THINGS TO DO
Compiled by our resident walking tour guide Isabella Underhill.
If you are considering a trip to Oxford, a little forward planning can be useful. 0xford and its surroundings have many attractions; this is a personal selection for those unfamiliar with the city.
It is always advisable to check with websites or enquire at the hotel reception to confirm dates and times nearer the time of your intended visit.
You might like to take advantage of the bicycles that are provided for guests at each hotel (see cyling below for suggested routes). It would also be very much worth your while to check out the world class live jazz at the Old Parsonage, Old Bank Hotel and our sister restaurant Gee’s. See below for more information on jazz in Oxford.
INFORMATION
For events in Oxford it is always worth consulting The Oxford Times’ Weekend section, the Oxford University website and the city’s own Daily Information or Visit Oxford on www.visitoxford.org
WALKING TOURS
If guests would like a complimentary walking tour our guide, Oxford resident and art historian, Isabella Underhill, would be delighted to show them around the city and the university. She leaves from the Old Parsonage and the Old Bank Hotel most days from Tuesday until Saturday. Please check at reception and Walking Tours for times of the tours.
If you would like any local advice on what to do or where to go, please ask reception to contact Isabella for you. Walks can last up to one and a half hours, but shorter tours can also be arranged.
COLLEGES AND THE UNIVERSITY
Oxford’s most beautiful and historic buildings are undoubtedly the 39 colleges and related institutions that make up the university. They are scattered all over the city and range in date from the 13th to the 20th centuries. Many colleges are open to members of the public, generally in the afternoon. If you are interested in visiting a particular college or other university building please check the university website or ask reception to ring and confirm opening times. Degree ceremonies and other fixtures can cause unscheduled closure.
A listing of opening times and other information can be found on the university website: www.ox.ac.uk.
The Divinity School, the beautiful medieval part of the Bodleian Library and the Sheldonian Theatre, Sir Christopher Wren’s 1669 masterpiece, should be on every visitor’s itinerary. The Bodleian Library runs excellent tours, bookable from 9am, with tickets sold at the Catte St entrance.
Term dates 2010: Trinity 25 April - 19 June; Michaelmas 10 October - 4 December
Term dates 2011: Hilary 16 January - 12 March; Trinity 1 May - 25 June
EVENSONG
During termtime many colleges welcome the public to evensong in their chapels. The outstanding choirs sing at New College (6.15pm), Magdalen College (6pm) and Christ Church (6pm), also the Cathedral of Oxford; enter from via the Tom Gate in St Aldate’s. Being the city’s cathedral, as well as the college chapel, Christ Church offers services throughout the year.
Choristers have the occasional day off so please check first with the colleges for choral timetables.
MUSIC
Oxford offers a superb range of music, in its halls, theatres, arts centres, colleges and churches.
Regular concert venues are: the Sheldonian Theatre; Holywell Music Room (coffee concerts most Sunday mornings); Jacqueline du Pre Music Building, St Hilda’s College and North Wall Arts Centre, South Parade, Summertown.
JAZZ
We offer complimentary world class live jazz performances at the Old Bank and Old Parsonage Hotel and at our sister restaurant Gee’s.
Fridays 8-10pm at the Old Parsonage Hotel
Sundays 5-7pm Old Bank Hotel
Sundays 8-9.45pm Gee’s
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
Ashmolean Museum, closed Mondays, open Tues-Sun 10am-6pm.
Recently extended at the cost of £61m – a cross between the National Gallery and British Museum, but smaller. Check the website for the daily tours and lectures.
Museum of Oxford, St Aldate’s (under the Town Hall), Tues–Sat 10am -5pm, closed Sunday and Monday.
The history of Oxford seen through the eyes of its citizens. Wonderful collection including maps, an undergraduate roomset from the 19th century and archaeological finds from the widescale destruction of the 1960s. Not to be missed.
Bodleian Library, Catte Street, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-4.30pm, Sun 11am-5pm.
The university’s principal library housed in a series of buildings dating from the 15th century to the 1930s. Public access to the medieval Divinity School and conducted tours: tickets from Catte Street entrance. Open 3 - 4.30pm on 1 May only.
University Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Open 10-5pm daily.
A vast array of objects including reconstructed dinosaur skeletons, shells, fossils, and stuffed animals housed in a glass-roofed Victorian Gothic building. Special exhibition on the life of Charles Darwin. Family fun Sun 2-4pm. Closed 27th May for one day.
Pitt Rivers Museum, Parks Road, through the Museum of Natural History, Open Mon 12-4.30pm, Tues-Sun and Bank Holiday Mondays 10-4.30pm.
Ethnographical museum faithful to its Victorian layout – a favourite destination for locals of all ages. Childern will love the shrunken heads! Family events Sun 2-4pm. Closed 27th May for one day.
Museum of the History of Science, Broad Street, Tues-Fri 2-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm.
Features Einstein’s blackboard among many other fascinating objects, displayed in the original Ashmolean Museum of 1683. Family friendly drop-in Sat-Sun 2-4pm.
Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, Music Faculty, St Aldate’s, Weekdays 2-5pm, Sat mornings in term time: 10am-12 noon.
Closed at Christmas and Easter.
A small museum attached to the university’s music faculty, displaying 1000 musical instruments from the western orchestral tradition.
Christ Church Picture Gallery, Christ Church, entrance in Oriel Square, May-Sept: Mon-Sat 10.30-5pm, Sun 2-5pm Oct-April inclusive: Mon-Sat 10.30-1pm 2-4.30pm Sun 2-4.30pm.
The college’s collection of Old Master paintings and drawings, dating largely from the 1400s to the baroque.
CHILDREN
Oxford Castle, 10am-5pm daily except Christmas Day.
The remains of the Norman Castle and Oxford Prison – regular tours dwell on some of the more horrible events in its history.
Science Oxford, St Clement’s, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm.
Events, exhibitions and hands-on for families.
Ashmolean Museum, Museum of the History of Science, Pitt Rivers Museum, University Museum of Natural History, Modern Art Oxford and Botanic Garden: all have something interestings for children particularly at weekends and during the holidays.
Climb a church spire – see Panoramas.
Oxford Ice Rink, Oxpens, see website for opening times.
Magdalen Bridge: from Easter, punts and pedaloes for hire.
Blenheim Palace: grand 18th-century residence with extensive park belonging to the Dukes of Marlborough in Woodstock, 6 miles from Oxford. Park only open in winter months. Adventure park, maze, train.
PANORAMAS
The spire of the University Church of St Mary, open Mon-Sat 9am-4.30pm (last admission), Sun 11.45-4.30pm, in the High St: the most extensive view of the city and surrounding countryside.
The Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street, open Mon-Sat 10am-12.30pm, 2-4.30pm (often closed for concerts and ceremonies).
Christopher Wren’s 1669 theatre, still used for all university ceremonies. Climb up to the lantern for a matchless low view over the Bodleian Library and all Oxford’s most distinguished architectural sights.
Carfax Tower, April to Oct 10am-4pm, Nov–March 10am-3pm (4pm in March).
The ancient central point of Oxford with views over old and new parts of the city.
St Michael at the Northgate, 10.30am-4pm winter, 10.30am-5pm summer.
Oxford’s oldest structure, the Saxon tower situated at the North Gate of the city, once attached to the Bocardo prison (now demolished) where Archbishop Cranmer was held before being burnt at the stake in Broad Street in 1556.
MARKETS
A farmers’ market is held on Gloucester Green on the first and third Thursday of the month. Regular farmers’ markets are also held in outlying villages and towns, notably Wolvercote, Deddington and Charlbury.
GARDENS OPEN ALL YEAR
Botanic Garden, High St, the university’s 1621 physic garden with later glasshouses; a treat for all horticultural enthusiasts.
March/April/September/October daily 9am-5pm
May/June/July/August daily 9am - 6pm last admission 5.15pm
Jan/Feb/Nov/December daily 9-4.30pm
Rousham House Garden, near Steeple Aston, a 20-minute drive from Oxford, open daily, landscaped by William Kent, with walled garden and dovecote, considered by many the most beautiful garden in the country and refreshingly uncommercial. Children under 15 and dogs are not permitted but picnics are encouraged. Open daily 10am-6pm last admission 4.30pm.
Waterperry Gardens, open weekend Sat and Sun. Plant centre and gardens in the grounds of Waterperry House, 15 minutes’ drive from Oxford.
Open daily Winter 10am - 5pm, Summer 10am - 5.30pm. Closed Christmas to New Year.
ON THE RIVER SPRING AND SUMMER
Punting from Magdalen Bridge in central Oxford
http://www.oxfordpunting.co.uk
chauffeured punts also available
March to October 9.30am-9pm or one hour before sunset
Punting from the Cherwell Boathouse, off Chadlington Road, North Oxford
http://www.cherwellboathouse.co.uk
mid-March to mid-October 10am-dusk
Salters’ Steamers
Regular pleasure trips up the River Thames from Folly Bridge, central Oxford
Services operate from May until September 19th
Tel: 01865 243421
HOUSES AND GARDENS OPEN SPRING AND SUMMER
Within easy reach of Oxford
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
7 miles
Early 18th century palace built by Sir John Vanbrugh for the Dukes of Marlborough
Palace, garden and park 13 February – Sunday 31 October open daily
Palace 10.30-4.45pm
Park 9am-4.45pm
Broughton Castle, near Banbury
30 miles
Magnificent moated castle, still lived in by Lord Saye and Sele
Open Easter Sunday and Monday
1 May-15 September Wednesdays, Sundays and BH Mondays 2-5pm
Also Thursdays in July and August
Kelmscott Manor, near Lechlade
24 miles
Largely Elizabethan gabled manor house, once country residence of pre-Raphaelite, William Morris, now run by the Society of Antiquaries.
House and garden April-September, Wednesdays and 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month
11am-4.30pm (last admission)
Timed tickets, ticket office opens at 10.30am
Stonor, near Henley on Thames
26 miles
Historic house and home of the Camoys family for 850 years
4 April-19 September, Sundays and BH Mondays
Wednesdays in July and August
Gardens 1pm-5.30pm
House and tearoom 2-4.30pm (last admission)
Grey’s Court, Rotherfield Greys, near Henley on Thames
23 miles
Small-scale 16th-century mansion with outstanding garden, owned by National Trust
House 1 April-26 September
Wednesday to Sunday 2-5pm
Garden and tearoom Wednesday to Sunday 11am-4.30pm (last admission)
Open BH Mondays, closed Good Friday
Milton Manor, Milton, near Abingdon
13 miles
Seventeenth-century gem of a house, still in private hands, believed to be the work of architect Inigo Jones.
15-31 August
Guided tours at 2, 3 and 4pm
Ashdown House, Lambourn, near Newbury
30 miles
Dutch-inspired 17th-century house owned by the National Trust
House and garden 3 April-30 October
Wednesdays and Saturdays
Guided tours only
2.15, 3.15, 4.15pm
Waddesdon Manor, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
23 miles
Grand 19th-century mansion built by the Rothschild family and filled with an outstanding collection of furniture, art and ceramics.
House and garden 31 March-31 October
Wednesday to Sunday and BH Mondays
12 noon-4pm Wednesday to Friday
11am-4pm Saturdays and Sundays
West Wycombe Park, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
26 miles
Palladian house and rococo gardens in the grand manner, home of the Dashwood family and run by the National Trust.
House and grounds 1 June-31 August, Sunday until Thursday inclusive, 2-5.15pm (last admission)
Grounds only 1 April-31 May, Sunday to Thursday inclusive 2-6pm
Closes 31st August
Weekday admission by guided tours only, departing every 20 minutes. Last admission 20 minutes before closing.
COTSWOLD HOUSES AND GARDENS OPEN SPRING AND SUMMER
Chastleton House, near Chipping Norton
24 miles
Jacobean gem of a house and garden, set in beautiful rolling Cotswold countryside, run by the National Trust.
Open 24 March-25 September
Wednesday-Saturday inc. 1-4pm (last admission)
1-30th October
Wednesday-Saturday 1-3pm (last admission)
Admission by timed ticket
Hidcote Manor Garden, near Moreton in Marsh
40 miles
One of England’s most famous gardens, owned by the National Trust
Open 27 February-7 March Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm
13 March-27 June, Monday to Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday
28 June-29 August, daily 10am-6pm
30 August-29 September, Monday to Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 10am-6pm
2 October-31 October Monday to Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday10am-5pm
6 November-19 December Saturday and Sunday 12-4pm
Last admission one hour before closing
Kiftsgate Court Garden
Directly opposite Hidcote Manor Garden and also one of the country’s finest gardens, home of the giant Kiftsgate rambling rose.
May, June, July, Saturday to Wednesday 12 noon-6pm
August, Saturday to Wednesday 2-6pm
April until September 29th Sunday, Monday and Wednesday 2-6pm
Snowshill Manor, near Broadway
36 miles
Exceptional house and garden with large collection of unusual objects, run by the National Trust
House 13 March-31 October Wednesday to Sunday and BH Mondays, 12 noon-4.10pm (last admission)
Timed ticket system
House closes 31st October. Shop, restaurant and grounds open 6th November 12th December.
Sezincote, near Moreton in Marsh
30 miles
Indian-inspired architectural gem, the precursor of the Brighton Pavilion and still in private hands
Garden open January to November, Thursdays, Fridays and BH Mondays, 2-6pm
House open May to 30th September inclusive, Thursdays, Fridays and BH Mondays 2.30-5.30pm
Garden open until end of November.
No children or dogs
Tea and cake May to September
Also open for occasional charity days, check website for details
Lodge Park, between Northleach and Burford
25 miles
Unique survival of a 17th-century grandstand, reconstructed by the National Trust
Grandstand 12th March -31st October Friday-Sunday, 11-4pm
Open 11th - 12th December
Occasionally closed for weddings
Stanway House, near Cheltenham
36 miles
Eighteenth-century house with newly-created water cascade, home of the Earl of Wemyss
House and garden June-August, Tuesday and Thursday 2-5pm
Closes 31st August.
ART
Modern Art Oxford, Tues-Weds 10.00 - 5.00pm, Thurs - Sat 10am - 10pm, Sunday 12 noon - 5pm, closed Mondays. Free Admission.
Modern Art Trolley, 2-4pm Sat-Sun, Gallery tours Thursdays 1pm and Saturdays 3pm.
ART IN THE HOTELS
The owner of the hotels, Jeremy Mogford, shows his outstanding collection of modern art on the walls the Old Bank, Old Parsonage, Quod and Gee’s. Many famous artists appear: Wyndham Lewis, Stanley Spencer, David Bomberg and Gary Hume to name but a few. A catalogue of his collection is available to guests from hotel reception.
THEATRE
Oxford Playhouse and Burton Taylor Studio - www.oxfordplayhouse.com.
North Wall Arts Centre, South Parade, Summertown - www.thenorthwall.com.
New Theatre - www.newtheatreoxford.org.uk.
There are numerous other drama p[roductions in small venues across the city:check http://www.dailyinfo.co.uk for more information.
CINEMA
Oxford has two art house cinemas:
The Ultimate Picture Palace in Jeune St, off Cowley Road (01865 245288).
The Phoenix Picturehouse in Walton Street (0871 704 2062).
Mainstream cinemas:
Odeon Magdalen Street, Odeon George Street - www.odeon.co.uk.
PUBS
Oxford is littered with ancient and atmospheric pubs. Among the best are:
The Bear, Bear Lane. The Turf Tavern, St Helen’s Passage. The King’s Arms, corner of Holywell St and Parks Road. The Eagle and Child, St Giles, meeting place of the Inklings, the informal literary club that included J.R.Tolkien and C.S.Lewis. The Lamb and Flag, St Giles. The Gardeners’ Arms, Plantation Road.
TEA AND COFFEE STOPS
The Nosebag, 6-8 St Michael Street. The Rose, High Street. The Vaults, under the University Church of St Mary, High Street
WALKS
Folly Bridge to Iffley: half an hour each way.
Follow the towpath to Iffley village (a mile or so from Folly Bridge) to see its superb Norman church. Cross Folly Bridge at the end of St Aldate’s and turn left up the towpath, opposite the Head of the River pub.
A walk up the river to Godstow: 45 minutes each way from central Oxford.
Enter Port Meadow from Walton Well Road in Jericho. Cross the two bridges ahead to Bossom’s Boat Yard. Turn right and in a couple of minutes you will come to the back entrance of the Perch Inn. Behind the inn is the village of Binsey. Turn right out of the pub drive, follow the road through the village around a sharp bend, and in ten minutes you will find the church and holy well of St Frideswide. Retrace your steps to continue up the Thames Path for the ruins of Godstow Abbey and the Trout Inn.
A circuit of the University Parks: 25 minutes gentle walking.
The University Parks – the most popular place for walking and running, also dog friendly. The River Cherwell runs through the park which is home to many rare trees. Watch the sun set behind Keble College Chapel.
Long-distance walks:
Two walking trails pass within reach of Oxford: the Ridgeway and the Cotswold Way.
BICYCLES
The Old Bank and Old Parsonage Hotels lend bicycles to guests for touring the city and surrounding area. Bikes of all sorts can be hired from Summertown Cycles tel 01865 316885. The more intrepid might consider starting a ride from further up the railway line, perhaps using the Hereford to Oxford train service, with stops at Charlbury, Kingham or Moreton in Marsh, all beautiful towns in stunning countryside.
CHURCHES
Near Oxford are many exceptionally historic and beautiful churches, among them Iffley, Ewelme, Yarnton, Deddington, Adderbury, Chipping Campden, Burford and Swinbrook.
DAYS OUT
Cheltenham and the Cotswolds
An elegant spa town of the 18th century, host of the famous literary and jazz festivals and known for its excellent shops and cafes. It lies one hour’s drive from Oxford along the A40. En route are many lovely villages and towns notably Swinbrook, Burford, Northleach and Cirencester.
Winchester and the Whitchurch Silk Mill
An unspoilt medieval city with one of the country’s finest cathedrals. It is only one and a quarter hours’ drive from Oxford. The historic Whitchurch Silk Mill, still using its looms to make silk for the heritage and theatrical markets, stands close to main A34 road.
London
London Paddington is only an hour away from Oxford by train or two hours by the buses that leave from Gloucester Green throughout the day and night.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Giffords’ Circus
20 May- 12 September - www.giffordscircus.com.
A traditional, small-scale circus that performs throughout the summer in the villages and towns of the Cotswolds and beyond.
Longborough Opera Festival
17 June – 31 July - www.lfo.org.uk.
A privately-run, open air opera festival, in the Cotswold village of Longborough, 40 minutes (outside rush hour) along the A40 from Oxford.
Until 30th August
Oxford Shakespeare Company
Wadham College Garden
The Tempest by William Shakespeare
Private Lives by Noel Coward
http://www.oxfordshakespearecompany.co.uk
Until 4th September
Creation Theatre Company
Said Business School Amphitheatre
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespearewww.creationtheatre.co.uk
Oxford Castle
21st July – 1st August
Summer Nights’ Concerts
10th-12th September
Food and Wine Festival
16th-19th September
Open-air Cinema Nights
http://www.oxfordcastle.com
27th July – 8th August
Bodleian Library
Globe Theatre on tour
Midsummer Night’s Dream
http://www.shakespeares-globe.org
July - September inclusive
Merton College Library
tours at 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
check for occasional closures
01865 276310
http://www.merton.ox.ac.uk
Until 5th June 2011
Pitt-Rivers Museum
Wilfred Thesiger in Africa
http://www.prm.ox.ac.uk
Until 17th September
Museum of the History of Science
Two Oxford Presidents of the Royal Society
http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk
Until 29th August
Bodleian Library
John Aubrey and the Development of Experimental Science
http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Christ Church Picture Gallery
Until 29th August
Depiction of Conflict in the Collection of General John Guise
25th August – 19th September
Icons in Oxford
18th September – 19th October
Photographs by Judith Aronson
http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk
Until 5th September
Modern Art Oxford
Howard Hodgkin: Time and Place
http://www.modernartoxford.org.uk
Ashmolean Museum
Until 15th August
The Lost World of Old Europe: The Danube Valley 5000-3500 bc
16th September – 5th December
The Pre-Raphaelites and Italy
http://www.ashmolean.org
7th August
Christ Church Cathedral
Andras Schiff Piano Recital with Oxford Philomusicawww.oxfordphil.com
29th September – 2nd October
Oxford Chamber Music Festival
http://www.ocmf.net
15th – 30th October
Oxford Lieder Festival
http://www.oxfordlieder.co.uk
Every Sunday at 11.15am
Holywell Music Room
Oxford Coffee Concerts
http://www.coffeeconcerts.com
6th-7th September
St Giles’ Fair
17th September
Oxford University Open Day for prospective studentswww.ox.ac.uk
Waterperry Gardens
31st July
Summer concert in the amphitheatre
18th-19th September
Michaelmas Daisy Weekend
8th-10th October
Apple Weekend
http://www.waterperrygardens.co.uk
14th -16th October
Oxford CAMRA Beer Festival
Oxford Town Hall
http://www.oxfordcamra.org.uk
November (provisional date)
Re-opening of Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon, following major rebuilding work.
http://www.rsc.org.uk
BOOKS
For background to the city and surrounding area, historically and architecturally:
A Traveller’s History of Oxford by Richard Tames.
Oxford: An Architectural Guide by Geoffrey Tyack.
England’s Thousand Best Churches and England’s Thousand Best Houses by Simon Jenkins.
Hudson’s Historic Houses and Gardens, a comprehensive guide, with opening times and maps, to every major historic site in the country.