Why Choose Oxford?

What to see and do in Oxford

Outside the University and Colleges, Oxford has much to offer the visitor: places to eat and drink; places to amuse, entertain, and inspire; places to relax. Here we offer some pointers and links to enable you to find out more.

EATING & DRINKING

For information on Oxford's cafes & restaurants, visit these websites:

Oxford Restaurant Guide
http://www.oxfordrestaurantguide.co.uk

In Oxford Mag
http://www.inoxfordmag.co.uk/restaurants/r_details.html

And for bars and pubs: Daily Info
http://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/guide/pubsandbars.htm

VISITORS TO OXFORD

For the visitor who wishes to discover more of what to see in the city, where to shop, and for more on the history and life of Oxford:

Bus Tours
http://www.citysightseeingoxford.com

Covered Market
http://www.oxfordcity.co.uk/shops/market/index.html

St Giles's Fair (in early-September)
http://www.headington.org.uk/oxon/stgiles/fair

Shopping
http://www.inoxfordmag.co.uk/shopping/sh_details.html

ON THE RIVER

Great family entertainment in Oxford is, of course, punting on the Thames and Cherwell Rivers. The punt is a shallow-bottomed boat propelled with the aid of a long pole. It's a great way for the parents to relax - while keeping the children entertained! Just make sure you check the weather report before you go!

Oxford grew up at the confluence of two rivers, the Thames (which is known as the Isis while it flows through the city) and the Cherwell (pronounced Char-well). Indeed, the very reason for Oxford's existence was the presence of a ford for oxen crossing the Thames (that ford was located near the present Folly Bridge).

If you'd like to take the pole and have a go, then you should try one of these boatyards:

Cherwell Boathouse, Bardwell Road
Punts for hire on the Cherwell
Contact: 01865 515978
http://www.cherwellboathouse.co.uk/

IPG Marine, Boat Station, Head of the River Pub, Folly Bridge
Punts, rowing boats, and outboard-motor boats for hire on the Isis (Thames)
Contact: 0961 115369

Magdalen Bridge Boathouse, High Street
Punting (and chauffeured punting) on the Cherwell from the boathouse, past the Botanic Gardens and Christ Church Meadow
Also electric boat rides from Magdalen Bridge on the river launch 'Magdalena'
Contact: 01865 202643

RIVER CRUISES:

Salter Brothers Ltd, Folly Bridge, St Aldate's
Scheduled passenger boat services on the River Thames to Abingdon (2 hours each way) and round trips from Folly Bridge to Iffley Lock (20 minutes each way)
Contact: 01865 243421
http://www.salterssteamers.co.uk

PARKS AND GARDENS

Oxford is home to a number of beautiful, relaxing parks and gardens, and most Oxford colleges have very well kept gardens open to the public, while Christ Church Meadow also offers access to the River.

Exceptional gardens close to the city centre include:

The Botanic Garden
http://www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk

University Parks
http://www.ox.ac.uk

Port Meadow
Oxford’s Port Meadow is England's oldest and largest continuous meadow. 450 acres of common land on the banks of the Isis (Thames) in the north-west corner of the city were recorded as early as 1088 in the Doomsday Book.
http://www.answers.com/topic/port-meadow-oxford

BOHEMIAN OXFORD

For those whose tastes are - well, less traditional! - the Cowley Road is a true multicultural melting pot. With restaurants and bars, shops and more, this is a vibrant and exciting place to spend some time.

BEYOND OXFORD

If you would like to use your stay in Oxford to see more of the surrounding area, to visit splendid local buildings, tour quintessential English country landscapes, see a Shakespeare play in his birthplace, or go to the races (horse and motor), these links will show you what is easily accessible from Oxford:

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
http://www.blenheimpalace.com

Waddesdon
http://www.waddesdon.org.uk

The Cotswolds
http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=256&tt=cotswold,

The Ridgeway
http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ridgeway/index.asp?PageId=1

Stratford-upon-Avon
http://www.stratford.co.uk

Warwick Castle
http://www.warwick-castle.co.uk/events/events_programme.asp

Newbury
For the horse-race enthusiast
http://www.newbury-racecourse.co.uk
and the theatre-goer
http://www.newburytheatre.co.uk/theatres/watermill.htm

Silverstone
Home of the British Formula One Grand Prix
http://www.silverstone-circuit.co.uk