Oxford

Introduction

Ultra-Mini Car in Oxford

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To most, the city of Oxford is synonymous with the university it is home to: the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world, and one of the best. A university of some sort already existed by around 1100, but in 1167 King Henry II banned English students from attending the university of Paris, and attendance at Oxford took off. It was nicknamed the "city of dreaming spires" by Matthew Arnold, referring to the university buildings' harmonious architecture. Many of the older buildings are built of limestone from the nearby Cotswolds: as a result, much of the city has a pleasantly creamy-yellow tint.

Aside from the university, Oxford is a real city. Indeed, King Charles I based himself here during the Civil War.

Sights and Activities

The University

Almost everything of interest to the tourist is either part of the university itself, or related to it. The university, which has expanded in recent years to about 20,000 students, is split into 39 colleges (as well as departments). Students are all members of one of the colleges, which are the basis of social life and undergraduate teaching. However, lectures are given and degrees are awarded by the university. Many of Oxford's colleges are well worth a visit, including:

• All Souls is a college which has no students, only Fellows.
• Balliol has emanated several Prime Ministers.
• Christ Church is famous because it has its own cathedral church!
• Magdalen College has a beautiful tower, and a deer park. This college is not pronounced as it is written, but you can find out how to pronounce it when you get to Oxford.
• Merton College is possibly the oldest college.
• New College is (like the Pont Neuf in Paris) a very very old college. It has a beautiful chapel and cloisters.
• Queen's College is notable for its 18th century architecture.

If you do visit, do bear in mind that they are not museums: people actually live and work in them and will not appreciate you peering into their bedrooms.

Interesting locations that are not part of a college include:

• The Bodleian Library - both a beautiful set of buildings, and one of the best English-language libraries in the world.
• The Radcliffe Camera is a library building designed by James Gibbs in the 18th century.
• The Sheldonian Theatre.
• Christ Church Meadows, and the River Isis.
• The Martyrs' Memorial, while England did not suffer religious wars as much as continental Europe, Protestants and Catholics did kill each other a bit in the 16th century. Three protestant clerics were burnt at St Giles in 1555-6.

Museums

Not surprisingly for a university town, Oxford also has some excellent museums. Chief among these is the Ashmolean Museum, founded in 1683 and one of the oldest in the world. The Pitt Rivers Museum of archaeology and anthropology is popular, as is the Museum of Natural History. On the edge of the town centre, opposite Magdalen College and on the banks of the Cherwell, is the Botanic Garden, the oldest in Great Britain.

Punting

One popular pastime in the summer, for students and tourists alike, is punting on the river. It isn't as easy as it looks, and a proportion of the tourists fall in. Being punted is very agreeable, particularly if you have a bottle of something cool and bubbly.

Morris' car factory

For decades cars have been manufactured at the Morris's factory in Cowley, just outside the city. The site is now owned by BMW.

Events and Festivals

Getting There

By Plane

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

• YHA Hostel Oxford (2A Botley Road) – Located next to the rail station and ten minutes walk from the city centre. Car parking is very difficult for this hostel.

Mid-Range

Upscale

Learn

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Telephone dialing code for Oxford: 01865. International dialing code for Oxford: +44 1865.

Post

The Royal Mail provides postal services in the United Kingdom. The Royal Mail's store fronts are called Post Office and offer services ranging from sending letters and packages to foreign currency exchange. Use the branch locator to find the nearest Post Office branch. An alternative includes TNT Post.
It's common for a post office to be incorporated into a grocery store, where there will be a small counter located at the back of the store for dealing with post related matters. All post offices are marked with signs that say 'post office' in red lettering. Post boxes can be found at any post office and standalone large red post boxes on the streets or red boxes in the sides of public buildings.

External Links

• Oxford Official Website