Your guide to living in Oxford
Despite being a fairly small city, Oxford never fails to amaze, thanks to some of the most impressive gothic architecture in the country and, of course, the world famous Oxford University. Millions of people, including students and tourists, flock to ‘the city of dreaming spires,’ every year to experience what it has to offer. Wander the cobbled streets to see where influential figures from Albert Einstein to Margaret Thatcher and Hugh Grant studied. You’ll also find quaint independent coffee shops with students hunched over laptops, or locals punting in the River Thames, which runs through the city.
Where is it?
Located in south east England, and surrounded by small towns and countryside in Oxfordshire, Oxford is also just 56 miles NW from London. Central Oxford is divided into 18 different areas, including Jericho, Headington and Summertown, which are the most popular.
What’s the transport like?
Oxford’s bus routes are well linked, to get you exactly where you need to go. Driving through the city centre may prove difficult, with limited roads and parking, but with the handy Park and Ride, simply park your car in one of the locations around Oxford’s ring road and hop on one of the Park and Ride buses in. Oxford is huge on cycling, and is ranked as the second city in the UK for the most journeys to work and school taken by bicycle! If you need to get into London, then the Oxford Tube will be your best friend. Running 24 hours a day, up to every 10 minutes, this bus takes you from Oxford city centre straight into London - from Notting Hill to Victoria. Oxford Train Station has links straight to major cities all around the UK, including London, Newcastle and Edinburgh. The ONLY thing Oxford is missing is Uber, and is one of the only cities in the UK without it!
Where do the locals go?
Parks: Oxford is lucky enough to not only be surrounded by beautiful countryside, but have some of it right in the city centre. The most iconic spot is Christ Church Meadow, a popular walking and picnic spot to hang out with friends and soak up that fresh air. Of course we have to mention Oxford's famous Botanical Gardens, the oldest botanical garden in the UK and home to over 5,000 plant species. You’ll also find locals soaking in summer soaking up the sun in Port Meadow amongst Oxford’s wild horses (yes, you read that right) and swimming in the river.
Events & Activities: You’ll never have a boring day in Oxford - with heaps of museums, tours and history to soak in. Head to the Ashmolean Museum to take a look at some of the world's finest art collections, or the Pitt Rivers Museum, which houses over half a million archaeological and anthropological objects. One of the highlights of the year for Oxford residents is Mayday, which has been celebrated on the 1st May for over 1,000 years in the city! Thousands of people gather in the streets of Oxford at 6am to bring in the day, with many students jumping off the Magdalen Bridge (pronounced 'Maudlin', for some reason!) into the river! Swimming not your thing? For a more civilised water activity, grab your mates and a picnic, and go punting! Rent a gondola and spend hours pootling down the river sightseeing through the city.
The best restaurants: Oxford has a great mixture of places to eat for all budgets. Pizza fan? The White Rabbit, nestled behind the Ashmolean Museum, and the Rusty Bicycle in Cowley know how to make good pizza and serve up cheap pints! Gees menu features Mediterranean style dishes in a stunning conservatory dome, perfect for a summer lunch. For a cosy date night spot, No.1 Ship Street is the place to go, a tiny brasserie which is also one of Oxford’s best award winning independent restaurants.
The best pubs: Oxford has a great pub and bar scene, with historical figures like William Shakespeare known to have frequented the pubs around the city. With some of the oldest pubs in the country, there’s always a cosy spot to hunker down in for a pint with your mates. The Bear Inn and Turf Tavern are some of the best, with the latter allegedly seeing some very (now) famous faces come through its doors - Bill Clinton, Elizabeth Taylor and Stephen Hawking have all dropped in! Fancy something a little more sophisticated? TVC is THE spot for tasty rooftop cocktails all year round, with breathtaking views of the city. For a quaint pub lunch a little out of the city centre, The Perch and The Trout are the places to go, both surrounded by breathtaking views.
The best coffee shops: The Vaults is a hidden gem in the city, tucked away in the vaults of St. Mary’s Church on Radcliffe Square. You’ll not only be wowed by the tasty coffee and cake but also the incredible gothic architecture. Art Cafe is an iconic coffee shop and with a bright yellow exterior (you won't miss it!), and serves up coffee along with traditional breakfast and brunch dishes.
Shops: Westgate Oxford has everything you need under one roof, a brand new swanky shopping centre, where you’ll also find some very cool food and drink spots if you need a break from all that retail therapy (make sure to check out Victors!). For something a little more traditional, head to the historic Covered Market, a hub of permanent stalls located right in the middle of the city. First opening way back in 1774, the Covered Market is now home to traders from clothes, food and coffee shops. Fun fact: This is the spot where the iconic Ben’s Cookies first started!
What’s it famous for?
The prestigious Oxford University is probably what the city is most known for, but what else? Many scenes in the Harry Potter franchise were filmed in Oxford, with guided tours taking place around the locations - mostly around the university’s buildings. Home to some of the biggest library collections in the world, the Bodleian Library’s iconic building is not only a sight to see, but a vault of incredible knowledge available to members and students.
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