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Oxford

Come and experience the magic of this scholarly haven in the heart of England, a vibrant university city where students in flowing gowns weave through bustling streets.  Oxford University, famed for its prestigious heritage, stands as the city’s centerpiece. Founded in the 11th century, it nurtures over 24,000 students across diverse fields. Guided tours reveal historic buildings featured in countless movies, including the magical world of Harry Potter. Explore the Bodleian Libraries, where knowledge whispers through ancient manuscripts.

Delve into the labyrinthine Bodleian Libraries, a treasure trove of ancient manuscripts and first editions, or wander through the covered walkways of the Radcliffe Camera, a majestic dome that dominates the skyline.  History buffs will find themselves enthralled by the Ashmolean Museum, a treasure chest overflowing with artifacts from around the world, from Egyptian mummies to dinosaur skeletons.

Grand honey-colored buildings reminder us of centuries past, their walls echoing with the footsteps of scholars and literary giants.  Stroll through the tranquil courtyards of the prestigious colleges – Christ Church, with its majestic cathedral, or Magdalen, with its iconic tower overlooking the River Cherwell – and imagine yourself transported to another era.

Founded in 1263, Balliol College is one of Oxford’s oldest. Its walls, adorned with portraits of female graduates, reflect progress after centuries of admitting only men. Here, influential minds like Adam Smith and Aldous Huxley once roamed. Immerse yourself in academia, where history and innovation converge.

Beyond the academic haven, Oxford offers a delightful mix of old and new.  Explore the bustling Covered Market, a haven for local produce and quirky crafts, or browse the independent shops lining the High Street.  For a taste of the city's literary heritage, visit the Eagle and Child pub, a favorite haunt of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, or lose yourself in a world of words at the Blackwell's flagship store, one of the largest bookstores in Europe.

In the evening, sample the city's renowned culinary scene, from traditional pubs serving hearty English fare to Michelin-starred restaurants showcasing innovative cuisine.  Oxford comes alive at night. The pubs, many housed in historic buildings, buzz with students and locals enjoying a pint after a long day.  For a dose of culture, catch a performance at the Oxford Playhouse, a renowned theater showcasing everything from classic plays to contemporary productions.

There will also be time for two daytrips to The Cotswolds, travelling to Moreton-in-Marsh on a 30-minute train ride and joining a mini-coach tour.

My hotel choice: George Street

Oxford Map of Sights, Hotels, Restaurants

For more information see the Official Tourist Information website

Just an hour by train from London, Oxford greets you with its dreaming spires, honey-colored stone buildings and bicycles whizzing past grand college gates. For 800 years, it has been a seat of scholars, cradling Britain’s oldest university—the venerable Oxford University. Gothic spires punctuate the skyline, and quadrangles echo with footsteps of generations past. But beyond the intellect lies a city that is a lot of fun.

Oxford isn't your typical bustling British city. Founded in the 11th century, it's a city built around the prestigious University of Oxford, the oldest in the English-speaking world. But Oxford offers more than just scholarly pursuits; it's a vibrant hub with a youthful energy, quirky museums, and a surprising amount of green space.

The grand colleges are the stars of the show, each boasting unique styles – Gothic arches at Christ Church, neoclassical pillars at Balliol, and the imposing Tudor facade of Magdalen College. Many colleges offer guided tours, a chance to peek into hallowed halls and ancient courtyards. Beyond the colleges, the city unfolds in a maze of narrow lanes and cobbled streets.

Wander the cobbled streets alongside ancient buildings. One of Oxford's delights is its sheer walkability. Most of the city's attractions are clustered within a small area, making it easy to explore on foot.  For a different perspective, hop on a "hop-on, hop-off" bus tour, or rent a bicycle – the city's two-wheeled culture is infectious.

Punting on the rivers Thames (locally known as the Isis) and Cherwell feels like a stolen moment. For a truly unique experience, punt down the River Cherwell, past weeping willows and ancient meadows, as you soak in the timeless beauty of this historic city.  Harry Potter fans will recognize familiar corners—the cloisters where magic unfolded on screen. Yet, Oxford isn’t just parchment and quills. Oxford isn't just about the past.

Oxford also boasts a surprising culinary scene. Beyond the traditional pubs serving hearty fare like bangers and mash, there's a plethora of independent cafes, gastropubs, and international restaurants.

Ashmolean Museum

Step into the Ashmolean Museum, Britain’s oldest public museum. For a peek into Oxford's scientific past, visit the Ashmolean Museum, filled with dinosaur skeletons, Egyptian mummies, and a vast collection of archaeological treasures.

Second only to the British Museum in London, the Ashmolean Museum occupies a mammoth Neoclassical building on the corner of Beaumont Street and St Giles. Ashmolean Museum Beaumont St, Daily 10am–5pm • Free •  rooftop restaurant view.

The Bodleian Library, second only to the British Library, cradles every book ever published in England since 1662. Take a guided tour and breathe in the scent of knowledge. This grand library, with its Duke Humfrey's medieval reading room, is a bibliophile's paradise. Bodleian Library Broad St,• Closed to the public; some rooms accessible on tours. Christopher Wren’s pupil Nicholas Hawksmoor designed the Clarendon Building, a domineering, solidly symmetrical edifice at the east end of Broad Street, completed in 1713. Divinity School and Duke Humfrey’s Library. Mon–Sat 3.30pm, 4pm & 4.40pm, Sun 12.45pm, 2.15pm, 2.45pm, 3.15pm, 4pm & 4.40pm.

For a break from the city bustle, head to Christ Church Meadow, a sprawling green oasis in the heart of Oxford. Locals and students alike flock here for picnics, punting (gliding in flat-bottomed boats) on the River Cherwell, or simply soaking up the sunshine.

Venture beyond Oxford’s borders. The Cotswolds beckon, and there stands Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill. Explore its opulent rooms and lose yourself in the maze.  Daily: palace 10.30am–3.45pm; gardens 10am–5pm; park 9.30am–5pm or dusk • Charge •

PLACES

Bridge of Sighs Spanning New College Lane a few paces off Catte Street, you can’t miss the iconic Bridge of Sighs, an archway completed in 1914 to link two buildings of Hertford College.

Carfax Tower, • Daily: March & Oct 10am–4pm; April–Sept 10am–5pm; Nov–Feb 10am–3pm • Charge The busy Carfax crossroads is a fulcrum, where chiefly gown architecture along the High Street to the east is balanced by the distinctly town atmosphere of Cornmarket and Queen Street to the west.

Cornmarket, now a busy pedestrianized shopping strip lined with familiar high-street stores. There’s precious little here to fire the imagination until you reach St Michael-at-the-Northgate, a church recorded in the Domesday Book,

Covered Market High St, For refreshment on the hoof – as well as a fascinating glimpse into the everyday life of Oxford away from the colleges – drop into the Covered Market, wedged between the High Street and Market Street. Opened in 1774, it remains full of atmosphere, home to butchers, bakers, fishmongers, greengrocers and cheese sellers as well as cafés, clothes boutiques and shoe shops, then enjoy views from Varsity Club bar.

The Covered Market, a bustling indoor marketplace, pulsates with energy. Here, you'll find everything from fresh local produce and artisan cheeses to quirky souvenirs and vintage clothing. Mon–Sat 8am–5.30pm, Sun 10am–4pm

Cowley Road is a vibrant, multicultural area to the east of Oxford with many restaurants, shops, bars and arts venues. The area’s unique character is celebrated every July at the Cowley Road Carnival, which boasts live music, a lively parade and delicious street food. One of the most diverse restaurant scenes in the city, Cowley Road boasts the hottest spots for food shopping and restaurants. The tiny, crammed Maroc Deli is a total gem, and just a few yards away is bustling Arbequina, masquerading under the name of ‘R Neville Chemists’, which serves truly exceptional tapas.

Divinity School. Entered from the quad, the Divinity School is a highlight. Begun in 1424, this exceptional room is a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture, featuring an extravagant vaulted ceiling adorned with a riot of pendants and 455 decorative bosses.

Gloucester Green Market: Gloucester Green. Don’t miss the Gloucester Green Market—a vibrant tapestry of local produce, crafts, and global flavors. This city-centre square hosts vibrant open-air food and craft markets: great for browsing and some of the city’s best street food on Sat. Food Wed 9am–4pm; food, antiques & crafts Thurs 9am–4pm; food, arts & textiles Sat 10am–5pm; farmers’ market 1st & 3rd Thurs of month 9am–3pm.

High Street, known locally as ‘The High’, runs from Carfax Tower all the way down and east to Magdalen Bridge. “The Carfax end of the High Street (for more information, click here) is the commercial end, mostly taken up by shops and the odd restaurant, as well as the long facade of the Covered Market.

History of Science Museum holds a leading collection of scientific instruments from Middle Ages to the 19th century. Science, art, celebrity and nostalgia come together at this fascinating museum, where the exhibits include everything from a blackboard used by Einstein. The museum building is also known as the Old Ashmolean Building to distinguish it from the newer Ashmolean Museum building completed in 1894. The museum was built in 1683, and it is the world's oldest surviving purpose-built museum. Broad St; hnoon-5pm Tue-Fri, 10am-5pm Sat, 2-5pm Su)

Jericho is now one of Oxford’s most sought-after areas to live with an excellent choice of pubs, restaurants and shops. It’s a laid-back, bohemian neighbourhood, characterised by hip cocktail bars and quiet residential streets of Victorian terraces. The Old Bookbinders Ale House is a charming neighbourhood pub loved by locals for its delicious (and surprising!) menu of French cuisine. For a fun evening, head to The Harcourt Arms or Jericho Tavern for some live music, or enjoy expertly-mixed cocktails at Raoul’s Bar.

Little Clarendon Street has stylish boutiques, cheese shops, cafes and more. Walk to the end of Little Clarendon Street to Jericho, which boasts more independent shops, bookstores and unique drinking and eating establishments.

Magdalen Bridge Boathouse High St; chauffered per 30min £25, self-punt per hour £20; h9.30am-dusk Feb-Nov) The most central location to hire a punt, chauffered or otherwise. From here, you can head downstream around the Botanic Garden and Christ Church Meadow or upstream around Magdalen Deer Park. You can also hire row boats and pedaloes.

Modern Art Oxford,   Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 11am–5pm • Charge • Tours available

Museum of Natural History, The Oxford University Museum of Natural History unveils fossils and wonders of the natural world.

Museum of Oxford, the only museum dedicated to telling the story of Oxford and its people. The Museum is located in the Town Hall in the centre of the city and provides a fantastic starting point to a visit to the city. Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm No fixed entrance fee, pay what you can on arrival. Two galleries show the changing story of Oxford through its history and people, from Romans and Anglo-Saxons to the first Cowley factory workers, the infamous Cutteslowe Walls and the city’s rich heritage through times of conflict and industry. Through objects, videos, audio and interactive displays, the exhibitions uncover what makes Oxford such a special place to live, work and study.  

New Theatre Oxford, is the region’s largest live entertainment venue. Showcasing the finest west-end musicals, acclaimed comedians, inspirational opera, atmospheric dance and international live music since 1934.

Old Schools Quadrangle Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–4.30pm, Sun 11am–5pm • Free Behind the Clarendon Building you enter the Bodleian’s beautifully proportioned Old Schools Quadrangle, completed in 1619 in an ornate Jacobean-Gothic style

Oxford Castle & Prison 44-46 Oxford Castle; adult/child £10/7; htours 10am-4.20pm) It's not England's most imposing fortress, but Oxford Castle dates back more than 1000 years. Access is by tours, departing every 20 minutes, led by costumed guides. Tours include St George's Tower, offering excellent views of the city; the 11th-century crypt of St George's Chapel (possibly the first formal teaching venue in Oxford); the Victorian prison cells; and the 18th-century Debtors' Tower, where you learn about the inmates' grisly lives, daring escapes and cruel punishments. You can also clamber up the original medieval motte.

Step back in time with their costumed guided tours and see fascinating stories come to life. Hear the great tales of Empress Matilda, the fate of Mary Blandy and step inside their padded jail cell. Find gorgeous views atop of St. Georges’ Tower and then descend into the atmospheric crypt of St. Georges’ Chapel. Here you can touch the stones where Oxford University was rumoured to begin and stand in the birthplace of Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Legend of King Arthur. Wander the austere confines of the prison’s D-Wing and debtors tower and learn about their youngest inmates. Admission is via Guided Tour only and lasts approximately 50 minutes. Please head to the Oxford Castle & Prison website for the latest opening times and prices. oxfordcastleandprison.co.uk

Oxford Castle Quarter, mixes the past and present to make every visit memorable. With great places to eat and drink, historical attractions and a uniquely atmospheric hotel, the Oxford Castle Quarter is where your visit to Oxford begins.

Oxford River Cruises & The Folly Restaurant, A trip with Oxford River Cruises is so much more than a boat ride. It’s a time to see life through a pleasurable lens. Enjoy stunning scenery and experience the beauty of nature. Float away on a tranquil, sightseeing river experience and immerse yourself in the unique serenity of Oxford.

Pitt Rivers Museum Parks Rd, • Mon noon–5pm, Tues–Sun 10am–5pm; tours (20min) Tues & Wed 2.30pm & 3.15pm; object handling Sat 11am–1pm • Free • http://prm.ox.ac.uk  Oxford’s eye-popping Pitt Rivers Museum is housed in the same building as the University Museum of Natural History, accessed via a door at the rear of the ground-floor level. Founded in 1884, this is one of the world’s finest ethnographic museums.

Radcliffe Camera Radcliffe Sq; tours £15; htours 9.15am Wed & Sat, 11.15am & 1.15pm Sun) Surely Oxford’s most photographed landmark, the sandy-gold Radcliffe Camera is a beautiful, light-filled, circular, columned library

St Clement’s is another street bustling with a variety of eclectic restaurants and bars - the Oxford Brookes University campus is nearby, giving the feel of a buzzing student district. Visit lively Sri-Lankan street food restaurant The Coconut Tree or one of several pubs for a drink, quiz or live music! Wander on from St Clement’s and you will come to South Park; a beautiful, vast green space overlooking Oxford’s dreaming spires.

University Church of St Mary the Virgin for the highest view over Oxford, https://www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk/, admin@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk

University of Oxford Botanic Garden, is the UK’s oldest botanic garden, founded in 1621 to grow plants for medicinal research. Situated in the heart of Oxford, the historic garden is an oasis of green in the city centre. Take a stroll around the formal walled garden; see exotic, tropical and carnivorous plants in the glasshouses, and enjoy the lush herbaceous borders of the informal lower garden.

Westgate Oxford is home to prestigious global brands,  roof terrace, view

2-mile walking route takes you along the canal and then across to Port Meadow, with its open skies and views, then back to the city alongside the River Thames.

The Colleges

Perhaps the greatest attractions for the visitor to Oxford are the many beautiful colleges, with historic architecture featuring many gothic-style flourishes, and campus gardens providing an oasis in the midst of the city. The exterior of most colleges are open to the public, often with admission fee, and some guided tours are also available. Folowing is a list of the more popular colleges for visitors.

You can also download here a complete list of the colleges in a pdf with clickable links of websites and emails.

All Souls College High St, Mon–Fri 2–4pm; closed Aug • Free • Running the entire east side of Radcliffe Square, its immense chapel windows the epitome of the Perpendicular Gothic style, All Souls College is one of the quietest places in central Oxford “One of the wealthiest Oxford colleges

Christ Church College St Aldates, Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 2–5pm; last entry 4.15pm • Charge • Stretching along the east side of St Aldates is the main facade of Christ Church College, whose distinctive Tom Tower was added by Christopher Wren in 1681 to house the weighty Great Tom bell. visitors have to enter from the south, a signed five-minute walk away – just beyond the tiny War Memorial Garden and at the top of Christ Church Meadow.

Don’t be surprised if you have to queue to get in. Oxford Cathedral Christ Church’s college chapel is otherwise known as Oxford Cathedral.Christ Church Hall will be familiar to the millions who have enjoyed the film versions of the Harry Potter novels. Also, Christ Church Cathedral Choirs.

Exeter College Turl St, Daily 2–5pm • Free •  In medieval Exeter College aim for the elaborate Gothic Revival chapel, conceived by Gilbert Scott in the 1850s. It contains a fine set of stained-glass windows illustrating biblical stories.

Magdalen College High St, Daily: Jan–Dec 10am–7pm or dusk • Charge • At the east end of the High Street stands Magdalen College (pronounced maudlin), whose gaggle of stone buildings is overshadowed by its chunky medieval bell tower. Steer right from the entrance and you reach the chapel, which has a handsome reredos, though you have to admire it through the windows of an ungainly stone screen. The adjacent cloisters are adorned by standing figures, some biblical and others folkloric, most notably a tribe of grotesques.

Merton College Merton St, • Mon–Fri 2–5pm, Sat & Sun 10am–5pm • Charge • Merton College is historically the city’s most important.

New College New College Lane, • Daily: Easter–Oct 11am–5pm, rest of year 2–4pm • Charge Easter–Oct, rest of year free • http://new.ox.ac.uk Founded in 1379, New College is entered via the large but rather plain Front Quad. On the left side of the quad rises the magnificent Perpendicular chapel, arguably the finest in Oxford. The ante-chapel contains some superb fourteenth-century stained glass and the west window – of 1778 – holds an intriguing Nativity scene based on a design by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Beneath it stands the wonderful 1951 sculpture Lazarus by Jacob Epstein. Immediately past the chapel lies the college’s peaceful cloisters.

Pembroke College  The college was founded in 1624 by King James I, and his statue occupies a niche in the tower of the Hall, built in 1848 but looking convincingly as if it dates from the 15th century. The Renaissance-style chapel (1732) has a fine painted ceiling, as well as stained glass completed in 1900 by Charles Kempe, a former student.

St Edmund Hall Queen's Lane; h10am-4pm) St Edmund Hall ('Teddy Hall' to its residents) is the sole survivor of the original medieval halls, the teaching institutions that preceded colleges in Oxford. The Mohawk chief Oronhyatekha studied here in 1862 (and eloped with the principal's daughter). The college is best known for its small chapel decorated by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones.

Trinity College Broad St, Daily 10am–noon & 2–6pm • Charge • Trinity College is fronted by three dinky lodge-cottages. Behind them the manicured lawn of the Front Quad stretches back to the richly decorated chapel, awash with Baroque stuccowork. Its high altar is flanked by an exquisite example of the work of Grinling Gibbons – a distinctive performance, with cherubs’ heads peering out from delicate foliage. Behind the chapel stands Durham Quad.

RESTAURANTS - See map

Alice in the iconic Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels British Dishes with a contemporary twist https://graduatehotels.com/oxford-uk/restaurant/the-alice/

Arbequina masquerading under the name of ‘R Neville Chemists’ which serves truly exceptional tapas.

Ashmolean Café on Beaumont Street

Branca  ITALIAN( www.branca.co.uk; 110-111 Walton St; mains £10-18; h10am-11pm; Big bustling and bright this glitzy Italian eatery serves delicious cocktails and all the requisite pizza pasta and meat and seafood grills that you'd expect. It also runs the deli next door.

Brown’s Cafe This is a family-run cafe, established in 1924, with a Portuguese twist. They focus on all-day breakfast, pastries, coffee, and tea. It's known for being a friendly spot with a local vibe.

Browns Restaurant: This is a more upscale option, part of a brasserie chain. Their menu features a wider variety, including seafood, steaks, and afternoon tea. They also boast a sophisticated ambiance.

Cherwell Boathouse punt station and restaurant on the banks of the river Cherwell close to the centre of Oxford. www.cherwellboathouse.co.uk. ✆ 01865/552746.

Chez Mal Brasserie Malmaison Hotel 3 Oxford Castle; tel: 08446-930659; www.malmaison.com/oxford; daily breakfast lunch and dinner. Situated in the basement of Oxford’s former prison (now a hotel) this stylish restaurant serves up food of a quality about as far removed as it could possibly be from the porridge once doled out to inmates. The cooking is in the modern European style

Coconut Tree   It serves up Sri Lankan street food in a vibrant, casual setting. Expect bold flavors, curries, rice dishes, and maybe even a bit of a party atmosphere.

Covered Market  Covered Market itself isn't a single restaurant, but a bustling indoor market with a variety of food options. It's a great place to grab a casual bite or browse for unique ingredients.

Gardeners Arms Oxford’s only 100% vegetarian and vegan pub. heading to Jericho While the pub itself has been around for over 200 years, we started the Gardeners kitchen in 2003 with the intention of serving quality vegetarian food that was appealing to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Our thinking was that it would be a relief for vegetarians and the dining companions to be able to eat somewhere that provided guaranteed meat free vegetarian and vegan food.

Gee’s 61 Banbury Rd Formal restaurant occupying chic Victorian conservatory premises. The inventive menu takes in British seasonal dishes such as asparagus and locally reared spring lamb alongside steaks fish dishes and more continental cuisine – crab linguine bouillabaisse burrata. Book ahead. £££ http://gees-restaurant.co.uk.

George Street Social 34 New Inn Hall Street; tel: 01865-838383; www.georgestreetsocial.com; Mon–Wed 9am–8pm Thurs–Sat 9am–10pm Sun 9am–6pm. A hip and relaxed restaurant serving coffee beer and full meals on a regularly changing menu

Grand Café occupies the site of a coffee house opened by a Lebanese Jew named Jacob in or just after 1650. gland’s oldest coffee house. https://www.thegrandcafe.co.uk/contact/ 84 The High 01865 204463 

Harcourt Arms   This pub focuses on a classic British pub experience. It prioritizes real ales, open fires, and good conversation over modern distractions like pool tables or TVs. They likely serve traditional pub fare like bangers and mash, burgers, and fish and chips.

Jericho Tavern a laid-back neighborhood pub that offers live music tasty bar food and a good range of beers on tap.

Maroc Deli  specializing in Moroccan cuisine.  Expect tagines (stews cooked in conical clay pots), couscous dishes, and savory pastries like briouats. Deli-style restaurants tend to be a more affordable option compared to sit-down restaurants with table service

Missing Bean  isn't exactly a restaurant, but a fantastic Oxford coffee shop chain with a strong focus on coffee. Here's what to expect: Coffee haven: They roast their own beans on-site, so expect a wide variety of freshly brewed coffee options.

Light bites: While not a full restaurant, they likely offer pastries, sandwiches, and cakes alongside their coffee. Perfect for a light breakfast or afternoon snack.

Nosebag 6–8 St Michael’s Street;; daily 9.30am–10pm Fri–Sat until 10.30pm Sun until 9pm. This is a long-standing student favourite “in a beautiful 15th-century building. The self-service restaurant has an unashamedly 1970s feel with the emphasis on quiches lasagne salads and irresistible cakes. ££ tel: 01865-721033; www.nosebagoxford.co.uk

Parsonage Grill within the 5-star 17th century Old Parsonage Hotel Tea parsonagegrill.co.uk  

Pieminister 56 Covered Market Your nose will lead you to this pie shop inside the Covered Market. The wide choice includes deerstalker pie (venison and red wine) http://pieminister.co.uk.

Pierre Victoire 9 Little Clarendon St http://pierrevictoire.co.uk. Much-loved French bistro in a buzzy little Jericho street behind St Giles. The two-course lunch menu (Mon–Sat only) is a steal: pick from trout fillet coq au vin stuffed peppers – all with warm service and a pleasant ambience. Or go for the dinner menu of steak frites mussels duck breast or calves’ liver. £££

Queen’s Lane Coffee House  boasts the title of Oxford's (and possibly Europe's) oldest continuously operating coffee house.  Established in 1654, the atmosphere here is likely brimming with character. Expect traditional decor and a sense of stepping back in time. Alongside coffee, they likely serve a menu of British comfort food staples. Dishes like full English breakfasts, fish and chips, and hearty sandwiches might be on offer.

Quod Restaurant & Bar in the Old Bank Hotel quod.co.uk      

The Folly in a unique riverside position situated in a unique riverside position in the heart of Oxford, a stone's throw from the Westgate centre but beside the beauty of the River Thames. Our restaurant embodies the real Oxford -  the flavours, the tastes, the smells, the colours, the feel, the people, the food. https://www.no1-folly-bridge.co.uk/ restaurant@the-folly.co.uk  The restaurant's terrace floats on the waters of the River Thames as she runs gently under Folly Bridge.

Turl Street Kitchen 16 Turl St http://turlstreetkitchen.co.uk. Much-loved hideaway on a charming backstreet one of Oxford’s top spots for a quiet battery-recharge over coffee and cake. Food is seasonal and hearty – parsnip soup braised free-range chicken with chickpeas fennel and wild garlic gratin – served in a cosy setting of sofas and grained wood. All profits support local charities. ££

Vaults & Garden Radcliffe Sq http://thevaultsandgarden.com. Occupying atmospheric stone-vaulted chambers attached to St Mary’s church this always-busy café serves up good-quality organic locally sourced wholefood as well as coffee and cake. A small outside terrace gazes up at the Radcliffe Camera. Cash only. ££

HOTELS -See map

Ali Inn,  https://www.aliinnoxford.co.uk/  3 star  6 GLOUCESTER STREET

Bath Place, Hotel x Oxford’s hotels don’t come much more central than this  right in the historic heart of the city  http://www.bathplace.co.uk/

Bocardo Hotel,  24-26 George Street  $245  https://www.thebocardo.co.uk/  reservations@thebocardo.co.uk 220p

Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre,  https://www.marriott.com/en-gb/hotels/oxfcy-courtyard-oxford-city-centre/overview/  4 star 

Euro Bar and Hotel,  48 George Street  $131

George Street Hotel,  5 star $261 15-19 George Street  reservations@gshoxford.co.uk

Randolph,    www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/macdonald-randolph-hotel

Malmaison Oxford, https://www.malmaison.com/locations/oxford/   4star  269  $340

Museum Hotel, Oxford  https://museumhotel.uk/booking.php?check_in=2024-05-14&check_out=2024-05-14&adults=1  4 star  200

Old Bank,  https://www.oldbankhotel.co.uk/ 5 star  266 

Old Parsonage Hote,l  https://www.oldparsonagehotel.co.uk/  5 star  505

Premier Inn Oxford City Centre, (Westgate)  https://bit.ly/3xbOHOq    3 star  177

Royal Oxford Hotel,  https://www.royaloxfordhotel.co.uk/  3 star  149  next to station

The Bocardo Hotel,  https://bit.ly/4adS7id 4 star    $277

The Buttery,  http://www.thebutteryhotel.co.uk/  4 star  132  twin

The Store,  $406  1-5 Broad Street https://thestoreoxford.com/

Vanbrugh House Hotel,  20-24 St Michaels Street  https://www.vanbrughhousehotel.co.uk/

Head of the River,  www.headoftheriveroxford.co.uk

Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels   Located directly across from the world-class Ashmolean Museum where Magdalen meets Beaumont Street, https://www.experienceoxfordshire.org/venue/randolph-hotel-by-graduate-hotels-oxford/

St Margaret’s Hotel https://www.experienceoxfordshire.org/venue/the-st-margarets-hotel/  The stylish Victorian building has many period features such as high ceilings, bay windows and stained glass features, but with all the amenities required by today’s business and leisure travellers.

The Buttery is a four-star hotel situated in the heart of Oxford on historic Broad Street. The Buttery offers six deluxe and well-furnished en-suite bedrooms. https://www.experienceoxfordshire.org/venue/the-buttery/

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