Oxford

Oxford with its historic colleges, museums, art galleries, a theatre and excellent shopping is only 20 miles away. Honey-gold buildings and a riverside setting are just part of Oxford's unique appeal. College quadrangles and gardens provide a tranquil foil to a compact and beautiful city centre which is lively all the year round.

Well renowned as a seat of learning and tradition for over 800 years, Oxford has centuries of history to unveil whilst at the same time has not failed to remain in the present. With all the high street shops and many contemporary bars and restaurants, Oxford has a traditional covered market, gift and antique shops as well as some of the finest bookshops in the world. Traditional pubs can be found that were once frequented by famous writers such as C S Lewis and J R R Tolkein and more recently, Inspector Morse.

Both the Oxford Story and the Museum of Oxford tell the history of the city and university. As the birthplace of Alice in Wonderland and Hogwarts Hall in the Harry Potter films, Christchurch is a must see, whilst internationally renowned museums such as the Ashmolean Museum and the Museum of Modern Art provide something for all ages. Punting and cruising on the Isis and Cherwell make popular summer pastimes whilst a walking tour or an open top bus tour, provide great introductions to the city and are available all year round. Parks and meadows in and around the city centre are peaceful places in which to walk, picnic or simply admire the views.

The choice of evening entertainment ensures that Oxford is also a popular place to stay. Live entertainment includes drama, dance, ballet, opera and musicals performed by leading national and international companies at the Apollo and Oxford Playhouse and student productions and concerts held in historic settings such as a the Sheldonian Theatre or Christ Church Cathedral. Pubs, clubs and cafes provide entertaining venues for jazz, comedy and other gigs.

OXFORD