THINGS TO DO IN OXFORD
THINGS TO DO
Compiled by our resident walking tour guide Isabella Underhill.
If you are considering a trip to Oxford, a little forward planning can be useful. 0xford and its surroundings have many attractions; this is a personal selection for those unfamiliar with the city.
It is always advisable to check with websites or enquire at the hotel reception to confirm dates and times nearer the time of your intended visit.
You might like to take advantage of the bicycles that are provided for guests at each hotel (see cyling below for suggested routes). It would also be very much worth your while to check out the world class live jazz at the Old Parsonage, Old Bank Hotel and our sister restaurant Gee’s. See below for more information on jazz in Oxford.
INFORMATION
For events in Oxford it is always worth consulting The Oxford Times’ Weekend section, the Oxford University website and the city’s own Daily Information.
WALKING TOURS
If guests would like a complimentary walking tour our guide, Oxford resident and art historian, Isabella Underhill, would be delighted to show them around the city and the university. She leaves from the Old Parsonage and the Old Bank Hotel most days from Tuesday until Saturday. Please check at reception and Walking Tours for times of the tours.
If you would like any local advice on what to do or where to go, please ask reception to contact Isabella for you. Walks can last up to one and a half hours, but shorter tours can also be arranged.
COLLEGES AND THE UNIVERSITY
Oxford’s most beautiful and historic buildings are undoubtedly the 39 colleges and related institutions that make up the university. They are scattered all over the city and range in date from the 13th to the 20th centuries. Many colleges are open to members of the public, generally in the afternoon. If you are interested in visiting a particular college or other university building please check the university website or ask reception to ring and confirm opening times. Degree ceremonies and other fixtures can cause unscheduled closure.
A listing of opening times and other information can be found on the university website: www.ox.ac.uk.
The Divinity School, the beautiful medieval part of the Bodleian Library and the Sheldonian Theatre, Sir Christopher Wren’s 1669 masterpiece, should be on every visitor’s itinerary. The Bodleian Library runs excellent tours, bookable from 9am, with tickets sold at the Catte St entrance.
EVENSONG
During termtime many colleges welcome the public to evensong in their chapels. The outstanding choirs sing at New College (6.15pm), Magdalen College (6pm) and Christ Church (6pm), also the Cathedral of Oxford; enter from via the Tom Gate in St Aldate’s. Being the city’s cathedral, as well as the college chapel, Christ Church offers services throughout the year.
Choristers have the occasional day off so please check first with the colleges for choral timetables.
MUSIC
Oxford offers a superb range of music, in its halls, theatres, arts centres, colleges and churches.
Regular concert venues are: the Sheldonian Theatre; Holywell Music Room (coffee concerts most Sunday mornings); Jacqueline du Pre Music Building, St Hilda’s College and North Wall Arts Centre, South Parade, Summertown.
JAZZ
We offer complimentary world class live jazz performances at the Old Bank and Old Parsonage Hotel and at our sister restaurant Gee’s.
Fridays 8-10pm at the Old Parsonage Hotel
Sundays 5-7pm Old Bank Hotel
Sundays 8-9.45pm Gee’s
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
Ashmolean Museum, closed Mondays, open Tues-Sun 10am-6pm.
Recently extended at the cost of £61m – a cross between the National Gallery and British Museum, but smaller. Check the website for the daily tours and lectures.
Museum of Oxford, St Aldate’s (under the Town Hall), Tues–Sat 10am -5pm, closed Sunday and Monday.
The history of Oxford seen through the eyes of its citizens. Wonderful collection including maps, an undergraduate roomset from the 19th century and archaeological finds from the widescale destruction of the 1960s. Not to be missed.
Bodleian Library, Catte Street, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-4.30pm, Sun 11am-5pm.
The university’s principal library housed in a series of buildings dating from the 15th century to the 1930s. Public access to the medieval Divinity School and conducted tours: tickets from Catte Street entrance.
University Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Open 10-5pm daily.
A vast array of objects including reconstructed dinosaur skeletons, shells, fossils, and stuffed animals housed in a glass-roofed Victorian Gothic building. Special exhibition on the life of Charles Darwin. Family fun Sun 2-4pm.
Pitt Rivers Museum, Parks Road, through the Museum of Natural History, Open Mon 12-4.30pm, Tues-Sun 10-4.30pm.
Ethnographical museum faithful to its Victorian layout – a favourite destination for locals of all ages. Childern will love the shrunken heads! Family events Sun 2-4pm.
Museum of the History of Science, Broad Street, Tues-Fri 2-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm.
Features Einstein’s blackboard among many other fascinating objects, displayed in the original Ashmolean Museum of 1683. Family friendly drop-in Sat-Sun 2-4pm.
Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, Music Faculty, St Aldate’s, Weekdays 2-5pm, Sat mornings in term time: 10am-12 noon.
A small museum attached to the university’s music faculty, displaying 1000 musical instruments from the western orchestral tradition.
Christ Church Picture Gallery, Christ Church, entrance in Oriel Square, May-Sept: Mon-Sat 10.30-5pm, Sun 2-5pm Sept-May Mon-Sat 10.30-1pm 2-4.30pm Sun 2-4.30pm.
The college’s collection of Old Master paintings and drawings, dating largely from the 1400s to the baroque.
CHILDREN
Oxford Castle, 10am-5pm daily except Christmas Day.
The remains of the Norman Castle and Oxford Prison – regular tours dwell on some of the more horrible events in its history.
Science Oxford, St Clement’s, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm.
Events, exhibitions and hands-on for families.
Ashmolean Museum, Museum of the History of Science, Pitt Rivers Museum, University Museum of Natural History and Botanic Garden: weekend and holiday events for children.
Climb a church spire – see Panoramas.
Oxford Ice Rink, Oxpens, see website for opening times.
Magdalen Bridge: from Easter, punts and pedaloes for hire.
Blenheim Palace: grand 18th-century residence with extensive park belonging to the Dukes of Marlborough in Woodstock, 6 miles from Oxford. Park only open in winter months. Adventure park, maze, train.
PANORAMAS
The spire of the University Church of St Mary, open Mon-Sat 9am-4.30pm (last admission), Sun 11.45-4.30pm, in the High St: the most extensive view of the city and surrounding countryside.
The Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street, open Mon-Sat 10am-12.30pm, 2-3.30pm, 4.30pm after 28th March (often closed for concerts and ceremonies).
Christopher Wren’s 1669 theatre, still used for all university ceremonies. Climb up to the lantern for a matchless low view over the Bodleian Library and all Oxford’s most distinguished architectural sights.
Carfax Tower, April to Oct 10am-4pm, Nov–March 10am-3pm (4pm in March).
The ancient central point of Oxford with views over old and new parts of the city.
St Michael at the Northgate, 10.30am-4pm winter, 10.30am-5pm summer.
Oxford’s oldest structure, the Saxon tower situated at the North Gate of the city, once attached to the Bocardo prison (now demolished) where Archbishop Cranmer was held before being burnt at the stake in Broad Street in 1556.
MARKETS
A farmers’ market is held on Gloucester Green on the first and third Thursday of the month. Regular farmers’ markets are also held in outlying villages and towns, notably Wolvercote, Deddington and Charlbury.
GARDENS OPEN ALL YEAR
Botanic Garden, High St, the university’s 1621 physic garden with later glasshouses; a treat for all horticultural enthusiasts.
Rousham House Garden, near Steeple Aston, a 20-minute drive from Oxford, open daily, landscaped by William Kent, with walled garden and dovecote, considered by many the most beautiful garden in the country and refreshingly uncommercial. Children under 15 and dogs are not permitted but picnics are encouraged.
Waterperry Gardens, open weekend Sat and Sun. Plant centre and gardens in the grounds of Waterperry House, 15 minutes’ drive from Oxford.
ART
Modern Art Oxford, 10-5 Tues-Sat 12-5 Sunday, closed Mondays. Modern Art Oxford closes from 6 March for refurbishment.
Modern Art Trolley, 2-4pm Sat-Sun, Gallery tours Thursdays 1pm and Saturdays 3pm.
ART IN THE HOTELS
The owner of the hotels, Jeremy Mogford, shows his outstanding collection of modern art on the walls the Old Bank, Old Parsonage, Quod and Gee’s. Many famous artists appear: Wyndham Lewis, Stanley Spencer, David Bomberg and Gary Hume to name but a few. A catalogue of his collection is available to guests from hotel reception.
THEATRE
Oxford Playhouse and Burton Taylor Studio - www.oxfordplayhouse.com.
North Wall Arts Centre, South Parade, Summertown - www.thenorthwall.com.
New Theatre - www.newtheatreoxford.org.uk.
CINEMA
Oxford has two arthouse cinemas:
The Ultimate Picture Palace in Jeune St, off Cowley Road (01865 245288).
The Phoenix Picturehouse in Walton Street (0871 704 2062).
Mainstream cinemas:
Odeon Magdalen Street, Odeon George Street - www.odeon.co.uk.
PUBS
Oxford is littered with ancient and atmospheric pubs. Among the best are:
The Bear, Bear Lane. The Turf Tavern, St Helen’s Passage. The King’s Arms, corner of Holywell St and Parks Road. The Eagle and Child, St Giles, meeting place of the Inklings, the informal literary club that included J.R.Tolkien and C.S.Lewis. The Lamb and Flag, St Giles. The Gardeners’ Arms, Plantation Road.
TEA AND COFFEE STOPS
The Nosebag, 6-8 St Michael Street. The Rose, High Street. The Vaults, under the University Church of St Mary, High Street
WALKS
Folly Bridge to Iffley: half an hour each way.
Follow the towpath to Iffley village (a mile or so from Folly Bridge) to see its superb Norman church. Cross Folly Bridge at the end of St Aldate’s and turn left up the towpath, opposite the Head of the River pub.
A walk up the river to Godstow: 45 minutes each way from central Oxford.
Enter Port Meadow from Walton Well Road in Jericho. Cross the two bridges ahead to Bossom’s Boat Yard. Turn right and in a couple of minutes you will come to the back entrance of the Perch Inn. Behind the inn is the village of Binsey. Turn right out of the pub drive, follow the road through the village around a sharp bend, and in ten minutes you will find the church and holy well of St Frideswide. Retrace your steps to continue up the Thames Path for the ruins of Godstow Abbey and the Trout Inn.
A circuit of the University Parks: 25 minutes gentle walking.
The University Parks – the most popular place for walking and running, also dog friendly. The River Cherwell runs through the park which is home to many rare trees. Watch the sun set behind Keble College Chapel.
Long-distance walks:
Two walking trails pass within reach of Oxford: the Ridgeway and the Cotswold Way.
BICYCLES
The Old Bank and Old Parsonage Hotels lend bicycles to guests for touring the city and surrounding area. Bikes of all sorts can be hired from Summertown Cycles tel 01865 316885. The more intrepid might consider starting a ride from further up the railway line, perhaps using the Hereford to Oxford train service, with stops at Charlbury, Kingham or Moreton in Marsh, all beautiful towns in stunning countryside.
CHURCHES
Near Oxford are many exceptionally historic and beautiful churches, among them Iffley, Ewelme, Yarnton, Deddington, Adderbury, Chipping Campden, Burford and Swinbrook.
DAYS OUT
Cheltenham and the Cotswolds
An elegant spa town of the 18th century, host of the famous literary and jazz festivals and known for its excellent shops and cafes. It lies one hour’s drive from Oxford along the A40. En route are many lovely villages and towns notably Swinbrook, Burford, Northleach and Cirencester.
Winchester and the Whitchurch Silk Mill
An unspoilt medieval city with one of the country’s finest cathedrals. It is only one and a quarter hours’ drive from Oxford. The historic Whitchurch Silk Mill, still using its looms to make silk for the heritage and theatrical markets, stands close to main A34 road.
London
London Paddington is only an hour away from Oxford by train or two hours by the buses that leave from Gloucester Green throughout the day and night.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Torpids
3-6 March
The annual spring races between college rowing crews. To be seen from the Thames towpath or college boathouses, accessed via Christ Church Meadow or from Folly Bridge.
The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival, Christ Church
20-28 March - www.oxfordliteraryfestival.com.
Oxford Jazz Festival
1-4 April - www.oxfordjazzfestival.com.
May Morning
1 May
Oxford’s annual celebration to mark he start of summer, beginning at dawn with madrigals sung by the choir of Magdalen College on the top of the Magdalen College tower; followed by general merriment in the university part of town.
Oxford Artweek Festival
City 8-16 May
South 15-23 May
North 22-31 May
Artists and craftsmen across the county showcase their work in this major open-studio event.
Giffords’ Circus
20 May- 12 September - www.giffordscircus.com.
A traditional, small-scale circus that performs throughout the summer in the villages and towns of the Cotswolds and beyond.
Eights Week
26-29 May
The annual summer bumping races along the Isis as college crews compete in front of cheering crowds. For hundreds of years this has been the principal social and sporting event in the university calendar. It is best viewed from the towpath accessed from Folly Bridge or in front of the college boathouses in Christ Church Meadow. A punt transports spectators across the river.
Garsington Opera
2 June – 3 July - www.garsingtonopera.org.
Sadly 2010 will be the last season for this open air opera festival, held in the gardens of Lady Ottoline Morrell’s former home, just outside the eastern edge of the city. This year sees operas by Mozart, Rossini and Britten.
Longborough Opera Festival
17 June – 31 July - www.lfo.org.uk.
Another privately-run, open air opera festival, in the Cotswold village of Longborough, 40 minutes (outside rush hour) along the A40 from Oxford.
Art in Action
15 – 18 July - www.artinaction.org.uk.
High quality artists, musicians, dancers and craftsmen showcase their work and perform in the grounds of Waterperry House, a few miles from Oxford.
BOOKS
For background to the city and surrounding area, historically and architecturally:
A Traveller’s History of Oxford by Richard Tames.
Oxford: An Architectural Guide by Geoffrey Tyack.
England’s Thousand Best Churches and England’s Thousand Best Houses by Simon Jenkins.
Hudson’s Historic Houses and Gardens, a comprehensive guide, with opening times and maps, to every major historic site in the country.