B&Bs, airbnb and holiday cottages in Oxford

Oxford is the world's centre of academia, with a rich history and abundance of cultural activities to partake in. A city built around students, it is perfect for young people looking for youth hostels or cheap accommodation as well as professionals or tourists who are looking for a cottage in Oxford. A holiday in this intellectual hub will allow you to walk down the very same streets and dine in the same pubs as some of Britain's most acclaimed writers and intellectuals, such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Thomas Hobbes and Stephen Hawking.

How to Get There?

For British tourists, Oxford has a well-connected train station with good links to London. Buses run from cities all over the UK, meaning tourists from other countries can easily fit Oxford into a tour of England, and it is a cultural gem that should not be missed: it boasts fantastic transport links with the capital's airports: there are regular buses to both Heathrow and Gatwick. If you are staying in an apartment in London, you will easily be able to reach Oxford on one of the regular trains from Paddington station or one of the buses that leave from many different places including London Victoria Coach station, Baker Street, Marble Arch, Notting Hill and Shepherd's Bush. Getting Around Oxford Once you are there, Oxford is not too big and can definitely be explored on foot. The public transport is also good, with easily accessible local buses and public bicycles. This means wherever you book your holiday cottage in Oxford, you will be within walking distance of some of the UK's most prestigious and historical buildings.

Where to Stay in Oxford?

Oxford is a relatively compact city, so finding the perfect holiday rental close to the centre is not difficult. However, there are different factors to consider when deciding the location of your bed and breakfast or youth hostel in Oxford. If you are travelling to Oxford by train, perhaps if you are an international tourist making a tour of the UK, you might like to book cheap accommodation in the area around the train station to facilitate convenient arrival in and departure from Oxford. On the other hand, some of the best accommodation in Oxford is around the area of the castle, which is great for tourists who are interested in the city's rich history and cultural heritage. The obvious attraction of Oxford for tourists is often Oxford University, so you might even opt for a short-term apartment rental near one of the university colleges, which will make it easy to go and visit. Families travelling together requiring a spacious rental in a traquil area are advised to book an apartment in one of the beautiful large houses in North Oxford, historically the residential area of the University professors and academics. The streets here are wide, quiet and lined with trees yet only a short walk from the the city centre.

The University of Oxford

Oxford has many activities available for tourists, which is one of the many reasons it is such a popular destination. Many of the city's activities are centred around the historic University of Oxford: founded in 1096, over the centuries its students and scientific research have changed the course of history, it is undoubtedly one of the most highly recognised and respected higher education institutions in the world, making for a fascinating day out. You can enjoy tours of several of the Oxford colleges and see where some of the most important academics ever lived and worked. One of the most popular colleges to visit is Christchurch College, whose staircase and dining hall inspire those of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films: you can therefore have a taste of life not only at Oxford University, but also Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! There are lots of other important buildings as part of the University that you should see during your stay in Oxford. The Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Camera are both iconic pieces of architecture as well as being important sites of academic research. The university colleges also offer the chance to row down the river, which is a great way to see the sights of the city from a unique perspective.

Museums and concert halls in Oxford

As well as the university and its buildings, Oxford has several important museums and theatres. The Ashmolean Museum has large collections of art and sculpture, including classical works, ancient archaeological and musical artefacts as well as temporary seasonal exhibits from world-renowned artists. Near the greenery of the University Parks, on Parks Road lies the Natural History Museum that boasts gigantic dinosaur skeletons, fossils and zoological collections to show the evolution of life on Earth in an engaging and interactive way. Within the same building but behind this museum lies the Pitt Rivers Museum, containing ancient relics from all over the world - including a collection of shrunken heads! The combination of these two museums make for a fun, educational and engaging day out for visitors of all ages. Oxford also has several playhouses and theatres, the most famous being the Sheldonian Theatre, completed in 1669 and designed by renowned architect and Oxford alumnus Christopher Wren - you can admire its beautiful neoclassical architecture as well as going inside for one of its many musical concerts. The Holywell Music Room, on Holywell Street only a couple of hundred metres from the Sheldonian is also worth a visit, as it is considered to be the oldest concert hall in Europe and therefore the first in Britain.

Food and drink in Oxford

Oxford is famous for its typically English and cosy pubs, that are enjoyed by both students and locals alike. In Oxford's many historic pubs, often serving real ale and classic British pub dishes, you can enjoy a pint and great food in the drinking haunts of history's greatest thinkers. Some of the most famous and oldest pubs include the Bear Inn, the Eagle and Child, Turf Tavern and the King's Arms. At the Eagle and Child you can sit at the very same table where C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and their contemporaries used to discuss ideas for their novels! Staying in one of our best holiday apartments in Oxford, you can drink as much as you like without worrying about expensive taxis home! Short term apartment rentals and b&bs allow you to take advantage of Oxford's thriving food and drink scene without travelling too far. Oxford also has lovely ice cream shops, particularly G&D's which has multiple shops around the city and is extremely popular with the city's student population: this makes for a perfect hang out spot with friends during a summer holiday in Oxford. Alongside ice cream, Oxford has all the usual chain restaurants found across the UK and many of its own acclaimed independent food places serving meals sourced from produce of local allotments.