Oxford driving and disabled parking

[Epictantrum]

Hi, anyone from Oxford around? I was planning to take the kids to Oxford for a night during half term for a look around museums and maybe visit Blenheim palace which I have always wanted to go to. Oxford premier inn looks a reasonable place to stay but has no parking, parking is in Westgate shopping centre which is £35. DS is a wheelchair user, we have a blue badge, and I believe parking on street is free. But am I mad to consider driving into Oxford city centre and trying to find a parking space? I can't think how else we could do it to be honest.

Which premier inn?

You should be fine to drive in to Oxford outskirts but there’s a series of bus gates which make it difficult to drive into the very centre. Blue badges aren’t exempt. The traffic is also really pants pretty much all of the time.

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/roads-and-transport/parking/parking-and-bus-gate-fines/bus-lanes-and-bus-gates

It may be easier to do park & ride? The buses are wheelchair accessible and you get dropped off in the city centre.

There’s also a Travelodge at the Peartree park & ride. Not sure about the others.

Oh do you mean the one by the westgate? If so it's very central.

There are loads of disabled spaces in the westgate as far as I know but be aware the lower floor closes at a certain time so you should try to get a space on the upper floor. Also you have to queue up with other drivers so if get can't get spaces you would get stuck behind them. I would give them a ring so they can explain. There are lifts to the top floor where you could get something to eat.

Oxford traffic in half term is usually ok in the morning and evening but can get gridlocked in the afternoon.

Also be aware that there is a road closure by the train station so you would need to come in from Abingdon road (best) or Banbury/Woodstock

I believe (from memory) there are a couple of disabled spaces on Beaumont st/st Giles and Worcester st car park.

It can be quite busy in the afternoons in Oxford pedestrian-wise so be prepared for slow progress when planning what to do. Mornings much easier to get around

Hth

Also oxpens car park

https://www.oxford.gov.uk/directory/8/carparkssinoxford/category/53/categoryInfo/10

Oh are you saying you want to park for free? It's worth £35 to park at the westgate for convenience imo. Save your energy for sightseeing

Hi yes I meant the Westgate premier inn. There are a couple of shops I'd like to visit. DS is 15 and not a fan of shopping so I can leave him in the hotel for an hour which would be harder to do if we weren't staying centrally. I would park and ride but looks like you can't stay overnight.
I would love to park for free 😁 but accept it may be less stressful just to go to the carpark. If I park in Westgate am I going to run into trouble with bus gates?
Thanks for your help everyone

I've tried to superimpose AA route planner with the council map of bus gates and it looks like there is a way through. We'll be coming in from the north

I stayed at the Premier inn at Kidlington. And got the p&r into
The city centre.

Check the rules, around here disabled bays are 3 hours max, same goes for parking on yellow lines

The Westgate can be accessed by car without being affected by the bus gates. V central.
normally I’d suggest p&r but Westgate is probably your best option. It’s not free for blue card holders but may be reduced?
if coming from north you come into oxford via Woodstock Road (just off a44 or a34) & skirt around centre of town (it’s signpost). You can’t get in via Botley Road atm as shut.

to go to Woodstock (Blenheim) you leave Oxford again via Woodstock rd to north & head up a44 - takes you straight to Woodstock (about 20 mins outside of Oxford)

Sounds like Oxford doesn't want people with disabilities to visit and stay

From the a34:
You can come in down Woodstock road down Beaumont st etc, there is a bit of traffic there but it's ok as long as it's not gridlocked (see my prev comment) Waze is a good app for real time info.

Don't attempt to drive to the westgate via London road/Headington you will encounter bus gates etc.

I would be wary of just driving I’m & hoping to find an on street parking space. It can be crazy!

You can park and ride overnight but I personally wouldn't. Westgate better

You'll be fine driving in from the North, either Woodstock Road/Banbury Road, (they eventually meet). Just follow signs for Westgate, it is slightly convoluted but it's safe easy parking

Oh and last time I went to P&R you now have to pay, though realise you won't need to

Not sure which museums you want to visit but maybe this is useful re parking

www.accessguide.ox.ac.uk/pitt-rivers-museum

www.ashmolean.org/access

Thanks so much everyone. I’ve booked it so fingers crossed for a smooth journey and parking!