{"id":963,"date":"2015-08-12T21:45:53","date_gmt":"2015-08-12T20:45:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orielmcr.org\/?page_id=963"},"modified":"2024-07-20T11:27:41","modified_gmt":"2024-07-20T10:27:41","slug":"getting-to-know-oxford","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.orielmcr.org\/?page_id=963","title":{"rendered":"Getting to Know Oxford"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Welcome to the City of
\nDreaming Spires...<\/p><\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

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Oxford<\/p><\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Oxford is known as the \"city of dreaming spires\", a term initially coined by poet, and Orielensis,\u00a0Matthew Arnold. The city is steeped in beautiful architecture and the university plays a central role in the life of the city. Tourists will often ask the direction of 'the University', when ultimately the city\u00a0is\u00a0the university.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>

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Getting Around in Oxford<\/p><\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Oxford hates cars. Parking restrictions, bus lanes, restrictions on which part of the city you can enter, overzealous traffic wardens... Having a car in Oxford is very impractical. The College does not offer car parking and it is not always available in private accommodation.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>

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Bicycles<\/p><\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Most places are a 5-10 minute cycle from College or JMH. Second hand bikes are for sale around the city and the MCR will organise a bike sale at the start of term. Many shops also have student deals at the beginning of the year, but make sure to ask around the MCR for the best retailers (we would advise NEVER to go to Cycle King). Bicycle theft is quite common, so register your bike with the police scheme and always use a good lock to secure your bike to an immovable object.<\/p>\n

UK and Oxford laws for bicycles are quite strict. You must use lights (both front and rear lights) at dark or risk a fine. Reflectors, a helmet, a bell, and highly visible clothing are recommended.<\/p>\n

Be aware that certain roads in Oxford are bike-free zones e.g. Cornmarket during the day. Look for the signs.<\/p>\n

Bike racks can be found in the Island Site, Third Quad, Oriel Square, and at the front and back of JMH. Bikes should not be stored in staircases, doorways, Island Site passages, or left in First or Second Quad.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>

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Buses<\/p><\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Buses can be used to get to Headington hospitals and there is a frequent bus service to London.<\/p>\n

The main hub for bus service outside of Oxford is Gloucester Green with stops close to College on High street and near JMH on St Clement\u2019s. Some of the major buses\/journeys are:<\/p>\n

- to London (Victoria):
\n(1hr40, \u00a320 student return, every 15 min)
\nOxford Tube: www.oxfordtube.com
\nX90 Oxford: www.oxfordbus.co.uk<\/p>\n

- to Gatwick:
\n(2hr30, \u00a330 single, every hour)
\nAirline X80: www.oxfordbus.co.uk<\/p>\n

- to Heathrow:
\n(1hr20, \u00a325 single, every 30 min)
\nAirline X70: www.oxfordbus.co.uk<\/p>\n

A good tip is that often these services are cheaper when pre-booked for a specific time via Megabus<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>

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Trains<\/p><\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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The train station is located at the western side of Oxford, just next to the Said Business School. It is about a 20 minute walk from College. There are links to the rest of the country and direct trains to London Paddington which take about an hour. www.nationalrail.co.uk<\/p>\n

Full time students (even if you are over 25) are eligible for a Young Persons (16-25) Railcard (\u00a330) which gives 1\/3 off travel for a year. Applications are online or at the station - www.16-25railcard.co.uk<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>

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Taxis<\/p><\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Most Taxis are pre-booked, but there are a few \u2018hackney (black London) cabs\u2019 which can be flagged down, and there are taxi stands at the bus station and train station.<\/p>\n

You can use the phone in the lodge to get a taxi (it will arrive quicker than if you phone yourself) and 001 Taxis is a commonly used firm (01865 2400 00)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>

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Shopping in Oxford<\/span><\/h2>

Oxford is a city like any other. You’ll find plenty of places to eat and shop.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Food<\/span><\/h3><\/div>
 <\/div><\/div>

Sainsburys<\/span><\/h4>

www.sainsburys.com\/storelocator<\/a>
\nMagdalen Street (north of Cornmarket)<\/em>
\nThe Plain roundabout (between Oriel and JMH)<\/em>
\nCowley Road (turn left out\u00a0of JMH)<\/em>
\nWestgate Shopping Centre<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

 <\/div><\/div>

Tesco <\/span><\/h4>

www.tesco.com\/storelocator<\/a>
\nMagdalen Street (north of Cornmarket)<\/em>
\nCowley Road (Turn left out of JMH)<\/em>
\nSt Aldate\u2019s Road (from Oriel, go down Blue Boar Lane to St Aldate’s and turn left)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Pharmacies \/ Chemists<\/span><\/h3>

Supermarkets also sell a vast majority of medical and toiletry essentials. <\/p>\n<\/div>

Boots<\/span><\/h4>

www.boots.com\/storelocator<\/a>
\nCornmarket (middle) <\/em>
\nCowley Road (Turn left out of JMH, 2 blocks) <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

 <\/div><\/div>

Superdrug<\/span><\/h4>

http:\/\/storefinder.superdrug.com\/<\/a>
\nMarket Street (between Cornmarket and Turl St) <\/em> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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The Leys Pharmacy, Cowley<\/span><\/h4>

Note, the Leys pharmacy is open until 10pm each night in case of emergency.
\nhttp:\/\/www.alphega-pharmacy.co.uk<\/a>
\n220 Cowley Road (turn left out of JMH)<\/p>\n<\/div>

Stationery<\/span><\/h3><\/div>
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Rymans<\/span><\/h4>

www.ryman.co.uk\/store-finder\/<\/a>
\nQueen Street (just west of \u201cthe High\u201d)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

 <\/div><\/div>

WHSmith<\/span><\/h4>

www.whsmith.co.uk\/Support\/StoreFinder.aspx <\/a>
\nCornmarket (middle) <\/em> <\/p>\n<\/div>

Books<\/span><\/h3><\/div>
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Blackwell’s<\/span><\/h4>

Independent book retailer. Stocks almost all University essentials. www.blackwell.co.uk\/shops \/<\/a>
\nBroad Street <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

 <\/div><\/div>

Waterstones<\/span><\/h4>

www.waterstones.com\/waterstonesweb\/displayFindBranch.do<\/a>
\nOn the corner between Broad Street & Cornmarket <\/p>\n<\/div>

Department Stores<\/span><\/h3><\/div>
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Marks & Spencer (M&S)<\/span><\/h4>

Oxford Store Finder<\/a>
\nQueen Street <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Banks<\/span><\/h3>

Almost all main UK banks have premises in Oxford, and therefore having a bank account with any of them is easy.<\/p>\n

If you are an EU or International student, you will need to set up a bank account in the UK. There is more information available here<\/a> or\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0(click on the ‘setting up a bank account’ links under finances).<\/p>\n

You should be able to use a student account. For more information on the best student accounts available, we recommend the independent ‘Money Saving Expert’ site – click here to find their guide to the best accounts<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Shops selling Sub-Fusc<\/span><\/h3>

Sub-Fusc is the academic dress of Oxford University and it is a requirement that you have it for the Matriculation ceremony. The details of the required dress can be found here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

We recommend you buy your Sub Fusc when in Oxford, rather than online, as then you’ll get the right fit and size etc. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Shepherd & Woodward <\/span><\/h4>

http:\/\/www.shepherdandwoodward.co.uk\/acatalog\/New_Graduate_Offers.html<\/a>
\nHigh Street (just left outside of Oriel)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Walters<\/span><\/h4>

http:\/\/www.walters-oxford.co.uk\/postgraduate-offer<\/a>
\nTurl Street (just off the High Street)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Ede & Ravenscroft<\/span><\/h4>

http:\/\/www.edeandravenscroft.co.uk\/contact-us\/gentlemens-attire\/oxford\/ <\/a>
\nHigh Street (turn left out of Oriel) <\/em> <\/p>\n<\/div>

Shopping Centres<\/span><\/h3><\/div>
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Westgate Centre<\/span><\/h4>

Westgate Store Guide<\/a>
\nFound out the end of Queen Street with a number of high street brands, Apple authorised dealer & Sainsburys supermarket. Currently undergoing refurbishment so some stores may be temporarily closed.<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Clarendon Centre<\/span><\/h4>

Clarendon Store Guide<\/a>
\nFound in the centre of town, with a number of high street brands including H&M, Zara, Currys (electronics retailer), GAP & Ann Summers. <\/em> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Covered Market<\/span><\/h4>

Covered Market Guide<\/a>
\nFound on High Street, just outside Oriel. Oxford’s Historical Covered market contains a number of independent retailers: greengrocers, butchers, cake shop, cafes, snack bars, Ben’s Cookies & others.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Food in Oxford<\/span><\/h2>

Oxford has a huge variety of food options. Here we collate our favourites – for coffee & cake, when you need a quick bite to eat and then some of the MCR Committee’s absolute favourite Oxford eateries! <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Coffee & Cake<\/span><\/h2>

Jericho Coffee Traders<\/strong> – Possibly the best coffee in Oxford, we also have their coffee beans in the MCR. Found on King Edward Street next to College. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

G&Ds<\/strong> – An Oxford staple. Sells Ice Cream & Bagels. Has 3 shops across the city, which are open until midnight<\/strong>. Cowley Road (opposite JMH), St Aldates & Little Clarendon Street.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

Starbucks, Costa Coffee & Cafe Nero <\/strong>– The main branded coffee shops are found in the city centre. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Quick Food Options<\/span><\/h2>

High Street (\u201cthe High\u201d)<\/strong> – Olives, Taylors, Pizza Hut, All Bar One, Caffe Nero, Grand Cafe, The Mitre<\/em><\/p>\n

Cornmarket<\/strong> – Itsu, KFC, Pret-A-Manger, McDonalds, Burger King, Starbucks, The Crown<\/em><\/p>\n

Broad Street<\/strong> – Mortons (sandwiches), Caffe Nero, The Buttery, The White Horse<\/em><\/p>\n

Queen Street<\/strong> – Marks & Spencer, EAT<\/em><\/p>\n

Other<\/strong> – G&Ds (St Aldate\u2019s \/ Cowley Road), Mission Burrito (King Edward Street, next to the Island Site)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Highly Recommended (\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605)<\/span><\/h2>

The following are a number of restaurants, coffee shops and cafes which come highly recommended by members of our committee. Make sure you try them at some point during your time in Oxford!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

La Cucina (St Clements)<\/strong> – A great family run Italian. Probably the best Italian in Oxford.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Jericho Coffee Traders (The High)<\/strong> – Coffee. Probably the best in Oxford. Discount for Oriel students.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

C\u00f4te (Queen Street)<\/strong> – French brasserie. Very good value early dinner set menu.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Pierre Victoire (Little Clarendon St)<\/strong> – French restaurant. Great tasting food and good wine. The staff actually speak French.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Welcome to the City of Dreaming Spires... Oxford Oxford is known as the \"city of dreaming spires\", a term initially coined by poet, and Orielensis,\u00a0Matthew Arnold. The city is steeped in beautiful architecture and the university plays a central role in the life of the city. Tourists will often ask the direction of 'the University', when ultimately the city\u00a0is\u00a0the university. ...

Read More<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"template-blank-5.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-963","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","no-post-thumbnail"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.orielmcr.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/963","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.orielmcr.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.orielmcr.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.orielmcr.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.orielmcr.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=963"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/www.orielmcr.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/963\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2291,"href":"https:\/\/www.orielmcr.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/963\/revisions\/2291"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.orielmcr.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}