Anyone familiar with Oxford?

Vanman

Vanman

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We're having a week there later in the month and I'm looking for any recommendations. We're staying at the club site so the plan is to walk into the centre, maybe take the bus tour, maybe have a trip to Waterperry Gardens one day (or en-route), have a nice meal at a Chinese (Paddyfields?), a couple of pints of real ale somewhere, maybe a pub meal or two and a takeaway. We don't want to spend too much time indoors or with crowds.

So, any recommendations that might fit into that sort of agenda? We have no animals or bikes and are relatively unfit anyway 😉

Thanks - much appreciated

PS I know about the Parking/Clean air issues.
 
We spent nearly a week on that site - but it was 10 years ago and therefore couldn't recommend anywhere to eat drink at this range.

But the site had good access to Oxford and we walked in (along the road and by the river). There's also a bus-stop nearby.

No need to spend time indoors (if the weather is fine) - if you enjoy architecture and parks.

If your timing is right you'll squeeze in between the school and university holidays and have a quieter time.

Hope the weather keeps fine for you and that you have a good time.
 
Why not try a boat trip on the Thames to Abingdon & return. Look up Salter's Steamers Ltd, on line. The boat house is a good walk on the way from the from the CCC club site into town. alternatively they are on the Park & Ride bus route which is very close the the site. Also you can walk to Iffley lock & try a Pint / meal in the Iffley Farmhouse Pub just up stream from the Pub. If you go on goggle maps you can see a lot of the local attractions in the Area. Also look out for some live music in the Iffley Farmhouse Pub or other pubs.
 
Hire a punt. A tranquil way to see Oxford with lots of fresh air.

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We've spent a bit of time there, in the town centre there may be 'students' offering guided walking tours around the town, they could be based on 'Morse' or 'Harry Potter' but most enjoyable, we did the Morse one but still got to see lots of other stuff too.
 
The open top bus ride is a must. If only to get your bearings.
 
I visit Oxford quite regularly and can recommend the following:

The Turf Tavern and The Chequers for good beer and food. The Blenheim has a good selection of beers.

Wendy’s has just opened up a branch in the town centre - far superior to MacDonalds 🤪

Climb Carfax Tower and St Mary’s church tower.

Morning coffee in the vaults of the University Church opposite the Radcliffe.

Explore the Covered Market and Gloucester Green markets.

Walk along the canal from the jail to Jericho. Lunch in the Bookbinder’s.

If you only have the energy for one museum, it has to be Pitt Rivers in the back of the Natural History Museum. The most ectlectic collections of stuff that you will ever see. The Ashmoleon is us good to but more traditional.

Give me a shout if there’s anything else you need to know 😀
 
Oh and if you want to walk into town, best to walk along the river.

Cross over the main Abingdon Road, up Canning Crescent (which is the name of the bus stop when you come back to the site), turn right up to Donnington Bridge and then left along the river into Oxford.

Spectacular on a sunny day.
 
To add to the above, there is a Tesco Express a few minutes walk towards town if you need anything and the information room on the site has most of the menus for local takeaways. Go Outdoors (who own the land the site is on) normally have Calor Gas. Nearest pub is the Duke of Monmouth, nothing special, but after a long drive.... Oh and watch for cyclists, the river walk into town is the best way but expect to meet cyclists.

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Janine said:
Wendy’s has just opened up a branch in the town centre - far superior to MacDonalds
Click to expand...
Are their burgers still square?
Didn't know there were any Wendy's in the UK I came across them in Belgium about 40 years ago.
 
Lenny HB said:
Are their burgers still square?
Didn't know there were any Wendy's in the UK I came across them in Belgium about 40 years ago.
Click to expand...
I ate it too quickly to notice 😂

It was my first Wendy's in 20 years after discovering them in Boston and it was every bit as good as I remember it.

There are a few in this country now apparently.
www.thesun.co.uk

Your nearest Wendy's location

FANCY a burger but you’re not in the mood for the regular McDonald’s or Burger King? Well, American Wendy’s is looking to take over the two fast-food titans and this is where you …
www.thesun.co.uk www.thesun.co.uk
 
Janine said:
I ate it too quickly to notice 😂

It was my first Wendy's in 20 years after discovering them in Boston and it was every bit as good as I remember it.

There are a few in this country now apparently.
www.thesun.co.uk

Your nearest Wendy's location

FANCY a burger but you’re not in the mood for the regular McDonald’s or Burger King? Well, American Wendy’s is looking to take over the two fast-food titans and this is where you …
www.thesun.co.uk www.thesun.co.uk
Click to expand...
Got one in Brighton. (y)
 
As said, the Hop on hop off bus is a good idea.
Jericho Tavern is a decent pub but a better live band venue, imo. 🤪
Gardeners Arms is good for beer & my veggie friends say it’s top nosh for them.

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Try walking down the High (street), turn right into Oriel square (say hi to my alma mater), pint at the bear (don't wear an interesting tie) past Christ Church(aka House). Just after Corpus is walkway down to Christ Church meadows. Drive-way down to river and boat houses.
Follow Cherwell river back to Botanical Gardens and Magdalen.
Back up the High, see the exam schools then All Souls and Radcliffe Camera.
Turn right down New College lane then down St Helens passage would get you to Turf tavern.
Back out Holywell street and left will take you to the Broad and Blackwells.

Above would take around 90 minutes tops without stops and give you a fair view of Oxford.

Avoid Cornmarket and Queens street as they are just 1960's town centres.
 
From the site go south east along the bypass until you get to the River Thames, walk north to Iffley Lock, you can cross the river here. We have been to The Tree , fabulous curries. (y)
 
LesW said:
We've spent a bit of time there, in the town centre there may be 'students' offering guided walking tours around the town, they could be based on 'Morse' or 'Harry Potter' but most enjoyable, we did the Morse one but still got to see lots of other stuff too.
Click to expand...
+1 for the student walking tours; a few years ago now but ours was very knowledgable and entertaining
 
Blackwells has a very nice coffee shop section and if you like books is a fantastic quirky shop.
The Lamb and Flag pub is a good stop if you’re a CS Lewis or JRR Tolkien fan.
The New Theatre has some excellent shows and there may be a show on that you like.
 
I went to Jesus College, Oxford, back in 1978.

I can recommend drinking 11 pints at 50p each and eating a cheap burger at 11:30pm…

But seriously, I think most of the good stuff is covered and Janine has some great suggestions. Do hire a punt, see Port Meadow, visit the museums and the Covered Market, which isn’t as good as it was in the day, but still worth it.
 
One left-field suggestion - visit the Mini factory in Cowley. We did after buying our own Mini and found it fascinating. The just in time delivery by lorries with parts already in the order needed by the production line amazed me. I’d be interested to know how they’re managing now we’re not in the EU.
 
Zingano said:
I went to Jesus College, Oxford, back in 1978.

I can recommend drinking 11 pints at 50p each and eating a cheap burger at 11:30pm…

But seriously, I think most of the good stuff is covered and Janine has some great suggestions. Do hire a punt, see Port Meadow, visit the museums and the Covered Market, which isn’t as good as it was in the day, but still worth it.
Click to expand...
You are absolutely right about the Covered Market. I don’t know if it’s a result of Covid but the lively, bustling atmosphere has disappeared. I tried going on different days but sadly it was deserted.
 
Janine said:
You are absolutely right about the Covered Market. I don’t know if it’s a result of Covid but the lively, bustling atmosphere has disappeared. I tried going on different days but sadly it was deserted.
Click to expand...
Wokery got rid of the displays at the game butchers. And, back in the Seventies I remember a tiny second hand bookshop in there.

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A tour of Bodlean library, including the underground tunnels is fascinating, it includes the Radcliffe Camera ( which is a library). Would need booking and used to take couple of hours.
Its next to Sheldonian Theatre and in fact all the "pretty part" of Oxford is within approx a sq mile.

A college tour might be interesting for you. Just ask the porter at any college entrance. Some days they are open and some not.

Join a walking guided tour, generally hosted by young locals or students which all seem to start on Broad Street, cost £5 - £10. or go for a literary pub crawl start at Turf Tavern, featured in Inspector Morse, then Lamb and Flag where Graham Greene and Thomas Hardy were regulars followed by Eagle and Child (known locally as "The Bird and Babe") regulars were CS Lewis and JRR Tolkein.

Ride an open top bus.

A walk alongside Thames through Port Meadow to The Trout at Godstow,great spot on a nice day, where the few remains of the ruins of Godstow Abbey can be seen. Famed for connection with Fair Rosamund, Mistress of King Henry.

Rent a punt from The Oxford Boathouse or from Magdelen bridge location.

Agree Pitt Rivers over Ashmolean museum.

Pitkins City Guides for Oxford, 33 glossy pages of pics and simple facts is good help.

There is a great cycle route from campsite into Oxford avoiding the main rd. Think its Sustrans No 5, accessed by turning left after Go Outdoors. A good cycle a round to decide which bits you'd like to visit on foot. BUT Oxford has a reputation for bike theft so don't leave them unattended!

What are your interests?
 
Excellent bus service from Blackbird Leys next to leisure centre.... but i would not leave my van anywhere near there...
 
Vanman said:
We're having a week there later in the month and I'm looking for any recommendations. We're staying at the club site so the plan is to walk into the centre, maybe take the bus tour, maybe have a trip to Waterperry Gardens one day (or en-route), have a nice meal at a Chinese (Paddyfields?), a couple of pints of real ale somewhere, maybe a pub meal or two and a takeaway. We don't want to spend too much time indoors or with crowds.

So, any recommendations that might fit into that sort of agenda? We have no animals or bikes and are relatively unfit anyway 😉

Thanks - much appreciated

PS I know about the Parking/Clean air issues.
Click to expand...
Isabella headquarters is there. Great place to have a look around and see behind the scenes of awning manufacturing.....Yes I know I'm sad!
 
Wow what an amazing set of recommendations from one simple request. Much better than any guide book, particularly when someone highlighted a Wendys which beats McD's and the others hands down. Could we do a city a week?
 
Don Campbell said:
Wow what an amazing set of recommendations from one simple request. Much better than any guide book, particularly when someone highlighted a Wendys which beats McD's and the others hands down. Could we do a city a week?
Click to expand...
A week is a minimum, in my opinion!

My son lives down there - in fact, he full-timed at the Oxford site for 18 months which is why I know it so well.

I haven’t mentioned buses.

The 35 stops at Go Outdoors but, if there isn’t one due, turn left and left again onto the main road. Cross over the side road,Bertie Place, and go to the bus stop.

Any of the buses that go past are heading for the city centre so you will only have to wait a couple of minutes. (Except the P&R bus which won’t stop no matter how much you smile at the driver 🥰)

They do take slightly different routes when they get there but you will know by the size of the buildings that you have arrived.

Look out for the house on Folly Bridge just before you hit the city. Very quirky!

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