Oxford Weekend Escape

Oxford is a great option for a weekend escape and one of my favourite cities to visit in England. The buildings, the architecture, the parks and the shops... everything is so nice! Also, it is a great stop on your way to the Cotswolds, in particular if you are visiting the northern towns (Broadway, Bourton on the Water, Stanton or Stow on the Wold).

The best area to stay is in the city centre near the colleges, “Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre” is very well located, and it has a very modern design. If you prefer an apartment, “Oxfordshire Living - Apartment with Large Sun Terrace” is a good one to go to.

Day 1: Oxford City Centre and colleges

I would recommend to spend your first day visiting the most iconic landmarks that Oxford has to offer and for sure you have seen in films and pictures.

• Bridge of Sighs: is a skyway joining two parts of Hertford College over New College Lane. Its distinctive design makes it one of the most famous landmarks of the city.

• The Sheldonian Theatre: built between 1664 and 1669, it is famous for its architecture and restored painted ceiling, and a splendid venue for ceremonies and performances.

• Radcliffe Camera: an iconic landmark and a working library, part of the central Bodleian Library complex. It is linked to the Old Bodleian Library by the underground Gladstone Link.

• Bodleian Library: the main research library of the University of Oxford, is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and derives its name from its founder Sir Thomas Bodley. With over 13 million printed items, it is the second-largest library in Britain after the British Library.

• The Covered Market: a historic market with permanent stalls and shops in a large covered structure that was officially opened in 1774.

• Christ Church Meadow: a well-known flood-meadow, and popular walking and picnic spot.

The architecture of the colleges is absolutely beautiful. If you have time, I would recommend to buy tickets to visit the inside areas of some of them. If you don’t want to pay or don’t have enough time you can admire most of them from the street. The most famous are:

1. Christ Church: a joint foundation of the college and the cathedral of the Oxford diocese, which serves as the college chapel and whose dean is ex officio the college head. It was founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII and it is one of the larger colleges of the University of Oxford.

2. Merton College Chapel: the church is dedicated to St Mary and St John the Baptist and was completed in its present form by the end of the 13th century. The building retains a number of original stained-glass windows and is noted for its acoustics.

3. University Church of St Mary: St Mary's possesses an unconventional baroque porch and a spire which is claimed by some historians to be one of the most beautiful in England. The 13th-century tower is open to the public for a fee and provides good views across the heart of the historic university city, especially Radcliffe Square, the Radcliffe Camera, Brasenose College, Oxford and All Souls College.

4. Keble College: the 1st Oxford College of the modern era, it was founded in memory of John Keble (1792-1866), key member of the so-called 'Oxford' movement.

If you have time before dinner, I would recommend to visit North Parade Street, a very cute little street with a few nice pubs to have a drink.

For dinner, I recommend going to “Bangkok House” restaurant if you like Thai food. The decoration is very authentic and the food super good!

Oxford Architecture

Radcliffe Camera:

Oxford Architecture

Bridge of Sighs

Oxford Architecture

Oxford Architecture

Oxford Architecture

North Parade Street

Day 2: Punting and Botanic gardens

Obviously, you cannot leave Oxford without punting! One of the most famous activities to do while visiting. If you have never punted or are scared to try, some places like “Oxford Punting” offer the option to rent a pedalo version that is of course super easy!

The most famous spot to rent the boats is at “Oxford punting” by Magdalen Bridge. However, there is usually a long queue so either you can patiently wait, or you can go to North Oxford to “Cherwell Boathouse Punts” this is a less famous place and therefore cheaper and less busy.

Another cool thing to do is to visit the is the botanical gardens, this is the oldest botanic garden in Great Britain and one of the oldest scientific gardens in the world. The garden was founded in 1621 as a physic garden growing plants for medicinal research. Today it contains over 5,000 different plant species.

Punting in Oxford

Punting in Oxford

Punting in Oxford

Views from Christ Church Meadow