Scholars' Trip

Day 1

The scholars enjoyed a busy day in Oxford. First stop was The Natural History Museum with its dinosaurs, mammal skeletons and displays of minerals, followed by the eclectic Pitt Rivers Museum - packed full of fascinating objects from around the world and the scholars were particularly drawn to the weapons, toys/games and items of torture. After a picnic in University Parks, the scholars visited the Oxford Colleges of Magdalen, Merton and Christchurch. Christchurch narrowly emerged the favourite destination to be considered in five years' time! The day was topped off with a shopping spree around Westgate before supper at Prezzo.

 Day 2

The morning was spent in Oxford going to the Ashmolean Museum. The scholars were particularly fascinated by the Egyptian artifacts and hieroglyphics, and the Impressionist paintings. The afternoon was spent at Blenheim, walking through the State Rooms, exploring the gardens, visiting the Winston Churchill exhibition and getting lost in the Maze. Just arrived Harbourside in Bristol with the sun shining.

Day 3

Another eventful taking in the sights and sounds of Bristol. First, it was off the M Shed, where we were lucky enough to catch the NHM Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, and the scholars' favourite was a hummingbird silhouetted by the sun. Then, we traveled up river past John Cabot's ship 'The Matthew' to the SS Great Britain - an amazing museum capturing what it was like to sail abroad the world's largest ship and a true testiment to Brunel's visionary engineering brillance. Finally, we went in search of Banksy and discovered 'The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum' on Spike Island, and 'Well Hung Lover'. This evening, the scholars are taking in another of Brunel's engineering feats - the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

 Day 4

This was a day of water, fish, swimming and the beach. In the morning, there was a visit the Bristol Aquarium featuring thousands of fish from around the world including the scholars' favourites - sharks, rays, conger eels, archer fish and seahorses. It was imaginatively designed and presented with habitats including the Amazing Amazon, Coral Seas, Sunken Shipwreck and Ocean Floor. This aquatic experience was followed by a quick dash to Studland to join their friends on the beach to celebrate the end of Common Entrance.