Location
Oxford lies about 57 miles (90 km) north-west of London (middle of England). A medium-sized city with a total population of some 140,000 people, including over 30,000 students, Oxford has a lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere, with a wealth of cultural, recreational and sports facilities. You will have seen Oxford in any TV programs and films.
Oxford is famous the world over for its University and place in history. For over 800 years, it has been a home to royalty and scholars, and since the 9th century an established town, although people are known to have lived in the area for thousands of years.
Nowadays, the city is a bustling cosmopolitan town. With its mix of ancient and modern, there is plenty to see and do. Whether its visiting one of the many historic buildings, colleges or museums, going out for a drink or a meal, taking in a show or shopping till you drop, Oxford has it all.
Attractions
There are always things to do in and around Oxford, whether it be visiting some of the local tourist attractions / historical places of interest, dining out in one of Oxford’s quality restaurants, enjoying the local music scene, seeing a film at a nearby cinema, or visiting one of the local pubs, bars or cafes
Art and archaeology, learn more about the history and arts of Oxford by visiting its local museums.
Ashmolean Museum, Pendon Museum, Oxford University Natural History Museum
With its pedestrianised areas, tucked-away lanes and gated roads, Oxford’s compact city centre is best explored on foot. Why not discover Oxford’s secrets on an official walking tour around the city.
How to get there
BY AIR;
Visitors arriving by air will probably arrive at one of five airports.
Heathrow – 75km from Oxford – Direct bus service to Oxford every 30 minutes.
Gatwick – 150km from Oxford – Direct bus service to Oxford every 2 hours.
Luton – 50km from Oxford – Go in to central London and out again by bus or rail.
Stanstead – 150km from Oxford – Direct bus service to Oxford every 2 hours.
Birmingham International – 75km from Oxford – Direct train to Oxford every hour
BY ROAD;
Oxford has good access by road from all directions. All visitors are advised to use the ring-road in order to approach from the North, thereby avoiding the city centre.
BY RAIL;
Trains run at least once an hour between Oxford and London (Paddington), and twice an hour during peak times, but the bus will be cheaper and more frequent.
BY BUS/COACH;
Both the Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach Bus Company run a frequent 24hr service between London (Victoria Bus Station) and Oxford. The Oxford Bus Company also runs direct services to Oxford from the airports Heathrow (every 30 minutes) and Gatwick (every 2 hours).
Festivals
Punting in Oxford – March/October
The best place to rent a punt – a long, narrow boat propelled with a long pole by the “punter” who stands at the back of the boat – is beside Magdalen Bridge.
Oxford Round Table Firework Display – Oct
| Jazz in the Park – Aug -Oxford’s South Park hosts Jazz in the Park, a family day out with plenty of live jazz, food stalls, a bar and children’s entertainment. Party in the Park – Aug – Thirty thousand people are expected to flock to Oxford’s South Park for this musical extravaganza, which features chart-topping stars and is held in an exclusive concert arena |
Eating Dining Shopping
The Pubs / bars and restaurants offer a varied range of cuisines and cooking styles, plus lunchtime cafes, French-style brasseries and takeaways, all in and around Oxford.
Westgate Shopping Centre,
Shopping centre in Oxford City Centre open seven days a week.
| HistoryMedieval historian, John Rous wrote in his 1490 work, ‘Historium Regum Angliae’, that Oxford was originally King Mempricius’ city, Caer-Memre, built on the River Thames somewhere between 1400 and 1500 BC. However, other historians from Rous’ time were more inclined to support the popular legend that Oxford was in fact founded by the Trojans, after they landed on British soil in around 1100 BC. Whilst there may be no definite historical basis for John Rous’ claims or for the Trojan story, there is some evidence of a settlement in Oxford possibly as early as 4000 BC. In addition, a more permanent settlement between 2000 and 700 BC is suggested by evidence of Bronze Age barrows in the area.
Useful telephone numbers Emergency Number 999 Airport Information (Heathrow) Tel; +44 (0)870 000 0123 Train station: National Rail Enquiry Service – Tel; 08457 484950 Tourist Office: Tel; 01865 726871 Holiday rents online: National Transport Line
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