Oxford student for a day
Coffee
The best coffee. We have tried them all.
New Ground Coffee on Ship Street. Solid flat white, served with a glass of water. 🧚✨
Missing Bean Turl St, a student hotspot. Whether they're grabbing a coffe and quick bite or queuing for their favorite hot chocolate at Koops just down the street, this bustling hub is always buzzing with energy and excitement.
Sunday Roast
The Perch. It’s a beautiful walk from Jericho through the Meadow. Have a coffee at 101 first and then head to the Perch for food or a pint in the sun.
If you feel up to the challenge, keep walking to the Trout Inn, Wolvercote. But I’d only recommend it in summer or on a sunny day as the highlight of that place is to sit outside by the water.
Cheeky Pints
There are endless options for cheeky pints in Oxford. Here are my top 5.
Lamb & Flag
The Ultimate Favourite. It’s just the best with this little alley way. And you can also easily do coffee and cake there during the day. Christmas carol nights in the piano, cute little stools, good vibes.
The Bear
Tiniest oldest pub. Don’t come with more than 2 people if you want to be inside. Which you should. Do a pub crawl, stop for one here.
Head on the River Pub
Beer garden vibes. Do a walk through Christchurch Meadow down from the Botanical Garden and finish here.
You might think that’s only three. The other two are the Perch and The Trout Inn (see above).
Dining
I miss food in London. But here are some solid eat out options in Oxford.
Cherwell Boathouse. Great atmosphere by the water when you sit in the winter garden or outside. Recommended for a warmer day. Decent food.
Cheep and Cheerful Eats
Thaikhun. Can always do a Green Curry here.
Georgina’s in the Covered Market. You’ll find lots of students here. It’s a small staircase to go up, you might miss it. Look up for the sign.
Edamame. I had my first ever Sake (learned what Sake is that day, ahaha). Always a queue outside.
Sunday Roast
Nice roast. Great service.
Brunch
Vaults is a must. Inside its cozy, outside you sit basically on Radcliffe Square, looking onto THE Oxford landmark. It’s a self service cafe and an institution. Good quality food.
Handle Bar Café. Long queues, gets closest to a London brunch.
Must See Colleges
They are all great! Oxford has 43 Colleges, including those designated as societies (three) and permanent private halls (four).
There is no clear date of foundation of Oxford University, but teaching existed at Oxford in some form in 1096.
The three societies – Kellogg College, Reuben College and St Cross College– operate very much like the other colleges but are considered departments of the University rather than independent colleges because, unlike the others, they do not have a royal charter. One of the main differences is that the governing body recommends a president, who is then appointed by Council.
The four permanent private halls (PPHs) – Blackfriars, Campion Hall, Regent's Park College and Wycliffe Hall – were founded by different Christian denominations and still retain their religious character.
Here are the ones I add to my tours.
Brasenose College
Best views of the RadCam and the cutest quads. Founded in 1509. Admitted women in 1974 as one of the first colleges to do so.
All Souls College
Different perspective on the OG view. The college doesn’t take students and is said to have the hardest entry exam, famous for its one word essay question.
New College
Cloisters, secret Garden, New College Lane, Harry Potter Tree.
Magdalen College
Beautiful endless grounds & a deer park.
Worcester College
They have a lake.
Meadows
Port Meadow
Beautiful walk through Jericho to the Perch and up to the Trout Inn.
Christchurch Meadow
Views and boat houses, for stop by head of the river pub.
Books & Museums
Blackwells
Famous Bookshop.
Museum of Natural History & Ashmolean
Museums are free. Just pop in for the architecture. My favourite section is upstairs left side: rocks, minerals, crystals.
Modern Art Oxford
Go to the Deli! Not the restaurant.
Hungry in the centre? Get a sausage roll from the Hamblin Kiosk.
Go for a stroll along the river to Isis Farmhouse.
Where to Stay
Very difficult to find a place to stay. Cannot really recommend anywhere.
B&B
Try booking a college guest room on www.universityrooms.com
Outside Oxford
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