
It just so happened that our first night at the Cavern Club featured the Mersey Beatles, the Beatles cover band, so it really was as if we were at the Cavern back in the 60’s when the Beatles were there.
The Cavern Club
The Mersey Beatles – Beatles cover band
We listened to a lot of great Beatles music for a few hours, and then turned in back at the hotel. Today was a great but busy day, so we wanted to rest up for our first full day in Liverpool tomorrow!