Christ Church, College and cathedral in Oxford, England
Christ Church is a college and cathedral in Oxford, England, located along St Aldate's near the city centre. The grounds include several courtyards, gardens, a great dining hall, and the smallest cathedral in England.
Cardinal Wolsey founded Cardinal College in 1525, but after his fall King Henry VIII refounded the institution in 1546. The cathedral existed before the college was created and was integrated into the new structure.
The college is called "The House", short for its Latin name Ædes Christi, and never "Christ Church College". The cardinal's hat of founder Wolsey remains its symbol, and an original hat is kept in the college library. The Great Hall still serves as the students' dining room.
Visitors can explore the grounds for an admission fee but should check opening times in advance as academic events may limit access. A walk through the courtyards and gardens typically takes about an hour.
The Tom Tower houses a bell called Great Tom that rings 101 times every evening at 9:05 PM. This time corresponds to the original Oxford time, which is five minutes behind Greenwich.
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