Oxford Things to Do Tips by marinarena

Have a little Venice with your Oxford Bridge of Sighs Review

The Bridge of Sighs (1913-4) is a noted landmark west of the town centre, located along New College Lane. The bridge is named after the famous Italian bridge "Ponte di Sospiri" in the enchanting city of Venezia. Due east in Oxford, near Abingdon, is the Thames riverfront. Around here are beautiful Venetianesque brick buildings, as captured.

Address: New College Lane/Bridge of Signs

Aah Over the beauty of Ashmolean...

The buiding itself is a like lovely Grecian goddess. Nevermind that she is going through major remodeling renovation currently (mid-late 2007).

All of the great, comprehensive museums in England are not just in London. In Oxford, the Ashmolean is a must-do day trip for those who appreciate a variety of artistic style- from ancient Egyptian sculpture and artifacts, to Euro renaissance paintings and modern showcase featuring local artists.

Open/Close times:
Monday-closed
Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday 12pm to 5pm
holidays: 10am to 5pm

Address: Beaumont Street, OX1 2PH

Directions: Beaumont/St Giles, North Oxford

Phone: 01865 278000

Website: http://www.ashmolean.org/

Spend a few days at the Pitts Pitt Rivers Museum Review

What a wonderful treasure in Oxford, argurably the best in town. the Pitts Rivers Museum is an institution with a great wealth of cultural information with some of the rarest artifacts found in the world.

Something very tourist-friendly here is the free admission (though money contribution is very encouraged) and the fairly liberal photography allowance. I went snapping away but also read the informative wrute-ups on several of the exhibit items.

I cannot capture in words how much it is worth the time to spend here. I long to come back here and take in every corner of this place!

Other info:

The museum is seperated on three levels: court, first and second floor.

-A curious thing that artists who would like to get inspired at the museum. Only dry materials are allow in the museum (no piants, etc). No leaning on the glass desks allowed. It is recommended to bring clipboards to use with drawing/sketch paper.

- Parking is rather limited here, especially during reconstruction efforts (Check website for updates on this). If staying in Oxford it's rather easy just taking public transportation to get here and most atractions instead.

- I found the toilet rooms and lifts very clean and convenient for visitors.

Hours

10.00 - 16.30 Tuesday to Sunday (and Bank Holiday Mondays)
12.00 - 16.30 Mondays

Address: Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW.

Directions: short walking distance from Oxford's centre

Entrance in the museum is through the University of Oxford's Natural History Museum
(next tip)

Website: http://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/index.html

Be Mesmerised in Uni Sci Museum Museums Review

Goregous Minerals, ancient bones, dinosaur eggs, dead birds and marsupials- oh my! I was both favorably fascinated and creeped out here at Oxford University Natural History Museum (not to be confused by the Museum of the History of Science). There is a great variety of specimens to view up close from the classes of geology, entomology (insects) and zoology (mammals).

Kids and adults alike who has that special jurassic fascination will absolutely love it here, especially since many of the dead animals can be touched. Many will also like the Alice in Wonderland displays, featuring original manuscripts by the town's very own son, Lewis Carroll, who frequently visited the museum.
Check website for family-friendly events going on at the museum.

Other Info:

Free admission!

For those disabled needing accessibility, pay extra attention to the section on access on the website (listed below)

Hours:

open from 10 AM -5 PM (17:00)
Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m.

Closed on Mondays.

Address: Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3 PW

Directions: Pitts Rivers Museums is featured inside

Website: http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk/

Discover the Covered Market

For your unique pastry eating and shopping needs, one has to go to Covered Market a few times on your Oxford visit. To fix my morning craving, came back a few times for my sausage pastry alone. There are quite a few places to go for pastry, meats, cheeses adnd other fresh food daily here. Besides eating, there is a a variety of specialty shopping options here: for finding that special teacup, Kipling purse or another British knick-knack. I'll highlight some market shops as general or restaurant tips at some point.

Address: High Street

Directions: centre of Oxford

Website: http://www.oxfordcity.co.uk/shops/market/

Cherish Christ Church Christ Church Review

Christ Church, besides the geographically college-sparsed University of Oxford itself, is considered the main attraction of the town of Oxford. Regardless of religious affiliation or atheist preference, the site is a must memrely to see.

One a few occasions, I visited here and for about 50% of the time, it was raining. I managed to get some nice exterior shots and spned quality time inside the cathedral. When visiting, refer to the gate custodian for best times to visit. Portions of the site are closed off to tourists regularly to allow worship and students service. Though somehow managing to get in for free in the church along with my group (kind offer made for us including a wheelchair bound relative), admission prices are :

adults : £4.90
students: £3.90
"family ticket":£9.80 (not entirely sure but family likely means 3-5 in a family. Website doesn't make clear of this. Refer to custodian when in oxford)
seniors/retired: £3.90

Other info:

Christ College is both a college and Catholic cathedral.

Hours:

Monday to Saturday: 9am - 5pm, and Sunday: 1pm - 5pm

Last Visitor Admission at 4.30pm

Address: Christ Church, Oxford, OX1 1DP

Other Contact: tourism@chch.ox.ac.uk

Phone: 01865 276492

Website: http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/