Visiting Oxford City

A Brief Guide- Visiting Oxford City

A serene, affluent and sophisticated city enjoying a prime location on the edge of
the Cotswolds, Oxford is one of the most quintessentially English and unique of all
England`s urban centres. Its streets are a blend of ancient and modern where great
seats of learning sit comfortably amongst bustling shopping centres, museums,
theatres and cinemas.

Oxford`s world-famous University has been feeding enquiring minds for centuries, the
original college having been founded here in 1167. Whilst these early years saw
tensions between the resident students and the city folk, the prosperity and
prestige brought by the academic heritage was eventually accepted and embraced.
Oxford also grew up as a market town and an important religious centre, enjoying
close links with London which were further strengthened by the arrival of railway
links in 1844. The city grew rapidly during the 20th century around its printing and
publishing industries and then even further with the founding of the Morris Motor
company in Cowley, which became a major employer for the area.

Visitors come to Oxford today to marvel at its great symbols of academic aspiration,
including Christ Church and Trinity Colleges and the Bodleian Library, one of the
oldest in Europe. Each of Oxford`s academic buildings enjoys its own unique history
and walking tours of the city are a great way to learn while gaining access to the
selected colleges that are open to the public. The city is criss-crossed by
waterways and punting on the Thames or the Cherwell is a traditional activity to be
enjoyed here as well as gentle river cruises which take in all the main landmarks.
Oxford also houses the oldest botanical gardens in Britain, specialising in
medicinal plants under the direction of the University`s Faculty of Medicine. Those
looking for culture can head to Oxford`s many museums which include the Ashmolean
museum and the Science and Modern Art museums. If you`re looking for an ideal
vantage point for photos, climb the 99 steps to the top of Carfax tower for the best
views over the city rooftops.

Oxford welcomes a diverse mix of international students and enjoys a distinct
cosmopolitan flavour which is reflected in its popular culture and nightlife.
Headington and Cowley Road are popular areas with a wide choice of bars,
restaurants, brasseries and fast food outlets, with everything from Lebanese to
Mongolian cuisine on the menu. To round off a fabulous evening after dining at your
favourite choice of restaurant, why not head to the city`s landmark Sheldonian
theatre for a classical music concert, or carols at Christmas.

Whether you`re heading to Oxford for a weekend, a short break or a longer family
holiday, Oxford`s surrounding countryside is amongst the most breathtaking in the
country with the idyllic landscapes and villages of the Cotswolds within easy reach.
To take advantage of all that the area has to offer, it`s worth looking for cheap
car hire in Oxford and choosing the ideal vehicle with which to head off and
explore at your own pace.