Out & About in Oxford

Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire and has a population of around 165,000. The River Thames and the River Cherwell flow through the city and for some 10 miles of the river the Thames is called The Isis. In the English-speaking world, Oxford University is the world's oldest university. All periods of British architecture are reflected in the buildings.

Known as The City of Dreaming Spires, Oxford is famous the world over and enjoys friendly rivalry with Cambridge University to its North West. The rivalry has a long history and dates back to 1209. At this time, scholars took refuge from hostile townsmen in Oxford and fled to Cambridge and founded another university there.

Home to scholars and royalty for over 800 years, the ancient univerisity is still in Oxford but it is also a hi-tech city. In and around the city are located many large businesses, some in residential areas and many on the Science and Business Parks.

There is much to visit and experience that you won't quite know where to start. Some of Oxford's main attractions are The Ashmolean Museum, Christ Church Cathedral, The Bodleian Library and The Botanic Gardens. To explore the city's wonderful heritage, you can take a boat trip or perhaps relax on a punt on the River Thames. You may care to join one of the fascinating guided walks. Open-top bus tours operate year round and provide an insight into Oxford's past. Oxford Castle Unlocked unveils the secrets of Oxford Castle and reveals episodes of romance, betrayal, violence and executions. The Pitt Rivers Museum displays archaeological and anthropological objects from all over the world. The Oxford University Museum of Natural History is home to the University's zoological, geological and entomological scientific collection. Among its most famous residents are the dodo and the Oxfordshire dinosaurs. The Museum of the History of Science has a superb collection of old scientific instruments.

Shopping

Oxford's largest shopping centre is Cowley which is open every day of the week. There is low-cost parking and the shops range from a traditional butcher's shop to the best in High Street names such as Boots and WH Smith. The Westgate Centre has accessible shops on one level as does the Clarendon Centre. Cowley Road has shopping from diverse cultures such as Pakistani, Indian, Lebanese, Greek, Italian, Polish, Japanese and more.

Food and Drink

Pubs, cafes and restaurants abound in Oxford. With its huge student population it comes as no surprise to find late night bars with music and entertainment. Live bands perform regularly at some establishments. Pub grub competes with a la carte menus in some of the UK's finest restaurants. You are sure to find whatever takes your fancy.

Arts & Entertainment

A cultural city, Oxford lacks nothing when it comes to arts and entertainment. There is so much to see and do that you will be spoiled for choice. You may like to take in the local music scene or perhaps watch a film at one of the cinemas. The theatres regularly put on performances of music, plays, comedy and dance. There are always things to do in and around Oxford. Cinemas include the two Odeons on George Street and Magdalen Street and the Vue Cinema which is housed in the Ozone Leisure Complex. For the best in arthouse, visit the Phoenix Picturehouse located in Jericho on Walton Street. The Oxford Playhouse and New Theatre put on the latest shows and there are smaller theatres offering less well-known productions. These include the Burton Taylor Theatre, Old Fire Station and Pegasus Theatre. It is always worth finding out what the Oxford Shakespeare Company or the Creation Theatre Company are performing and you can do this by looking at their websites. Buskers and street entertainers are welcomed in Oxford as the council feels that they add interest to the street scene.

Hotels and Travel

The M40 connects Oxford to London and the Midlands. The ring road around Oxford provides direct access to Southampton and Portsmouth as well as Bristol via the A34. Oxford is easy to reach from major London airports as well as Birmingham and Luton Airports.

Oxford is, needless to say, well-served with hotels and guest houses. Many families stay in the city to visit their student offspring and consequently all tastes and budgets are catered for. You may prefer an historic setting or a chic boutique hotel and all are to be found in the city.