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OXFORD - STAY FOR LESS "££"

OXFORD was a small community in 912 AD, located at the convergence of the Rivers Thames (or Isis) & the Cherwell, with a “Ford for Oxen”. By 1066 it had become a large Town & centre for religious teachers & when the new Plantaganet King Harold 2 quarrelled with the French in 1167, causing English students to be expelled from Paris , they relocated to Oxford . In the early days there were no Colleges just Academic Halls where teachers & students would meet. The first Colleges appeared in the 13C, Merton, University & Balliol by the 1260's, established by mainly rich ecclesiastical benefactors who wished to provide a sheltered environment for “good learning”. Today Oxford Universities are synonymous with World-Class education & academic excellence & a stay here is a truly learned experience!

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 – OXFORD BACKPACKERS, Hythe Bridge Street , City Centre (2 mins. from Rail Station) tele 01865 721 761 – www.hostels.co.uk– 92 beds. £13 pn dorms with sheets. Self-catering kitchen, Bar/ lounge. Not checked by GB but same owners as Bath No1, which is good – so report please!

Reserve – YHA Oxford at 2a Botley Road (new, purpose built Youth Hostel next to Thames & Railway Station) tele 0870 770 5970 – Email. oxford@yha.org.uk - £20 pn in 6 x dorm room. No S/C but meals provided in Café, common room, lounge, TV room, games room & all mod cons. All spic & span!

FOOD for snacks & picnics are available in City Centre Supermarkets or visit the covered Market.

TRAVELLING AROUND is essentially on foot to see the University/College architecture up close & personal where an Official Guide from the Visitors Centre is recommended. An additional adventure is to try a Punt on the River, a long flat boat propelled with a long pole, where at Oxford , you stand at the “sharp end”.

FREE SIGHTS TO SEE

1. St Edmunds Hall – last survivor of Oxfords 13C Academic Halls, oldest part is East/North range
2. Merton College – oldest College, founded 1264, its Statues, Quads & Organisation served as model
3. Balliol College – longest occupation since 1263, spacious Garden Quad. with lawns & trees
4. Ashmolean Museum – 1 st Public Museum in England , 6000BC human Skull & Guy Fawkes lantern
5. Castle Mound & City Walls – built Will. The Conqueror post 1066 & later Norman fortifications
6. William Morris Workshop – site of the Mentor of the 19C Arts & Crafts Movement, works in Ox
7. Rivers Thames / Cherwell – walk refreshing pathways along these ancient Rivers & relax a while
8. Botanic Gardens – oldest in England , 8k Plants, new Bog Garden &Tropical Riverside Glasshouses
9. City Library & Shopping Centre – ideal to check Email, a restful read &buy a couple of post cards
10. Tree Trail – a unique tour so get a guide & find the unusual Trees around the City & appreciate.

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. University/ College Tour – take a Guided Tour from the Visitors Centre to get maximum info.