Visiting Oxford

[sam_t]

I'm going to be in Oxfordshire with a bit of free time on Saturday afternoon, and as I've only been to Oxford once and didn't get to see much of it then, I'd like to pop in for a while if I can. I'm planning to park at one of the Park and Rides, wander around for a couple of hours (rather than going to see anything specific, as time is limited and I'll be with people who don't really do museums and such), then head off for my evening engagement. Does anyone have any recommendations for a)places to wander to/around and b)places to have coffee and cake?

Comments

[white_hart]

I suggest just having a wander around and looking at the colleges. The bits to the south of the High Street are probably prettiest/least busy, and if the weather's nice you could take a turn round Christ Church Meadows too - you could make a circular walk of that and take in Broad Street with the Bod and the Sheldonian too.

For coffee and cake I recommend the Vaults cafe, which is in the vaults of the University Church (entrance in Radcliffe Square) - lovely setting and gorgeous cakes!

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you! I also meant to ask about wool shops - are there any? I couldn't find any in the city centre by googling but can't quite believe that Oxford wouldn't have anything at all.

[sam-t.livejournal.com]

Sorry, that was me.

[white_hart]

I guessed as much! Alas, there are no wool shops in Oxford (this is why I'm always so keen to visit wool shops when I go to other towns!). There's a shop called Port Meadow Designs in Walton Street, which is in Jericho (about 15-20 minutes' walk from the city centre) which does sell wool, but it's quite small and the staff are rather odd and not exactly welcoming.

[sam-t.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. I'm surprised - even Ipswich has one and a half!

[white_hart]

Oxford is completely appalling for shopping. I think it's a combination of high rents on retail space, the fact that the city centre tends to be overcrowded with tourists/students, and the fact that it's really easy to get to Reading or London for shopping instead.