Oxford and Cambridge side by side
Oxford and Cambridge are linked by long-standing pairings between their colleges, and by places that do a similar job in each city. This page lists the pairs, with facts taken from each page's sources. Cambridge pages are on our sister site, CambridgeLocal.
The Oxford colleges and their Cambridge counterparts are paired in the Wikipedia list of Oxbridge sister colleges. The arrangements differ from pair to pair, and the list notes that a few pairings are disputed; we include only pairings the list gives without a dispute.
Places that match
Each pair shows facts from each side's own page, with the source beside it.
University of Oxford Botanic Garden
- Founded in 1621 as a physic garden growing plants for medicinal research Wikipedia: University of Oxford Botanic Garden
- Over 5,000 different plant species on 1.8 ha (4+1⁄2 acres) Wikipedia: University of Oxford Botanic Garden
Cambridge University Botanic Garden
- Present garden: land bought 1831; first tree 1846 Wikipedia: Cambridge University Botanic Garden
- 16 hectares; over 8,000 species Wikipedia: Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Ashmolean Museum
- The museum opened on 24 May 1683 Wikipedia: Ashmolean Museum
Fitzwilliam Museum
- Founded 1816 under will of Richard FitzWilliam, 7th Viscount FitzWilliam Wikipedia: Fitzwilliam Museum
- More than half a million objects Wikipedia: Fitzwilliam Museum
Bodleian Library
- It is one of six legal deposit libraries for works published in the United Kingdom Wikipedia: Bodleian Library
- Over 13 million printed items Wikipedia: Bodleian Library
Cambridge University Library
- One of six legal deposit libraries Wikipedia: Cambridge University Library
- About 9 million items Wikipedia: Cambridge University Library
The Turf Tavern
- Stephen Hawking is among the public figures said to have dined or drunk at the tavern Wikipedia: Turf Tavern
- The tavern featured in the ITV series Inspector Morse (1987–2000) Wikipedia: Turf Tavern
The Eagle
- Francis Crick announced DNA structure at the pub, 28 Feb 1953 Wikipedia: The Eagle, Cambridge
- Coaching inn since 1667 Wikipedia: The Eagle, Cambridge
Christ Church Meadow
- Christ Church Meadow is owned by Christ Church, and is thus the private property of the college; however, access is allowed during the day Wikipedia: Christ Church Meadow
- The lower sections of the meadow, close to the Thames, are grazed by cattle (including Longhorn cows) while the upper sections have sports fields Wikipedia: Christ Church Meadow
The Backs
- Area east of Queen's Road where college grounds back on to the Cam on both banks Wikipedia: The Backs
- Cattle can still be found grazing behind King's College Wikipedia: The Backs
Sister colleges
Source for every pairing: Wikipedia, List of Oxbridge sister colleges. Some Oxford colleges have more than one Cambridge sister, and some have none. A founding year appears only where our page gives a single year with a sourced record behind it.