There are two common myths about the Bridge of Sighs in Oxford. The first, that the bridge was based on the Venetian Bridge of Sighs, is so widely believed that the Oxford version scarcely goes by its true name. In fact, Hertford Bridge (as it is actually called) is based on the Rialto Bridge, also in Venice, and both use an archway structure.
The second myth is that many decades ago a university wide survey found students at Hertford College to be the heaviest. To combat this problem the college, so it is alleged, shut the bridge forcing the students to take a lengthier and more stair ridden route as exercise. The truth is that were the bridge to be closed, students would actually take fewer stairs.
Oxford is one of the most beautiful and historical cities in the UK. Its university dates back to 1096 (the oldest in the world) so it’s no wonder tales like these have crept into its history. Whether you’re wowed by the scale and grandeur of Christ Church College, or lost in the vast collections held by the Bodleian Library, it is hard not to be impressed by this city. And if books or old colleges aren’t your thing, you can always take in the proper student experience with a pint down the Eagle and Child!
