Oxford Hotels

The University of Oxford was founded in the 12^th Century and boasts 40 colleges and buildings, including the famous Bodleian Library, which is just a tad smaller than the British Library, and world class museums including the Ashmmolean, the UK’s oldest public museum. You almost feel as if you know the place when you arrive, Oxford’s magnificent Gothic facades having been a feature in many films – Christ Church, in particular has featured in Brideshead Revisited and the Harry Potter films. Christ’s’ college chapel is Oxford Cathedral, the smallest cathedral in the UK.

Oxford’s Top 10

Oxford Events

Eights Week features four days of racing on the Isis (as the Thames is known in Oxford). Head down to cheer on the rowers during June.

Oxford Castle Flower & Gardening Festival is free and full to the brim with workshops, demos, and floral surprises in June.

Summer Music in the Ampitheatre is a concert of classical music and chance for a picnic in the ornamental gardens at Waterperry, Oxford, in late June.

July sees the famous London to Oxford Bike Ride, a 60 mile race which takes place at the beginning of July.

Oxford Bike Week brings cycling enthusiasts galore to the city for Bikers’ breakfasts, Bike Doctor sessions and lots more, at the end of June, with various meeting places.

The Oxford Moonlight Stroll starts at St Edward’s School before heading into Oxford’s centre, taking in all the landmark attractions on the way. Takes place in July for charity.

The Cowley Road Carnival is a summer highlight in Oxford, and one of the biggest community events in the SE of England. There will be music, stalls, processions and family activities at South Park during July.

The Out to Graze Festival is a weekend of music featuring reggae, funk, D’n’B, House, Hip Hop – basically there’s something for everyone, at this Oxford July event.

Truck Festival takes place in late July at Hill Farm just outside Oxford. This is one of the best independent small festivals in the UK (now in its 134^th year!). Think Woodstock meets village fete.

Oxford Castle Food & Wine Festival Celebrate what keeps us alive (well the food bit anyway) in September.

When to Go

· Oxford has a mild, maritime climate throughout the year, with no real highs and lows.

· Temperatures in summer range from around 10-22 °C, but there is the occasional long hot summer. In winter expect to see temperatures of 1°C with temps during a really cold spell dropping below zero.

· Oxford experiences the same amount of rainfall in general, as the rest of the UK with showers a possibility any day of the year. Pack plenty of waterproofs just in case.

Getting There

· London Heathrow and Gatwick are linked to Oxford by The Airline Coach Company, a service which runs 24/7. The fares are very reasonable, at just £19 for a return ticket from Heathrow.

· Trains run from London Paddington every half hour at a cost of £20 one way, and journey time of an hour. Cheaper tickets can be obtained if you book well in advance.

· Oxford is close to the M40 and M25 (or highway to hell if you prefer), but if you’re driving be aware that parking in Oxford is a nightmare and very expensive.

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