Furnished Serviced Apartments Oxford

Facts About Oxford

Oxford is the sole city in Oxfordshire and a major county town. The city accommodates the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world.

Here are some interesting facts about Oxford:

• AD 900 saw the town being named as a ford or river crossing for oxen. William the Conqueror damaged it in the takeover of England during the 1066 invasion.
• Oxford was majorly unscathed throughout WWII.
• The buildings here will delight Harry Potter series fans which was filmed extensively in Oxford.
• The beginnings of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland were narrated to Dean Henry Liddell’s daughters here in 1862.
• Punting is hugely popular in Oxford while its University Museum of Natural History has the most extensive specimens of the dodo. This flightless bird went extinct in the 17th century.

Major industries in Oxford include education, information technology, publishing, automotive manufacturing and science. Oxford University Press is based here along with numerous publishing houses. Oxford has the nearby Oxford Airport at Kidlington.

Cost of Living in Oxford

A one-way bus ticket in Oxford costs approximately $2.65 while a monthly pass is priced at roughly $59. Average rentals for 1 bedroom apartments is $1,030-1,235. A regular restaurant meal will cost roughly 10-15 pounds while this can go up to 50-60 pounds at a mid-range restaurant. A one-way ticket will be 2.20-3 pounds for local transportation.

Tips for Visiting Oxford

Here are some vital tips for visiting Oxford:

• Oxford is only one hour away from central London by rail.
• Free walking tours are great ways to explore the city.
• Student housing areas are excellent places to sample affordable meals.
• Student theater performances are readily available at low prices.
• Oxford is a smaller city and you can walk almost everywhere.

Things to Do in Oxford

Here are some of the best things to do in Oxford.

• What are the most popular things to do in Oxford?

You can check out attractions like the University of Oxford Botanic Garden along with the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Keble College. The Pitt Rivers Museum is also worth exploring.

• What are some free things to do in Oxford?

Popular free attractions include visiting the free galleries and museums along with picnicking in Port Meadow. You can take a tour of the city streets along with checking out Shark Attack. Check out Radcliffe Square and the Covered Market.

• Does Oxford have many romantic attractions?

Couples can visit the Oxford University Museum of Natural History along with the Pitt Rivers Museum and Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology. The Bodleian Library is worth visiting along with Christ Church Meadow.

• What are the more family-friendly things to do in Oxford?

Family-friendly activities include the Ashmolean Museum, Botanic Garden, Museum of Oxford and the Ferry Sports Center Swimming Pool. You can also visit Cutteslowe Park with your family members.

• What are the more unusual things to do in Oxford?

Some unusual activities include Atomic Burger, visiting Thirsty Meeples, the University of Oxford’s Botanic Garden and checking out the Cowley Road Murals.

Places to Visit in Oxford

Here are the best places worth visiting in Oxford:

• Oxford City Center – This is the best place to check out the Carfax or intersection of the four principal Oxford streets. Find the Carfax Tower from the 14th century. Check out the St. Aldate’s Church, Pembroke College and Town Hall in this area. The Modern Art Oxford is a wonderful visual art gallery worth checking out too. The nearby High Street has multiple grand buildings and colleges. It was named the finest street in England by iconic writer Nathaniel Hawthorne.

• University Church of St. Mary the Virgin – The University Church of St. Mary the Virgin or St. Mary’s is a must-visit. Climb up the amazing tower at this landmark that came up in 1280. Get picturesque countryside and city views from the top. The choir was rebuilt in 1462 and faces the Lady Chapel from 1490 and the nave. The stalls go back to 1466. The porch still has marks from guns used by troops of Oliver Cromwell at the time of the English Civil War.

• Christ Church Cathedral – The current building dates to the 12th century. Christ Church became a cathedral in 1546. The double arcading of the nave is the key highlight. The Thomas Beckett window lies towards the south transept while Edward Burne-Jones-designed glass windows were crafted by William Morris in the year 1871. Check out the St. Frideswide window and 14th century tombs of Lady Montacute, John de Nowers and Prior Sutton.

• Christ Church College – Christ Church College came up in 1525, founded by Cardinal Wolsey. It was re-founded by Henry VIII after his fall. Tom Tower was added in 1682 by Christopher Wren. It has a massive 7-ton bell named Great Tom. This peals 101 times each evening at 9:05 PM. The central quadrangle has its Tom Quad and fountain. The lower tower goes up to the hall and dining room. Charles I lived at the Deanery between 1642 and 1646 and you will find the Kill-Canon nearby. This is a chilly passage that is worth exploring. It goes to Peckwater Quad with a library containing mementoes and drawings belonging to Cardinal Wolsey. The Christ Church Picture Gallery is also worth visiting.

• Magdalen College – Magdalen College came up in 1458 and the Magdalen Tower came up in 1482. State apartments have 16th century fixtures and tapestries within the Founder’s Tower. A passage goes underneath to the cloisters with hieroglyphs galore. There is the Grove deer park nearby and the bridge going into the Water Walks over the River Cherwell. The University of Oxford Botanic Garden lies opposite to the Magdalen College entrance.

Places to Eat in Oxford

The Magdalen Arms is a great place for Saturday dining with its wonderful Cornish mussels mariniere and Hereford steak and ale suet crust pie. The wine list is extensive here. You can check out Oli’s Thai which offers the best jungle curry with coconut milk, red hot chilies and butternut squash.

Arbequina is ideal for savoring Oxford’s best tapas and sea bass with fennel salad. The Mason Arms is a charming place to feast on roast rump of lamb with spiced bhajis and courgettes. The Oxford Kitchen is all about beautiful presentation and lip-smacking lunches.

Street Food in Oxford

Hussein offers Oxford’s noteworthy doner kebab along with excellent chips and generous plates. Pizza Artisan is another great option for trying the best pizzas cooked before your own eyes!

Crepe-o-Mania offers delicious pancakes and Marmite and Wiltshire ham along with Breton apple and cinnamon. Falafel House serves up mouthwatering falafel, hummus and other combinations.

Shopping in Oxford

Queen Street, Westgate Shopping Center and Cornmarket Street are major shopping zones in Oxford. They have several retailers and brands while you should also visit the covered market. This has several independent stores rubbing shoulders with established names. Summertown and Jericho are great shopping hubs along with Cowley Road. Bicester Village is worth visiting for fabulous bargains and innumerable retailers.

Transportation in Oxford

Oxford has its nearby Oxford Airport at Kidlington. The Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach Oxfordshire have bus services plying throughout the city along with Thames Travel, Arriva Shires & Essex and more. Coach services run between London and Oxford courtesy of Stagecoach Oxfordshire while Airline services till Gatwick and Heathrow Airports are operated by the Oxford Bus Company.

Find National Express coaches and long-distance coaches at Gloucester Green. Oxford also has direct rail connectivity to London and several major cities. The key roads include A40, A34, A44, A420 and others. Leading motorways include the M40 which connects Birmingham and London.

Weather in Oxford

Weather in Oxford is ideal for tourists throughout the year. The best time of the year is July when temperatures hover between 12 and 23 degrees Celsius. The average temperature varies due to higher humidity levels. The weather stays cold for 6 months every year.