Oxford

About

About Oxford

There was a time when the name “Oxford” referred only to the famous university itself, but today, Oxford is a city in it’s own right, a cosmopolitan hub of history, learning, culture, and green spaces.

The wider city has an economy built on the car industry in nearby Cowley.

The origins of the university are lost in the mists of time but the first colleges were founded by rich bishops, and most have similar architectural features with the chapels, dining halls and libraries arranged around quadrangles. There are 39 colleges, each with its own character.

Thousands of tourists and students flock to the town each year so don’t be surprised if you find that residents keep themselves to themselves.

A visit to Oxford is a must and can keep you occupied for several days.  The university buildings have some of England’s finest architecture.  There are also some fascinating museums, great restaurants, bars and hotels.

We particularly recommend the Ashmolean Museum, in a neo-classical building on the corner of Beautmont Street and St Giles (Tues-Sun 10am-6pm; free entry, www.ashmolean.org)

How to get here

It takes about 55 minutes to get to Oxford from London Paddington on a fast train.

Places of interest


Did you do something interesting in Oxford – write a review!

Activities

Did you do something interesting in Oxford – write a review!

  • A bumper weekend of dance, live and classical music at Stonor Park - World-class talent coming to Henley-on-Thames this weekend includes Café Mambo Ibiza with DJs Danny Howard, Riton, Disciples and more, the Sharleen Spiteri-fronted Texas, and the long awaited return of Stonor Park Proms. A huge three-day weekend of music will take place at Stonor Park in South Oxfordshire from Friday 12th … more
  • Malmaison – special offers at special hotels - We love Malmaison hotels because they offer charm, character and effortless style in ultimately unique surroundings, from the converted prison in Oxford to the Episcopal Church in Glasgow. And they do it at great value for money.  Malmaison always dares to be different and has achieved this again and again … more
  • The Churchill Arms where lunch is heaven on earth - It was one of the hottest days of our 2018 summer when we headed for the Cotswolds, just north of Oxford, to have lunch at The Churchill Arms.   At first we thought we had reached the Hovis village where the iconic TV advert was filmed (but that’s miles away … more
  • Stay hot at Malmaison – room for 2 plus dinner £89 - Stay hot this winter with this scorching offer at Malmaison. Hit some of the best cities in the UK to discover two delicious courses from our seasonal Fixed Price Menu, bursting with flavour and festive colour. And once you’ve finished exploring, warm up in a luxurious room for 2 with … more
  • A warm welcome, great food and gossip – a perfect lunch at Mr Hanbury’s Mason Arms - Whether its accommodation or food I have discovered there is nothing like a quintessential English pub – and by that, I mean a pub that manages to balance local traditions of real ales but is also passionate about delivering a great dining experience and value-for-money. One such place is the … more
  • Win a meal for two with wine worth more than £70 at the Fat Fox Inn, Watlington - The Fat Fox Inn is located at the centre of the small market town of Watlington on the edge of the Chiltern Hills. The pub has an attractive bar set next to an inglenook fire place with a wood burning stove and a newly developed dining room which is elegantly … more
  • The Fox Inn, Great Barrington, Oxfordshire - The Fox Inn is set on the banks of the River Windrush in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and most people’s idea of a quintessential English pub. My visit was on a Sunday evening following an afternoon at a place of contrasting culture Bicester Village. So after leaving … more
  • 10 fun things at Blenheim Palace -
  • Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte by Garsington Opera - Garsington Opera at Worsley opens on Friday with John Fulljames’ production of Mozart’s Cos Fan Tutte. World-acclaimed opera star Lesley Garrett takes the role of the scheming maid Despina; Andrea Soare and Kathryn Rudge are the two sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella whose fidelity is tested by their conspiring fiancee, Ferrando … more
  • Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxford - Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. A true masterpiece of 18th Century Baroque architecture, Blenheim Palace delivers an awe-inspiring experience for visitors. Discover the beauty of this World Heritage Site amongst over 2000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown parkland and Formal Gardens. Ride the miniature train to The … more

 

Special offers

  1. The Churchill Arms where lunch is heaven on earth - It was one of the hottest days of our 2018 summer when we headed for the Cotswolds, just north of Oxford, to have lunch at The Churchill Arms.   At first we thought we had reached the Hovis village where the iconic TV advert was filmed (but that’s miles away … more
  2. Stay hot at Malmaison – room for 2 plus dinner £89 - Stay hot this winter with this scorching offer at Malmaison. Hit some of the best cities in the UK to discover two delicious courses from our seasonal Fixed Price Menu, bursting with flavour and festive colour. And once you’ve finished exploring, warm up in a luxurious room for 2 with … more
  3. Win a meal for two with wine worth more than £70 at the Fat Fox Inn, Watlington - The Fat Fox Inn is located at the centre of the small market town of Watlington on the edge of the Chiltern Hills. The pub has an attractive bar set next to an inglenook fire place with a wood burning stove and a newly developed dining room which is elegantly … more
  4. The Fox Inn, Great Barrington, Oxfordshire - The Fox Inn is set on the banks of the River Windrush in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and most people’s idea of a quintessential English pub. My visit was on a Sunday evening following an afternoon at a place of contrasting culture Bicester Village. So after leaving … more
  5. Local Meal Deals -
  6. The Bear 4*, Woodstock: 25% off + £10 voucher - The Bear, Park Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 ISZ   Check out this fantastic offer! Macdonald Hotels are offering up to 25% off your stay plus a £10 voucher per room per night to spend on spa, golf or Macdonald’s award-winning dining.  With over 45 Macdonald Hotels & Resorts across the … more
  7. Randolf Hotel 5*, Oxford: 25% off plus a free £10 voucher - Randolf Hotel, Oxford, OX1 2LN T: + 44 (0)1865 256 400 Check out this fantastic offer! Macdonald Hotels are offering up to 25% off your stay plus a £10 voucher per room per night to spend on spa, golf or Macdonald’s award-winning dining. With over 45 Macdonald Hotels & Resorts … more
  8. Brittania Hotels - more

Cardholders

The Fox Inn, Great Barrington, Oxfordshire - The Fox Inn is set on the banks of the River Windrush in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and most people’s idea of a quintessential English pub. My visit was on a Sunday evening following an afternoon at a place of contrasting culture Bicester Village. So after leaving … more

 

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