Christ Church was founded by King Henry VIII although the project had earlier been started by Cardinal Wolsey. It holds the unique dual role as a college of the university and also the cathedral of the diocese of Oxford. It is built on the original site of St Frideswide's Priory.

Peckwater Quad was designed by Henry Aldritch who became Dean of Christ Church in 1689. It is built on the site of the medieval Peckwater Inn. The residential quad which was built between 1705 and 1714, is classical in style with three identical three-storeyed sides. The latin inscription across the central frieze records the bequest of Canon Anthony Radcliffe which helped to pay for the buildings. The fourth side was built as a library, to a different design by Dr George Clarke, after Aldritch’s death