Oxford on Monday - what shall I do?

[JellySlice]

I'll be in Oxford tomorrow for most of the day, possibly with dh. What shall I/we do?

I thought to visit the Ashmolean, but it's closed on Mondays.

Suggestions?

Eateries?

I enjoyed one of the walking tours, it was an interesting was to see the city. There are a couple of different ones. The Oxford Castle tour is good as well, I think times are set so may be worth checking. Some great views from the tower.

The new Westgate has some nice eateries on top, whilst their are some nive independent ones about just outside the centre (sorry I can't remember the area name helpfully!)

Have a nice day!

The Pitt Rivers museum is open 12-4.30 on Mondays. I've never been (too engrossed in the Ashmolean) but I've heard it's good.

Christ Church Picture Gallery. Just one of the loveliest places anywhere. Tiny, niche alternative to the Ashmolean. Open on Mondays.

But, apart from colleges and related institutions the centre of Oxford is somewhat ... trying. I like: the Toast shop (especially upstairs), the parks, the Mathematical Institute.

What are you interested in?

The Covered Market, Blackwells Bookshops, there may be something on at The Oxford Playhouse or Old Firestation. Some of the pubs in St Giles are very nice for food. Afternoon tea somewhere.

Oh and the Oxford Castle/prison tour is good.

Pitt-Rivers is excellent - a previous poster said it was open on Monday.

Thanks! I shall Google your suggestions. I'm interested in almost anything and everything. Dh doesn't care for things behind glass. If he can interact with it, he's interested in it. But he'll tolerate a couple of hours in a museum for my sake

Ditto on the Toast shop on the High. The Pitt Rivers museum is fabulous, I much prefer it to the Ashmolean. The new Westgate centre is great for shopping. Cos, Seasalt, & other stories, JL, Uniqlo, have a great day.

Afternoon tea at the Randolph is rather nice too.

Climb the tower of St Mary's Church on the High st.. Fantastic views from the top, and the cafe downstairs is good- beautiful location next to the Radcliffe Camera. I would look in on a couple of the small museums, like some of the Bodleian exhibits, Museum of the History of Science, Pitt Rivers you can leave if you are not having fun (they are free so you don't feel obliged to hang about).

I think the most interesting thing is going inside one or two colleges if you have never done that. Magdalen is a good one to explore.

Definitely the Pitt Rivers. Love that place!

University parks are nice too if you want that sort of wander.

Eateries wise there are loads. If you want good quick hot food in a canteen style, the Vaults cafe is good. Sandwich-wise either Olives or Taylors are good and popular (but only takeaway). Proper restaurant-wise, Sojo's does great Chinese food and there is a good little french restaurant on Little Clarendon street from memory. I think the Oxford kitchen is also supposed to be good.

Oh and if you don't want to do too much college visiting, a wander around Jericho would be good. Lots of old Oxford-style terraced streets with loads of hidden away pubs.

Oh and if you are college-visiting, don't bother with Christ Church (apart from maybe the meadow, which is free). Way overpriced for a relatively ugly college, and the dining hall (Harry potter one) isn't always open when students are there. Go to Balliol instead is you want that style of college. Or Mansfield for it's Anthony Gormley statue (free) or Worcester college has beautiful grounds with a lake and some a really pretty old quad. Much more interesting than CC!

For opening times / whether they charge:
www.ox.ac.uk/visitors/visiting-oxford/visiting-the-colleges?wssl=1#

What about a Morse tour ?

... Fortunately you don't need to tour the college to visit the Christ Chuch gallery. It has a completely separate entrance. (And is well worth the entry fee!)

I think the most interesting thing is going inside one or two colleges if you have never done that. Magdalen is a good one to explore.

Take a look at the Last Supper in the chapel if it's open, then do Addison's Walk and the Fellows' Garden. It's on my bucket list of places to see again before emigrating. (I write this while wrapped in my quarter century old moth-eaten college scarf - funny how nostalgia takes you...) Also the Pitt Rivers tends to have interactive stuff for kids during the holidays.

Lunch at G&Ds!

Sorry quarter I didn't mean to make it sound like i was dismissing your suggestion! I agree completely with the gallery, but was trying to say the college bit wasn't worth it.

A Morse tour! Excellent idea. We not strictly speaking fans, but we've both enjoyed the books, Morse and Endeavour.

I don't think I'll go to G&D's, thank you very much. I'm trying to low-carb.

I would second claraschu's suggestion of climbing the tower at St Mary the Virgin's church, I always take visitors there. New College is another interesting college to look around. As for restaurants Chiang Mai Kitchen is my absolute favourite.

There's an excellent caricaturist who resembles Stephen merchant who has also done much artwork in Oxford pubs and cafes... highly recommend if you spot him!

A wander around Jesus College would be lovely, and also take in the sights, such as the Bridge of Sighs, and the Radcliffe Camera.

Wander around Magdalen College, and over the Magdalen Bridge and catch a bus to Aziz restaurant for dinner - delicious Indian/Bangladeshi food. Google it for bus information (I can’t remember the bus numbers).

Hello all
Just to let you all know, the Ashmolean will be open 7 days a week from 1 February 2019.
Sorry you weren't able to visit this time!
Sarah

The Pitt-Rivers is the best place in the world. I love going there when I can, especially late in the day when it's quiet and a bit spooky.