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- England
- Oxford
Oxford
Having spawned the legendary Alice in Wonderland, Bilbo and
Frodo Baggins, and the Chronicles of Narnia, Oxford is not only
England's oldest centre for learning, but the home and inspiration
of such famous authors as Lewis Carroll, CS Lewis, and JRR Tolkien.
The city recently added to its literary resume by acting as the
location of several parts of Hogwarts in the blockbuster Harry
Potter films.
The dreaming spires of the famous Oxford University house the
famous Ashmolean Museum and the Museum of Modern Art; other
excellent museums in Oxford include the Pitt Rivers Museum of
Anthropology and Ethnology, the Christ Church Picture Gallery, and
the Oxford Museum of Natural History. Whether lazing on one of the
college quadrangles, punting down the river or exploring the city's
ancient heritage, Oxford promises something for visitors of all
ages.
Outside of the university, the city of Oxford has a number of
its own attractions, including active theatre and art communities
and many unique and interesting shops and restaurants. The Covered
Market in High Street is the oldest in England and worth a browse
and you'll find many shops that sell Oxford University memorabilia,
whether authentic or not.
It should come as no surprise that a town this dedicated to its
university would have a busy nightlife, and many bars, pubs and
nightclubs open their doors nightly to students and anyone else who
wanders in.
Information & Facts
Climate
In common with most of southern England, the weather in Oxford
is generally dull and wet. Records have been kept in the town since
1815 and a month has never gone by without some rain, although
Oxford is comparably one of the driest cities in the country. The
wettest month statistically is October, and the driest March.
Summers are usually mild to warm, although there have been
occasional heat waves. Winters are mild, temperatures seldom
approaching freezing, the coldest month being January with an
average temperature of around 38°F (3.5°C). Nights bring frost, and
snow falls in late winter and early spring.
Getting Around
Regular buses operated by different companies link all parts of
Oxford to surrounding towns and villages. The city centre is
largely pedestrian-friendly and most streets are open to one-way
traffic; therefore a vehicle is more a hindrance than a help.
Parking can be difficult as well. There are several park-and-ride
car parks in the surrounding area, which are the best option for
those arriving by car. Sightseeing is best accomplished on foot or
by making use of a 'round the city' hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
Wide-ranging cycling tracks run through Oxford, offering a more
active, scenic alternative for seeing the city.
Language
English is the official language, though visitors will be
astonished by the variety of regional accents.
Money
The currency is the pound (GBP), which is divided into 100
pence. ATMs are available in all towns and Visa, MasterCard and
American Express are widely accepted; visitors with other cards
should check with their credit card companies in advance. Foreign
currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and large hotels,
however better exchange rates are likely to be found at banks.
Travellers cheques are accepted in all areas frequented by
tourists; they are best taken in Pounds Sterling to avoid
additional charges.
Time
Local time in the United Kingdom is GMT (GMT +1 from last
Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).