The fritillaries of Magdalen College

There are many reasons to be grateful for living near the university city of Oxford:

The Ashmolean and University of Oxford Natural History Museum (http://viewsoftheock.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/return-to-oxford-natural-history-museum.html) are world class museums.
The Botanic Gardens are always fascinating with its glass houses and flower borders.
To the east, hours can be spent wondering around Wytham Woods (http://viewsoftheock.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/way-through-woods.html).

And then there are the 38 colleges which make up the University, whilst Christchurch is possibly the most famous, Madgalen College is probably the best one to visit in spring

.
As famous for its alumini (Oscar Wilde, T.E. Lawrence, Thomas Wolsey and C.S. Lewis was a Fellow) as for its impressive buildings, it is the grounds which make the college worth visiting at this time of year.
Situated on an island in the river Cherwell, the water meadow, with its the snake's head fritillaries in their thousands that catch the eye. 

This stunning plant has previously been mentioned in this blog (http://viewsoftheock.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/fritillary) as the water meadows of Oxfordshire are one of its last strong holds and the display at Magdalen College must be one of the most impressive.

And from Addison's walk (the name of the patch around the water meadow) the fallow deer can be seen in the deer park.
.

.
But it is Fellow's garden, across a bridge over the Cherwell, which is the most impressive sight.  Where the fritillaries mix with a variety of daisies and daffodils to produce a most splendid vista.
.

.

.
And the nearby woods provide opportunities for some of most arresting wildlife, such as this Jay:
.

And as a bonus, those who live near Oxford (with an OX1.. postcode) can get in for free with suitable ID.