WHY I LOVE OXFORD
Local Rebecca Mofford shares the inside track on the best spots away from the tourist trail
Oxford-born-andraised Rebecca started her career in the city’s hospitality scene. After a successful stint running her own restaurant in Spain, she returned to her hometown to take up the role of Director of Operations at The Oxford Collection – a suite of charming, independent restaurants and hotels (theoxfordcollection.co.uk).
Mention Oxford and most people think of the university. But for me, it’s the River Thames – it’s beautiful and really undersold. We are surrounded by such open greenery, so it’s great if you like to spend time outdoors.
The town is beautiful too – and it’s the perfect size for exploring – you can walk it in a day. There’s a goldenness to it. I spent some time living in Spain – the sunny life by the coast – but I find these yellow stone buildings so uplifting. Every day I walk past the must-see Radcliffe Camera, an amazing piece of architecture in Radcliffe Square, I’m wowed.
Certainly, Oxford University is a big part of the experience. The town is essentially one big university campus. I don’t bat an eyelid now when I’m driving to work, and everybody’s walking along with their gowns and carnations on, off to their exams. But it’s magical, being immersed in these strange, age-old traditions.
There are wonderful places to eat. I love Cowley Road, which has a vibrant, bohemian feel. There’s a 30-seater tapas bar, Arbequina (arbequina. co.uk), like a mini version of London’s Michelin-starred Barrafina – it’s a small menu, but they do it so well.
There are a few gems on Turl Street too, like Missing Bean (themissingbean.co.uk). They were the first to open an independent coffee shop here. In term time, you can hardly get near it for students queuing out the door – the coffee is so good. It’s roasted locally, with beans from ethical and sustainable suppliers.
And no visit is complete without a fabulous pub.
I pass The Magdalen Arms (magdalenarms.co.uk) on my route home. It’s a little outside the centre – about a 10-minute trip on the bus – but worth it for the food, which has a sort of Mediterranean feel. On my last visit, I had ricotta and herb cannelloni with slow-roasttomato sauce – stunning.