4 hours in Oxford

[dave]

I'm thinking of stopping off in Oxford on the way home on bank hol Monday...

 

Anyone recommend any sights, walks, somewhere for a bit of lunch? Fancy seeing the university buildings but don't really know what's what other than that.

 

Cheers

[Murdoch]

When we stayed in Oxford we visited the castle which was interesting. Showed how it had been used as a prison through the years and was a decent way to spend a couple of hours. We actually stayed in the prison hotel which was quite good. More of a novelty thing than a luxury hotel but ok for a night.

[dave]

Cheers Murdoch, will check it out

[BG]

Colleges aren't always easy to get into but if you can get a tour of Magdalene or Christchurch would be well worth doing. Otherwise the most scenes University buildings are around the Radcliffe Camera, just off the High Street. Christchurch Meadow is good if it's a nice day too.

[NeilJ]

If in town, walk down broad street and you'll see the sheldonian theatre, the old Ashmolean and just around the corner, the Radcliffe camera. I'd recommend The Turf just off holywell st for the experience more than the food ,though its OK. You should be able to pop into one or more colleges en route- Trinity or Balliol or just round the corner onto parks road, Wadham.

 

If its a fine day I'd recommend a walk on port meadow to The Perch.

[dave]

Ta, much appreciated

[surf]

it'll probably cost you 4 hours just to get in & out of oxford

[charlie clown]

If you do nowt else, go to the Botanic Gardens. Beautiful they are.

[dave]

Hmmm heard about the parking, could be a park and ride job.

 

Ta Charlie, will bear that in mind

[Ripley]

If you are interested in art, the Cezanne exhibition at the Ashmolean will be a blinder.

[Tosh]

Pitt Rivers and the Ashmolean museums are excellent if wet. College tours/trips are tough - impossible in term time but Magdalen (Magdalene is in Cambridge!) and Christchurch are great as is Worcester. But park/ride and walking around for 4 hours should be pretty good. Great view from the top of the cathedral on the High Street

[Earl Hafler]

I'd be avoiding the place if you don't live there. Mad house on a half term Bank Holiday. St Giles' could handle the M1 traffic, it's just the side roads are riddled with people who have no idea where they're going.

[Tosh]

I'd be avoiding the place if you don't live there. Mad house on a half term Bank Holiday. St Giles' could handle the M1 traffic, it's just the side roads are riddled with people who have no idea where they're going.

I missed the BH monday bit. Madness! Stop at Blenheim

[dave]

Cezanne at the Ashmolean, yeah that sounds pretty good!

 

Ta for all the suggestions, I'm sure there's enough there for us to have a nice few hours :-)

[Mooster]

The Bodleian Library tours are good, and the Sheldonian Theatre next door is worth a look, amazing ceiling and a great view from the cupola. As well as the Ashmolean the Museum of Natural History has recently reopened, has a dodo, dinosaurs etc and the Pitt Rivers Museum which is effectively part of the same building is great - has mummies, shrunken heads, a witch in a bottle. Problem is they do tend to be a favorite option for families if the weather is bad so might be rammed. Oxford itself isn't that big, so all the major sights/colleges etc are pretty much within 5-10 mins walking of each other, and if the weather is good it's a great place just to stroll around.

[BG]

Magdalen (Magdalene is in Cambridge!) and Christchurch are great as is Worcester.

 

Should have known better on Magdalen...

 

Worcester is a good shout. I always forget it when recommending colleges to look at it as it's a bit off the beaten track but the gardens are great.