'All mankind... being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.
These famous words from John Locke, one of the most famous academics and philosophers of all time and a lifelong Oxford resident, have come to define what almost every constitution of country, society, company and corporation should be based on. These words have validated what we all have always taken for granted “ freedom and liberty.
It should come as no surprise Oxford has been a breeding ground of intellect for centuries, now. The city of Oxford is often mistakenly referred to as the University of Oxford “ perhaps the best and definitely the most famous university in the whole wide world.
But there's a lot more to Oxford than impressive, at times intimidating intellect. The city itself is a beautiful place to wind down when you feel the heat of hectic workdays all year round. The Oxford of today is a bustling town on the rise that's trying to achieve something beyond the traditional levels of comfort of solving the problems of the world “ physical and metaphysical. In that sense, a trip to Oxford can be very interesting, and cathartic, as well.
Affordable Lodging in Oxford
Oxford, in no sense of the word, is a global city. It's not even among the largest cities in England. Given this background, it would not really be surprising to know that the hotel culture has yet not been able to invade the city as profoundly as it has in cities of comparable sizes, and finding cheap hotels can entail some work in Oxford.
It's true that there are quite a few lodging options available in Oxford. But finding a really affordable and well-stocked option can still be a big concern if you haven't sorted your accommodation issues before even arriving in the city. Budget hotels in Oxford are next to non-existent. The closest one can come to finding such a hotel in Oxford is turning to one of more traditionally English bed and breakfast establishments that usually promise a lot, but deliver much less.
Lavish Hotels “ What to Expect in Oxford
Again, following the similar line of thought as mentioned in the earlier point, it would be quite preposterous and out of order to expect a city like Oxford that relies more on simplicity than substance to boast of a list of high profile luxury and lavish establishments. Hence, if you are a tourist who is not really adept at or used to living at places that are far from being luxurious, Oxford may not be able to assist you much on the accommodation front. Luxury Oxford hotels, or at least the ones that comes the closest to being one of them, are not too exorbitantly priced, either.
Essential Sights in Oxford
Oxford is best known to the outside world as a city of knowledge. In the academic world, the name Oxford wield immense power of authority and authenticity. The only thing that has rendered the name ˜Oxford' so akin to knowledge and excellence is the University of Oxford. Located in Oxford, the university, for centuries, has been the global epicentre of knowledge and understanding. From the intricate laws of elasticity that Robert Hooke founded to even more confounding discussions of mind that John Locke presented, the contribution of Oxford to human evolution can never be overstated. Considering this fact, it becomes quite obvious that the place you should devote the most of your time during your stay in Oxford is the University of Oxford. The central building of the university has weathered over 800 years and even today, it stands tall, amid the growth of skyscraper in the distant background of Oxford skyline. There are more buildings of heritage in the University of Oxford campus than there are in all of other villages and cities in Oxfordshire combined.
Another place that attracts thousands of visitors every month is the Pitts River museum in Oxford. The museum houses some of the most important archaeological, paleontological and anthropological specimens and fossils along with many other interesting artefacts that can definitely interest those who seek knowledge and those who are interested in the history of our species. Apart from this, there is a very popular natural history museum owned and run by the University of Oxford.
The best way to see around the city of Oxford is, lo and behold, on foot. This is a city that can be more easily understood and felt if one is to traverse its lanes and heritage building through one of professional city walks that are regularly arranged by expert local guides for the benefit of the tourists.
Traveling Modes to Oxford
If you want to visit Oxford, the easiest of options is to take a flight from any UK city to the London Oxford Airport located nearby. For international travelers, the best option would be to land in London (Heathrow) and then arrange for a private car or rely on one of the frequent Oxford shuttles that usually take around two hours to complete the journey. Oxford is also well connected with all major train stations in England via extensively scheduled trains.
Once in Oxford, you will be best advised to use privately rented cars for getting around. Taxis for the purpose of sightseeing can turn out to be very expensive. Many Oxford hotels also provide their own cars for the convenience of lodgers for airport/train station pickups and drops.
Oxford Weather
Oxford weather can be called mild, at best. It is one of those English cities that never actually experiences harsh weather of any kind, but yet, is not fortunate enough to have year in and year out consistency of clime. March to June can be considered to be the months that are best suited for a trip down to Oxford. Many hotels in Oxford, however, tend to peak their prices during these months, forcing tourists to hunt for cheap hotels that can fall under their budget restrictions.
FAQs about hotels in Oxford