Oxford- A City Guide

Introduction Oxford is a city and local governmentthe best outlet in Oxford for clothing emblazoned
district in Oxfordshire, England, with a populationwith the Oxford logo or heraldic symbol. Food and
of 134,248 (2001 census). It is home to theDrink Oxford offers European and Middle-East and
University of Oxford, the oldest university in theAsian cuisine. Some of the restaurants are: "
English-speaking world. It is known as the "city ofCherwell Boathouse Restaurant " Gee's
dreaming spires", a term coined by MatthewRestaurant " Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons "
Arnold in reference to the harmoniousRosamund the Fair " Al-Salam " Browns. Except
architecture of the university buildings. Thethese restaurants Oxford hosts some Traditional
Oxford suburb of Cowley has a long history ofand historic pubs " The Eagle and Child " The Turf
carmaking, and still produces BMW MINIs. HistoryTavern " The Lamb and Flag " The Bear
Oxford was first occupied in Saxon times, andEducation The University of Oxford, located in the
was initially known as "Oxenaforda". It began withcity of Oxford, England, is the oldest university in
the foundations of St Frideswide's nunnery in thethe English-speaking world. Events and
8th century. The University of Oxford is firstorganizations and institutes officially connected
mentioned in 12th century records. Oxford'swith the University include: " Worcester College,
earliest colleges were University College (1249),Backs of medieval cottages " The Oxford Union
Balliol (1263) and Merton (1264). During the EnglishSociety " The Oxford University Press, the
Civil War, Oxford housed the court of Charles I inworld's oldest and largest university press " The
1642, after the king was expelled from London,Bodleian Library " Major Research Libraries
although there was strong support in the town(including the Sackler Library) " Oxford University
for the Parliamentarian cause. In the 19th centuryDepartment for Continuing Education " The Taylor
the controversy surrounding the OxfordInstitution " The Oxford University Student Union
Movement in the Anglican Church drew attention" Oxford University Newman Society - Catholic
to the city as a focus of theological thought.speaker society " The OICCU, the undergraduate
Oxford's Town Hall was built by Henry T. Hare,Christian union " The Oxford University Museum
the foundation stone was laid on 6 July 1893 andof Natural History (sometimes called The Oxford
opened by the future King Edward VII on 12 MayUniversity Museum) " The Pitt Rivers Museum "
1897. By the early 20th century Oxford wasThe Ashmolean Museum " The Bate Collection "
experiencing rapid industrial and population growth,Oxford Botanic Garden and Harcourt Arboretum "
with the printing and publishing industries becomingOxford University Sports Federation " Oxford
well established by the 1920s. Places of InterestsUniversity Boat Club " The O'Reilly Theatre "
Oxford has numerous major tourist attractions,Moser Theatre " Rothermere American Institute "
many belonging to the university and colleges. AsSaid Business School " The Ruskin School of
well as several famous institutions, the townDrawing and Fine Art " Computing Laboratory "
centre is home to Carfax Tower and a historicalIsis Innovation Sports Oxford City FC and Milton
themed ride, The Oxford Story. In the summer,United FC among others are two famous football
punting on the Thames (sometimes called the Isisclub and play regular club and league matches.
as it flows through Oxford) and the Cherwell isOxford Cavaliers Rugby League Club is the rugby
popular. Other notable attractions include: " Christclub playing for Oxford city. Drayton Leisure Golf
Church Cathedral " The Church of St Mary theDriving Range is the golf course with 9 HOLE
Virgin (the University Church) " Martyrs' Memorial "(PAR 3) COURSE and 6 HOLES FLOODLIT. As a
Ashmolean Museum " Pitt Rivers Museum "city in UK it has a number of cricket teams and
Museum of Natural History " Museum of thehosts tournaments like Bernard Tollett
History of Science " Science Oxford " UniversityOxfordshire Cup, National Cricket Club
buildings " The University Parks " The UniversityChampionship, The Cricketer National Village
Botanic Garden " Cornmarket Street, Oxford "Championship etc Tours and Sightseeing There
Turl Street, Oxford " Little Clarendon Street "are a number of tour operators in Oxford. The
Oxford Covered Market " Westgate Shoppingtourist information center is also very helpful to
Centre Museums and Art Galleries Oxford has afind out a way to enjoy the visit of Oxford.
large number of museums and galleries open forHotels and Accommodations Accommodations in
public. Following are the world famous and a majorOxford are limited, though recently, motels have
tourist spot in Oxford: " Ashmolean Museum,sprouted on the outskirts -- good for those who
Britain's oldest museum " Pitt Rivers Museum "want modern amenities. In addition, if you have a
Museum of Natural History, home of (the remainscar, you may want to consider country houses or
of) the Oxford Dodo " Museum of the History ofsmall B&Bs on the outskirts of town Some
Science, in Britain's oldest purpose-built museumof the notable hotels are: " Victoria House Hotel "
building " Museum of Oxford " Museum of ModernCotswold Lodge Classic Hotel " Westwood
Art " Science Oxford Shopping Golden Cross, anCountry Hotel Ltd " Holiday Inn Oxford " The
arcade of first-class shops and boutiques, liesOxford Hotel " Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel "
between Cornmarket Street and the CoveredExpress by Holiday Inn Oxford Kassam Stadium "
Market. Parts of the colorful gallery date from theThe Bat & Ball Inn " The Upper Reaches "
12th century. Many buildings remain from theAbingdon Four Pillars Hotel " Oxfordshire Inn "
medieval era, along with some 15th- andDays Inn Hotel Oxford " The Plough at Clifton
17th-century structures. The market also has aHampden " Marlborough Arms Hotel " The
reputation as the Covent Garden of Oxford, withFEATHERS " Macdonald Bear Hotel " White Hart
live entertainment on Saturday mornings inHotel Transport Oxford is located some 50 miles
summer. In its way, Alice's Shop, played an(80 km) north west of London; the cities are
important role in English literature, it functioned aslinked by the M40 motorway, which also links
a general store (selling brooms, hardware, and thenorthwards to Birmingham. Rail connections include
like) during the period that Lewis Carroll, at theservices to London (Paddington), Bournemouth,
time a professor of mathematics at Christ ChurchWorcester (via the Cotswold Line), and Bicester.
College, was composing Alice in Wonderland. It isThe city also has regular train services
believed to have been the model for importantnorthwards to Birmingham, Coventry and the
settings within the book. Today, the place is anorth. The railway service connecting Oxford and
favorite stopover of Lewis Carroll fans from asCambridge, known as the Varsity Line, was
far away as Japan, who gobble updiscontinued in 1968. The Oxford Canal connects
commemorative pencils, chess sets, party favors,to the River Thames at Oxford. Oxford Airport
bookmarks, and in rare cases, original editions ofat Kidlington offers business and general aviation
some of Carroll's works. The Bodleian Libraryservices. Local bus services are largely provided
Shop, specializes in Oxford souvenirs, from booksby the Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach
and paperweights to Oxford banners and coffeeSouth Midlands.
mugs. Castell & Son (The Varsity Shop), is