Statues and Curiosities

The 'Brazen Nose' knocker hangs above the High Table in Brasenose College. It was taken away from Oxford in the 14th century and put on the door of a house in Lincolnshire. The College was reputed to have bought the house to get the knocker back.

Since Mary Potter's illustration (1970s) Oxford has become no less curious. A more recent addition to the city's statues is Anthony Gormley's 7ft nude man which was given to Exeter College. Exeter kindly decided that rather than hide it away in a Fellows' Garden they would make sure everyone could see it, whether town or gown. He stands on the corner of the college overlooking Broad Street, causing anyone who looks up to do a double take.

Binsey Church is not the only proud owner of an owl - Oxford Central Railway Station has one too. The station's owl is a replica, not stuffed, but certainly there are no bats in its rafters.