Essential Hotels > England > Oxfordshire > Oxford

Honey-gold buildings and a riverside setting are just part of Oxford's unique appeal that once visited is unforgettable. College quadrangles and gardens provide a tranquil foil to a compact and beautiful city centre which is lively all the year round. Well renowned as a seat of learning and tradition for more than 800 years, Oxford has centuries of history to unveil while at the same time has not failed to remain in the present.

Traditional pubs can be found that were once frequented by famous writers such as CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien and more recently, Inspector Morse. Both the Oxford Story and the Museum of Oxford tell the history of the city and university. As the birthplace of Alice in Wonderland and Hogwarts Hall in the Harry Potter films, Christ Church is a must see, while internationally renowned museums such as the Ashmolean Museum and the Museum of Modern Art provide something for all ages.

With all the high street shops and many contemporary bars and restaurants, Oxford has a traditional covered market, gift and antique shops as well as some of the finest bookshops in the world. Punting and cruising on the Isis and Cherwell make popular summer pastimes while a walking tour or an open top bus tour, provide great introductions to the city and are available all year round. Parks and meadows in and around the city centre are peaceful places in which to walk, picnic or simply admire the views.

The choice of evening entertainment ensures that Oxford is also a popular place to stay. Live entertainment includes drama, dance, ballet, opera and musicals performed by leading national and international companies at the Apollo and Oxford Playhouse and student productions and concerts held in historic settings such as a the Sheldonian Theatre or Christ Church Cathedral. Pubs, clubs and cafes provide the venues for jazz, comedy and other gigs. However with so much to see and do it will be hard to decide what to leave until your next visit.