Flats and Apartments in Oxford
Discover Oxford, one of England's most exciting and beautiful cities. The city is steeped in history and is home to Oxford University, the world's most famous university. The poet Matthew Arnold called Oxford the city of dreaming spires and it is truly a pleasure to walk around its cosy streets and beautiful parks. Accommodation in Oxford ranges from upmarket hotels to student hostels and you will find a wide range of accommodation options for you. If you are interested in renting private accommodation such as apartments or guest rooms in Oxford, HomeToGo provides a good selection of deals for you in this great city.
Curious facts
- The University of Oxford's first college was founded in 1249!
- The bell in the clock tower of Christ Church College, strikes 101 times at 9:05 each evening. This was traditionally the time when students were called back from the city to their schools.
- Hitler intended to use Oxford as his capital if he conquered England. This intention spared the city from bombing!
- Although the first college opened in the 13th century, it wasn't until 1878 that women were allowed to attend the university.
What to do in Oxford
Apart from the university and its many aspects, Oxford has plenty to offer curious visitors.Check out Carfax Tower, the last remaining part of the 13th century St Martin's Church. The tower still contains a ring of six bells that chime every quarter of an hour. It's worth climbing to the top of the 75 feet tower for a view of Oxford's skyline. University Church of St Mary the Virgin is another of Oxford's beautiful churches and is the largest in the area. You can also get a view from the tower which is also open to the public. The University Museum of Natural Science is one of Oxford's best museums and contains collections of zoological, entomological and geological specimens collected over three centuries. Something else that might be of interest in the city is the Morris Motors Museum, which has a collection of vintage cars built in the city by Morris who is best known for designing and building the Mini Cooper. The Mini Factory is still located in the Cowley area of Oxford.
Oxford University
Oxford would not be the city it is today without the University and its formidable reputation. Many of the world's most influential people have studied at Oxford including Oscar Wilde, Richard Dawkins, Rowan Atkinson and Bill Clinton . The city is home to 22,000 students who attend one of the university's 30 colleges. Oxford's first college opened in 1249 and many of the original 13-century buildings still remain around the city. Much of the campus is open to the public and you can get a real feel for what it's like to study at this great institution. Visit the Bodleian Library, the university's main library. It is located in the heart of the university and is housed in some of the city's most spectacular buildings. The library has a fascinating history and guided tours take you behind the scenes and into some of the oldest teaching rooms. Christchurch College will be of interest to Harry Potter fans as many scenes from the films were filmed in the college. Trinity College also boasts beautiful architecture, quaint chapels and stunning gardens - elegance permeates these fine buildings.
Eating and Drinking in Oxford
No trip to Oxford would be complete without a visit to the Turf Tavern pub. This 13th-century alehouse is a well-known drinking establishment tucked away in the city centre. Finding it isn't that easy, but when you do you'll be rewarded with a cosy atmosphere, tasty ales and traditional English food. The Turf Tavern used to be an old cockfighting area, which has thankfully been converted into a beer garden. Oxford is full of cosy pubs steeped in history - we also recommend trying to find The White Horse, The Eagle and Child and The Bear. Many of the city's best restaurants and bars surround the old castle, and you'll also find it a good place to start when you want to sample Oxford's nightlife.
Getting around
Oxford is about 13 miles northwest of London and there are good train and bus links with England's capital city. Heathrow Airport is the nearest major airport to Oxford and it takes about an hour to travel from the airport to the city. Both Heathrow International Airport and Gatwick Airport are linked to Oxford by The Coach Company and the service operates 24 hours a day. The best way to reach Oxford is by bus and they are comfortable and affordable. Getting around Oxford is easy - most of the streets in the city centre are pedestrian-friendly and the centre is small enough that you can walk around it easily. Parking is expensive in Oxford so taking a car is not recommended. If you prefer to get around Oxford by public transport, the city has a good bus service that serves all major roads. The city is flat, so cycling is a pleasure - there are plenty of bike hire shops so look out for them!