Tom Tower is a bell tower in Oxford, England, named for its bell, Great Tom. It is over Tom Gate, on St Aldates, the main entrance of Christ Church, Oxford, which leads into Tom Quad. This square tower with an octagonal lantern and facetted ogee dome was designed by Christopher Wren and built 1681–82. The strength of Oxford architectural tradition and Christ Church’s connection to its founder, Henry VIII, motivated the decision to complete the gatehouse structure, left unfinished by Cardinal Wolsey at the date of his fall from power in 1529, and which had remained roofless since. Wren made a case for working in a Late Gothic style – that it “ought to be Gothick to agree with the Founders worke”[1] – a style that had not been seen in a prominent building for a hundred and fifty years, making Tom Tower a lonely precursor[2] of the Gothic Revival that got underway in the mid-18th century.[3] Wren never came to supervise the structure as it was being erected by the stonemason he had recommended, Christopher Kempster of Burford.[4]
it is a wonderful tower Cherie and you framed it very well… thanks for sharing it with us….peter:)
I am glad you enjoyed it
Wouldn’t that be fun, to have a tower named after you: The Cherry Tower. The Ginnie Tower. Doesn’t quite have the same ring, though.
That is rather a fun idea
Loving the series about Morse and then Lewis I would greatly appreciate a visit to Oxford
So many beautiful buildings and history.
I am glad you are enjoying the series
I hope you get the chance to visit one day.
I agree with Ginnie…I’d love Donna’s Tower!
Gee whiz, I’m struggling to keep up with it all. You’re getting around, Cherie.
I hope I am not wearing you out
Exhausted, Cherie, but happy.
That’s alright then
Oh you should visit Cambridge soon then.
Both Oxford and Cambridge are rather different.
Maybe later this year
I love the shape of that bell tower. Now I have to find that Cherry Tower and the Ginnie Tower
And maybe an Astrid Tower too