March On To Oxford

Oxford is a city, and the county town of Oxfordshire, in South East England. The city has a population of just fewer than 165,000, with 151,000 living within the district boundary. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through Oxford and meet south of the city centre. For a distance of some 10 miles (16 km) along the river, in the vicinity of Oxford, the Thames is known as The Isis. Oxford buildings demonstrate an example of every British architectural period since the arrival of the Saxons, including the iconic, mid-18th century Radcliffe Camera. Oxford is known as the "city of dreaming spires", a term given by poet Matthew Arnold in reference to the harmonious architecture of Oxford's university buildings. The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the World.

While Oxford has an airport of its own at Kidlington, it is used mainly for private and charter aircraft, and has very little scheduled domestic or international flights. Useful only if you fly your own plane, or are able to charter a small aircraft, though flights to and from Geneva are currently in operation through Baboo and in the summer, Air South West operates a flight to and from Guernsey. The nearest commercial airports to Oxford are those situated around London to the south-east or Birmingham to the north, with most foreign travelers preferring the former.

For those interested in traveling by road it should be noted that Oxford is linked to London, by a 50 mile (80 km) south-eastern stretch of the M40 motorway. The north-western continuation of the M40 also conveniently links Oxford with England's second largest city Birmingham and the West Midlands. Parking and access restrictions are very strict in the narrow streets of central Oxford, they are policed by both wardens and by cameras, with heavy fines which are applicable. The council has also implemented confusing one-way traffic systems, making it difficult to get around by car. Visitors driving to Oxford from the south have quite a very easy access to the Westgate multi-storey car park on Oxpens Road near the city centre, which is really handy but expensive. An alternative is to use one of the five municipal Park and Ride National Park and Ride Directory services which are located in the city outskirts on all sides of Oxford Free parking is offered and it takes about twelve minutes to reach the city centre, a nominal fee of £2.00 is charged for the return bus trip to the city centre. 

Bus travel to Oxford include a frequent and comfortable coach services that run from several convenient bus stops to Gloucester Green coach station in Oxford, normally starting at London Victoria Station, running westwards via Marble Arch, Notting Hill and Shepherd's Bush and then onwards to Oxford. Several Stops in Oxford include beside others Thornhill Park and Ride station, Headington, Brookes University, St Clements, High Street and finally Gloucester Green, which is also well situated. Bus companies between London and Oxford include Oxford Tube, Oxford Express.    

Oxford has lots of places which would catch anyone’s keen eye. For starters there is the Bodleian library, which is one of the main research library in England. It was opened in the year 1602 based on the collections of Thomas Bodley. The Bodleian now possesses numerous branches throughout the university; visiting bibliophiles will be most keen to peruse the central site, which includes Duke Humfrey's Library above the Divinity School, the Old Schools Quadrangle with its Great Gate and Tower, the Radcliffe Camera, Britain’s first circular library, and the Clarendon Building. Moving to the Radcliffe Camera, it was built 1737-1749, the round Camera functions as a reading room for Oxford students and so is not generally accessible. The grand exterior, however, is well worth viewing. The next attraction of Oxford would be the Hertford Bridge. An unusually attractive pedestrian bridge for the students of Hertford College which has popularly become known as the "Bridge of Sighs" of Oxford.

Next comes the Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street. This unusual building was Sir Christopher Wren's first major architectural commission. All these spots and more make Oxford an excellent place to travel to. Just pack your bags and have a great time!