Weekend in Oxford, what's worth doing ?
Discussion
Hi
I'm considering a couple of nights away in Oxford with my girlfriend sometime in March for no other reason than I have never been there and want a short break away within a shortish drive from home (Guildford in Surrey).
Can anyone recommend some highlights from recent'ish experience ? i.e. somewhere to stay, places to browse around, good restaurants and pubs etc etc.
Thanks !
John
I'm considering a couple of nights away in Oxford with my girlfriend sometime in March for no other reason than I have never been there and want a short break away within a shortish drive from home (Guildford in Surrey).
Can anyone recommend some highlights from recent'ish experience ? i.e. somewhere to stay, places to browse around, good restaurants and pubs etc etc.
Thanks !
John
Pubs
There are loads of great pubs in Oxford, but make sure you don't miss out on these.
The Turf Tavern: 13th century pub tucked down some back alleys, and outdoor fires for heat - a must visit! http://www.theturftavern.co.uk/
The White Horse: my favourite pub in Oxford, wonderful wonky tables and great beer! http://www.whitehorseoxford.co.uk/
The Rose and Crown in Summertown – another great pub with stunning beer with lots of rooms. http://www.rose-n-crown.com/
Food
Gees restaurant for fine dining: http://www.gees-restaurant.co.uk/
The Randolf hotel for afternoon tea (pick the champagne option)
News Café for Breakfast http://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/reviews/venue/90/The_Ne...
Stuff to do
Oxford is a great place to walk around. Make sure you visit The Bodleian Library and Christchurch college for a start. I'm sure others will recommend more to do though!
There are loads of great pubs in Oxford, but make sure you don't miss out on these.
The Turf Tavern: 13th century pub tucked down some back alleys, and outdoor fires for heat - a must visit! http://www.theturftavern.co.uk/
The White Horse: my favourite pub in Oxford, wonderful wonky tables and great beer! http://www.whitehorseoxford.co.uk/
The Rose and Crown in Summertown – another great pub with stunning beer with lots of rooms. http://www.rose-n-crown.com/
Food
Gees restaurant for fine dining: http://www.gees-restaurant.co.uk/
The Randolf hotel for afternoon tea (pick the champagne option)
News Café for Breakfast http://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/reviews/venue/90/The_Ne...
Stuff to do
Oxford is a great place to walk around. Make sure you visit The Bodleian Library and Christchurch college for a start. I'm sure others will recommend more to do though!
Wife and I visited Oxford for three days last year.
First thing to note is that driving and parking in Oxford is out of the question, hence the comprehensive public transport services, buses especially. For this reason we stayed here:
http://www.thebellathamptonpoyle.co.uk/
It's a few miles outside the north of Oxford BUT it is close to a park and ride, so ideal. Good place to stay and eat too.
Oxford has fab pubs wherever you go. Just find them down alleyways etc. The open top bus tour is a good way to start a visit. The two hour walking tour of some of the university buildings that are open is also good to do.
R.
First thing to note is that driving and parking in Oxford is out of the question, hence the comprehensive public transport services, buses especially. For this reason we stayed here:
http://www.thebellathamptonpoyle.co.uk/
It's a few miles outside the north of Oxford BUT it is close to a park and ride, so ideal. Good place to stay and eat too.
Oxford has fab pubs wherever you go. Just find them down alleyways etc. The open top bus tour is a good way to start a visit. The two hour walking tour of some of the university buildings that are open is also good to do.
R.
I don't think there's much point in staying miles out of Oxford if you want to see Oxford. If you stay at the Old Bank Hotel or The Old Parsonage or the Randolph, they all have their own parking, and are bang in the centre.
As to what to see - the colleges obviously, the Bodleian, a trip down the river to Iffley Lock or along Port meadow to the aforementioned Trout, the University Botanical Gardens, the Ashmolean Museum, the Pitt Rivers Museum (fantastic collection of weird stuff such as shrunken heads, a witch in a bottle etc), the Museum of Modern Art etc, etc. You could also drive out to Woodstock to see Blenheim Palace and have lunch in the Feathers or the Bear (where James Bond used to "motor" in his Aston for lunch).
As to what to see - the colleges obviously, the Bodleian, a trip down the river to Iffley Lock or along Port meadow to the aforementioned Trout, the University Botanical Gardens, the Ashmolean Museum, the Pitt Rivers Museum (fantastic collection of weird stuff such as shrunken heads, a witch in a bottle etc), the Museum of Modern Art etc, etc. You could also drive out to Woodstock to see Blenheim Palace and have lunch in the Feathers or the Bear (where James Bond used to "motor" in his Aston for lunch).
Bluebarge said:
I don't think there's much point in staying miles out of Oxford if you want to see Oxford. If you stay at the Old Bank Hotel or The Old Parsonage or the Randolph, they all have their own parking, and are bang in the centre.
I'd second this. I booked a weekend at the Randolph for £150/Night, it's bang in the centre, and they upgraded us for free to one of their top rooms. Lots of points scored there!It means you don't have to waste time getting in and out of the centre, and you can stroll back after dinner with no need for a taxi.
We're also a planning a trip to Oxford, but midweek at the end of this month.
Is there anywhere vaguely central that's vaguely affordable to stay?
Would like something that's walking distance from central restaurants, but I'm of the opinion that as long as the room is clean and has a loo, I'm fine with that. I'd rather spend the difference on a really good meal in the evening than something I'll be essentially unconscious in and unable to appreciate.
Is there anywhere vaguely central that's vaguely affordable to stay?
Would like something that's walking distance from central restaurants, but I'm of the opinion that as long as the room is clean and has a loo, I'm fine with that. I'd rather spend the difference on a really good meal in the evening than something I'll be essentially unconscious in and unable to appreciate.
HereBeMonsters said:
We're also a planning a trip to Oxford, but midweek at the end of this month.
Is there anywhere vaguely central that's vaguely affordable to stay?
Would like something that's walking distance from central restaurants, but I'm of the opinion that as long as the room is clean and has a loo, I'm fine with that. I'd rather spend the difference on a really good meal in the evening than something I'll be essentially unconscious in and unable to appreciate.
The Buttery or Bath Place, or check for a B&B hereIs there anywhere vaguely central that's vaguely affordable to stay?
Would like something that's walking distance from central restaurants, but I'm of the opinion that as long as the room is clean and has a loo, I'm fine with that. I'd rather spend the difference on a really good meal in the evening than something I'll be essentially unconscious in and unable to appreciate.
http://www.oxfordcity.co.uk/oxford/home_accommodat...
Bluebarge said:
The Buttery or Bath Place, or check for a B&B here
http://www.oxfordcity.co.uk/oxford/home_accommodat...
Cheers, we saw them, but they're still mega-expensive. In the end we got 4 nights in St Austell for the price of one in Oxford - giving us the time and spare dosh to do the Eden Project, a brewery, some tropical gardens, and possibly even a meal out at the Pizza Hut next door if we're lucky.http://www.oxfordcity.co.uk/oxford/home_accommodat...
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