This visit to some of the most beautiful baroque interiors in Oxford will be led by Matthew Winterbottom and Sarah Medlam. The tour will start at Queen’s College, where we will be shown around the Upper Library by the College Librarian. Founded in 1341, the College was almost entirely rebuilt in the late 17^th and early 18^th centuries. The extraordinarily beautiful Library was built between 1692-1694 and sensitively restored in 2013-2014. The woodwork and carvings are the work of Thomas Minn and Son and the beautiful plaster ceiling is by James Hands with additions by Thomas Roberts of 1756.   Our visit will be followed by lunch in the baroque Great Hall at Queen’s and a brief visit to the Chapel.

We will then make our way to Christ Church for a tour of the remarkable Upper Library with the College Librarian. Founded by Henry VIII in 1546, Christ Church is one of the largest and most magnificent of the Oxford Colleges. The splendid new Library was designed with the intention of attracting aristocratic students to the College by equalling the great classical library buildings of Trinity College, Cambridge and Trinity College Dublin. Building work started in 1717 but was only completed in 1772. The Library is nearly 150 feet long, and contains around 40,000 books. The interior and fittings mostly date from the 1750s, with beautiful plasterwork is by Thomas Roberts of Oxford.  The Library retains most of its original furnishings, including stools made by Thomas Chippendale, library steps and wrought iron charcoal braziers.

Our visit will then continue at Trinity College to visit the newly restored Chapel. Built between 1691 and 1694 and with cedar panelling and virtuoso carvings by Grinling Gibbons, the Chapel is a dynamic integration of architecture, sculpture and painting. It was hailed by contemporaries as the most magnificent chapel in the University. A year-long programme of renovation at a cost of £1million has returned much of this former magnificence and beauty that had been lost under decades of dirt and grime.

Cost including coffee/biscuits and lunch at Queen’s College: £ 50              

Limit: 20

Closing date for applications: Monday 26 February 2018