FAQs

Along with the most commonly asked questions, we've put together a list of some other questions we've received in the past relating to Oxford. Using the links below you can find the answers and satisfy your curiosity too!

Questions and answers are listed in the following order
- Weather
- Maps and brochures
- Transport and location
- Tours
- Accommodation
- Eating and Drinking
- Public Services
- Events
- Films, Literature and History
- The University
- Children
- Languages
- Groups
Can you tell me what the weather is like?

A five day forcast can be viewed on the BBC weather page. You can choose the location Oxford, Oxfordshire, or put in your accommodation's postcode.
Can I download a brochure?

Yes, please click on this link to take you to the correct page of this website.
Can you supply me with a map of Oxford?

Yes, please click on this link to take you to the correct page of this website.
How do I drive to Oxford?

Please click here to download instructions.
How do I use the Park and Ride system?

Parking in Oxford is limited, so day visitors take advantage of the Park & Ride system, which was pioneered here. All five Park & Ride sites are clearly signposted from the Oxford ring road. They operate frequent bus services to the city centre 7 days a week (excluding Sunday at Water Eaton). The Pear Tree site serves evening visitors, with buses running until 11.15pm.
Parking at all five sites is free. The standard adult return bus fare to the city centre is £2.50. All Park & Ride buses are equipped to take wheelchairs. Contact: 01865 785400 for travel information Monday - Friday 08.00 - 18.00, Saturday 08.00 - 15.30 or visit www.oxfordbus.co.uk.
How do I travel to Oxford on public transport?

Please download details here.
Where can I find local bus timetable and map information?

The Oxfordshire County Council website has information on:
- Bus services in Oxfordshire and their routes through Oxford
- Map of bus services in Oxfordshire
- Map of routes through Oxford
- Where to catch your bus in Oxford
How can I travel to Oxford from London?

From London there are two coach services that run 24hrs, the Oxford Tube and X90, both of which depart from Victoria at Grosvenor Gardens and call at Park Lane (West side near Marble Arch). The X90 also calls near Baker Street at the top of Gloucester Place and the Tube on Notting Hill Gate. Travelling by coach usually takes about 2 hours.
Trains to Oxford run regularly from London Paddington Station. The direct train usually takes 1 hour, whilst stopping services can take up to 2.
How can I travel to Oxford from an Airport?

London Heathrow and Gatwick airports: all terminals are linked to Oxford by The Airline coach service which operates a direct frequent service twenty-four hours a day.
London Stansted airport is linked to Oxford by the National Express 757 coach.
Details of all airport coach services are also available on the Airport Travel Line: 08705747777.
From Heathrow there is a fast rail link to London Paddington which connects regularly with services to Oxford.
Other airports such as Gatwick and Birmingham also connect to Oxford by train, check the network rail website for details. www.nationalrail.co.uk

Pre-booked airport transfers are also available through taxi firms for details contact Oxford Tourist Information Centre: 01865 252200
Does Oxford have its own airport?

Yes. Oxford Airport is the UK's primary centre for professional pilot training services whilst other businesses residing at the airport offer ad-hoc charter, air-taxis, private hire, regular shuttles and the sale of aircraft and helicopters, their support, operation and maintenance. Unfortunately scheduled flights do not currently run from Oxford Airport. www.oxfordairport.co.uk
How can I get a taxi in Oxford?

Please click here to search this information.
Where can I park in Oxford?

Please click here to search this information.
What is the best way to get around Oxford?

The city centre is largely pedestrianised and safe to walk around.
Bikes can be hired from Bikezone on Market Street. www.bikezoneoxford.co.uk
The majority of local buses are operated by the Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach.
Traveline South East provides journey planning and timetables for any public transport journey in the south east of the country and London. It includes details of all bus services in Oxfordshire, including up to date timetables. www.traveline.info Telephone 0871 2002233 Calls from UK 10p minute, mobiles vary.
The Oxford Tourist Information Centre has details of smaller firms operating services to and from Oxford.
Where can I go punting?

Punts can be hired from the Cherwell Boat House , Folly Bridge or from the Magdalen Bridge Boat House which also provides a chauffeured punting service.
Where do tours go from and when do they start?

Official Guided Walking tours leave from outside the Tourist Information Centre, Broad Street daily.

Ghost Tours begin at Oxford Castle at 6.30 on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The City Sightseeing open top bus tour can be caught from various locations around the city.
What languages are tours in?

The Official Guided Walking Tours which operate daily, are in English.

The Official pre booked private walking tours can be arranged in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Danish, Dutch, Arabic or Swiss contact the Tours Assistant at Oxford Tourist Information Centre. Tel +44(0)1865 252037
Offical Guided Walking Tours also have walking tours in other languages, as part of their yearly programme of extra tours, please check the events diary
City-sightseeing Open Top Bus Tours have commentaries in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, Japanese and Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese).
Should I tip my tour guide?

Official Oxford Tour Guides do not expect tips.
Do I need to book an audio guided tour?

No, audio tours can be downloaded before you even arrive in Oxford.
Where can I stay in Oxford?

We can not make recommendations, but all accommodation on this website is quality assured. For advanced booking assistance telephone the Tourist Information Centre on +44 (0)1865 252200
What do star-ratings mean?

Please click on this link to VisitBritain's website
What's the difference between full-board, half-board and B&B?

These terms are used to indicate which meals are included in the cost of your hotel room.
Full board includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, but usually not alcoholic drinks.
Half board usually includes breakfast and dinner but not lunch.
B&B stands for bed and breakfast. Breakfast is included in the cost of your room.
Where can I eat out in Oxford?

Please click on this link to take you to the correct page of this website.
Where is the post-office?

The main Post Office is located at: 102-104 St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1ZZ

Post Offices can also be found at:
86 Abingdon Road, Oxford, OX1 4PL
328 Abingdon Road, Oxford, OX1 4TQ
1 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HA

Please check www.postoffice.co.uk for other local branches.
Where can I find a doctor?

Contact www.nhs.uk
Do I need to pay for NHS treatment, if I am an overseas visitor?

Find out more on the department of health government website www.dh.gov.uk
Where is the police station?

Oxford Police Station
St. Aldates
Oxford
OX1 1SZ
To report a non-emergency crime or provide information call: 08458 505 505
Where is the lost & found?

Currently, reports of lost property can only be taken at local police stations. You should report the loss to the nearest police station to the place where the property was lost (Probably Oxford Police Station, St. Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1SZ).
If the loss occurred outside Thames Valley Police's area, you should report it to the police force in whose area it happened.
If identifiable property that matches your lost property report is handed in to the police, the police will contact you.
Please note that non-identifiable items such as keys, walking sticks, spectacles and umbrellas will be held at the police station for 14 days before the station disposes of them. Members of the public are invited to attend the police station nearest to where they have lost such an item to inspect and identify any recovered non-identifiable property.
Public transport operators (rail, bus etc) operate their own lost property system. If you lost the item(s) on public transport you should report the loss directly to the operator.
Is there a left- luggage room in Oxford?

No, unfortunately there are no public left-luggage facilities in Oxford. Check with your accommodation to see if they provide a luggage room. If this is not possible the Oxford Backpacker's Hostel, 9a Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford, stores non-resident's luggage at a cost of £2/day.
Is there a central supermarket?

The most central supermarkets in Oxford are the branches of Sainsburys in the Westgate Centre and on Magdalen Street. Marks and Spencers on Queens Street also have a food hall.
Where can I change my money?

A Cash and Go Bureau de change is located adjacent to the Tourist Information Centre on Broad Street for financial exchange and money transfers.
All of the major banks in Oxford will change your currency.
Marks and Spencers on Queen Street & WHSmith on Cornmarket Street also have bureaux de change.
Exchange rates and charges will vary.
Are any special events going on during my stay?

Please check our events diary for forthcoming events, including annual events.
I'm a Harry Potter fan, what can I do in Oxford?

Scenes for various Harry Potter films were shot at Oxford, click this link to see details on our website.
The Tourist Information Centre occasionally organises Harry Potter themed walking tours. Contact them for more information. Tel. 01865 252200 Email: wtours@oxford.gov.uk
What films and television programmes have been filmed in Oxford?

Please click on this link to take you to the correct page of our website.
The Tourist Information Centre occasionally organises Oxford Film Sites themed walking tours. Contact the them for more information. Tel. 01865 252200 Email: wtours@oxford.gov.uk
Which authors have links with Oxford?

Please click on this link to take you to the correct page of our website.
The Tourist Information Centre occasionally organises Literary themed walking tours. Contact them for more information. Tel. 01865 252200 Email: wtours@oxford.gov.uk
What are the opening times of museums in Oxford?

These are the opening times of some of Oxford's museums:
Ashmolean- (Galleries closed in 2009)
10.00-17.00 Tuesday to Saturday
12.00-1700 Sunday
Closed Monday
Pitt Rivers' museum- (re-opens Spring 2009)
10.00 - 16.30 Tuesday to Sunday (and Bank Holiday Mondays)
12.00 - 16.30 Mondays
Museum of Oxford-
10:00 - 17:00 Tuesday to Saturday
Closed Sunday and Monday
Museum of the History of Science-
12.00-17.00 Tuesday to Friday
10:00 - 17:00 Saturday
14.00-17.00 Sunday
Please be aware that these times may change, check before visiting.
What notable people are buried in Oxford's cemeteries?

Please click on this link to take you to the correct page of this website.
Can you supply us with some Oxford trivia?

Yes, please download here.
What times are the Colleges open to the public?

Please click this link to take you to the correct page of this website.
Which Colleges are free to visit?

All Souls, Corpus Christi, Exeter, Harris Manchester, Hertford, Jesus, Keble, Kellogg, Lady Margaret Hall, Lincoln, Mansfield, Nuffield, Pembroke, Somerville, St Anne's, St Catharine's, St Edmund Hall, St Hughes, St John's, St Peter's, Wadham, Wolfson, Worcester.
Merton College grounds only. Old Library tours may be available at £2 per person.
Restrictions still apply: please check with the colleges before visiting.
Can I see any university ceremonies during my visit?

Unfortunately matriculation and graduation ceremonies are for students and invited guests only.
What activities are there for children in Oxford?

Family walking tours, part of the Official Guided Walking Tours, are specially designed for families and run during the school holidays. These can be booked online or through the Tourist Information Centre.

Oxford Castle Unlocked to discover the history of the notorious prison and its inmates
Botanical Gardens which has a new ‘plant detective' children's trail.
Science Oxford
For a more active experience you could visit the Bowlplex at Kassam Stadium or Oxford Ice rink.
Can I take my children to the museums?

The museums in Oxford are happy to welcome accompanied children: many offer family events such as activity trails and workshops, which take place throughout the year
Pitt Rivers' Museum
Ashmolean Myseum
Museum of Oxford
Modern Art Oxford
Museum of the History of Science
All of the above museums are free to visit.
What languages are the guidebooks in the Tourist Information Centre?

Guidebooks can be purchased in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. These are also on sale in our eshop.
What languages are the tours in?

Most daily and themed official guided walking tours are in English. Offical Guided Walking Tours also have walking tours in other languages, as part of their yearly programme of extra tours, please check the events diary
The official pre booked private walking tours can be arranged in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Danish, Dutch, Arabic or Swiss contact the Tours Assistant at Oxford Tourist Information Centre. Tel +44(0)1865 252037
City-sightseeing Open Top Bus Tours have commentaries in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, Japanese and Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese).
Are there any English language courses I can join in Oxford?

Oxford has many language schools. They hold a variety of courses running from 2 weeks to a year in general English and more specialised areas. Many will also help you to organise accommodation in the city.
Please see individual websites for details.
British Study Centres- www.british-study.com/oxford
Eckersley- www.eckersley.co.uk
OISE- www.oise.com
CIE- www.cie-oxford.com
Lake School of English- www.englishinoxford.com
Oxford English Centre- www.oxfordenglish.co.uk
Have you got any advice for group trips to Oxford?

‘Visit Oxford' produces an annual Group Travel Fact Sheet and the Tourist Information Centre is also able to arrange a pre booked walking tour for your group. For more information please click here to go to the correct page of our website.