Oxford City Guide

Oxford, The City of Dreaming Spires is less than two hours from London
and is famous the world over for its ancient University, the boat race,
C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and the Inklings, and its place in history.
For over 800 years, it has been a home to royalty and scholars,
and since the 9th century an established town, although people are
known to have lived in the area for thousands of years.

The colleges are scattered all throughout town and altered with historical buildings showing the impressive architectural character of several
periods. Wonderful examples of this are the Bodleain Library -
the second-largest library in the country, Magdalen College, the learning school of Oscar Wilde, with its cloisters and deer park, and Hertford
College, home to one of Oxford's other famous sights, the Bridge of Sighs, the design of which was based on the Ponte dei Sospori in Venice.

Besides the wonderful sights and history that the colleges have to offer, Oxford nowadays is also a bustling cosmopolitan town, prepared for its students and visitors alike with a vibrant shopping and commercial area with plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes.

The area is also home to a growing hi-tech community. Many businesses are located in and around the town, whether on one of the Science and Business Parks or within one of a number of residential areas.
With its mix of ancient and modern, there is plenty for both the tourist
and resident to do. Whether its visiting one of the many historic buildings, colleges or museums, going out for a drink or meal, indulging yourself in
a rowing trip on the River Cherwell, walking the cobbled streets or taking
in a Shakesperian play performed in one of the many theatres...Oxford
has it all.

Accommodation

Whether you're visiting for business or pleasure you will find a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments and self-catering accommodation.
But, if you find you do want more, then Oxford is a just a short hop away from many other attractions and the capital city itself, London.

Oxford trivia

Interesting trivia about Oxford includes:
· Oxford's High Street is known locally as "The High"
· Oxford is the birthplace of Richard the Lionheart
· Oxford's St Giles fair dates back to 1624
· Oxford's Port Meadow is England's oldest and largest continous meadow (Recorded in the Domesday book of 1086 and covering 400 acres)
· you can see one of the Parish boundaries marked by a cross and inscription on the wall, in a glass case in Marks & Spencers on Queen Street
· the Bear pub, Alfred Street, was reportedly built over a bear pit in 1242
· Oxford is believed to have derived its name from a settlement called Oxen-ford, recorded in Anglo saxon chronicles of 912, around a safe crossing place in the river Thames for cattle
· Oxford is home to the oldest public museum "The Ashmolean"
· Roger Bannister, the first man to run a mile in less than four minutes, achieved this record at the Iffley Road track in Oxford
· Oxford is home to world famous "Frank Cooper marmalade"
· Punting is Oxford's answer to gondola

Resources
www.world66.com
www.oxfordcity.co.uk
www.oxford.gov.uk