Natalie Lamb's Blog: Natalie Lamb and the travel post: Oxford

I have recently gone on holiday with my family to Oxford. Here's a breakdown of my favourite spots, the best views, the places I would have been OK with missing and what's on the list for my next visit.

Places that I thought were really great

University Church of St Mary the Virgin

For £5 (in August 2021) to climb the tower 9-5. We walked straight in and got a time slot for 5 minutes later. It offered some great views of the city and exactly the type of view you want from Oxford. Very much what I picture Lyra's Oxford (Philip Pullman) to be like.

Punting

We went to Oxford’s Magdalen Bridge Boathouse Punting, which was £25 per hour punt yourself or a chauffeured punt ride (private) was £35 per 30 mins. We went chauffeured. Not going to lie though, I don't think it was as good as Cambridge!

The Oxford Artisan Distillery

£20 per adult and a little way out of town but well worth a visit. You get to find out the history and the science behind the gin. They do not skimp on the gin! A great place to visit.

Bodleian Libraries Shop

I never normally buy things- I'm a big window shopper. But I loved everything in this little shop because it was all book related. I wanted everything!

Some great views

I've already mentioned University Church of St Mary the Virgin for great views of the colleges but here are some other recommended views and Instagrammable photo opportunities.

Magdalene Bridge Boathouse

Radcliffe Square (via St Mary's Passage)

The Bridge of Sighs

Victors- a quite expensive but Instagrammable rooftop bar

Places that were OK to visit if you have the time but not for a special trip

Oxford Botanic Garden

Just not my cup of tea. A nice few pictures but not very much to look at compared to other botanic gardens I have been to (I'm thinking Glasgow). You also have to pay for entry.

The Covered Market

This was an indoor market but I found it very similar to a butter market, rather than anything special. It had a few Alice in Wonderland statues in but apart from that was not that special. It was open Monday-Saturday 8:30-5:30 and Sunday 10-4.

The Shop of Secrets/House of Wonders

They are Harry Potter shops right in town. You can nip in if you're nearby but it's not worth going out of your way for.

Oxford Mail

Alice in Wonderland Shop

Similar to the Harry Potter shop, it was very small and had little inside. OK to go to on your way past but not worth a special trip.

Places I'd like to go to on my next visit

The Mad Hatter's Speakeasy Cocktail Bar

This looked like a really cool bar but it was shut when we visited.

Mad Hatters, Facebook

The Eagle and Child

I fancied going to this place because the "Inklings" (C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien and Charles Willaims) met there a lot but it was also shut when I visited.