Dining at University of Oxford

Dining at St. Catherine College's Catz Hall

On my first ever trip to Europe, I left Heathrow Airport on an Oxford bound coach. In less than two hours, I was transported to the world's most beautiful college town. All the centuries old castles and spires were new to my eyes. Even the local accent was new to me.

Among the American exchange students I met, Julia was studying at University of Oxford's St. Catherine College. It is one of the university's thirty-nine colleges. Its dining hall, Catz Hall, touts to be the largest in both Oxford and Cambridge. 

As a Harry Potter fans, I knew many scenes from the Harry Potter movies were filmed in Oxford. Christ Church's dining hall in particular inspired how Hogwarts' Great Hall looked in the movies. So when Julia invited me to Catz Hall, I was so excited. I was expecting vaulted ceiling and old portraits. But Catz Hall was actually modern. In fact, most of St. Catherine College was designed by Danish architect Arne Emil Jacobsen in the 1960s.

However, traditions were still upheld at Catz Hall. Students sat along opposite sides of long dining tables. Most students dressed casually, while graduate students sitting at the High Tables had to wear gowns that did resembled Hogwarts uniforms.

Dinner at Catz Hall

The simple three course meal started off with a bowl of vegetable soup, followed by the main course which was chicken with rice, and a bowl of fruit for dessert. Each evening the menu was previously set. Stewards brought out and took away plates all at the same time. So one couldn't eat at one's own pace.

With everyone seated together for the entire meal, it was easy to strike up conversations or just listen to everything that was go on. We were so absorbed by the experience that we did not pay much attention to the building. 

It turns out, if you want to visit Christ Church - the college with the actual Harry Potter inspirations - you don't need to know an exchange student. Christ Church runs a bed and breakfast for parts of the year. You can book a stay at Christ Church, and, of course, dine at there. It's definitely on my travel wish list now.

Christ Church

• Catz Dining Hall