Instant weekend Oxford’s worthy heritage
SEE
Oxford’s university colleges (approximately 38 of them) are spread around the city and many historic buildings are open to the public with pretty gardens to enjoy.
The following buildings are a must for any visitor:
Magdalen College (01865 276000/magd.ox.ac.uk), founded in 1458, has beautiful landscaped gardens and a deer park.
Christ Church (chch.ox.ac.uk) is one of the grandest. It has its own cathedral and in the dining room are portraits of alumni who studied here, including William Pitt, who created Pittsburgh, and Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll).
DON’T MISS
The Ashmolean Museum (01865 278000/ashmolean.org), the University of Oxford’s museum of arts and archaeology, is a delightfully quirky collection.
It was founded by Elias Ashmole in 1683 and features old portraits in ornate gilt frames, jewellery and artefacts such as shells and statues collected on his travels.
It was the first recognised museum and is also home to the iron lantern carried by Guy Fawkes on November 5, 1605.
There are works by great artists including Manet, Pissarro, Goya, Raphael, Sickert and Turner.
There are also treasures from ancient Egypt and Rome. British treasures include the Alfred Jewel, a piece of rock crystal surrounded by delicate goldsmith’s work that was discovered in Somerset and thought to have been made for King Alfred the Great.
DO
Taking a flat-bottom punt along the River Cherwell, a stone’s throw from the city centre, is a quintessentially Oxford experience enjoyed by students and visitors.
Sail your way past the colleges, under low, century-old stone bridges and enjoy the wildlife which includes swans and ducks. The Cherwell Boathouse (01865 515 978/cherwellboathouse.co. uk). From £17 per hour.
EAT
The Head of the River pub, with rooms, (01865 721600/ headoftheriveroxford.co.uk) sits in a former boatyard right on Folly Bridge, just five minutes from the city along the River Isis.
Watch the world go by from a prime seat outside or you can chill inside in the dining room with wooden floors and wainscotted grey walls.
The rack of lamb with a basil and feta crust is superb, £19.
The Covered Market (oxfordcoveredmarket.co.uk) opened in 1774, and is a classy traditional English market with greengrocers, butchers and bakers.
Here you can find The Cake Shop and see specialist cakes being made by hand through the windows. It is also home to irresistible gift shops, coffee shops and restaurants.
Drink a great pot of tea (made with leaves, not bags) in Brown’s Cafe and eat comforting, great value traditional meals and cakes. Their apple pie is a real treat.
DRINK
The Bear Inn (bearoxford.co. uk/01865 728164) is Oxford’s oldest pub, having been dispensing ales since 1242. Good pub food and real ale are standard