Together with beer, the main love of Morse (played by John Thaw in the TV series) was music. Charlotte Brunsdon notes on The Museum of Broadcast Communications website that the opening titles of the very first Morse “The Dead of Jericho” were inter cut with shots of Oxford colleges to a soundtrack of a choir singing while Morse simultaneously plays baroque music very loudly on his car stereo.
The Ashmolean Museum
The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford opened its doors for the first time in 1683 and is one of the oldest public museums in the world. It notably features in the Morse episode “The Wolvercote Tongue”. The story was inspired by the Alfred Jewel (a 9th century gold, crystal and enamel ornament) which is on display in the Ashmolean.
The Randolph Hotel
The Randolph Hotel (now part of the Macdonald group) is conveniently situated opposite the Ashmolean Museum and it is here that a group of Americans stay in the Morse episode “The Wolvercote Tongue”. The Randolph was not only used as a set but the cast and crew also stayed here during filming. The Chapters Bar has subsequently been renamed the Morse Bar and as Bill Leonard notes in his book “The Oxford of Inspector Morse and Lewis”, the Morse Bar and dining room have a wonderful collection of photos from the series and Colin Dexter is a regular visitor.
Jericho in Oxford
Leonard notes that “Jericho was Oxford’s first suburb” and this area features in the Morse episode “The Dead of Jericho”. Jericho by the Oxford Canal started to develop in the 19th century with the arrival of Lucy’s Eagle Ironworks and the Clarendon Press (now Oxford University Press). Jericho is now a fashionable conservation area and the terraced houses originally built for the workers are now mainly occupied by professionals and students.
Oxford Pubs
Morse is known for his love of Wagner, women and beer and so it is not surprising that Oxford Pubs are frequently featured in the Morse episodes. The Eagle and Child pub is not only famous as a Morse set but it was also the regular haunt of the authors C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. A number of scenes were also filmed at the Turf Tavern which is hidden down a narrow alley between Holywell Street and New College Lane - tricky to find but definitely worth a visit.
Oxford University Colleges
A number of Oxford colleges were used in the Morse TV series but they were given fictional names. Brasenose College situated in the heart of Oxford overlooking Radcliffe Square was founded in 1509 and features as both Lonsdale College and Beaumont College in a number of episodes including “The Last Enemy” and “Death is now my Neighbour”. Corpus Christi College in Merton Street founded in 1517 was also featured as Beaumont College in “The Last Enemy”.
Inspector Morse Walking Tours
Not only has the popularity of the Inspector Morse series created a huge market in books, Morse DVDs and novelty items such as replicas of the old Jag Mk II he drove around the streets of Oxford, but walking tours of Oxford which follow in the footsteps of the famous detective visiting some of the film locations are now very popular. For more information visit the Oxford City website.
Christine Lightfoot - After completing my degree and a postgraduate teaching course my first job was as a secondary school music teacher. However, after ...
