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Morse Country how the television series in-spired
When it comes to tourism, Oxford has it all – the University colleges, ancient architecture and a background of genteel English countryside with punting on Old Father Thames. But with the massive worldwide television success of the Inspector Morse mysteries, the city sights are being devoured by a whole new breed of visitors. These are fans in search of Morse’s Oxford – the scenes of his most gruesome cases, the real-ale pubs he frequents and the country roads he drives along. Whether you’re a fan or not, viewing the city through Morse’s eyes is a great way of seeing the city of spires. Like many of his cases, Death is Now My Neighbour is set in the world of academia in the fictional Lonsdale College, and a walk around the colleges is a trip down Morse memory lane. Most familiar is Magdalen College, which dominates the eastern end of the High Street with its incredible medieval tower. Oscar Wilde studied here and it’s open at limited times for an entry fee of £2. The Botanic Gardens opposite are the oldest in Britain and a favourite Morse haunt. Most of the punting scenes in Morse are filmed by the Magdalen Bridge. This is the best place to hire a punt – but it’s one of the busiest! The Randolph Hotel, where John Thaw and Kevin Whately stay during filming, is something of a fan’s pilgrimage. Room 310, where Mrs Poindexter was found dead in The Wolvercote Tongue, is now the most popular room. But to see the real heart of Morse’s Oxford, visit the sleuth’s pubs – The Turf Tavern down a passageway between Holywell Street and New College Lane along with The Bear in Blue Boar Street.
(Ed. Does this type of activity sound familiar to anybody? This piece has appeared in several magazines being provided by the Oxford Information Centre in order to advertise their Morse tours which still take place most Saturdays at 13.30.) | |||||||
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