Great Cheap Things to Do in Oxford
Ways to Make Your Pound Go Further in the City of Dreaming Spires
Jul 23, 2008
With all the gloom-and-doom prophecies about economic recession and prohibitively high gas prices, it’s easy to get discouraged about travel. Everything costs money—from food to tourist attractions to souvenirs. But there are still ways to enjoy yourself on the cheap, and Oxford (which makes a great day trip from London—just two hours by bus, or one by train) has plenty to offer the strapped traveller. Try these tips:
Getting Around
For starters, make a note of the fact that the city of Oxford is walkable. This may seem obvious, but don’t underestimate how powerful it is. There are great bus services available if you need to get quickly from point to point, but a leisurely stroll from one end of town to the other shouldn’t take very long at all, and it affords you the opportunity to really see the place. Forgo paying for a sightseeing bus tour: the best part about using your own two feet, of course, is that it’s free—and it means that should a shop, museum, or anything else take your fancy, you can duck right in.
Eating Well
All that walking can really make you hungry. Oxford features a plethora of cafés, restaurants, and pubs, but if you want to make your pound go further, walk right on by and into the covered market off the High Street. At the back of the market is a fruit and vegetable stand where you can grab whatever appeals to you, while The Oxford Cheese Company, also in the covered market (17 The Market, +44 1865 721 420) offers a gorgeous array of fine cheeses to complement your meal. Grab a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine (try Oddbins on the High Street), and take your portable feast to…
The Park
One thing Oxford isn’t short of is beautiful parks. Take your picnic to the University Parks—if you’re lucky, you’ll even catch a game of cricket; South Park at Headington hill for a stupendous view of the city; Christ Church Meadow, where you can find a spot by the river to watch punters and rowers; or Port Meadow in Jericho to admire grazing herds, river views, and open space. After your meal, have a stroll around your chosen park or a nap in the sun.
Museums
Enjoy the fact that you are in a city of scholars, with world renowned museums: many of the finest don’t charge admission. Try the Ashmolean for artwork and archeology, the Pitt Rivers for an eclectic collection of anthropological goods (look out for the shrunken heads), the Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of the History of Science.
City of Learning
Oxford's colleges and libraries may charge admission fees (or simply be closed to outsiders), but, if your aching feet need a rest, find a comfortable spot on the steps of the Clarendon Building on Broad Street, or Radcliffe Square, and open a book. It’s the sincerest way of learning there is, and every time you pop your head up, you’ll be confronted by a cornucopia of colorful characters making their way down the street.
Thirsty?
Pick your happy hour: many of the bars in Oxford offer cheap drinks or great deals if you come in at the right time—Kazbar (25-27 Cowley Road, +44 1865 202 920), for instance, offers a free tapas with your first drink. If you need a snack, take advantage of Morton’s £1.50 baguettes from 4:45-5:00. Then grab a can of cider or a bottle of beer from an off-licence to whet your whistle.
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