Dreamtripping

The Oxford list.

hereticnarrative:

G&D’s has great coffee and is open until midnight—later than anywhere else in town! They also serve amazing ice cream, pastries, salads, and bagels.
. Coffee Republic is a close second—they close at 8pm or 9, I think, and their coffee is divine.
. Terrific (and well-priced!) sandwich places: Greens (2 locations: St Giles, and on New Rd—just off Queens and Cornmarker), Taylor’s (2 locations: St Giles, and High Street), Heroes (Ship Street), and the Alternate Tuck Shop (Holywell Street).
. The Sainsbury’s on St Giles by Cornmarket closes earlier than the big location inside Westgate Shopping Centre (on Queens).
. Odd Bins has the best deals on wine, etc. for formal halls; Obikwa is the best label—delicious and under £5.
. Boots is the best place ever—like Walgreens + Target + Macy’s makeup counter. When in doubt, check there first, because you’ll probably find whatever you’re looking for. Otherwise, Marks & Spencer’s (M&S) is exactly like Target and items can usually be found there. They even sell really lovely fresh flowers and plants there.
. Primark has great and ridiculously affordable clothing (like, nice sweaters for £2 and coats for £20), which is helpful for buying more winter clothes. They also have well-priced home items.
. Debenham’s looks daunting, but is just a department store. They have everything there. 
. Blackwell’s > every other bookstore… ever.
. The Starbucks on High Street is less touristy and less busy than the one on Cornmarket.
. For cream and high teas: Quod (inside the Old Bank Hotel) and the tea room at the Randolph both serve wonderful tea, but my favorite is the Queen’s Lane Coffee House (and it’s cheaper, too).
. Go punting. Even if you look ridiculous. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting wet. (Your college will probably have its own punts for rent—ask in the porter’s lodge.)
. I’m sure you will anyway, but definitely get your membership to the Oxford Union.
. The PT looks like a drug den, but is actually really fun. Otherwise, off to Park End for an evening out. (Kukui looks like Jurassic Park; Park End and The Bridge are both decent.)
. If you haven’t tried it yet, Pimm’s is spectacular. (But the normal kind is a spring/summer beverage.)
. Good pubs: Turf Tavern, Royal Arms, The Bird & Baby (Eagle & Child), Bear, Lamb & Flag, Chequers, and—naturally—the King’s Arms, where you will inevitably find yourself at some point, because it closes at 12am rather than at 11pm. House Bar has a nice happy hour, too.
. Trout Inn has a lovely, scenic pub and it’s a few miles up the river, through Port Meadow. Well worth the walk, if only once.
. Incidentally, Port Meadow and Christ Church Meadows are both great places for a run. As is Uni Parks, of course.
. If you’re south of the Isis (by the Hertford Grad Centre & Abingdon), the fastest way to town is through Christ Church Meadows and Merton Field; then just take Magpie Lane onto the High. Et voila!
. Best milkshakes in Oxford are at Moo Moo’s in the Covered Market. (There’s also a good crepes place by the newsstand in the back on the side of the market nearest Cornmarket.)
. If you want to study in one of the libraries, I recommend a reading room in the Bod over one in Rad Cam (although its lower reading room is much more comfortable than its upper reading room), since they’re not as weirdly militant about absolute silence. Study in the Duke Humphrey’s Library at least once.
. I prefer the Oxford Tube for travel into London, but the train isn’t bad.
. Cabs have a £5 minimum after either midnight, and a cab across town (i.e. Norham Gardens to Folly Bridge) is <£4, usually.
. There’s a “drunk bus” that you can call that will pick you up for free—I think it runs on donations. Ask your JCR/MCR for the number.
. Places open late(-ish?) to eat: G&D’s (for lighter fare), McDonald’s, KFC, Dominos (delivers), and the (in)famous kebab vans. Which are terrible/amazing. It think it’s Hussein’s on Broad Street, but anyway, they’re good. The best would probably be McCoy’s, though, which is on St Aldate’s next to G&D’s and across from Christ Church.
. Chutney’s has good Indian food and a nice lunch special, and At Thai has good food and they deliver after 6pm.
. If you use Bank of America in the US, use Barclay’s cash machines in the UK/Europe; they’re partnered with BoA, so they charge you less for withdrawals.
. Or, of course, just open a British bank account. (You must first deposit £1000 minimum to get a debit card.)
. O2 and Orange are both good and dependable mobile providers. (You get to take a guest to the cinema for free on Wednesdays with Orange, though!)
. The Mission is the closest I came to finding even semi-decent Mexican food; if you find better, I sincerely congratulate you.
. There’s an LA Fitness buried randomly in the little neighborhood south of Westgate Centre. I don’t know how convenient that might be for you, but it’s there.
. Cowley Road: fun, fun, fun. Lots of terrific artists play the O2 there.
. Take the walk up St Mary’s at least once—it’s a breathtaking view.
. Get lost. It’s tempting, but don’t take a map with you anywhere when you first get there. You’ll see more of the city that way and learn more about where you’re living.. Take your iPod and sit in front on the steps of the Bod in front of Rad Cam in the middle of the night listening to your favorite music. Something about doing this really makes Oxford feel like your own. As you’re sitting there, you’ll suddenly feel the near-millennium of Oxford’s history come alive around you and it will remind you why it’s so extraordinary.

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From dougfirsandgreentea:
. Climb Magdalen Tower, if you haven’t already. As long as you’re not afraid of heights (or afraid of a long steep spiral staircase), the view from the top is spectacular.
. Go through the tunnel that leads from Radcliffe Camera to the Bodleian—it looks space age.

From star-cunning:
. If you join one society, join the Tolkien Society! Strawberry parties in Christchurch’s Fellow’s Garden, Bonfires, punting parties, debates, banquets, silliness, nerdiness - it’s brilliant every year.
. You can get into All Soul’s sometimes, at open days, or if you just sneak in.
. Go to one of Robin Lane Fox’s lectures at New. He is a total legend.

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Oxford isn’t the same for everyone, but if you’re patient and open-minded, the city will reveal itself to you in incredible ways you never expected.