Whistle Stop Tour of London for Brasenose Students

Setting off from Oxford in the early afternoon, Bucksmore Advanced Studies Programme (ASP) students were whisked away to the busy, bustling streets of London. The first stop was the Tate Modern, an art museum housed in the enormous empty shell of a former power station. Our enthusiastic Bucksmore scholars were set loose to explore the new exhibition, entitled ‘Magic Realism: Art in Weimar Germany’, celebrating the brief flourishing of art in pre-1933 Germany.

Inspired, Bucksmore Counsellors allowed the students a break for dinner before leading the students through the culturally diverse markets of the South Bank, pointing out illustrious London landmarks such as the London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral. The skies were blue and there were many opportunities for pictures with the Thames and the occasional typically British red telephone box.

Finally, our ASP students reached Westminster Bridge, spanning the mighty Thames between Lambeth and the Houses of Parliament. The Counsellors then led a tour of Parliament Square pointing out statues of the famous and good, many of whom, such as Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill, students immediately recognised.

All too soon, the trip was over and, after a quick look around the outside of Westminster Abbey, all students were safely counted onto the waiting coach and the journey back to Oxford began.