| |
|
Studying
in Oxford.
 The
city's population of more than 141,000 includes
some 25,000 plus students. This, creates a city
with a lively atmosphere where there is always
something to do or somewhere to go. Here you'll
find buildings which date back to medieval times
rubbing shoulders with shops and offices and all
the bustle of a modern city. Whatever your interests
you'll never tire of exploring and it's all accessible
on foot. One of the joys of the city is that a
car is unnecessary - bus services are excellent
and there are cycle lanes everywhere.
It's quite an experience
to live in a city that millions of people from
across the globe flock to visit each year. Most
people come to immerse themselves in Oxford's
rich history. You'll find 17th century inns, the
famous University of Oxford Colleges, and plenty
of architectural masterpieces to marvel at including
the Radcliffe Camera and Sheldonian Theatre. You
can explore a fascinating array of historical
artefacts at the Ashmolean Museum - Britain's
oldest public museum which houses collections
of antiquities, casts, eastern art and coins -
or at the Pitt Rivers Museum, which displays archaeological
and ethnographical objects from around the world.
If it's culture
you're after, look no further. Art lovers can
enjoy the Museum of Modern Art, which hosts exhibitions
by internationally renowned contemporary artists,
or the Ashmolean Museum's fine historical collection.
A number of interesting smaller galleries are
also dotted about the city. Oxford enjoys a wealth
of musical heritage. A regular season of classical
concerts, with performances by world class soloists
and leading ensembles, takes place in the Sheldonian
Theatre and Holywell Music Room. There's a renowned
chamber music festival in the summer and a series
of contemporary music runs throughout the year.
For musical instrument enthusiasts, the Bate Collection
is well worth a visit. The city boasts five regular
theatre venues offering a rich programme of drama,
dance and music theatre. Chief among them, the
Playhouse stages plays by writers such as Pinter,
Ayckbourn and Stoppard, while the Apollo - which
boasts one of the largest stages in the country
- has a varied line up of touring productions
from opera and ballet to top West End productions
such as Chicago. In contrast the Pegasus Theatre,
Old Firestation and Burton Taylor are intimate
venues offering a varied programme of small-scale
touring theatre and fringe and student productions.
Annual summer seasons of Shakespeare take place
on an idyllic island in the River Cherwell.
 Pubs
and clubs in the city offer an array of live music
from rock to jazz and folk to salsa. Well known
eateries include Pizza Express, Old Orleans and
All Bar One as well as famous upmarket restaurants
- perfect for special occasions - including Le
Petit Blanc and Browns. Oxford's Cowley Road promises
a vibrant night out with its mix of bars and cafes,
and restaurants offering every kind of cuisine
from Polish to Thai and Indian to Lebanese. It's
here that you will find The Zodiac, which hosts
a number of club nights throughout the week and
presents a varied line up of live bands. Cinema
buffs have plenty to choose from with two mainstream
and two independents, catering for Hollywood blockbuster
and art house enthusiasts alike.
When you need to
relax, green spaces are abundant and easy to reach.
You can take a relaxing stroll along the rivers
Thames or Cherwell or wander out into one of Oxford's
famous meadows. If you need a quick escape from
the city centre you can visit the Botanic Garden
- the oldest in the country. But if you would
rather stay indoors, laid back cafes and tempting
sandwich bars offer the chance to grab a coffee
and hang out with friends or simply watch the
world go by.
From rugby and
football to basketball and even greyhound racing,
numerous sporting activities take place throughout
the year. You can get your skates on at the ice
rink or become a dedicated fan of the local ice
hockey team. And the river provides a number of
sporting opportunities, so why not try your hand
at punting or enjoy the summer spectacle of the
rowing regatta.
If you feel
like venturing further afield you'll find a number
of interesting places to visit and Oxford has
excellent connections to other parts of the country.
Frequent and cheaply priced express coaches run
between Oxford and London 24 hours a day (one
every ten minutes at peak times). There are special
coach links to Heathrow and Gatwick airports (half-hourly
and hourly respectively during the day). These
stop on the London Road close to the Headington
Campus. You can reach Paris or Brussels via London
and Eurostar in 5 hours, or link into the UK motorway
network using the M40, which is ten minutes' drive
from the University. You can also escape to some
famous landmarks and beauty spots including Uffington
White Horse and the ancient Ridgeway, the chocolate
box charm of the Cotswolds and the splendour of
Blenheim Palace.
|
|
