Parks and the outdoors in Oxford

Parks and the outdoors in Oxford

1. Buy

   Blackwell's Books

   Founded in 1879, Blackwell's main Oxford shop is a veritable tourist attraction in itself, the vast 10,000-square-foot Norrington Room excavated beneath Trinity College Gardens laying claim to being the largest space dedicated to book sales in Europe. Another 9 speciality branches of this Oxford institution dot the city.

2. Buy

   Botley Retail Park

   Has a Currys/PC World, Argos, Pets at Home, Hobbycraft and other large stores.

3. Eat

   Dosa Park

   Tiny South Indian restaurant/café/takeaway next to City Centre bus stands and train station, whose appearance belies its quality — some of the most mouth-watering authentic South Indian food out there, and dirt cheap too! Well worth a stop if travelling through Oxford Station and needing a snack or meal.

   Mon-Sat 11AM-10:30PM, Sun noon-10PM·£

4. Drink

   Head of the River

   Perfectly located, right on the Thames. This place buzzes on summer evenings, when the large garden gets extremely busy. Food is mediocre.

   Mon-Sat 11AM-11PM; Sun noon-10:30PM

5. See

   Magdalen College

   Founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester, Magdalen (pronounced Mawdlin) is frequently the first college seen by many visitors if coming into Oxford on the London Road, its high tower serving as a much-loved landmark. A must-see is the glorious deer park and the Gothic chapel. Significant Magdalen alumni include C.S. Lewis, Oscar Wilde, Seamus Heaney and Edward Gibbon. Visitor gift shop and afternoon café. Maximum 20 people in a group.

   1 October–21 June 1–6PM or dusk (whichever is earlier), 25 Jun–30 Sep noon–6PM, closed 22–24 June·Adults £5; seniors, children, students £4

6. See

   Oxford University Parks

   Large expanse of park along the Cherwell River with paths running from Marston to the City Centre.

   Closing times vary according to the season

7. Drink

   The Gardener's Arms

   Very pretty with a beer garden, and an excellent all-vegetarian menu with vegan dishes offered as well.

8. Drink

   The Natural Bread Company

   Just north of the city centre on Little Clarendon Street, the Natural Bread Company offers a fantastic coffee as well as its famous cakes and sourdough bread. Perfect for a quiet break away from the standard tourist trail.

   Mon-Sat 7:30AM-5PM; Sun 9AM-4PM

9. Drink

   Turf Tavern

   A well-hidden pub, but also well known by locals. Good range of beers. Nice beer garden with coal fires where you can roast marshmallows on chilly evenings in spring and autumn. This ancient pub (a favourite with Inspector Morse) is an unmissable Oxford institution that many consider to be the best pub in the city — in the summer watch out for drenched students enjoying the end of their exams. Pint >£5. Famously the location where U.S. president Bill Clinton "Did not inhale" marijuana during his time at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.

   Mon-Sat 11AM–11PM; Sun noon–10:30PM

10. See

    University Church of St Mary the Virgin

    Some of the best views of Oxford are afforded from the tower of the church, dating to 1280. The church, rebuilt in the 14th and 15th centuries (with various additions after this time), is full of architectural and historical interest. The church has a coffee shop, the Vaults and Garden, now re-opened under the management of Will Pouget (already known for his 'Alpha Bar' in the Covered Market) and specialising in organic food and fair trade tea and coffee.

11. See

    University of Oxford Botanic Garden

    The oldest botanic garden in Great Britain and one of the oldest scientific gardens in the world.

    Nov–Feb: daily 9AM–4PM; Mar Apr Sep Oct: 9AM–5PM; May–Aug: 9AM–6PM; last admission 45 minutes before closing·£4.50 for adults, £3 concessions during peak season, free during weekdays out of season

12. Buy

    Seacourt Tower Retail Park

    Has a Sports Direct, Homebase, Dreams and Decathlon.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Oxford (CC BY-SA 4.0).