Oxford Highlights

THINGS TO DO

  • Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum – If you are ready for some fresh air and to stretch your legs, you can have a wander in these beautiful grounds.
  • Bodleian Libraries – The libraries host a full range of exhibitions and events. A variety of tours are available throughout the week.
  • Christ Church – Perhaps best known for its affiliation with Harry Potter, Christ Church holds a lovely collection of Old Master paintings and drawings.
  • The Oxford Union – The University of Oxford’s debating society. It has a full schedule of prominent guest speakers and social events. Check opening times in advance.
  • Pitt Rivers Museum – An eclectic and unique museum based on the collection of influential archaeologist General Pitt Rivers. A treat for all interests. Free entry, donation requested.
  • Museum of Natural History – Holds excellent exhibits in zoology, paleontology, mineralogy, art, and architecture. Free entry to all exhibits.

PUBS & RESTAURANTS

Near St Anne’s College

The Royal Oak

Good pub food, good atmosphere, lots of beer, middling prices. Also does a good ‘Sunday roast’ if you are still around for Sunday lunch. Best to book via the ‘book’ tab at www.theroyaloak.oxford.co.uk , Or at the last minute on +44 (0)1865 310187.

In the Jericho area

This neighbourhood is full of restaurants, cafes, wine bars and cocktail bars.

On Little Clarendon Street there are two quite popular café/restaurant chains doing French food including some ‘prix fixe’ menus:

Café Rouge, 11 Little Clarendon Street.  Tel. +44 (0)1865 310194 http://www.caferouge.com/locations/oxford

Pierre Victoire,  9 Little Clarendon Street.  Tel. +44 (0)1865 316616 https://www.pierrevictoire.co.uk/

There is also delicious ice cream and good bagels at the café, George and Davis, on Little Clarendon Street. This is a small Oxford-only business, a bit of an ‘institution’.

On Walton Street nearly everywhere is a café or a restaurant.  Three recommendations:

The Standard Tandoori, 117 Walton Street.  Traditional British curry house. Need to book on Tel. +44 (0)1865 553557. http://www.standardoxford.com/

The Jericho Café , 112 Walton Street. Neighbourhood bistro / coffee house (sandwiches, burgers, lasagne, salad, good cake etc). No need to book unless you are a group of more than 6 (it has tables downstairs as well as on street level).   Tel.  + 44 (0)1865 310840  http://www.thejerichocafe.co.uk/

Manos 105 Walton Street. Greek café / deli:  delicious Greek food served from ready-made dishes at the counter. Tel. +44 (0)1865 311782     https://www.manosfoodbar.com/

And last but not least, slightly (only slightly) off the beaten track, on the edge of the Jericho neighbourhood, harder to find but worth it:

Al Shami , 25 Walton Crescent, OX1 2 JG    Delicious Lebanese / Middle Eastern food, great for vegetarians but delicious grilled meat too.  Tel. +44 (0)1865 310066     https://www.al-shami.co.uk/

Directions to Jericho. 5-8 minutes walk 

Come out of St Anne’s College and (very carefully!) cross over Woodstock Road towards the row of shops. To the left of the row of shops  is a narrow street called Observatory Street – walk all the way down here until you get to Walton Street. Time to explore! If you don’t get round to booking anything you will definitely be able to eat something somewhere on Walton Street!