Oxford - dos and don’t.

[Riverlee]

i have a couple of days in Oxford in May. Can anyone suggest any must-sees, good (reasonably priced) restaurants, anything that’s over-rated?

Thank you.

The Ashmolean Museum has a fantastic collection for every taste (art to archaeology).

Food-wise I recommend this French restaurant, Pierre Victoire for their prix fixe menu, www.pierrevictoire.co.uk/.

We went on a ghost tour, surprisingly good fun and lots of local history

The Pitt-Rivers museum of ethnography is the best museum in the world 👍.

Ice cream at iScream in the covered market

As above, also ice cream at D&Gs (Christchurch or Little Clarendon Street), walk around University Parks, lunch in Ashmolean museum rooftop cafe, take a look at the shops in the Covered Market, go punting from the Head of the River (Abingdon Road) or from the Cherwell Boathouse (also a lovely restaurant here). Try the Cowley Road or Jericho for restaurants. Do a tour of the Bodleian Library. I've lived in the area pretty much all my life so feel free to ask me anything!

If you're a 'His Dark Materials' fan go and visit Lyra's bench.

@Grumpyoldpersonwithcats Is correct about the Pitt-Rivers [joint fave with the V&A for me] Has to be one of the maddest museums in the whole wide world.

The Ashmolean is gorgeous.

Cowley Road or Jericho for good restaurants!

Christ Church Picture Gallery is the loveliest, most calming place in the city.

The Headington Shark is worth the detour.

But apart from museums it’s not actually a place that really rewards sightseeing, unless you have access to colleges.

lunch in Ashmolean museum rooftop cafe

I second this.

Also: walk through Christchurch Meadow
Walk through Port Meadow and have lunch at the Trout (need to book)
Botanical gardens (though quite expensive, so only worth it if you are into gardens)

If you are going to visit a college, my personal favourite is Magdalen, because of the deer park. Christchurch's buildings are more spectacular though.

Sorry to jump on the thread but I'll be in Oxford for a couple of days in September. We won't have a car as we're flying in, are Uber's readily available? I'm happy to walk as much as possible but some of the lovely restaurant suggestions are probably a car journey away from my hotel!

I’ll be walking as well

The centre of Oxford is quite small and you can get around on foot easily, however there are plenty of taxi companies around if the trip is further than walking distance.

Oxford definitely has Uber. There are several taxi ranks in the centre too. And, if you are staying off the Cowley, Banbury or Woodstock Roads, the buses are frequent and easy to use.

Oxford centre is really walkable, especially now The Broad is pedestrianised.

I like the little restaurant in the old crypt by Radcliffe Camera. And Jericho for nice little places to eat.

The Pitt Rivers is brilliant.

Second Pierre Victoire. Also maybe a guided walking tour of the colleges ?

Oxford doesn't have Uber actually

Tucked away down Alfred Street, The Bear Inn is well worth a pit stop.

Oxford's oldest pub (est.1242, on present site since 1774).

Atmospheric and cosy. And a quirky history of collecting patrons' neck ties in exchange for beer and framing the results!

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/bear-inn-oxford

Sorry Oxford doesn't have Uber, but there are taxis and it's small so distances are short.

Totally agree about the Pitt-Rivers and the Ashmolean!

Sorry - you’re quite right - they got banned, didn’t they? But there are definitely app-based cab services, of various sorts.

The Kazbar restaurant/bar on Cowley road is well worth a visit.

Would also recommend hiring a boat/punting as someone else mentioned upthread, brilliant fun.

The natural history museum, Pitt rivers, Ashmolean are all fantastic. There is also the history of science museum, near to the Sheldonian theatre which is worth a wonder around.

Forgot to also mention the Castle! Well worth a visit

As @Ladyflip mentioned iScream, I second a wander through The Covered Market. Very central. Handy to dip into en route elsewhere.

Small independent and specialist sellers. Excellently named Gulp Fiction, a second-hand bookshop/coffee house/bar.
https://oxford-coveredmarket.co.uk/our-story/

Note: local by-laws insist any visitor sustain themself with something from the Oxford institution that is Ben's Cookies kiosk🙂

The Botanic Gardens were lovely, although not been there in May.

Don't drive around Oxford yourself. The one way system is a nightmare.

Punting.

Walk around the Sheldonian Theatre etc and admire the fantastic architecture including Bridge of Sighs.

Christchurch Meadow- great view of the side of CC college.

Have fun! It's a beautiful city.

The Ashmolean, the Pitt-Rivers, ChCh picture gallery, take out a punt, Bodleian, choral evensong at Christ Church if it’s termtime and the choir is singing, a concert at the Sheldonian or the Holywell Music Rooms, cocktails at the Duke of Cambridge or Freud’s, walk out through Port Meadow to the Perch or the Trout, or Endamame on Holywell St for Japanese food.